Closing the GATES to High Achievers
Editors Note: The following are comments by Linda Vista Elementary School parent Marjan Bavand Dunn to the Orange Unified School District Trustees at the June 7 Board meeting. We at the Education Alliance find Ms. Dunn's comments well reasoned and wise recommendations to the OUSD board. Unfortunately the OUSD board failed to even seriously consider Ms. Dunn's comments.
I believe in public education; that's why my kids are enrolled in public school. Public education is the great equalizer in our society which allows any child, regardless of economic status, the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. It provides hope.
Right now, the education debate is focused solely on closing the achievement gap between under performing students and those that are proficient. Unfortunately, the pendulum has swung so far in allocating resources to under-performing and English Language Learning students, that other students are being shortchanged.
Specifically in OUSD, the GATE coordinator position has been assigned to the Principal of Panorama Elementary IN ADDITION TO her other duties as principal. The GATE coordinator is also responsible for the Honors and Advanced Placement Courses at all of the middle and high schools.
This comes at a crucial time for high achieving students, since the program is scheduled for a review next year. How is the new administrator expected to implement a pro-active, vibrant program in her spare time? Without any GATE training the learning curve is tremendous.
While it may seem like a necessary financial decision, the move is actually shortsighted. The majority of the school district’s funding comes from student enrollment. Having a strong program for high achievers is good public relations for the district which would attract and retain parents who are considering private school. The wait lists at nationally-ranked Troy High School in Fullerton and our own McPherson Magnet School are a testament to parents’ commitment to educational excellence.
Also, Irvine Unified's foundation exemplifies the financial commitment and investment the community is willing to make for high performing schools. After all, "closing the achievement gap" is hardly a rallying cry that inspires community investment.
Parents who can afford private school are willing to give public schools a chance if they believe their kids will receive the best possible education. In addition, it is the district's responsibility to meet the needs of high achieving students. Without appropriate challenges high achieving students face loss of interest in school, increased drop out rates and behavioral problems.
I am here to urge you to reconsider this shortsighted move and to hire a full-time GATE administrator. With a full-time person in our corner, we will be able to build a program worthy of our high-achieving students. The money will come. We will retain students we are currently losing to private school and attract students whose parents weren't going to consider public school. A full-time coordinator could apply for and receive additional funding through grants.
This is not a management question-this is about leadership. This is our opportunity for a program that will allow Orange Unified to shine and that fosters hope in our public education system.
Marjan Bavand Dunn,
Orange, California and OUSD Parent
Editors Note: The following are comments by Linda Vista Elementary School parent Marjan Bavand Dunn to the Orange Unified School District Trustees at the June 7 Board meeting. We at the Education Alliance find Ms. Dunn's comments well reasoned and wise recommendations to the OUSD board. Unfortunately the OUSD board failed to even seriously consider Ms. Dunn's comments.
I believe in public education; that's why my kids are enrolled in public school. Public education is the great equalizer in our society which allows any child, regardless of economic status, the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. It provides hope.
Right now, the education debate is focused solely on closing the achievement gap between under performing students and those that are proficient. Unfortunately, the pendulum has swung so far in allocating resources to under-performing and English Language Learning students, that other students are being shortchanged.
Specifically in OUSD, the GATE coordinator position has been assigned to the Principal of Panorama Elementary IN ADDITION TO her other duties as principal. The GATE coordinator is also responsible for the Honors and Advanced Placement Courses at all of the middle and high schools.
This comes at a crucial time for high achieving students, since the program is scheduled for a review next year. How is the new administrator expected to implement a pro-active, vibrant program in her spare time? Without any GATE training the learning curve is tremendous.
While it may seem like a necessary financial decision, the move is actually shortsighted. The majority of the school district’s funding comes from student enrollment. Having a strong program for high achievers is good public relations for the district which would attract and retain parents who are considering private school. The wait lists at nationally-ranked Troy High School in Fullerton and our own McPherson Magnet School are a testament to parents’ commitment to educational excellence.
Also, Irvine Unified's foundation exemplifies the financial commitment and investment the community is willing to make for high performing schools. After all, "closing the achievement gap" is hardly a rallying cry that inspires community investment.
Parents who can afford private school are willing to give public schools a chance if they believe their kids will receive the best possible education. In addition, it is the district's responsibility to meet the needs of high achieving students. Without appropriate challenges high achieving students face loss of interest in school, increased drop out rates and behavioral problems.
I am here to urge you to reconsider this shortsighted move and to hire a full-time GATE administrator. With a full-time person in our corner, we will be able to build a program worthy of our high-achieving students. The money will come. We will retain students we are currently losing to private school and attract students whose parents weren't going to consider public school. A full-time coordinator could apply for and receive additional funding through grants.
This is not a management question-this is about leadership. This is our opportunity for a program that will allow Orange Unified to shine and that fosters hope in our public education system.
Marjan Bavand Dunn,
Orange, California and OUSD Parent
1 Comments:
I fully agree with Mrs. Dunn comments. Although, I disagree with having a separate school environment for those children that have tested in third grade (yes, they did get the education for this test in their present school)for the "Gate" program. By sending kids away from long time friends to a "Gate" school you segregate them from what they have already achieved, socially and academically. All to have the opportunity to receive a better more advance education over the "standard" student. Why are the standards not made higher for all if you wish to achieve a forum for better educated children. Why stop teaching what you have a great start on? Continue with higher goals. Have the parents that don't want their children to work hard go to private schools where they can get their moneys worth (or pay for what they don't want!). I for one want my child to work hard and get all they can out of the public education system, but make the education a good one. Even if my child needs to work harder because he is one of the standard students who probably won't ever be tested to go to the "Gate" program.
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