Future School Vision

Excited to figure out how to use more technology to promote my idea of a school vision! I've always considered myself digitally literate but learning how to blog and earning these tech badges has challenged my skills and knowledge on a whole new level. I earned my credential over 10 years ago so to see the techonological advances and accessability of a variety of programs is amazing! There are so many options for teachers to differentiate instruction and have students demonstrate their knowledge! Long gone are those paper and pencil tasks and multiple choice questions to regurgitate. Technology today enhances our student learning and it is essential for teachers to infuse it throughout the curriculum!

In researching about Board of Education members for our Public School Governance paper, I was able to read more in depth about a Board Member’s misconduct case in my own district (San Diego Unified). In February, we had a Board Member plead guilty for violating the Political Reform Act (California Fair Political Practices Commission, 2016). She was in violation of the act because she accepted a $3,487 scholarship to pay for her son to attend a theater camp. This board member did not disclose to the donor that she was on the School Board. Unfortunately, the donor thought she was helping a student that needed financial help and she did not realize his mother was on the school board. There were additional allegations that included illegally fund raising to pay off debt and college tuition for her sons that were attended by San Diego Unified officials and contractors. She also enrolled her son in a subsidized lunch program even though her income well exceeded the requirement. In the end, the District Attorney conducted a criminal investigation on all these accounts; however, the superior court ruled that the only charge filed against her was for accepting $3,487 in scholarship money. This board member plead guilty to the violation, sentenced to three years’ probation, 120 hours of community service, and prohibited from running for elected office for four years (Magee, 2016). I was shocked to hear that this board member was misleading the community and using her position for her own selfish reasons. She gained the trust of her district/community enough to win their vote for her position. However, she lied to many people about her income to benefit her son’s education. In addition, she tried to seek financial help from other SDUSD employees and contractors to pay off college debt accumulated by her children. If not, how does your school district ensure that there are checks and balances within our school board members to be honest and truthful?

Drop Out Prevention

June is my favorite time of the school year. Not only is it time start wrapping things up...it is time to celebrate high school graduation! I have been fortunate to work with amazing staff and students that see graduation as a milestone. Unfortunately, there are others that are less fortunate and have huge challenges that are difficult to overcome. I work at the high school level and have seen high numbers of students drop out or really just disappear. In the last few years, our district has concentrated efforts in reducing the numbers of these drop outs. Our district shared with us students that are at high risk and it was shocking to hear it usually starts in the early grades. For example, missing a month or more of school in the primary grades, entering 3rd grade without strong reading skills, and lack of positive school experience. I think it was shocking to me because I have always taught at the high school level and never went that far back to explain why students drop out. Our district did inform us that “the middle grades and the first two years of high school are key indicators to identify the majority of students at highest risk of dropping out (San Diego Unified School District, 2016)”.If we pay attention to the “ABC’s of dropout prevention- attendance, behavior, and course performance” we could implement a variety of prevention and intervention strategies to decrease the high numbers of dropouts. My district has implemented a variety of strategies to reconnect with these students that are at risk. One program that I have seen in action is called “Check and Connect”. These are resource teachers that work directly with at risk students. At my site, I have one student that meets with her Check and Connect teacher at least once a week. They look over her grades, attendance, and behavior and create a solid plan to address any issues. The Check and Connect teacher collaborates with all the classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators to ensure the student is successful. Just today, the Check and Connect teacher asked to take our student to meet with the Principal. She has had some significant attendance issues that were due to an unstable home life. Despite these issues, the student was able to persevere with her education and completed all the requirements needed for a high school diploma. Unfortunately, we have an attendance policy that prohibits students from walking in graduation if there is a high rate of absences. The check and connect teacher was advocating for this student’s right to walk in graduation and asked for this special meeting to explain the unusual circumstances. I know our Principal and I know he fully understands the idea of equity and fairness so I am thinking he will allow her to walk. I am curious to hear what types of programs your district offers for at risk students? Have these programs experienced success in decreasing the amount of drop out rates? San Diego Unified School District. (2016). Retrieved from: https://www.sandiegounified.org/dropout-prevention-and-attendance-initiatives