|
Today the Michigan Department of Education and our new State Superintendent Brian Whiston released a survey asking what will make Michigan a top 10 state in education in 10 years or less. I encourage everyone in the state including educators, parents, family members, business owners, and especially students to give their opinion as all voices should be valued.
If we sit by and do not give our opinion, we must silently accept what educational reform happens in our beloved state. Here were some of my answers to the questions. Please feel free to use the comment section to add you ideas to the mix: 7. What are the top two or three goals Michigan should focus on? 1. Creating a culture of collaboration between schools and communities NOT competition. 2. Making assessment (mostly formative) and feedback part of our daily process of education. 3. Using assessment for guidance and growth NOT for punitive purposes. 8. What current policies get in the way of that goal? 1. 50% of staff evaluation hinging on 1 or 2 tests yearly. This breeds competition not cooperation to make Michigan a stronger educational state. 2. Top to bottom rankings and scores reported in the news as if educators are failing our students. (They aren't...the system is failing our students). 3. Funds and time given to districts to collaborate with other districts who's best practices are those to emulate. 4. (See above) Revisit funding imbalances between districts and how school schedules must be developed (days required, start times/hours required, post-Labor Day beginnings etc.) 9. What policies are needed to expedite our progress toward this goal? 1. Funding balanced by student need (socioeconomic and special educational needs especially). 2. Incentives for districts and schools who collaborate on best practices up to and including monetary. 3. Elimination of reliance on standardized tests for ranking and sorting schools and instead use to identify those who need more professional development, collaboration and financial support. 10. If you were the State Superintendent, what are the first three things you would do? 1. Reduce reliance on standardized testing to determine school achievement (I.E. begin using portfolios and non-invasive "gradebook" type assessments focused on Standards Based Grading). 2. Continue to reduce time dedicated to standardized testing in each district and its reliance in evaluation. 3. Explore how school financing can be improved and balanced with need. |
5 Comments
Valerie Schueller
9/11/2015 09:07:22 am
Reply
Tom Berriman
11/3/2015 09:01:01 am
I am becoming more and more intrigued by Standard Based Grading. I think this is an educational reform we can all get behind.
Reply
11/3/2015 11:50:28 am
Reward schools with innovative ways of dealing with academic deficiencies, attendance issues and/or behavioral difficulties. (One of the first three things for superintendent to do).
Reply
Matt
11/3/2015 03:22:16 pm
Scott, what are some examples of innovative ways of dealing with this common problem?
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Matt McCullough
Just a chance to reflect over educational articles and ideas that float through my head. Archives
February 2019
Categories |