Opening Statement :
Good afternoon everyone. We are here today to have a conversation about very controversial topics regarding education and what some may see as a flawed education system in America. I would like to discuss, with the help of my President (and your next President) Angie Tyner and Vice President Jordana Bove, the many issues our school systems are implementing in today’s society. As well as many solutions to improve attendance in school, ways of assessing not only students but teachers as well, and safety monitors to ensure a safe learning environment for every student. As an administration, we invite others to ask questions or further clarifications about our viewpoints in the education system in America.
Do you believe there really is a crisis in American education?
I do believe there is a crisis in American education. Fact is that in 1970 America was #1 in high school graduation, since then that number has dropped significantly to being #21 in high school graduation. Somewhere along the way, we lost our focus, and I don’t believe it’s a lost cause, but we must act now to save what is left. One of the problems in our school system is many teachers have gotten to the point that they just want to coast to retirement. They’ve vested in their retirement plans and don’t want to change careers even though they’ve lost the passion that put them in that job in the first place so many years ago. Teachers rely heavily on the fact they have teacher tenure. Which is a policy that restricts the ability to fire teachers, requiring a “just cause” rationale for firing. Teacher tenure creates satisfaction because teachers know they are unlikely to lose their jobs. Tenure removes incentives for teachers to put in more than the minimum effort and to focus on improving their teaching. When teachers are not performing at their highest level/capacity it allows for students to also not perform at their best. Students argue, why put forth genuine effort into my school work when my teacher is not motivated to work? Tenure makes seniority the main factor in dismissal decisions instead of teacher performance quality. Administrators believe the more years you are teaching, the more knowledge you have with the topic. While this may true in some cases, the senior teachers who learned their curriculum many years ago do not have the ability to change their lessons into the new curriculum. It is like the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Tenure laws maintain the “last-hired, first-fired” policy. On Feb. 24, 2010, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the LA school district claiming that basing layoffs on seniority harms younger teachers. A solution to teacher tenure is to ultimately get rid of it. Tenure is hurting the educational system because it does not motivate the teacher in any capacity to improve their teaching skills as well as gives them a safety blanket underneath them, knowing they cannot do anything wrong to get fired.
Education should be based on the mastery of real subjects and not just an exam. Many teachers find enormous pressure not to teach their subject but to teach to the test. Much of what is valuable in education cannot be measures in tests and league tables. It takes a real spirit of a teacher to have self-confidence to break free of the exam module and convey the excitement of what really brought them to the subject. Increasing focus on exam performance has piled pressure on both staff and students and caused a sacrifice broader learning. When teachers are providing a better, deeper education it will inspire learning beyond the school classrooms. Statistics show that between the ages of 4 and 19, the average student sat for 105 tests and was assessed in 4/5 years from 13 to 18. This means that students had 2 years being taught about the examination papers and not actually learning anything worthwhile. A number fear is that in the education system, we are focusing on test results and not the general well-being of the student. Many parents are growing concerned about their children’s happiness in the school environment.
What do you believe is the greatest problem in American education today?
I believe the greatest problem in American education today is motivation. Both the students and the teachers are not motivated to work at their highest level. Statistics show that every year, 1.2 million students dropout of high school. Many reasons for this drop in high school graduation is because the students see little value in the course or its content. Regardless of the objective value of an activity or topic, if students do not recognize its value, they may be not motivated to expand effort. However, if students clearly see how coursework connects to their goals, interests, and concerns, they will be more likely to value it, and more motivated to invest time and effort. Strategies to improve motivation include, clearly articulate learning goals, show relevance to student’s lives, connect student;s personal interests into the lessons, and allow the teacher to show their own passion and enthusiasm.
Students will be more motivated to work hard if they see the value of what they are learning to their overall course of study. This gives the student a better appreciation of the combined value of the courses they take and lets them see how each contributes to their overall education. Motivation is often enhanced when teachers connect course material to the students personal interests. Well constructed courses that tap into issues that are important to students can capitalize on student’s motivation without sacrificing intellectual or disciplinary rigor. Having the teacher show their own enthusiasm about the course content can be powerful and contagious. Even if students are not initially attracted to or interested in the material, with embracing the teacher’s enthusiasm, it can often raise students; curiosity and motivate them to find out what excited the teacher about the subject. This can lead them to engage more deeply than they had initially planned and too discover value they had overlooked.
How does your administration plan to increase the nation’s high school completion rate?
