Parent: School Curriculum Needs Better Focus
Board says it welcomes all communication from public.
Progress is being made by the Washington Township School Board of Education to fulfill and meet its goals set forth in August, 2011, according to Superintendent Jeff Mohre.
But one of those goals, focusing on curriculum and instruction enhancement, isn’t being aimed in the right direction, say some parents with children in the school system.
That curriculum project encompasses language arts/literacy; mathematics; social studies; science; world language; music; art; physical education; health; and media/technology.
Over the past few years, the district, despite losing classroom sections in world languages, has added instruction for English as a second language and additional special education classes.
“Why is there no plan in place for adding world languages,” asked Leta Davis. “It seems like the special education students and gifted and talented kids are getting more of the focus. Why aren’t the average kids receiving the benefits of costs savings?”
Davis referenced neighboring towns’ options of multiple world languages at the elementary level, including an introduction to Chinese course in the Chesters and Mendhams.
“We have a lot of competing programmatic forces,” Mohre said. “We have not put the addition of a world language in our administrative recommendation.”
Mohre cited the constraints of the 2-percent state-mandated tax cap on the creation of a school budget as one of the reasons the district can’t expand in some curriculum areas.
One of the recommendations, Mohre said, will be to add more special education instruction to the Long Valley Middle School next year.
“I’d like to see academic excellence in our schools,” Davis said. “Why is it OK to have just one world language? There should be more choices of where the money is spent. We’re an amazing special education district, but it’s just one segment of the population that gets a lot of attention.”
Board President Michael Rec addressed the school’s governing body, currently constructing next year’s budget, saying the board needs to “address all dimensions of the segmented population during the budget process.”
“This might be the year to look at curriculum and make some changes; let’s think outside the box,” said Long Valley resident and parent of five Julie Tuner. “How can we make the district better than it already is? We got a lot of programs back, but there are still a lot of kids falling through the cracks.”
Community Voice Lacking
Both Davis and Turner, in addition to Long Valley resident Tracy Tobin, said the community’s role at board meetings has dropped off, and not enough voices are being heard.
“The purpose of the board meetings is to let the public be heard,” Tobin said. “But there’s something wrong in this town with the apathy level, and there’s a major drop-off of attendance at meetings.”
Board member Walt Cullen said it doesn’t matter how many residents show up to a meeting, voices will be heard, regardless.
“If there’s one person in the audience or 100, we’ll listen to what they have to say and take their suggestions seriously,” Cullen said.
“We have an obligation to listen,” Rec said. “We don’t have all the answers, but we’re open to listening.”
Omega
7:00 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Students have been told they will no longer be offering French as a foreign language at WMC. They will finish up with the students currently enrolled, but it will not be an option going further.
Leta
9:22 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Why are we getting rid of these options and Mendham High offers Spanish, French, Chinese and Latin?! Am I the only one who thinks this stinks??
La Quin
10:45 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Leta, the schools are NOT equal. It seems to be the 'richer' school gets more then the 'poorer' school.
Leta
10:52 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
La Quin - The amount of money in our budgets K-12 vs K-12 in Chester/Mendham is surprisingly similar. I don't think it is "richer" schools get more, I believe it is where they put/spend their money that is different!!
La Quin
3:25 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Leta,
I was referring to the face the districts 2 schools are not created equal..The courses offered are better at WMM and the building / computers seem more up to date.
I realize we here pay MORE then our fair share (in actual tax rates), it's the whole we pay for your school attitude of many WMM people/kids. We actually pay a much higher percentage of our assessed value into school taxes.
Leta
3:53 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
La Quin, to clarify, I wasn't referring to our taxes vs. theirs, I had looked some time ago and only looked at the "cost" to run each district as a whole and they were very similar. If the Administration at one HS believes it is in their populations best interest to have x program, new computers, nicer walkways, they will put it in their budget. The other schools administrators may have different priorities. Yes there is one Super overseeing both HSs, but I am fairly certain the Principals at each of the schools have a major role in putting together their schools budget, which includes programming recommendations etc. The principals at LVMS, OFRS, BAC and FK, all put together these same budget recommendations, programming, facilities issues etc. Where the schools put their money is decided by the leadership of the schools then they "sell" their overall budget to the BOE who then in turn can either accept it, suggest changes, or say no.
lvresident
10:25 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I truly appreciate all of your efforts and work towards improving our schools and always being the voice to the BOE. Having a blog or any other ways to be able to communicate to the BOE would be very much welcomed and appreciated.
