DR. STEVE FOUGHT • PROFESSOR
Anyone who knows me understands I am not a fan of “averages,” nor am I a fan of standardized scores. In my opinion, you simply cannot evaluate something as complicated as a school system by something as simple as a test score, even if you use the trend of that single average test score over time.
What I look at is other things, like graduation rates, which are quite good, and the colleges that accept our graduates—an impressive list. Then, I look at other sorts of options our students have, such as our vocational education—something that has ramped up in the last 5-6 years and is outstanding. I also can’t say enough about Richarte [Alternative Ed]. How many kids have been saved by that program?
Then I start looking at the courses students have available; Robotics, and a whole range of computer courses. I went to see the 3-D printing courses, and what I’ll call the “education with industry” program, where students work with local businesses to get a taste-test on their career interests. How about the advanced math and science (STEM), and the various arts and music programs? And then sports, where students learn how to really get along; teamwork, and tough work—what it means to win, and lose, and do it all with grace. These things didn’t happen by accident, and they aren’t captured by the “standardized test scores”.
So, when somebody comes along and says, “These schools are failing,” and the evidence is a single set of test scores, I have to say, “Wait a minute, let’s look at the bigger picture.” These schools are not failing from my perspective. There’s no doubt the test scores need to improve. Somebody needs to teach these students how to take a standardized test. There is, after all, an art and a strategy to taking those. So, do it, it’s overdue. And then get back to the real business of educating our young people to be good human beings and good citizens—which is far more important than teaching them how to take a test.
So, at least in my opinion, these are very good schools, and I like the way they have been developed over the past six years or so. I would certainly send our kids there if they were of the age to attend.
~by Steve Fought
DR. RON SWAIN • COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS CONVENER
With a background in higher education, Dr. Ron Swain believes youngsters need exposure to many things, and setting high expectations is of critical importance. Dr. Swain asserts that educating our children is a community effort, and not the sole responsibility of the schools. When he served on the Board of the Georgetown Project, he incorporated the philosophy of the Ready-by-21 program, which operates on the idea that focusing solely on school-related issues will not ensure all young people are ready for independence.
Around our schools are “pipelines” of other organizations and entities that can share that responsibility to help children prepare, by age 21, for work, career, or military. He explains, “Education is not just the District’s sole responsibility; our leadership needs to be transparent so that we, as a community, will know where we can be supportive, fill in, and provide resources when necessary.”
He says he finds great satisfaction and understanding from being a tutor and reading buddy. “I look at elementary school as a place where every student is equipped with foundational skills; reading and math. It prepares them for middle school, where that learning is enhanced to a higher level and they can be exposed to various future options in terms of career choices. They begin to show interest and passion for things they may have talent for, and assessing their potential for higher education. In high school, these explorations are refined, reasonably, to two or three areas of interest, that they want to pursue that may mean going to college, work, or into the military. That is where GISD’s readiness programs comes into play. It helps youngsters at the high school level zero in on what they want to do for the next 5-7 years.”
He emphasizes that technology must be one of the elements of this plan as it is what makes the modern job market change to rapidly. “Opportunities today are much greater than in the past, and we won’t know what opportunities will be available to them. We need to prepare them, with curiosity and adaptability, for lifelong learning.”
BETTY SCHLEDER • ACTIVIST
by Betty Schleder
We don’t have a choice to not vote. On May 1, everyone in Georgetown, including Sun City, needs to vote for School Board trustees.
Nikita Kruschev said, in 1956, “We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the United States. We will bury you from within.” As a former educator, It is my belief that what children are taught, they ideas that are put into their hearts and minds, they will become.
For this reason, the Sun City Grandmas and I believe that we have to vote, and we have to vote for Tim Carr and Ben Stewart. I believe this because I do not believe that educators belong on school boards—they belong in the classroom, and in administration for schools. The responsibilities and decisions of Trustees must be left to parents of students, and business people who value the educational values of our city. By comparison, would anyone ever put a union leader on a corporate board? I believe having educators on a board leaves too much room for personal agendas that is out of touch with temporal needs of children.
Tim and Ben are wonderful parents who espouse the conservative values that reflect Georgetown as a whole. Both are leaders in the community and have given so much to our schools already; we should be so lucky to have them both on the board.
STAAR FACTS
I am aware of the controversy between teaching to the test and the District’s low score from three years ago. I have spent many hours speaking with these two fathers, and I encourage others to get the facts when it comes to the STAAR test. First, look at the data; the scores that reflect our failing grades are based on averages.
Making judgements on schools based solely on averages does those students a disservice. We need to look deeper; our students built an airplane! We are blessed to be in such an extraordinary school district.
The time I have spent with Tim and Ben, they have repeated, with enthusiasm, that they are available to anyone who wishes to understand the facts and significance of the testing and the scores. I also listen to other city leaders whom I respect and trust; they are all in agreement regarding what Tim and Ben represent for our children.
AT THE POLLS
I just want to tell people, if you care about schools, you must vote on May 1. Please consider the book The Dream House, which is being read by student-led book clubs in Leander ISD. No one in the ISD fully vetted the books in the reading list, and this book was paused—not cancelled—only after many parent protests. The book is a memoir about an abusive, same-sex relationship that includes graphic depictions of both. Without rendering judgment on the content, it is unquestionably not a book for high school students. Administration failed to vet the book, saying, “The team relied heavily on recommendations and online book reviews.” That is Williamson County, not some far way place in Oregon. This same district has also cancelled Huckleberry Finn. Our school board plays a part in our school’s reading materials.
It’s important to remember, once Trustees are elected to the school board, there is nothing we can do about the votes they cast. If our Board decides to approve a curriculum that includes material in conflict with our values, or fire someone they disagree with, parents will be largely unable to do anything about it. This is why I am saying we need conservative school board members.
My bottom line, I’m not only a former educator, I’m a parent who raised two children with whom I was very involved. I am also very active in the education of my grandchildren, and am eager to help them seek and choose the best educational opportunities.
I’m not sure how GISD could do better than it is now. Yes, until everyone gets a perfect scores, we can improve. But at what cost to the social-emotional health of our children?
I believe GISD is doing something right and we can be proud of it.