Educational Positions
Standardized Tests
We should absolutely not be taking standardized tests in the midst of this pandemic crisis.
The biggest impact on education has come from the implementation of NCLB. "The emphasis NCLB and most recently RTTP has placed on high-stakes standardized tests has changed the nature of teaching, narrowed the curriculum, and limited student learning.'" (NCTE) As a former teacher I am astounded at the amount of test prep that our children do. I am a firm believer that sound curriculum plus good instruction produces good test results. (If not, perhaps it is the test that is the problem?) Teachers should make educational decisions about our children by assessing our students' performance in the classroom using authentic assessments, not by analyzing data based on standardized tests or standardized test prep benchmarks like Study Island. Wilson's pride should be our children, not getting articles in the paper lauding high scores on standardized tests.
Recess
This has been my favorite accomplishment during my time on the board. Below, you will see my original position statement from when I ran for the board the first time. Thanks to some great moms who came to a meeting and speak, and some other board members who chimed in, we went from barely one recess to a guaranteed second recess in less than 24 hours!
Look at any elementary teacher's face when "indoor recess" is announced and you will understand the importance of recess. All elementary students should have a minimum of two 15 minute outdoor, free play recesses per day (not including travel time). Students need recess to exercise, socialize, and recharge their batteries. Learning is a lot of work! It is not developmentally appropriate for students to be "on" for hours on end. In Finland, for every hour students work, they get a 15 minutes of free play recess. I understand that administrators and some teachers may feel like students need more "learning time" to keep up with today's demands (see above). But my question is: What is the quality of that additional time and at what expense to the students' mental and physical well-being?
Fiscal Responsibility
As a member of the school board, I am a steward of the district residents' tax dollars. I take that responsibility very seriously. I understand that many residents are on a fixed income and tax increases aree financially difficult. I believe we can manage the district in a financially responsible way while still providing an excellent educational and extra-curricular experience for our students.
We should absolutely not be taking standardized tests in the midst of this pandemic crisis.
The biggest impact on education has come from the implementation of NCLB. "The emphasis NCLB and most recently RTTP has placed on high-stakes standardized tests has changed the nature of teaching, narrowed the curriculum, and limited student learning.'" (NCTE) As a former teacher I am astounded at the amount of test prep that our children do. I am a firm believer that sound curriculum plus good instruction produces good test results. (If not, perhaps it is the test that is the problem?) Teachers should make educational decisions about our children by assessing our students' performance in the classroom using authentic assessments, not by analyzing data based on standardized tests or standardized test prep benchmarks like Study Island. Wilson's pride should be our children, not getting articles in the paper lauding high scores on standardized tests.
Recess
This has been my favorite accomplishment during my time on the board. Below, you will see my original position statement from when I ran for the board the first time. Thanks to some great moms who came to a meeting and speak, and some other board members who chimed in, we went from barely one recess to a guaranteed second recess in less than 24 hours!
Look at any elementary teacher's face when "indoor recess" is announced and you will understand the importance of recess. All elementary students should have a minimum of two 15 minute outdoor, free play recesses per day (not including travel time). Students need recess to exercise, socialize, and recharge their batteries. Learning is a lot of work! It is not developmentally appropriate for students to be "on" for hours on end. In Finland, for every hour students work, they get a 15 minutes of free play recess. I understand that administrators and some teachers may feel like students need more "learning time" to keep up with today's demands (see above). But my question is: What is the quality of that additional time and at what expense to the students' mental and physical well-being?
Fiscal Responsibility
As a member of the school board, I am a steward of the district residents' tax dollars. I take that responsibility very seriously. I understand that many residents are on a fixed income and tax increases aree financially difficult. I believe we can manage the district in a financially responsible way while still providing an excellent educational and extra-curricular experience for our students.