My administration plans to increase the nation’s high school completion rate by increasing student engagement. High school classes should have more experiential learning. Such as field-trips and hands- on activities, as opposed to listening to a teacher lecture. Also since teens are primed for social affirmation, they would benefit from mre peer work and well-structured collaboration. Field trips are important because students are able to engage with content in a variety of ways. Concepts are presented through all different media, so students who struggle with traditional learning can feel smart and confident. They are able to access the content better, when they return to school, the trip that they took can serve asa touchpoint for an entire unit.
Other ways to improve completion of high school is make use of early warning indicators. Freshman who are on track to graduate, are 4 times more likely to graduate than students who are off track. Focusing on attendance data. Attendance is the precursor to engagement, learning, academic success, and graduation. Statistics show each week of absence per semester in 9th grade is associated with a more than 20% point decline in the probability of graduating from high school. Schools must work to help students and families understand the cost of frequent absences, closely monitor attendance, and provide support from teachers and staff to get students to class. Raise the bar to “Bs or better.” 95% of students who earn Bs or better and have a GPA of 3.0 in 9th grade go on to graduate from high school. With a C average, however, the rate slips to 72%. For freshman with a D average, only half will go on to graduate. Conveying the importance of good grades and strong GPAs early in students high school careers can keep them from scrambling to catch up when it might be too late.
What is your stance on standardized testing?
Standardized tests are any tests that are administered and scored in a pre-specified, standard manner. Standardized tests are usually used in large scale settings in an attempt to assess the performance of students across whole schools, districts, states, and nations. There are many problems with standardized testing. Reliance on multiple choice item limits the depth at which a test can be for students understanding and thinking. This is one reason why standardized test scores should not be the only measure of a students knowledge and performance. Concerns with effects of testing include that there is an overemphasis on testing leads to “teaching to the test,” making the actual curriculum shallow. Such tests disrupt the school year, significantly reduce time spent learning and causes anxiety to the student.
Many students hate the experience of taking standardized tests. The emotional distress they cause affects students which in turn affects teachers. Teachers feel anxiety and guilt having to give tests. Tests develop a students sense of their capability, achievement, and scholastic progress which later develops a firmer basis for self evaluation and comparison with other. High stakes tests discourage and demoralize at least as many students and teachers as they motivate to work harder. High stakes environments push dropout rates up. Standardized tests tend to measure the temporary acquisitions of facts and skills, including the skill of test taking itself, more than genuine understanding. T that extent, the fact that such tests are more likely to be used and emphasized in school with higher percentages of monetary students.
What other methods can be used to assess our students and teachers?
I believe the system of assessing teachers is flawed and does not truly assess the teachers abilities in their subject. In my experience, many teachers put up a facade for their bosses. While this is sometimes necessary and many people do it, not just teachers, it is not helpful when the teacher is not completely themselves in front of their boss. This gives the illusion that the teacher is always polite and helpful to the students, when in reality the students know the true identity of the teachers. I think there should not be an announced visit or appointment from the teacher’s boss because it allows the teacher to be “thrown off” by the unexpected visitor. Although a teacher should not be “thrown off” by their boss because they should be themselves everyday with their students and they should act just like if their boss was their or not. I believe teachers should be assessed by having a video camera in the classroom and allow their boss to retrieve any video of them teaching a class. This system will allow not only for the teacher to not be able to put up a facade but it will give their boss a clear representation of how they teach. What the teacher can improve in, what they are doing right as a teacher, and how the students are reacting to the teacher.
Students should be assessed in a different matter. Teachers should clearly communicate their expectations in multiple steps well ahead of the due date for exams and assignments. Provide clear rubrics that illustrate how the work will be assessed. Teachers should provide examples of excellent, mediocre, unsatisfactory work, so standards are clear. Teachers should assess often, which helps monitor student understanding and informs the teacher’s course design and pacing. Teachers should build in the course opportunities for students to assess student work and to experience the complexities of establishing standards and criteria for evaluations and to appreciate the difference between outstanding, average, and unsatisfactory work. Teachers should also assert clear expectations regarding the authenticity of student work, be clear about what distinguishes collaborative efforts and what is cheating. Guide students to resources that will help them compose proper citations. Using TurnItin not just to detect plagiarism but also to teach students about the importance of proper citation.
How do you plan to ensure that students around the United States are college and career ready when they graduate?
Most employers seek applicants who are pereservernat problem solvers, communicators, and team players. These skills are needed by all high school graduates to ensure that they are college and career ready. Regardless of whether they plan to complete a 2 year or 4 year college. While employers are seeking students with strong academic skills, they find that applicants don’t have the skills to collaborate, create, think outside of the box, and communicate. When teachers focus on tested subjects at the expense of life skills, students pay the price. If test scores are the reason for teaching and learning, employers are not in the loop. Traditional curriculum and instruction focused on content and memorization.
