Having witnessed firsthand the success of students who have emerged from what is known as A-Levels and Highers (advanced testing and studies which determines which universities a child can proceed to read a subject), in England and Scotland respectively. Prima facie, British students appear to be more academically prepared and equipped than their American counterparts. The current educational system in the United States and especially Colorado needs to raise the level of demands and expectations from students, beginning with kindergarten.
During my time as a trustee on the Mesa State College Board of Trustees, I viewed the number of remedial courses being offered as appalling; incoming college freshmen should be prepared to compete and succeed in a rigorous academic environment. The recent decision by the Joint 50-J School Board is amiable, especially since students were given no incentive to strive hard and achieve the highest grade possible on the C-SAP. At the same time, teachers should be given the leverage to inspire independent learning, rather than “teaching to the test” (which is not teaching at all). Unfortunately the problem is far beyond the power of our local school board to add or detract.
The C-SAPs are not the answer to Colorado and the country’s lag behind the rest of the world in terms of student academic performance. S.B. 191, which passed the Senate and has moved to the House, would tie 50 per cent of an evaluation for principals and teachers to student academic growth, while this sounds like a noble concept, many factors and issues have not been addressed in the committee chambers or on the assembly floor. One factor is that student’s who do not care about a university degree could jeopardize a career of a passionate teacher. The bill also fails to consider a student’s background, learning disabilities, or socio-economic situation.
Our legislators stopping messing around with a messy, hastily researched, and ill motivated bill which is only designed to give Colorado a shot at winning $175 million in the federal Race to the Top education-fund competition. The analogy is akin to buying several lotto tickets in hopes of paying off your mortgage. Winning does not mean you will actually spend the money on what you had planned originally.
True education reform needs to be comprehensive and wisely planed and written. Creating a bigger mess of our K-12 educational system in hopes of winning a federal grant is not the answer.
During my time as a trustee on the Mesa State College Board of Trustees, I viewed the number of remedial courses being offered as appalling; incoming college freshmen should be prepared to compete and succeed in a rigorous academic environment. The recent decision by the Joint 50-J School Board is amiable, especially since students were given no incentive to strive hard and achieve the highest grade possible on the C-SAP. At the same time, teachers should be given the leverage to inspire independent learning, rather than “teaching to the test” (which is not teaching at all). Unfortunately the problem is far beyond the power of our local school board to add or detract.
The C-SAPs are not the answer to Colorado and the country’s lag behind the rest of the world in terms of student academic performance. S.B. 191, which passed the Senate and has moved to the House, would tie 50 per cent of an evaluation for principals and teachers to student academic growth, while this sounds like a noble concept, many factors and issues have not been addressed in the committee chambers or on the assembly floor. One factor is that student’s who do not care about a university degree could jeopardize a career of a passionate teacher. The bill also fails to consider a student’s background, learning disabilities, or socio-economic situation.
Our legislators stopping messing around with a messy, hastily researched, and ill motivated bill which is only designed to give Colorado a shot at winning $175 million in the federal Race to the Top education-fund competition. The analogy is akin to buying several lotto tickets in hopes of paying off your mortgage. Winning does not mean you will actually spend the money on what you had planned originally.
True education reform needs to be comprehensive and wisely planed and written. Creating a bigger mess of our K-12 educational system in hopes of winning a federal grant is not the answer.
