Successful school reforms pay tribute to "strong curriculums; experienced teachers; effective instruction; willing students; adequate resources; and a community that values education.”
“Organizational changes cannot by themselves create a sound education program or raise education to the heights of excellence that we want. Our educational problems are a function of our lack of educational vision. It is not the organization of the schools that is at fault for the ignorance we deplore, but the lack of sound educational values"
“Not everything that matters can be quantified. What is tested may ultimately be less important than what is untested, such as a student’s ability to seek alternative explanations, to raise questions, to pursue knowledge on his own, and to think differently. If we do not treasure our individualists, we will lose the spirit of innovation, inquiry, imagination, and dissent that has contributed powerfully to the success of our society in many different fields of endeavor.” 226
Mission Statement:
This proposed reform focuses on honoring childhood and the intrinsic values of every student. As an educational community, we are committed to the development of the emotional, practical, intellectual and spiritual qualities of the child. Our goal is to bring together the realm of thinking with the expressiveness of the child's natural curiosity and sense of wonder stimulating intellectual awareness. Focus will be placed on instilling a sense of moral and ethical responsibility while building capacities for learning. Every individual deserves the opportunities to learn and grow in accordance with their life path; our district is dedicated to providing this service to the future of America.
As a Superintendent of a prestigious school district, I am working to reform American public school systems. Our goal is to develop students mentally, physically, and emotionally. We will cultivate intelligence and basic skills in subject areas meeting set standardized criteria expectations in math, science, English, world history, physical education and health, fine and applied arts including but not limited to music, nature exploration and appreciation, culinary arts, studies of consciousness, woodworking, dance, theatre, crafts, etc.
Every student’s learning style will be assessed upon entering the school. Based on the learning styles and interests of each student they will be recommended to established sub-schools.
The sub-schools:
Established based on students learning styles and interests. These will be based off preexisting examples of high performing alternative schools.
Option 1: A high-tech sub-school will be established for students who prefer to work individually and at their own pace. This sub-school will be based off of Metro-High. Students will work at their own pace and will not be able to progress until completing each lesson with an A.
Option 2: This sub-school will be based off of nature and the body, and hands-on, project-based work. Students who need to ‘do’ to learn as well as those who are task oriented will have an opportunity to thrive. This system will be largely based off of Steiner’s Waldorf model, Montessori education, as well as vocational schools.
This program will have a lot of real life applications and projects. Subjects will be intertwined with one-another. This program will have an emphasis on sustainability, school improvement, life skills, and community service.
Examples of educational projects include: Building greenhouses, wind-towers, assembling solar panels, mini-farming, market gardening, cooking, elemental experiments, school/town newspaper,
Option 3: A third sub-school will be based on the arts. This is for highly creative students who expresses themselves and learn in terms of exploring their creativity. Inspiration and evidence comes from Steiner’s Waldorf system.
Option 4: We also offer a general education, traditional system. This is for the intellectual minded. Children from families who oppose our school reforms will be accommodated in this school. We will teach in accord to systems implemented across the country.
These are not definite divisions. Student’s will try the different methods and experience what works best. A test of all the methods will be run during the first week of the school year. Students will have the option of being in different sup-schools for different subject areas. The goal is to teach students all subject areas in the way they will learn it best.
To maintain a teacher/ student ratio of no more than 1/25 and no lower than 1/8, grade levels may be in the same class with one teacher. In all sub-schools (option 4 exempt) the classes are primarily project based or individualized and students’ assignments and expectations will be in accord to grade level.
Teachers will attend developmental meetings over lunch twice weekly. One will be to review and assist in lesson plan development and learning style appropriateness. The second later in the week to debrief with the rest of the staff and faculty; what, what’s going on in the school? So what, how is everyone feeling? So what now, what are steps we can take to have a more harmonious school environment? Where should we focus the school’s resources to best meet all of our needs? What is the best evolutionary next step/ focus?
Financing will remain as is now for our public school systems. The tech sub-school will be supported in large by generous donations from computer corporations. Ultimately, the national government should play a larger role in the funding of public schools. Our school system is still dependent on state and municipal funding.
We acknowledge the importance of teachers in the education of students. We are dedicated to hiring only highly qualified, competent teachers, educated in the most advanced and proven teaching methods. To ensure high quality teachers, new applicants will have an individual interview with me, the superintendent, an interview with the Board of Education (elected into position by parents, teachers, and the community), and a day in the school with the principle and teachers observing and assimilating. To be hired, the aspiring teacher must get approved by at least two the three.
Final thoughts: Policies come from the state rather than school district or even the national government? Support from someone qualified. Intelligent critical thinking
Videos, anything we have discussed in class, Ravitch, research, anything wonderful I find is okay for supporting my claims.
Collective consciousness needs to rise so teachers can focus on learning instead of the political controversies around public education.
Bring two pages written for Monday’s exam including 2-4 questions. These should be open-ended where it shows logical and critical thinking. Want to give the answer, and then provide concrete examples and support for the answers. Can develop any question I want as long as it’s related to information in the course, then I can take whatever stance on the knowledge that I want. Any reasonable answer is fine, its about the reason and support. I’m the one asking myself the question, make one I can answer! Make it what we learned in class all week, not the specifics of my reform.