School districts need to develop focus groups, professional development, book studies, and social media chats about college and career readiness. If teachers and principals do not understand the new goal in American educations, then it will be difficult for them to transform teaching and learning experiences. To prepare all students to graduate from high school and be ready for college and career, then teacher and administrators must begin this important conversation. In a nation that has traditionally viewed high school graduation as an opportunity for some, teachers and school boards can begin having this conversation about what it means to be college and career ready. The changes will not come from speeches, new standards, new assessments, or hoping that more students will graduate high school. Change will come when educators define college and career readiness and begin to ask what is their role.
Education has been called the “great equalizer.” Do you believe this statement rings true today in the United States?
I do believe education is the “great equalizer” in America. This philosophy emphasizes those who work hard and motivate themselves will excel than others who slack or do not put forth genuine effort. I think this is very true in the education system in America. Students who are focused on the task at hand and have skills such as communication and listening can excell much higher than others. Working hard in high school allows students to better prepare themselves in the future with college and their careers. Colleges want to accept hard working students because they know that they’re reputation will go up. Same is true with employers. Employers want people who are willing to go the extra mile for their job in order to raise the reputation of the company. I believe every student is capable of working hard and achieving their goals whether they are an AP student or an average student. The more motivation students receive, the more the education system will change and the country as a whole can change.
What security measures do you believe need to be implemented into our schools in order to ensure the safety?
I do believe the badges that were given to each student were an excellent idea to reduce the uncertainty of those who are in the building and out of the building. However, I do think there is a flaw in them. The problem with having badges is that each student in the high school has access to them which allows them to automatically enter the building. This does not shield us from one of the students being a predator. Any student can easily come into the building and be carrying a knife or a loaded gun in their backpack. While I don’t think backpack checks are necessary, my administration feels it would be most helpful if the doors of the building were somehow metal detected. This allows for students to easily walk through the door without being hassled by security. I think by having the students wear the badges all day is a great idea because again it reduces the uncertainty of those who are in the building.
I also believe reducing the number of doors accessible for students is a great idea. This is because administration and security guards know where students are coming in and out of the building. If there were multiple door entrances and exits, keeping up with them would be impossible. Any person can come into the doors and begin shooting the school or harming students.
Good afternoon everyone. We are here today to have a conversation about very controversial topics regarding education and what some may see as a flawed education system in America. I would like to discuss, with the help of my President (and your next President) Angie Tyner and Vice President Jordana Bove, the many issues our school systems are implementing in today’s society. As well as many solutions to improve attendance in school, ways of assessing not only students but teachers as well, and safety monitors to ensure a safe learning environment for every student. As an administration, we invite others to ask questions or further clarifications about our viewpoints in the education system in America.
Do you believe there really is a crisis in American education?
I do believe there is a crisis in American education. Fact is that in 1970 America was #1 in high school graduation, since then that number has dropped significantly to being #21 in high school graduation. Somewhere along the way, we lost our focus, and I don’t believe it’s a lost cause, but we must act now to save what is left. One of the problems in our school system is many teachers have gotten to the point that they just want to coast to retirement. They’ve vested in their retirement plans and don’t want to change careers even though they’ve lost the passion that put them in that job in the first place so many years ago. Teachers rely heavily on the fact they have teacher tenure. Which is a policy that restricts the ability to fire teachers, requiring a “just cause” rationale for firing. Teacher tenure creates satisfaction because teachers know they are unlikely to lose their jobs. Tenure removes incentives for teachers to put in more than the minimum effort and to focus on improving their teaching. When teachers are not performing at their highest level/capacity it allows for students to also not perform at their best. Students argue, why put forth genuine effort into my school work when my teacher is not motivated to work? Tenure makes seniority the main factor in dismissal decisions instead of teacher performance quality. Administrators believe the more years you are teaching, the more knowledge you have with the topic. While this may true in some cases, the senior teachers who learned their curriculum many years ago do not have the ability to change their lessons into the new curriculum. It is like the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Tenure laws maintain the “last-hired, first-fired” policy. On Feb. 24, 2010, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the LA school district claiming that basing layoffs on seniority harms younger teachers. A solution to teacher tenure is to ultimately get rid of it. Tenure is hurting the educational system because it does not motivate the teacher in any capacity to improve their teaching skills as well as gives them a safety blanket underneath them, knowing they cannot do anything wrong to get fired.
