EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Position In Brief: 

Support an educational system that will prepare students for employment, citizenship and lifelong learning.

Position History: 

Adopted 1999, Central San Mateo: K-12 Schools (Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Belmont and San Carlos); amended 2010

Objectives

1. Academic standards that prepare all students in public schools (including charter and magnet schools) for employment, citizenship and lifelong learning, including:

  •  Academic standards that are measurable
  • Teacher flexibility in teaching to the standards
  • The establishment of high school leaving standards

(Working definition of “leaving standards”: Content standards for language, arts and mathematics are to be incorporated into any exit examination. Successfully passing the exit examination is a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation.)

2. The use of assessment instruments that include standardized tests as well as alternative measures of assessment to measure attainment of standards. Instruments should test for basic skills, application of knowledge and skills, and the ability to communicate clearly.

3. Performance Goals

  • A long-term performance goal that 90 percent of a school’s students reach or exceed grade-level standard
  • Annual short-term growth targets for each school

4. Intervention Programs

  • Availability of intervention programs for students to correct their deficiencies. (Examples: summer school and/or after-school programs; one-on-one tutoring)
  • Establishment of an intervention program to assist schools in need of improvement (i.e., failure to meet growth targets) and low performing schools to develop a school action plan to improve student achievement.
  • Regular reporting to the public of funds disbursed on each intervention program.

5. Enhancement of professional development of teachers and staff by providing collaboration planning time.

  • Mentors for new teachers
  • Requirement that only teachers with strong academic skills or credentials be assigned to classrooms such as math, science, etc.

6. School-to-Work Programs

  • All students should be included in a school-to-work program that includes career awareness,  exploration and orientation.
  • All stakeholders should have input in developing the school-to-work program: teachers, staff, school administrators, parents, students and local businesses.
  • Both the school district and the individual school should be responsible for implementing the school-to-work program.
  • The school should provide opportunities for high school students to get work experience and training coordinated with school-based studies.

7. Computer literacy should be required of all students.

8. The funding for maintenance and upgrade of computers in the schools should come from the state budget.

9. Schools should involve parents in the education of their children by:

  • Reporting to parents on how well their children are meeting standards
  • Reporting to parents on how well their students are doing on assessment measures
  • Providing opportunities for parents to learn how to help their children acquire needed skills

 

Issues: 
League to which this content belongs: 
North & Central San Mateo County