Goals
Standards: health, happiness, quality of life, information, curriculum, teacher qualifications,
(School organization, choice, financing)
Accountability: Students, teachers, and parents all play a role in the academic performance of the student. How will I test this?
Evaluation
Cassandra Havenor
Exam questions and answers:
1. Why are you maintaining one school with many sub-schools instead of creating charter schools or separate schools?
Each student learns differently. Instead of making a child feel inadequate, our goal is to empower students to learn. If a different school were created for every learning style, we would need to come up with funds for many new schools, pay for transportation, bind students to that program, and separate students based on how they learn. Integration is key for happy successful schools. With sub-schools established within one school building, students can rotate around and learning each subject in a way it sinks in deepest. Adding may be taught best in the garden, but grammar may be understood in our arts school. Letting student’s study where they learn best activated all brain circuits and develops both the right and left hemispheres, integrating creativity and logic, developing a well rounded individual. School should be a fun place, open and free. Diversity is what opens our consciousness to new opportunities and ideas, that is why we are all in one school building.
2. Why do you think the sub-schools are beneficial? Why did you choose those focuses outlined?
I’m looking to decentralize my school system. As I’ve learned from various other school reforms, what works on place isn’t suited for another. Everything is situational. I’m working with my current system of large schools that are unsuccessful. We do not have the means or desire to create new school buildings and develop charter schools. Revamping public schools will influence the most school-aged children in our area.
The areas of focus are attempting to align with the learning styles of students. Every student’s learning style will be assessed upon entering the school. Based on the learning styles and interests of each student they will be recommended to established sub-schools.
A high-tech learning emphasis is for students who prefer to work individually and at their own pace. This sub-school will be based off of Metro-High. Students will not be able to progress until completing each lesson with an A. This method is for students who need individual attention because of high advancement and ability, or needed extra time and focus on areas they do not understand.
Kinesthetic learners will thrive with this program consisting of hands-on, project-based schoolwork. Students often need to ‘do’ to learn. This system will be largely based off of Steiner’s Waldorf model, Montessori education, as well as vocational schools.
Highly creative students and visual learners express themselves and learn in terms of exploring their creativity. These students rarely have opportunities to show their talents in basic school system subjects. Here, their creativity and abilities will intertwine with necessary knowledge and both subject areas will improve. Inspiration and evidence comes from Steiner’s Waldorf system.
We also offer a general education based off the traditional American school system. This is for the intellectual minded and auditory learner. A teacher will be the head of the class leading students to knowledge. Children from families who oppose our school reforms will be accommodated in this school. We will teach in accord to systems implemented across the country.
Receptivity is the foundation of learning. To gain the students interests, they need to see where their place in the system is. Instead of the usual system of molding students around the established educational system they are put in, my method is to shape the system around student needs and learning abilities. Student involvement simply involves the right curriculum and delivery method.
3. How do you plan on evaluating if this system is working?
Each sub-school will have different criteria for assessment and evaluation. Our schools will be based on the fundamental belief that student’s are here to develop their whole self. This includes the mind, body, spirit, emotional maturity, and life skills. State mandated tests are not our focus; we use the results as a guide of how well we are doing from one year to the next.
True evaluation takes knowing where the student is as they enter our institutions in comparison to where they are after instruction.
Every lesson will give opportunities for teachers to assess if the students fully grasp the knowledge. Based on projects, presentations, questions asked, computerized outcomes, and talks, teachers would gage learning. Since a real world approach is being brought to this district, results will be clear, weather positive or negative. Does the project work? Did you complete the computer assignment with an A? Did you explain your art in a logical manner related to the subject? Did you complete the assignment and show logical and critical thinking based on the instruction? Grades, teacher recommendations, and school work all go into evaluation.
4. How are you going to make the teachers accountable?
Teacher accountability is very important in our school district. However, in contrast to many other accountability efforts, we will not have a fear-based institution. Teachers need to feel safe and secure in their work environment. We will value every Teacher for their efforts, skills, ability, and personality.
Teachers often have the best intentions in the classroom. To make sure these intentions are translated into influential teaching methods, Teachers will attend developmental meetings over lunch twice weekly. One will be to review and assist in lesson plan development and learning style appropriateness. The second later in the week to debrief with the rest of the staff and faculty; what, what’s going on in the school? So what, how is everyone feeling? So what now, what are steps we can take to have a more harmonious school environment? Where should we focus the school’s resources to best meet all of our needs? What is the best evolutionary next step/ focus? This brings collective intentions and goals to our schools. We firmly believe in the benefits of collective improvements, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Teachers will sign a pledge of dedication to education, personal advancement/ development/ education as their main goal personally and for their students. This will solidify dedication and determination to the best education possible.
We are dedicated to hiring only highly qualified, competent teachers; educated in the most advanced and proven teaching methods. To ensure high quality teachers, new applicants will have an individual interview with me, the superintendent, an interview with the Board of Education (elected into position by parents, teachers, and the community), and a day in the school with the principle and teachers observing and assimilating. To be hired, the aspiring teacher must get approved by at least two the three.
If students in a particular class appear to be falling behind, the teachers will need to attend outside school workshops to improve their performance.
