In your mailbox you will find an article from the Summer of 2005 about what is happening in Beaverton with literacy. Martha Hinman from special education shared it with me and I am sharing it with you because I thought it very much described what we are working towards here at Tumalo and in Redmond. Two things you will read about are the “cut score” and how low it is and how we do not have systems in place that allow us to disaggregate our assessments – two topics we discussed at length the last few days.
Please read this article and use this blog to comment on it. This is a new form of communication that we will use this year for professional dialogue. Enjoy!
Skip
3 responses so far ↓
Skip,
Beaverton Schools have a lot of ELL issues to deal with. I think it is neat that Jerry is meeting with the different cultures monthly. I liked his comment on diversity when he said that it is something to be nourished and not a problem to be fixed. I would like to see their plan for five years. Thanks for sharing.
Juie
Jerry is not intimidated by this diverse cultural population. I think that his paitence and use of others (translators and literacy coaches) helps him to be as successful as he is. I would like to hear more about the literacy coaches and how the Beav. district develops them. I hope that the teachers are not overwhelmed by this.
I agree that Kindergarten could go full day.
My son is required to do very little reading at the High School level. I end up helping him with choices and pushing him to read. Reading/literacy courses could be required more.
Kris
I thought this was a great article, and as usual Jerry is finding a way to do what to others seems impossible. What he is doing is impressive, but the way he is doing it is what will make it successful. The line, “His serious but warm demeanor,” really lays the foundation for the way Jerry accomplishes the seemingly impossible. It is admirable that he would take so much time to meet with all those groups and hear their concerns. It is also incredible that he would take his lunch hour to visit schools and see for himself the large task that the teachers in his district are dealing with. As a student in Jerry’s Educational Leadership Class, I had the privilage of hearing from him what motivates him, and his mode of operation- Servant Leadership. It is encouraging to see him continue to put kids needs first in such an inclusive way. I am lucky to have had him as a mentor, though for a short time.
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