RE: Questions for the day

Hi!  I'm Sharyl Backues, and I teach High School Mathematics at Oroville High in Northern California.  I am also a parent of two children who are in the California Public school system...one currently enrolled at CSU Chico, and the other is still in high school.  I am also a product of the California school system myself.

I would love to see a Master Plan that allowed students to have uniform expectations throughout the state.  This expansion from the post-secondary arena to pre k through post secondary is huge.  What about students who do not choose college as their life path?  Are there going to be vocational options for them?
I think you are going to need to consider keeping several pathways open for students, so that they have options for success.  We have large segments of special needs students, and right now they are being held accountable to the same standards, with very few opportunities for modification or exceptions.  You are expanding the scope from willingly attending adult college students, to all students.  Not all of these students desire or value education.  But we as K-12 schools are responsible for educating them all.

The current emphasis on standards based education has been a step towards a more aligned education system, but we have had only limited time to see the effects.  I think that the better we can define expectations, the more we can acheive uniform outcomes...but expections must be made clear, as well as the level of competence for the expectation.  For example, California Math Standard for Algebra 1, Standard 3.0 states
"Students solve equations and inequalities involving absolute value" (Mathematics Framework for California Pubilc Schools, 2000 Edition, p.74) Now most people realize this could be made extremely simple or difficult, based on the specific question chosen.  A level of expected competence must be included, especially if a teacher is going to be held accountable.  

I am looking forward to further dialog, and am glad to see the tough questions being asked.  I would like to thank those responsible for encouraging this dialog to take place.