What research has been conducted that warrants another
SE class be added? I would like to ask the board, why do they feel that the SE needs be met and not those of our above average students? All students should be able to receive the best education and if the school is only catering to the needs of the SE, then the schools will continue to fall behind and therefore, parents will no longer value the education here in LV and move to other towns.
When I attended LVMS (many years ago) I was able to take mechanical drawing, wood shop, cooking, sewing, Spanish, art, gym, music and the intermural activities were even more diverse. When I moved from LV to a suburb of Chicago in 8th grade I was shocked to see how little LVMS actually was offering compared to my new school. The difference was not only in the extra programs, but in the acedemics.
Do not get me wrong, I am proud to have my child attending the Washington Township School System, but the schools have so much potential to be great and not just good.
I also do not know a lot about the problems and programs at LVMS, but I would like to see more emphasis on the students having opportunities to learn to their potential and be more challenged.
La Quin
10:52 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
FYI our gifted program in this town is LACKING! Overall we offer less diverse classes then other districts and limit who attends more then other districts too. Fairfield offers WAY more options, allows private/homeschoolers to join clubs teams. Montclair is LIGHT years ahead of us in school options! But I just keep repeating that over and over. We need to overhaul our schools and re-look at what we offer, and where money is being spent. Maybe we are spending money on things we have been told 'look good' while other districts have figured out what is ACTUALLY good.
what do colleges want? ... diverse quality education with strong basic skills. is that what we offer? are we offering flash colleges don't care about? how many of our classes count as college credit? are the kids prepared to take those classes, is the k-8 system preparing our kids for highschool?
Leta
11:26 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Oh, and we only have 2 G&T teachers back, would like the 3rd and to see an Accelerated/Advanced Math classes starting in 4th grade! For one brief year it was in 5th grade. Many schools including our neighbors start advanced math in 4th grade. In a phone conversation with one of our administrators, they told me If it was up to them, there would be no Accelerated Math program in the middle school, but don't worry it isn't going anywhere"! That comment speaks volumes and how can a true "educator" make such a comment?!
Leta
11:26 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Yes, I believe I was missquoted, I don't recall mentioning G&T. I know all about the G&T and was part of the fight to bring back the 3 teachers and programming, that our Administration was so quick to put on the chopping block!! It is not back to what it once was, nor as strong as it could be!
concerned dad
11:03 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I agree the focus needs to be on the majority of the students not just on the special needs students. Why should the special needs students get more attention and the average kids are having programs removed. Are we turning into a special needs school district only? People are pulling there children out of our schools and sending them to private schools. Chester and mendham schools are starting to pull away from us and leave us in the dust. Yet all we do is dump more money into special needs and take away from the other students. I might be wrong but isn't this like reverse descrimination. What child will be left behind now? I have no problem paying the high taxes if my child is being treated with the same options to help them excel as a special needs student is offered.
La Quin
3:29 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
The reason people are pulling their kids and putting them into private schools is our lack of gifted programs, advanced programs, and overall 'so-so' curriculum. We have great teachers, I just wish we used them more effectively.
..
oh, and concerned dad, I pulled my kid out to homeschool because I felt her needs were not being met.. so I understand how you feel. That said, I had a LOT of reasons to homeschool, and I am not sure any district around here would have made me happy. I would have had to move to another state as NJ lacks magnet schools.
