Recommendation from Susan Judkins Josten

I am pleased to recommend a vote for Shane Schulte for the Des Moines School Board. During the years I have known Shane, he has demonstrated a passion for educational excellence for K-12 students and lifelong learners. His business experience will give him great insight into the skills and knowledge base needed from our public schools. And, I believe his strategic planning and facilitation expertise will add an important ingredient to the collaborative process needed among board members, staff, students and members of the community.

I first met Shane when he was invited to support a strategic planning effort on behalf of the Iowa International Center while I was serving as its board president. I was quickly struck by Shane’s ability to encourage input from all participants while helping to move a variety of opinions in a positive direction and ultimately a final plan. And Shane would not only encourage us to consider the input from those at the table, but to think about others who might not be directly represented but whose lives would be impacted by final decisions. As a former member of the Indianola School Board, I understand how important it is to consider all stakeholders when making decisions. It doesn’t mean all will be pleased with the outcome, but the knowledge that their ideas have been considered makes a tremendous difference in eventual buy-in to needed changes.

Shane has the contacts and the context to make good decisions on behalf of the district. He has actively engaged in supporting the Des Moines Schools by participation on committees and supporting the educational progress of his own family and friends. His firsthand knowledge of many school activities and classes, and the people who direct or participate in them, will prove invaluable to him as a school board member.

I urge district residents to vote for Shane Schulte on September 10th.

Sincerely,

Susan Judkins Josten

Letter to the Editor

Des Moines Public Schools have made great progress in serving our diverse community, even in the face of rising poverty rates and a growing population of students who speak English as a second language.  However, as I walk through our great neighborhoods, talking with residents and introducing myself as a candidate for school board, our conversations reflect the lingering effects of the Sebring tenure.  People talk about administrative concerns, such as the Superintendent’s salary, open records laws, administrative staff levels, hiring practices, and policy governance.  While these are important topics, I hope we can shift the conversation to the challenges we face in our classrooms.

With No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, Federal and State Education Reform movements, decisions affecting the education of our children are being made not in our classrooms or in our communities, but in meeting rooms far removed from parents and children.  The Common Core implementation, which addresses the need for common learning standards, threatens to codify not what we teach, but exactly how and when we teach, leaving little flexibility for teachers to adapt to the unique needs of our children.  Education Reform proponents want to tie teacher performance to standardized testing results, which could reduce our children’s education to little more than tracking reading and math scores.

This is an important school board election for Des Moines and our children.  Our community needs someone to represent their interests.  As a parent, I have worked tirelessly on behalf of all children in Des Moines and Iowa by organizing parents to demand adequate funding for our arts, music and PE programming.  I have an 11-year-old daughter in the sixth grade, and I am in our schools talking with parents and teachers on how we can improve parent involvement and their children’s education.  I have engaged community leaders to understand the challenges we face and sought to find effective solutions in the face of fiscal constraints.  Among the candidates for Des Moines School Board, I have demonstrated both the hard work and leadership necessary for the future on Des Moines Public Schools.

In this election, we have the opportunity to change the conversation and refocus our attention where we need it most, on our children,  This September 10th, Please vote for Shane Schulte for Des Moines Public School Board.

Are we moving away from Homework?

I’m hearing from parents that children are coming home and telling mom and dad that they won’t have homework this year, only tests.  My first response was, “surely they’re mistaken”, followed by, “yeah, right.” But I’ve heard this from more than a few parents so I asked a few of my teacher friends.

Melissa Spencer, a Science Teacher from North High School helped to shed some light.

Shane – With the standards-referenced grading that is rolling out in middle schools (and that we’ve been doing at North for a couple years now), the grade is entirely based on how the student is doing on the standards. That is typically determined by performance on a variety of assessments. We do give a lot of “practice” – some that could/should be done outside of class (aka homework) – that can definitely help students become proficient or exceed the standard.

Dave O’Connor, a teacher from Merrill Middle School added:

Shane: As I mentioned, just because “homework/practice” isn’t “graded” in the traditional sense with points doesn’t mean that it won’t be given and it doesn’t mean that it won’t be used formatively by teachers to provide feedback to students to show them how they are progressing toward the standard. As an implementer this year, I will be giving “homework.” Parents will still see it coming home and hopefully encouraging their students to do it because it provides them the practice they need to do well on the summative assessments (district tests, teacher created assessments) that make up their grade.

