STRATEGIC DIRECTION FORUM DRAWS CONCERNS ABOUT 'LEARNER-CENTERED' APPROACH

Many parents turned out for last night's first school district strategic planning forum at the Board of Education offices, which prompted both praise and concern about the ongoing planning sessions.

You can see last night's meeting on video HERE. A second forum is set for tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Much of the discussion was focused on the mission statement of the ongoing strategic planning process that cites use of "learner-centered" education. 

One definition from the University of the Sciences says: 

Learner-centered teachers do not employ a single teaching method. This approach emphasizes a variety of different types of methods that shifts the role of the instructors from givers of information to facilitating student learning. 

During the first forum on Tuesday, several parents offered praise for the effort, but concern that the latest planning language was either vague or over-reaching and worried the "learner-centered" approach might veer too far from basic learning.

"This seems very open-ended, it seems like in theory this is all very good," said one parent. "But I don't see anything here in terms of expectations and tangible results."

Another parent believed the learner-centered approach was getting too much influence and there was not enough of other options: "I feel a little bit like we're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. All of these strategies are really great, but I feel like there are populations of students that often get left behind." 

One mother said she worried about students with learning disabilities, stating, "my concern is for children in the younger grades, in the elementary schools, who have difficulty mastering ... very basic skills."

And, finally, one parent was critical, stating: "there is a marked absence of the words 'academic,' 'academic excellence,' 'knowledge,' anything like that in the mission and in the strategies."

At the end, Superintendent John Ramos defended the process, stating it was only at step four of a 12-step planning approach. "When we start to think strategically, then we move the ball forward to accomplishing that mission ... this is very thoughtful, deep work."

Ramos also cited the need to have a plan to attract donors to the district.

If you missed yesterday's forum, you can go to the second such event tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the board meeting room, 525 Academy St.