Improving education for all students

By Shayne M. Silva

Quality education can only be maintained by constant evaluation and analysis. Some steps in that direction.

We have completed standards and benchmarks for mathematics and language arts. These standards are more rigorous than the state standards. Presently, science and social studies standards and benchmarks are being written. These are important building blocks to improving education.

The most important step is still to come. Accountability. It is not enough to say all fourth graders must know certain things. We must also assess that they have, in fact, learned these things. When students have mastered the required skills, they should be given more challenging work. If they cannot understand something, they should be given extra support, up to and including summer school, in order to be successful.

Teacher training is another important aspect of educational improvement. As new curriculum is developed, teachers must have an opportunity to confer with colleagues. They also need practice with new materials. The exchange of ideas among teachers fosters a continually improving environment for students. The summer institute and teacher inservice days the district provides, offer these types of opportunities.

I believe students should all be challenged whatever their intellectual abilities. Teacher training should include techniques for differentiated instruction. This training gives teachers the skills to address the educational needs of all students in the classroom, including gifted students. I welcome the recommendations of the District GATE review committee. I believe this is a long overdue review and I hope they will have new suggestions for challenging all GATE students.

Four years ago, I pledged to integrate technology into the classroom. Today all our schools are on line. We have many more computers in the classroom. Our teachers have ongoing training in classroom computer usage. We also have an identified, ongoing funding source for computer equipment. We are considered a technology leader among Contra Costa County schools. I am proud of this accomplishment.

Throughout my term in office I maintained one focus, what is best for children. As a board member, I worked with teachers, administrators, parents and the community to ensure we provided our children with the best educational environment possible. If re-elected, I pledge to continue my focus on improving education for our children.