Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
NEW DAYS
A lot has happened since that conversation with the state superintendent. Now the retirement of Doctor Paine has left us with questions regarding the direction taken in this state. Personally I will miss Dr. Paine's enthusiasm for tooling schools and teachers with what is needed for school improvement through leadership. I thank Dr. Paine for the opportunities I had in the Principal Institute and working with state department people in the leadership collaborative. Currently our political changes bring a different "wind". It will be interesting to see how the change in governor, the appointment of state superintendent, and the make up of the state board will impact our schools. Did we just become hyperpolitical?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Dr. Steven Paine (interview)
Five years into the future, what would you like to see happening in West Virginia schools that would better prepare students for success in the 21st century?
Dr. Paine’s response (paraphrased) as follows:
Dr. Paine would like to see three things happening within the next five years. First, “21st Century structure in every school and every classroom”. Secondly, “support for high level of instruction to provide student needs to assume the skill sets of the 21st Century”. Lastly, “to see a system that provides resources, time, and assistance to teachers and principals to provide skill instruction”.
Our conversation continued with other relevant points concerning our system of education. Dr. Paine indicated that NCLB did bring to the forefront equity issues from which we can not stray. Our focus on and accountability for children in our cell groups has allowed us to “bridge the equity gap”. However, there is now another gap relative to global issues. We must go from, “addressing the equity mission, to addressing the equity in quality mission”. Dr. Payne said, “That is our biggest challenge”. Because of global issues and the demands of what lies in our future, we must focus on quality in education.
He continued by stressing core subjects and significance in curriculum. We must instill in children a “collaborative and entrepreneurial ability to analyze information accessible on the internet. They will do this as employees-they need to do this as students.” Our core subjects must establish significance. Critical thinking, problem solving, ITC skills are critical for our students. We must prepare for competition in a global economy. “That’s why China and other countries are making the investment in teaching English to primary grade students”. Our content must include instruction in personal economics, credit, investments. Today’s system of retirement will not be available. Access to health insurance may not be available given its high cost. “Civic literacy, ethics, and wellness issues will have a profound impact on our students in the next twenty years.”
“Kids must be connected to the digital world. I would like to see a laptop, projector device, and a smart board in every classroom. A 2 to1 person to computer ratio is needed and maybe even 1 to 1 if textbook dollars can be converted to technology”, says Dr. Paine of classrooms in the future. When asked what he considers to be the biggest obstacles Dr. Paine indicated two areas of concern, the structure of professional development and resources available. “Professional development must be job embedded, not extra hours outside the school day. This state needs to get serious about supporting teachers. We must provide teachers the professional development needed to make it happen. We will never compete internationally if we continue to be so WESTEST driven. We currently require 18 hours of staff development. Do you know that in Singapore teachers receive 100 hours per year?” Resources and funding for technology and professional development are of primary concern for Dr. Paine. He also mentioned an extension to the employment contract. He would like to see additional days added for teachers. “Five to Ten days with pay added would provide time needed to address the professional development needs.”
Dr. Paine closed by saying, “Something I’ve learned and know to be true about teachers is that give them structure, tools, and time, and they’ll get there!”
Dr. Paine’s response (paraphrased) as follows:
Dr. Paine would like to see three things happening within the next five years. First, “21st Century structure in every school and every classroom”. Secondly, “support for high level of instruction to provide student needs to assume the skill sets of the 21st Century”. Lastly, “to see a system that provides resources, time, and assistance to teachers and principals to provide skill instruction”.
Our conversation continued with other relevant points concerning our system of education. Dr. Paine indicated that NCLB did bring to the forefront equity issues from which we can not stray. Our focus on and accountability for children in our cell groups has allowed us to “bridge the equity gap”. However, there is now another gap relative to global issues. We must go from, “addressing the equity mission, to addressing the equity in quality mission”. Dr. Payne said, “That is our biggest challenge”. Because of global issues and the demands of what lies in our future, we must focus on quality in education.
He continued by stressing core subjects and significance in curriculum. We must instill in children a “collaborative and entrepreneurial ability to analyze information accessible on the internet. They will do this as employees-they need to do this as students.” Our core subjects must establish significance. Critical thinking, problem solving, ITC skills are critical for our students. We must prepare for competition in a global economy. “That’s why China and other countries are making the investment in teaching English to primary grade students”. Our content must include instruction in personal economics, credit, investments. Today’s system of retirement will not be available. Access to health insurance may not be available given its high cost. “Civic literacy, ethics, and wellness issues will have a profound impact on our students in the next twenty years.”
“Kids must be connected to the digital world. I would like to see a laptop, projector device, and a smart board in every classroom. A 2 to1 person to computer ratio is needed and maybe even 1 to 1 if textbook dollars can be converted to technology”, says Dr. Paine of classrooms in the future. When asked what he considers to be the biggest obstacles Dr. Paine indicated two areas of concern, the structure of professional development and resources available. “Professional development must be job embedded, not extra hours outside the school day. This state needs to get serious about supporting teachers. We must provide teachers the professional development needed to make it happen. We will never compete internationally if we continue to be so WESTEST driven. We currently require 18 hours of staff development. Do you know that in Singapore teachers receive 100 hours per year?” Resources and funding for technology and professional development are of primary concern for Dr. Paine. He also mentioned an extension to the employment contract. He would like to see additional days added for teachers. “Five to Ten days with pay added would provide time needed to address the professional development needs.”
Dr. Paine closed by saying, “Something I’ve learned and know to be true about teachers is that give them structure, tools, and time, and they’ll get there!”
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
What Needs to Happen in WV Schooling?
If you listen to my "first podcast" in my initial blog you hear State Superintendent Steven Paine state that their is a new set of skills to be taught to WV students. Reference is made to a corporate call for the development of those skills. Also, educational leaders and organizations are listening and considering ways to answer that call.
I might be wrong but those who read this blog may not be the traditional WV teacher. The interesting thing for me about blogging (new for me) will be who, if anyone, posts a comment. And so this digital immigrant tests the waters of the digital natives, maybe at depths beyond my comfort zone.
The central topic here is the need to create in students skills that go beyond traditional school learning. Why? Because never before have people seen the exponential growth and change that happens every day. I think all are in agreement with that element of life today. The implications are daunting.
So, my question on this topic focuses on the future of our schools. What they should look like. How we address this issue of teaching a new "set of skills". As a part of the 21st Century Institute "elevator interview" I was assigned to pose the following question to Dr. Paine and other educational stakeholders:
QUESTION: Five years into the future, what would you like to see happening in West Virginia schools that would better prepare students for success in the 21st Century?
I look forward to your responses.
I might be wrong but those who read this blog may not be the traditional WV teacher. The interesting thing for me about blogging (new for me) will be who, if anyone, posts a comment. And so this digital immigrant tests the waters of the digital natives, maybe at depths beyond my comfort zone.
The central topic here is the need to create in students skills that go beyond traditional school learning. Why? Because never before have people seen the exponential growth and change that happens every day. I think all are in agreement with that element of life today. The implications are daunting.
So, my question on this topic focuses on the future of our schools. What they should look like. How we address this issue of teaching a new "set of skills". As a part of the 21st Century Institute "elevator interview" I was assigned to pose the following question to Dr. Paine and other educational stakeholders:
QUESTION: Five years into the future, what would you like to see happening in West Virginia schools that would better prepare students for success in the 21st Century?
I look forward to your responses.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
First Podcast
Learning to blog. As a part of West Virginia 21st Century Skills Initiative I have created a podcast to begin our dialogue about the future of schools in WV.
Please listen to the podcast and post a comment.
Please listen to the podcast and post a comment.
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