Every eight years, the State Board of Education reevaluates the minimum standards for public schools. This year, the reassessment is part of Governor Craig Benson's Comprehensive Education Reform plans. And the proposed changes to the minimum standards are on the fast track - and scheduled to go into effect this October. New Hampshire Public Radio's Raquel Maria Dillon reports.
One of the core principles behind Governor Benson?s education reform efforts already has a name ?Real World Learning? and a logo, featuring an eagle emerging from a book. The goals are to ? quote ? ?Discover the eagle in every child? and ?Enable them to soar?. State board of education chair Fred Bramante:
BRAMANTE :16 We are talking about the possibility changing role of public school from deliverers of education services to overseers of student learning. Significant shift. More student driven.
Bramante wants to give students credit for the learning they achieve outside of the classroom. His favorite example is student athletes should get credit for physical education. Then he takes it a step further: a gymnast who takes classes and competes outside of the school should also get phys-ed credit and it doesn?t stop there.
BRAMANTE :30 what about student going to France for summer? Comes back speaking French, can they get credit for foreign language. The student should sit down with French teacher and develop assessment plan. If student can meet assessment they should be given credit. We need to orient toward results, rather than inputs.
Bramante says Everything is on the table. He?s willing to consider a more flexible school year ? instead of 180 mandatory schooldays, districts could experiment with longer days or year-round school. The State School Board also could expand math requirements and make kindergarten mandatory (currently it?s voluntary).
Bramante says the concept of Real World Learning will inform all new reforms. And schools should have the flexibility to do whatever it takes to get kids excited about learning. He says Governor Benson feels the same way.
BRAMANTE :14 I was a non-traditional learner, the governor was a non-traditional learner. we were fortunate enough to find our way and to become successful in the world. Personally what drives me is worrying about kids like me.
The state teachers union, N-E-A New Hampshire, agrees that it?s essential to keep students engaged and enthusiastic about school. But many teachers say they?re already using internships, distance learning, and real world experiences to get kids excited about academic subjects. N-E-A President Karen McDonough used to teach high school English:
McDONOUGH :20 I used to bring in poets, recognized writers, drama program, theater. But to just turn over a class say to a poet and say, I?ll see you in 16 weeks? Hehe. That?s our concern!
McDonough says art, music and gym teachers are nervous about their jobs. School boards interested in cutting costs might find it easier to let parents pay for those non-academic experiences on their own.
Which raises an equally large issue for McDonough ? she says giving credit for out-of-school learning opportunities won?t reach the students who need it most.
McDONOUGH :23 that sends up a little bit of a red flag to us as classroom teachers who say what kids are going to benefit? Kids who have financial resources from their parents that are able to take ballet lessons, private music lessons, kids going to France. Low income students are not traveling to France during the summer.
As with any discussion of education, the issue of money inevitably comes up. Bramante says it?s premature to talk about the costs.
BRAMANTE :20 my sense is it?s going to cost about the same. Some cost more, others cost less. I don?t go at this from money standpoint. I go at this from quality standpoint. ? Let?s do ed funding reform after we have a good picture of what ed reform looks like.
Bob Lord teaches Social Studies at Manchester Central High School. He met with Fred Bramante last week. Lord says Bramante?s broad brush approach actually makes people uneasy. He says the social studies teachers did not react positively to the idea of Real World Learning.
LORD :14 to have him say to us this is going to happen generated a negative reaction. To have him say he doesn?t have any specifics, cost implications, impact study on how many jobs. ? I think people are hesitant and concerned about the speed of trying to implement this.
Bramante says engaging the public is a key part of the education reform plan. He?s happy to meet with anyone who wants to talk to him about Real World Learning. He will schedule three public discussions around the state before the end of March.
For NHPR News, I?m RMD.
