Letter from the Superintendent - November 2015
Each year as a school district we are evaluated by the guidelines of the federal government’s “No Child Left Behind” law placing districts in the difficult position of having students take a one-time test proving that they are grade proficient in reading and math. That means all students including students in poverty, special education, non-English speaking, or otherwise labeled. It is a frustrating, time-consuming process of preparing for tests and assessing the results, then testing and assessing the results, and so on and so on. When last year arrived each child was to be proficient. 100%. If not, you were labeled “needs improvement” if any child in any sub-group was not proficient.
I write this not to say that schools should not continually be searching to find ways to become better. To get through to those students, who for whatever reason are not able to meet that cut score set by those at the state level that are responsible for setting the bar higher for our students, can be tough. We’ll keep working, collaborating with other schools and teachers who can share methods and examples that have been successful with their particular group at a particular time. We need a commitment from students and parents to help, as well. In an educational climate that at this time really doesn’t care if a child has learning problems, may be dealing with emotional issues, or may not be blessed with the advantage of having all of the “extras” that some kids grow up with, the “No Child Left Behind” law has turned into a punitive tangle of red tape and expense. We must move forward, however, and do the very best we can.
I recently corresponded with Dr. Matt Blomstedt, Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education, to express my concern about the frustrations of our school, along with most of the schools in the state of Nebraska, are dealing with. He agrees. I feel confident that the Nebraska Department of Education is on the right path and will be supportive of districts that need ideas and support, but will appreciate the things that we do well. In essence, we are all hoping that soon we will be allowed to do what is best for our students and not have our primary focus be on scores on one particular test on one particular day. That experiment has had its time and not achieved its goal. The concept of preparing our students to become college or career ready makes sense. Kids are individuals, however, and we should be allowed to work with their aspirations, not the ideals of a federal bureaucracy.
Sincerely,
R. Todd Porter