Education should be based on the mastery of real subjects and not just an exam. Many teachers find enormous pressure not to teach their subject but to teach to the test. Much of what is valuable in education cannot be measures in tests and league tables. It takes a real spirit of a teacher to have self-confidence to break free of the exam module and convey the excitement of what really brought them to the subject. Increasing focus on exam performance has piled pressure on both staff and students and caused a sacrifice broader learning. When teachers are providing a better, deeper education it will inspire learning beyond the school classrooms. Statistics show that between the ages of 4 and 19, the average student sat for 105 tests and was assessed in 4/5 years from 13 to 18. This means that students had 2 years being taught about the examination papers and not actually learning anything worthwhile. A number fear is that in the education system, we are focusing on test results and not the general well-being of the student. Many parents are growing concerned about their children’s happiness in the school environment.
What do you believe is the greatest problem in American education today?
I believe the greatest problem in American education today is motivation. Both the students and the teachers are not motivated to work at their highest level. Statistics show that every year, 1.2 million students dropout of high school. Many reasons for this drop in high school graduation is because the students see little value in the course or its content. Regardless of the objective value of an activity or topic, if students do not recognize its value, they may be not motivated to expand effort. However, if students clearly see how coursework connects to their goals, interests, and concerns, they will be more likely to value it, and more motivated to invest time and effort. Strategies to improve motivation include, clearly articulate learning goals, show relevance to student’s lives, connect student;s personal interests into the lessons, and allow the teacher to show their own passion and enthusiasm.
Students will be more motivated to work hard if they see the value of what they are learning to their overall course of study. This gives the student a better appreciation of the combined value of the courses they take and lets them see how each contributes to their overall education. Motivation is often enhanced when teachers connect course material to the students personal interests. Well constructed courses that tap into issues that are important to students can capitalize on student’s motivation without sacrificing intellectual or disciplinary rigor. Having the teacher show their own enthusiasm about the course content can be powerful and contagious. Even if students are not initially attracted to or interested in the material, with embracing the teacher’s enthusiasm, it can often raise students; curiosity and motivate them to find out what excited the teacher about the subject. This can lead them to engage more deeply than they had initially planned and too discover value they had overlooked.
How does your administration plan to increase the nation’s high school completion rate?
My administration plans to increase the nation’s high school completion rate by increasing student engagement. High school classes should have more experiential learning. Such as field-trips and hands- on activities, as opposed to listening to a teacher lecture. Also since teens are primed for social affirmation, they would benefit from mre peer work and well-structured collaboration. Field trips are important because students are able to engage with content in a variety of ways. Concepts are presented through all different media, so students who struggle with traditional learning can feel smart and confident. They are able to access the content better, when they return to school, the trip that they took can serve asa touchpoint for an entire unit.
Other ways to improve completion of high school is make use of early warning indicators. Freshman who are on track to graduate, are 4 times more likely to graduate than students who are off track. Focusing on attendance data. Attendance is the precursor to engagement, learning, academic success, and graduation. Statistics show each week of absence per semester in 9th grade is associated with a more than 20% point decline in the probability of graduating from high school. Schools must work to help students and families understand the cost of frequent absences, closely monitor attendance, and provide support from teachers and staff to get students to class. Raise the bar to “Bs or better.” 95% of students who earn Bs or better and have a GPA of 3.0 in 9th grade go on to graduate from high school. With a C average, however, the rate slips to 72%. For freshman with a D average, only half will go on to graduate. Conveying the importance of good grades and strong GPAs early in students high school careers can keep them from scrambling to catch up when it might be too late.
What is your stance on standardized testing?
Standardized tests are any tests that are administered and scored in a pre-specified, standard manner. Standardized tests are usually used in large scale settings in an attempt to assess the performance of students across whole schools, districts, states, and nations. There are many problems with standardized testing. Reliance on multiple choice item limits the depth at which a test can be for students understanding and thinking. This is one reason why standardized test scores should not be the only measure of a students knowledge and performance. Concerns with effects of testing include that there is an overemphasis on testing leads to “teaching to the test,” making the actual curriculum shallow. Such tests disrupt the school year, significantly reduce time spent learning and causes anxiety to the student.
Many students hate the experience of taking standardized tests. The emotional distress they cause affects students which in turn affects teachers. Teachers feel anxiety and guilt having to give tests. Tests develop a students sense of their capability, achievement, and scholastic progress which later develops a firmer basis for self evaluation and comparison with other. High stakes tests discourage and demoralize at least as many students and teachers as they motivate to work harder. High stakes environments push dropout rates up. Standardized tests tend to measure the temporary acquisitions of facts and skills, including the skill of test taking itself, more than genuine understanding. T that extent, the fact that such tests are more likely to be used and emphasized in school with higher percentages of monetary students.
