Key ISSUES
When a community values, supports, and empowers its children, everyone benefits. As a secondary teacher for Rochester’s Public Schools for 40 years, I have the advantage of having witnessed firsthand the critical importance of providing students with an excellent education; kids who get a great education tend to become great adults who give back to others. I’ve had
the privilege of meeting and working with thousands of our District’s students, their families a and community members, and I’ve seen the results!
Through our conversations and shared commitment, I have learned what’s needed in order to create environments in which students thrive and are motivated to become creative, independent thinkers and problem solvers. As I conduct Board business, make tough decisions, and plan for the future of our schools, my priorities are always student centered.
Rochester Public School’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which is will set the District’s course though the end of the decade, is its final stages of development. Below are just four of the Strategic Plan’s Change Projects—these are specific, time-limited initiatives-- which are particularly important to me.
CAREER PATHWAYS
Beginning in elementary school, students, will be introduced to the kind of postsecondary opportunities that will be available to them when they graduate from high school. Beginning in elementary school, children will begin to explore exciting career and educational pathways they may consider as they enter high school. With many opportunities for real-world experiences with local businesses and organizations, they’ll graduate from high school much better prepared to enter trades, apprenticeships and two- or four-year colleges and universities. Kids who can envision a bright future for themselves and feel prepared to embrace it, stay in school and stay engaged in their education.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Literacy and Math
Even as RPS has shown some gains in reading and math scores, we still have too many students who are not demonstrating mastery. We will strengthen our efforts in all schools to provide each student who needs additional support with the level and the kind of “effective, evidence-based instruction and interventions” appropriate for that student. Instruction of advanced learners, who require and deserve more challenge, will also be addressed.
College and Career Readiness Framework
Increasingly, employers are telling U.S. schools about the kind of employees they are looking to hire. And specifically, they are telling us they need young people who possess not only the
academic skills needed to do a job, but also the “mindsets,” what some would call soft skills, that will make them reliable, valuable employees. Skills like being using effective
communication skills, working individually and as team members, having a positive attitude toward work and learning, staying on task, practicing good time management, meeting
deadlines, etc. These mindsets will be integrated into instruction preK-12 as well as into family engagement, workshops and school events.
Near-Peer Programs
When older students, through structured programs, have the opportunity to work with and support younger students, it’s good for both age groups. At both the elementary and
secondary levels, RPS has already shown success with initiatives that provide students the time and space to help other students with reading, math, and communication skills. Older
students report feeling good about ‘t students think it’s “cool” because an older student believes in them. Near-Peer programs can not only improve student success, but also
contribute to positive school culture.