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!”
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1 comment:
Shannon Ferris, Teacher Grade 1, Center McMechen Elementary
Marshall County
With moving into the twenty-first Century, it is essential for schools to be ready to prepare the Twenty-First Century future. Schools need to be technology ready to advance the up and rising already technology advanced students. The world centers a round technology and children learn by exploring and using this world. It only makes sense to embrace this skill and better educate our children to bring us above and beyond other countries. Teachers should be kept abreast of the latest technology and teaching trends to better educate themselves and the students they embrace along the way.
But in order for students to be successful, we need to grasp their interest and excel students at an early age. Teachers should stress more emphasis on Language Arts at the early years-Kindergarten to Second Grade. When students can read and use all of the skills associated with reading, students will have a better success rate.
Report Cards can sometimes be very discouraging to struggling students and to their future education. A report card that emphasizes the "positive" aspect of the child and not penalized by the "negative" can be a big influence on their self-esteem. A report that can show the true progress of an individual child on a time-line and where they should be by a certain time can make an impact on the child to work harder.
A look at students, who may not get the chance to attend future education after high school, should have an opportunity to be exposed, trained, and educated while in high school. With the demands of the world and the push for children to grow up faster than ever and on their own with parents both working, they should be trained in life survival skills and trades. The opportunities we provide in high school may not only encourage children to future their education, but also have the confidence in their abilities to feel they will be successful beyond high school.
I feel we are on the right track and need to keep in the back of our minds, "When Kindergarten student’s graduate, what will the world expect of them? Will we have them ready to lead our world?"
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