What other methods can be used to assess our students and teachers?
I believe the system of assessing teachers is flawed and does not truly assess the teachers abilities in their subject. In my experience, many teachers put up a facade for their bosses. While this is sometimes necessary and many people do it, not just teachers, it is not helpful when the teacher is not completely themselves in front of their boss. This gives the illusion that the teacher is always polite and helpful to the students, when in reality the students know the true identity of the teachers. I think there should not be an announced visit or appointment from the teacher’s boss because it allows the teacher to be “thrown off” by the unexpected visitor. Although a teacher should not be “thrown off” by their boss because they should be themselves everyday with their students and they should act just like if their boss was their or not. I believe teachers should be assessed by having a video camera in the classroom and allow their boss to retrieve any video of them teaching a class. This system will allow not only for the teacher to not be able to put up a facade but it will give their boss a clear representation of how they teach. What the teacher can improve in, what they are doing right as a teacher, and how the students are reacting to the teacher.
Students should be assessed in a different matter. Teachers should clearly communicate their expectations in multiple steps well ahead of the due date for exams and assignments. Provide clear rubrics that illustrate how the work will be assessed. Teachers should provide examples of excellent, mediocre, unsatisfactory work, so standards are clear. Teachers should assess often, which helps monitor student understanding and informs the teacher’s course design and pacing. Teachers should build in the course opportunities for students to assess student work and to experience the complexities of establishing standards and criteria for evaluations and to appreciate the difference between outstanding, average, and unsatisfactory work. Teachers should also assert clear expectations regarding the authenticity of student work, be clear about what distinguishes collaborative efforts and what is cheating. Guide students to resources that will help them compose proper citations. Using TurnItin not just to detect plagiarism but also to teach students about the importance of proper citation.
How do you plan to ensure that students around the United States are college and career ready when they graduate?
Most employers seek applicants who are pereservernat problem solvers, communicators, and team players. These skills are needed by all high school graduates to ensure that they are college and career ready. Regardless of whether they plan to complete a 2 year or 4 year college. While employers are seeking students with strong academic skills, they find that applicants don’t have the skills to collaborate, create, think outside of the box, and communicate. When teachers focus on tested subjects at the expense of life skills, students pay the price. If test scores are the reason for teaching and learning, employers are not in the loop. Traditional curriculum and instruction focused on content and memorization.
School districts need to develop focus groups, professional development, book studies, and social media chats about college and career readiness. If teachers and principals do not understand the new goal in American educations, then it will be difficult for them to transform teaching and learning experiences. To prepare all students to graduate from high school and be ready for college and career, then teacher and administrators must begin this important conversation. In a nation that has traditionally viewed high school graduation as an opportunity for some, teachers and school boards can begin having this conversation about what it means to be college and career ready. The changes will not come from speeches, new standards, new assessments, or hoping that more students will graduate high school. Change will come when educators define college and career readiness and begin to ask what is their role.
Education has been called the “great equalizer.” Do you believe this statement rings true today in the United States?
I do believe education is the “great equalizer” in America. This philosophy emphasizes those who work hard and motivate themselves will excel than others who slack or do not put forth genuine effort. I think this is very true in the education system in America. Students who are focused on the task at hand and have skills such as communication and listening can excell much higher than others. Working hard in high school allows students to better prepare themselves in the future with college and their careers. Colleges want to accept hard working students because they know that they’re reputation will go up. Same is true with employers. Employers want people who are willing to go the extra mile for their job in order to raise the reputation of the company. I believe every student is capable of working hard and achieving their goals whether they are an AP student or an average student. The more motivation students receive, the more the education system will change and the country as a whole can change.
What security measures do you believe need to be implemented into our schools in order to ensure the safety?
I do believe the badges that were given to each student were an excellent idea to reduce the uncertainty of those who are in the building and out of the building. However, I do think there is a flaw in them. The problem with having badges is that each student in the high school has access to them which allows them to automatically enter the building. This does not shield us from one of the students being a predator. Any student can easily come into the building and be carrying a knife or a loaded gun in their backpack. While I don’t think backpack checks are necessary, my administration feels it would be most helpful if the doors of the building were somehow metal detected. This allows for students to easily walk through the door without being hassled by security. I think by having the students wear the badges all day is a great idea because again it reduces the uncertainty of those who are in the building.
I also believe reducing the number of doors accessible for students is a great idea. This is because administration and security guards know where students are coming in and out of the building. If there were multiple door entrances and exits, keeping up with them would be impossible. Any person can come into the doors and begin shooting the school or harming students.