So, homework IS given.  It may not be graded, but it does count towards a teacher’s assessment of a student’s understanding of the material.  Sorry kids.

This is a significant change to what parents expect to see.  I would expect that the district is careful about setting parent expectations about the new grading practices in the up-coming school year.  It sounds like we still have some work in this area.

If you have more information or concerns, I’d love to hear them.  Please comment or e-mail me.

Des Moines Neighbors Forum

The Des Moines Neighbors requested responses to a few pre-forum questions. I thought I’d share them with you before the forum on Tuesday.

The neighborhood movement is a growing force in the city of Des Moines. What role should school board members take in relationship to neighborhoods?

A School Board member represents the interests of our children, our parents, and our community leaders. It is the responsibility of a School Board member to know their community and the challenges we face, to understand the many perspectives and potential solutions to these challenges. A School Board member should proactively seek to engage the community, including our neighborhood associations, to understand their needs and concerns.

Aside from “educating our children” what is the prime moving force for why you want to serve on the school board?

I believe our greatest challenge is also our greatest opportunity. If we can find a way to engage the broader community in a discussion about schools and education, then surely our children will be the better for it. But it’s not just about education, it’s about our communities, it’s about our families, and it’s about our values. I hope to build upon the great community engagement in Des Moines to improve our communities.

What are two major legal responsibilities of School Boards and explain how you have prepared yourself to handle these responsibilities once elected?

The School Board is responsible for an annual Budget of $450MM and must conduct School Board business in an open and transparent manner. I have served on the Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee for 3 years and am intimately familiar with our budgeting and public funding challenges. I will engage the community to review the vision of Des Moines Schools, set annual goals, and insure that School Board agendas effectively monitor progress towards those goals.

What have you done to prepare yourself for the elected position of School Board Member?

I have served as Hubbell PTA Treasurer and President, Des Moines City Wide PTA President, Iowa PTA Legislative Chair, Polk County Early Childhood Education Board Member, and Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee member. I volunteer for Back Yard Boys and Dad’s with a Purpose. I have actively engaged parents, teachers, and community leaders over the last 4 years to find solutions for our children.

Do you agree with establishing a curriculum-rich, centrally-located technical and vocational training school? If you do agree, what measures would choose to accomplish this?

I agree and have asked several members of our community about the current state of Central Campus. In order to improve the curriculum that is offered, we need to increase demand for these classes. That means we need to partner with our trade associations to determine what skills are needed in our communities and how we can encourage young adults to pursue these vocations.

Parent Teacher Associations (in Des Moines identified as Parent Teachers Organizations) are a struggling institution in many neighborhoods, serving some schools far more effectively than others. How would you encourage a greater neighborhood “investment” in what’s required for a successful PTA in every school.

I would ask the board to create and approve a Community Engagement policy that defines goals and measures on how to welcome all families into our schools, communicate effectively with families, share how families can support student success, allow families to speak up for every child, share in decisions that affect families and children, and collaborate with the community to connect families to expanded learning opportunities and community services.

Questions from a concerned parent

Nancy,

Thanks for the note. My responses are below:

Why do you want to be the At-Large School Board Member?

– Education has always been important in my family. When my daughter began kindergarten, I made a commitment to her education and joined our school’s PTA. In 2010, when schools stood to lose Arts, Music, and PE Programs, I helped parents in the community voice their concerns. I learned to love to advocate on behalf of all children. I believe now is the time for a change on our school board. I have worked closely with parents and community leaders to improve parent engagement and our children’s education. I am eager to continue that leadership on the Des Moines School Board.

What did you feel the board has accomplished and what do you feel still needs to be done?

– I think the school board has done well to implement programs of choice in the district and I’d like to make sure we continue to offer those. I think progress has been made serving our ELL community. Unfortunately, I feel we still struggle with adequate communications to parents and residents. We need to find ways to engage the larger community if we hope to make significant progress.

What are your feelings towards DMACC’s STRIVE program?

– I know a mother from work whose daughter went through STRIVE and is doing very well. It sounds like an impressive program.

