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Thursday, October 8, 2020 11
Aaron Smith It is quite clear that both the online only and hybrid learning models create many challenges for our students and teachers. Striving for equity in education is nothing new for our district. The goal is to make sure that any social and economic obstacles that exist do not keep our students from achieving their full educational potential. With the pandemic closing our schools for in-person learning, every school district has had to scramble to find ways to continue educating their students. Our district worked hard to secure hot spots and Chromebooks for any child in need. However, lack of tools is just one obstacle families face with distance learning. Connecting with students who are not attending class or turning in assignments has been a challenge that our district’s counselors have met head-on. As we move into the hybrid model, first for grades TK-5 and then for the rest of our students, everyone will need to work together
to close the growing achievement gap and bring more equity to our schools. This includes teachers, administrators, school board members and students. I feel there are ways to improve the current hybrid model plan. Our intent with this model must be to continuously modify and adopt new strategies that work. We need to make sure that students are engaged in learning on the days they are not on campus. We need to instill a growth mindset in our district. Our teachers must be supported in their efforts to adapt and improve; their enthusiasm and dedication trickles down to the students. I know many teachers with this mindset, and I understand the importance of supporting and nurturing these special teachers. At every level of CUSD, there must be a commitment to support student learning regardless of socioeconomic status.
Craig Cook 1) What does it mean to say that schools are inequitable? What it means is this: students have vastly different experiences in our public schools—these vastly different experiences lead to vastly different outcomes. Tragically, many of the lowest performing schools serve students who are low income and/or students of color. While a variety of outcomes is to be expected, it is unacceptable that some students have access to what is considered to be a high-quality education while others don’t. As an educator I understand the needs of both teachers and students. As an Ethnic Studies scholar, I am uniquely qualified in understanding the equity issues that students and schools face. We must create and foster a more equitable education in our district— especially hybrid/online—education. The good news is that I will work hard to bridge the opportunity and achievement gaps that exist. The broader world of education is increasingly focused on equity and we must apply that to CUSD.
2) Schools are an essential part of our community as they provide safe, supportive learning environments, employ teachers and other staff, and enable parents, guardians and caregivers to go to work. Schools also provide vital services that help to reduce health disparities—such as school meal programs and physical and mental health services. As such, we should make every effort to support the reopening of schools safely for in-person learning if appropriate precautions are taken. One strategy is to use cohorting. This allows students to stay together throughout the school day to minimize exposure for others. Those within a cohort would only have physical proximity with others in that cohort. This practice may help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and will decrease opportunities for exposure to or transmission. I am very pleased that CUSD is taking this approach as they begin the process of reopening our schools.
Next week’s question: School board members have the opportunity to influence and decide funding allocations for school programs including physical education, special education, gifted programs, dual language programs, English language learning programs, afterschool enrichment programs, enhanced nutrition programs, garden programs, field trips, mental health and counseling programs, drug prevention programs, college readiness programs, and more. If you were the deciding vote in allocating additional funds to only three of these programs, which three would you choose and why? (You can name a program that is not listed in this question.)
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Salud Carbajal U.S. Congressmember Monique Limón State Assemblymember Das Williams County Supervisor, 1st District Al Clark Vice Mayor City of Carpinteria Fred Shaw Carpinteria City Councilmember Gregg Carty Carpinteria City Councilmember Roy Lee Carpinteria City Councilmember Donna Jordan former Carpinteria Mayor Gail Marshall former SB County Supervisor David Allen Carpinteria Planning Commissioner Jane Benefield Carpinteria Planning Commissioner Jason Rodriguez City of Carpinteria ARB John Nicoli Director, CarpinteriaSummerland Fire District Lisa Guravitz Director, CarpinteriaSummerland Fire District MaryBeth Carty President, Carpinteria Woman’s Club Michael Damron Past CUSD School Board President
