Postions on challenges and possible solutions
There are numerous challenges facing our schools . Classrooms are overcrowded , there is a lack of music and art opportunities for all, and a deficiency in organized structured science and physical education curricula . Language barriers exist yet we have no form of bilingual or dual immersion alternatives for our students . There is inherent in our current environment insufficient support for innovative methods to solve the aforementioned limitations . Certainly there is a lack of funding so as to allow for more classrooms , qualified teachers , and current relevant materials where needed . The funds that exist are often directed toward expenditures/purchase of numerous programs whose goal is to improve students capacity to perform well on mandated tests. The results of proficiency on these tests has yet to be proven to have long-term sustained benefits.
A few of the actions I might implement would include establishing budgetary priority for hiring teachers for existing space and as needed ot reduce class size and possibly build additional schools and classrooms . One or more sites could be created with immersion or dual immersion programs beginning with English and Spanish . I would suggest continuing current programs which encourage parental education and include or target any schools that may currently have decreased parental participation . These schools would be eligible for participation in a program for parental volunteers to substitute or teach in a field related to their profession at the junior high and in the elementary schools .
Current efforts by teachers to integrate art , music , and science are often excellent. However , a child's exposure to art and music should not depend on the talents or lack there of with their teacher in that field and if they can " squeeze it in ". Outside of required elements and again teacher interest or aptitude , organized science should be required at every level . Thus a program of organized art and music district wide would given budgetary priority after basic requirements are met. Teacher innovations in these areas would be rewarded with additional stipends for participating teachers and administrators .
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