Core Issue 1: Attitude of Mediocracy
We can longer accept the status quo. The world is changing and our graduates are fleeing this state at an alarming rate. Our advanced students are not being challenged enough and our struggling students are not getting the much needed interventions. Our teachers do what they can with the support they have but it is not enough. They need more support. We need more opportunities for enrichment. We need serious, dedicated, consistent interventions for those who are not up to par. We understand the goal is to reach proficiency but what happens after that? There is a gaping black hole in the system. We need to have a discussion on how to bring challenges and creativity back into our classrooms. The answer is not more testing, more guides, or more theories. The answer comes from a practical application of our ideas. We hear we don't have the enrollment or money to offer enrichment opportunities. We see it differently. Offer the enrichment and we will have the enrollment. We are trying to shift the perspective to one where risks can be taken to propel our district into the future.
We can longer accept the status quo. The world is changing and our graduates are fleeing this state at an alarming rate. Our advanced students are not being challenged enough and our struggling students are not getting the much needed interventions. Our teachers do what they can with the support they have but it is not enough. They need more support. We need more opportunities for enrichment. We need serious, dedicated, consistent interventions for those who are not up to par. We understand the goal is to reach proficiency but what happens after that? There is a gaping black hole in the system. We need to have a discussion on how to bring challenges and creativity back into our classrooms. The answer is not more testing, more guides, or more theories. The answer comes from a practical application of our ideas. We hear we don't have the enrollment or money to offer enrichment opportunities. We see it differently. Offer the enrichment and we will have the enrollment. We are trying to shift the perspective to one where risks can be taken to propel our district into the future.
Core Issue 2: The Disrespect of our Teachers
This is a huge problem. We are losing quality educators and it is not just over pay. Yes, we have a ridiculously low salary base and it is not right. Our teachers cannot even keep up with the cost of living. They are highly qualified, dedicated people who do not get any compensation for their hard work. But there is more to this issue than just pay, this stems from a larger problem where their voices are not being heard. Our teachers are in the trenches and know educational policy and procedure better than anyone else. They know what is working and what is not. They know that researched based does not necessarily work for every child all the time. They believe in research and best practices but also need the trust and flexibility to do what they know works. We have amazing educators with advanced degrees and years of experience that are not being utilized to help shape this district. Morale is low and their is a major lack of trust in the system. Who can blame them? We need to fix this. We can no longer allow our teachers to go unheard and unrewarded. They are the heart and soul of this district. They are the ones interacting with out children every single day. We need them to be at the top of their game and feel valued and respected. This is what will increase our test scores.
This is a huge problem. We are losing quality educators and it is not just over pay. Yes, we have a ridiculously low salary base and it is not right. Our teachers cannot even keep up with the cost of living. They are highly qualified, dedicated people who do not get any compensation for their hard work. But there is more to this issue than just pay, this stems from a larger problem where their voices are not being heard. Our teachers are in the trenches and know educational policy and procedure better than anyone else. They know what is working and what is not. They know that researched based does not necessarily work for every child all the time. They believe in research and best practices but also need the trust and flexibility to do what they know works. We have amazing educators with advanced degrees and years of experience that are not being utilized to help shape this district. Morale is low and their is a major lack of trust in the system. Who can blame them? We need to fix this. We can no longer allow our teachers to go unheard and unrewarded. They are the heart and soul of this district. They are the ones interacting with out children every single day. We need them to be at the top of their game and feel valued and respected. This is what will increase our test scores.
Core Issue 3: The District
Let's face it, we can't put all the blame on the State. This problem has been coming for a while. The well is dried up and their is nothing else to do but make more and more cuts. This is going to affect the level of education our children receive. The bigger problem is the breakdown of communication. Things are tense in RCAS. People are not talking to each other and rumors are everywhere. Fingers are being pointed, sides are being taken, information is not being shared, and people are being blamed. This is not a good time. However, this is the best time to set aside all agendas and have an honest conversation. I think we can all agree this is about our kids. We need to do better for them. We need to realize we are all on the same team with the same goals. We are trying to be an objective filter, to get some momentum back. We need to have a vision of how we see RCAS changing for the better. We want it to be a place where people move here just to go to our awesome schools.
Let's face it, we can't put all the blame on the State. This problem has been coming for a while. The well is dried up and their is nothing else to do but make more and more cuts. This is going to affect the level of education our children receive. The bigger problem is the breakdown of communication. Things are tense in RCAS. People are not talking to each other and rumors are everywhere. Fingers are being pointed, sides are being taken, information is not being shared, and people are being blamed. This is not a good time. However, this is the best time to set aside all agendas and have an honest conversation. I think we can all agree this is about our kids. We need to do better for them. We need to realize we are all on the same team with the same goals. We are trying to be an objective filter, to get some momentum back. We need to have a vision of how we see RCAS changing for the better. We want it to be a place where people move here just to go to our awesome schools.
Core Issue 4: The State
The problems RCAS are facing are mutli-faceted and complicated. There is no easy fix. We will try to break it down so we can start a discussion about all the players and their role in our children's education. We all know the state has drastically cut funding over the years. Their purpose is to put the control back into the hands of the local people. If the state increases the funding, they have more say on how it is used. However, the cuts have been so drastic most districts cannot keep up. For example, the state did decide to give us a 2% increase this year. That is a move in the right direction but it does not even cover the cost of increased expenses. The formula is also flawed. It does not account for inflation or a transient population. The Governor has created a Blue Ribbon Task Force of legislators to look into problems with education. (There are no teachers, administrators, or parents on this task force.) We need to lobby our state to increase funding and change the formula. We are looking to gather all of that contact information to disseminate to the public. Here are some links that might help explain the above post:
http://www.sdbpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SD-Talking-k-12-funding-web-posting-11-6-14.pptx
The problems RCAS are facing are mutli-faceted and complicated. There is no easy fix. We will try to break it down so we can start a discussion about all the players and their role in our children's education. We all know the state has drastically cut funding over the years. Their purpose is to put the control back into the hands of the local people. If the state increases the funding, they have more say on how it is used. However, the cuts have been so drastic most districts cannot keep up. For example, the state did decide to give us a 2% increase this year. That is a move in the right direction but it does not even cover the cost of increased expenses. The formula is also flawed. It does not account for inflation or a transient population. The Governor has created a Blue Ribbon Task Force of legislators to look into problems with education. (There are no teachers, administrators, or parents on this task force.) We need to lobby our state to increase funding and change the formula. We are looking to gather all of that contact information to disseminate to the public. Here are some links that might help explain the above post:
http://www.sdbpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SD-Talking-k-12-funding-web-posting-11-6-14.pptx