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normanad's comments:
on Day After the Debate
I loved what John Kitzhaber had to say about merit pay for teachers. Using such a narrow, standardized test to measure success is a terrible idea, and I hope that our state and country moves away from the current pass/fail system of testing and towards one that monitors and rewards teachers for their students' progress. He has my vote for his stand on this issue alone!
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Schools & Community
I formerly worked in a family literacy program in Newport RI, serving low-income english and spanish speaking families. We offered GED and ESL classes, as well as parenting classes and social services (mostly in a support role, advocating for parents and families and helping connect families with services available in the community).
I loved this job and found it immensely rewarding and exciting to see families moving toward literacy. Many of the parents involved in the program had not been successful in school. It was thrilling to see them advance in attaining their GED or gain new language skills, and especially see them gain confidence in parenting and feel comfortable enough in their child's classroom to get involved in their child's education. Through our program, parents found value in setting a routine for their children, learned reasonable expectations for their kid's behavior, and found ways to interact with their kids in ways that were more positive and language rich instead of punitive and focused on what the child should not be doing.
These families and children's lives were enriched from this program, and while their test scores may not have risen meteorically, these children will live more safe and full lives. Success in a program like this cannot be measured by the OAKS test or other standardized methods. If your focus is only on the test, there are probably better ways to raise that score. However, if you are interested in creating healthier students who arrive at school ready to learn, then you need to support families and help create homes that have stability. Programs such as the one in Harlem will do just that. I hope Obama pursues more of programs such as this and less Race to the Top programs.
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Finding Solutions: Arts Education
I find it interesting that Oregon chooses to promote skills in music over drawing, painting, and sculpture in the elementary schools. Our school district offers a music specialist k-6, but doesn't offer an "art" specialist, and I'm told this is the standard in Oregon. My children's elementary school teachers have done a fair job teaching "art" to my children, but it has been varied in content by and quality. I think a paid "art" teacher would unify early art curriculum and many, many children would thrive and have a very meaningful experience if offered art by a specialist once a week.
posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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on Religious Clothing in the Classroom
I am a huge believer of the separation of church and state. When I'm in my sons' classrooms during the pledge of allegiance, I always leave out the "under god" section of the pledge. However, I person wearing a religious symbol that is important to him/her should absolutely be allowed. The line should be firmly drawn at clothing that expresses written moralizing statements. Allowing people to wear religious objects would (or could) encourage respect and learning between people.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Northwest Passages: Cynthia Rylant and Nikki McClure
I help coordinate a SMART program in Washington county and many of our volunteer readers are retirees. I love the way the Mr. Putter and Tabby appeals to both of the age groups in this program, and love the series in general.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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