What do you feel about Mike Rowe’s campaign to “Work Smart And Hard”? http://profoundlydisconnected.com/poster/

– Although I’m not familiar with Mike’s campaign, I agree that college isn’t the only path to a happy and successful life. I have been asking why our trades program has diminished over the years and I have not found an answer. We should do more to promote trades as careers. Hopefully the interested will improve and the demand for these classes will increase. I am fully aware that we have 1000s of jobs in Iowa that we can’t fill because our residents don’t have the necessary skills. Its a problem worthy of our attention.

In today’s economic disaster – many are paying unnecessary banking fees for they don’t know how to balance their accounts and feel paying $2.00 for a debit transaction for a bottle of pop is o.k. with them… Students are always asking, “Why do we need to learn math?” — I’ve had a few Bills sent to me, that if I didn’t know my math – I would have paid, not realizing I was OVER paying. You need the problem solving skills Algebra II offers PLUS Consumer Math…. Real life math is an “option” – while math need to enter into college trade programs is “required”. How do we accomplish both for I assumed the Econ classes taught consumer math/budgeting (and where I learned it in Albert Lea, Minnesota) – and was floored when my children did not receive this at the DMPS High School level. Any suggestions?

I work at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and have volunteered in classrooms to teach financial literacy. It is very important. You’ll be happy to know that it is state law that Financial literacy must be taught. I think this must be implemented by 2014.

http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2478&Itemid=4594

FYI – I’m a substitute for DMPS (my BS is in Civil Engineering while my AS is in Business Admin/Accounting Certificate). I see more problem solving applications (needed to develop problem solving skills) in Family and Consumer Sciences (math and science in cooking and math in applications in sewing) AND the Industrial Arts (Technology) that are not being utilized by the majority of students (and always the first to be cut during budget times) – and many students who take these classes are there only there because they were late signing up and/or thought they would be and easy elective classes. Everything taught in these classes ARE real life and should be taught at home – but for some reason, they are left to the schools to educate.

– I agree that problem solving skills are essential. Although I have no control over what is taught in the home, I am glad to see more project based learning opportunities in our schools.

How do we fill the gap by instructing students that they don’t have to hire it done, they can learn to do it themselves – for a penny saved in a penny earned. I’ve seen many middle school students fold up their arms and said, “Make me.” They think they will earn enough to hire someone else to do it for them.

– I think the financial literacy courses will help put this into numbers. Schools do address good character, but work ethic is something that is encouraged and learned at home.

I’m also not a fan of learning math on a computer – BUT I do see real life “problem solving” applications when you are trying to get the computer to take an answer and you have to figure out how the computer is wanting the answer inputted. Providing we get a handle on computer/technology “distractions” – what are you idea’s to get this accomplished?

– Computers are now a part of the everyday learning environment. You’d be amazed at what you saw if you walked through any elementary school in Des Moines. Computers don;t replace a good teacher, but the can offer a wonderful supplement to the learning process.

Thank you for your comments and questions.

Don’t make me beg.

Educate the Whole Child

There seems to be some debate over what it means to educate the Whole Child.

From the ASCD (see below)

Whole Child Tenets

– Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.

– Each student learns in an intellectually challenging environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.

– Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.

– Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.

– Each graduate is challenged academically and prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment.

Founded in 1943, ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is an educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner.

Recommendation from Shirley Brunk

Being a 40 year veteran teacher in Des Moines Public Schools I really appreciate the hard work, energy, and caring attitude that Shane Schulte has given to the children of the Des Moines Public Schools. Shane’s commitment and support through PTA and volunteering with activities around school helped to make learning meaningful and exciting in his daughter’s classroom and the entire school. His commitment to the students, teachers, and the neighborhood community was always evident. His involvement in our school PTA, as president for 2 years and as a member of many PTA committees helped to create a caring and productive learning environment for all the students at Hubbell IB World School. I know that Shane will use this same energy as a new School Board Member to continue improving the Des Moines Public Schools for all of the students of Des Moines.

Shirley Brunk

Q&A with Philips PTA

I received a number of questions from the good folks at Phillips Traditional School PTA.  I thought I’d share with all of you, what I shared with the parents of Phillips.

Questions:

What do you see as the role of the School Board and the relationship it should have with the superintendent and administration?