bigmama
5:33 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I am discouraged by what I hear about our Middle School but I think there is a nation-wide problem with education. Leta and Julie...love the blog idea as I hear so many great ideas floating around and there is not apathy but busy schedules and perhaps blind trust. For me it has been blind trust because our schools have good reputations and I pay a lot in taxes so I have trusted the system. However, the deeper I get into our schools the more I think the system is outdated and needs fixing. In what other industry are jobs guaranteed? What motivation does a teacher with tenure have to be innovative if they are guaranteed their pay raises and have job security regardless? If the teachers were held to a rubric like our kids, with a monetary bonus structure attached not only would teachers be more motivated to challenge and innovate, but the profession of teaching itself would get a boost. In addition, learning a foreign language is not a novelty like it was when I was growing up, it is a necessity in a global economy. Why should our best math program be limited to such a small group of children? I am afraid that our brightest students are the ones getting left behind and if we don't start drastically fixing our education system now, our entire country will be left behind.
lvresident
5:38 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I agree with bigmama 100%
LV2012
8:51 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
We ARE being left in the dust based on what the CBS (citizens for better schools) group of Mendham and Chester is trying to accomplish!
We moved into this area a few years ago from another state and chose the Regional High School District because of it's state ranking. We also thought why live in Mendham or Chester, if we can buy a much less expensive home and still reap the benefits of a great Regional High School. We assumed, based on the HS ranking, the K - 8 district would do an exceptional job to prepare my children for high school. Well, after living here a few years, I am very disappointed in the WT School District. It's tough to accept that most of our tax dollar is going toward a mediocre elementary education. I agree with the above statements, we should give each student an equal amount of resources special needs or not.
LV2012
8:52 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Our LAL program must be overhauled, period. It's virtually non-existant. Why does the Junior Women's club run a summer reading club contest and Science Fair? Shouldn't these programs come from our schools, schools that encourage fun summer reading and the curiosity of experimental imagination? Have you heard that less than 20 fourth and fifth grade WT student's registered for the Junior Women's Club Science Fair this year? Why is that? Chester's Science fair is so crowded, the room is bursting at the seams with projects. Another item that puzzles me is why are there so many middle school students performing "highest honors" , my guess is that the bar isn't set very high.
Claire
7:10 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
The reason there are so many high honor LVMS students is because the teachers don't want to hear it from the parents so they give out A's. LVMS math does not prepare the kids to take Geom as a Freshman (and those who do struggle with Alg2), LA program is terrible, they don't teach how to write a paper and homework needs to be done graded every night, thats a big wakeup call for the kids as they enter HS. LVMS does not prepare for WMC. Wake up Principal and Superint.
LV2012
8:52 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Unless you live under a rock, the US in general is scoring low in areas of math and science compared to other countries, why doesn't our superintendent focus on these areas and push for an overhaul? In all fairness,majority of teacher's in LV are doing their best, but are only teaching what they are instructed to teach and that is "teach to the NJASK test", my kids are already telling me they are starting to prep for the test in class!
Like most, I cannot make most meetings because of family obligations. Wouldn't it be great and have our school board use some of the technology that's out there like a WebEx or Skype?? Or am I living a dream....
GiGi Richards
9:54 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Am I the only one who noticed that the quote from Mr. Mohre was about "adding more Special Ed classes at LVMS?" To be honest, I am fed up with the amount of money and time spent on the special ed classes. Our district needs to put more emphasis on the gifted and high average students. Maybe this sounds callous, but the truth is these are the kids who deserve and will benefit from a more diverse and challenging curriculum.
Obviously, there is a need for special ed. classes but not to the extent that we have now. I know some (or maybe all) of it is state mandated, however it seems a shame to me that the many bright kids on this town are getting robbed of the important education they need and deserve.
Lastly, not everyone is able to attend BOE meetings, so perhaps forums like this might be a good place for BOE members to peruse to get a feel for public opinion.
djson
11:53 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
I agree with GIGI. Special Education is obviously necessary but the gifted and high average students ARE being left behind. The number of honors students at LVMS is ridiculous. The accelerated math offering is extremely limited - 1 class per grade level - really... Why are there so many A's given in math for "non-accelerated" students?? How are they being challenged and prepared for high school?? I see students who struggled in elementary school to get Bs & Cs suddenly making honors early in the 6th grade and wonder "wow how does that happen -- so quickly"? I am concerned that my child is not being challenged enough, I want him to be prepared for HS let alone college! I don't believe it's because the teachers don't want to hear the parents but something is going on!!