Readers will recognize this topic as one the Editorial Board addressed recently. We received the letter below from Gary De Smet, one of the five trustees elected to lead the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. In light of the coming public meeting and the importance we place on education, we defer this week to his comments.
“Student Achievement” is the single topic for the special school board meeting next Tuesday. Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the District Office on Railroad Avenue, just north of the 7-11 store, this is a profoundly important topic. If you are a taxpayer, a parent, or a community member, this meeting needs your attention. What do we expect of your schools? What do you expect of your students?
Our current Mission Statement reads: “We do what it takes to build pathways to success for every student.” Some have argued that our schools already meet this mission successfully – it depends on how one defines “success.” A Latino leader said at our first session on this topic, back on May 5, that learning English and receiving a high school diploma translates to “success” for many. Yet we agreed that success must mean more than just learning English and receiving a certificate of attendance.
Looking up “school” in my 1974 Webster’s leads to “educate” and “learning.” We are redefining terms if we declare that there can be as many pathways as there are participants, to no particular end.
On Sept. 22, I will put forth a new mission statement for the school board to consider: “Every student at grade level.” What does that mean?
It simply means that we will not consider our mission successful unless and until each student is performing at his or her grade level, defined with a clear and easily measurable goal: a score of “proficient” or higher on the state’s STAR tests. Parents, students, teachers and administrators will then be able to make decisions based on squaring the student’s progress against his or her “grade level.”
This is similar to the “A-G Requirements” adopted in other school districts. That term refers to the courses one must successfully complete to enter a CSU (Cal State University). Not long ago, the Los Angeles Unified School District was confronted by members of an unhappy community, demanding more from its schools. Had these concerned people not shown up at the district’s meetings, the consideration of “A-G Requirements” would have failed quickly. The L.A. school board passed the resolution because hundreds of community members, most of them minority or poor, argued effectively for it. These community members demanded of the school district a shot at college for their kids.
Long Beach Unified simply adopted a policy that their Advanced Placement (“AP”) courses would be made up of the same percentage of Latino students as was represented in attendance statistics. Based on performance, that district selected students most likely to have success and provided the support needed. Just three years later, that former Program Improvement district is now a nationally recognized (Newsweek) success story, adopted by President Obama in that context.
Both of those cases are focused at the high school level. Setting high expectations sooner is better, which is reflected in the proposed “Every student at grade level.” Another example: The Roseland neighborhood in Santa Rosa rose up and said “enough” to failing kids. The result is the Roseland University Prep system, which starts in elementary, proceeds to middle school and culminates in a high school: the high goal of university acceptance plus generous, necessary support.
These dramatically successful school programs begin with a clear, concise goal – a mission, if you will. My question for you: “What does Sonoma want for all its kids?” I think the answer should be, “Every student at grade level.”
Come to this meeting and give us your answer. These are your schools.
[Submitted by Gary De Smet, SVUSD Trustee, to both Sonoma Valley papers.]