School board members need to maintain a professional relationship with the Superintendent.  The school board has one employee, the Superintendent.  The school board works with the community to define a shared vision of our schools.  A Superintendent is hired to contribute to and achieve that vision.  A school board does not instruct the Superintendent on how to do their job, but does work to engage the broader community in policy proposals so the Superintendent can make wise choices and manage change effectively.  A school board member has the right to reject policies proposed by the Superintendent that they feel are not in the best interest of the community.  Ultimately, if the Superintendent is not moving schools forward towards our shared vision, we vote to retain or dismiss the Superintendent.

What do you see as the single largest challenge in front of DMPS and what would you do about it?

Trust.  Recent lapses in Open and Transparent government have impacted the level of trust in our elected officials.  We have lost qualified teachers and qualified applicants because of this lack of trust.  I will engage the broader community in discussions that impact our children by regularly communicating the issues and the times when they will be discussed.  I will ensure that open meeting laws are rigorously followed.

What is the single largest opportunity in facing DMPS and what should be done to capitalize on that opportunity?

Community Engagement.  We have a tremendous community, filled with passionate parents, community leaders, and business leaders.  If we can just find a way to engage these powerful resources, to collaborate with the broader community to find solutions and implement change, then we will make tremendous progress in student achievement.

What specific changes do you want made to School District policies, programs or curricula; and why?

I would like to see a zero tolerance policy for physical and emotional abuse, and I would like to see a central department to capture reported abuses.   The safety of our kids is our first priority.  We cannot continue to lose teens to suicide in our community because they were harassed in school.

What do you think is the best way to resolve differences within the School Board members and how do you approach working with members who don’t share your view? How do you propose the Board maintain a positive public image when differences do arise?

Compromise.  Board members need to be able to speak they minds and express their positions, but in the end, find a solution, through public dialogue and participation, that everyone can agree on.  This isn’t always possible, but it will be my means of professional conduct.

What impact do you think the administration, under the leadership of new Superintendent Thomas Ahart, will have on student achievement and the well-being of our schools?

I’m excited about Tom Ahart as our Superintendent.  Tom has shown real leadership in the community.  I see him talking with teachers and parents in our local schools.  I also see him actively working with business and community leaders.  This is the type of leadership we should expect from a Superintendent and it will do wonders to engage the parents and community and make a positive, sustainable impact to student outcome

What is your vision for DMPS as it relates to the future of education? How do we get there from where we are today?

DMPS should be the model of public education in Iowa and it should rival any district in the nation.  We have excellent schools.  We have excellent programs, choice, and opportunities for our children.  We still have many issues to address.  We need to capitalize on our strengths and find ways to resolve our challenges.  It will take everyone to make this happen.  Above all else, it takes hard work

During times of fiscal constraint what programs would you consider essential to maintain the current level of education in DMPS? Where might you consolidate?

Having served on the Budget Advisory Committee since its inception, I know first hand the difficulty in managing budget cuts.  I would continue to leverage the advice of the citizens and employees to review existing programs and determine which ones no longer provide the expected benefits.  There is never a right answer to this question.  However, I will say that our reserves are full.  We have stable funding.  I will fight to get back the arts and music programs we lost, as well as the PE teachers and counselors.

Community

Not sure I can say this enough, but in order for our schools to continue making progress and address the significant challenges we face, we have to find a way to engage the broader community, including parents, teachers, residents, business and community leaders.

I have spent the better part of 6 years as a leader in the PTA, at Hubbell, across Des Moines, and at the state level.  I have worked almost daily with parents and teachers, listening to their concerns.  What I hear most from parents is simple.  Parents want to know what’s going on in the classrooms.  They want to know what their children are learning and how they can help.  They are eager to participate.

Unfortunately, our schools don’t always communicate well with parents.  Sometimes they’re not always accommodating to find solutions that meet the needs of our children that have unique needs.  Sometimes our Administration doesn’t always explain why we’re offering new programs, what benefit they provide, and how it impacts our children.  Sometimes the system gets so confusing that parents simply give up and quit trying.

My focus as a school board member will be to improve communication with our parents and members of our community.  I strongly believe that if we can find ways to include the community in our schools, then there’s nothing we can’t accomplish, and our children will be safer and more prepared for the future ahead of them.