Idaho Statesman, Opinion Page

September 30, 2006

Simplified Thinking About Upgrading Idaho Education

September is Literacy Month in Idaho, and this is a good moment to consider the obstacles we face in improving the quality of education and learning in the state. Fact #1: Compared to most other states, educational funding in Idaho is low. Fact #2: There are wide philosophical and ideological gaps among Idahoans about whether or how to invest in improving education. Fact #3: As a consequence of the first two facts, the state lacks a unified and promising strategy for making things better for all children.

 

The current situation is hampering Idaho’s potential to provide a hopeful future for all citizens (e.g., only 34% of graduating high school seniors go on to college), but there is little indication that the political will exists to unite us around an ambitious plan to elevate Idaho education to a new level. Yet, we have to ask: What can be done now that will make a difference?

 

My experience suggests that there are three feasible strategies.

 

First, there is incontrovertible evidence that we start a child on the path to success by investing resources in the early years of life, with a particular focus on providing basic literacy skills. Without this commitment, all too many children are set up for failure. As a high priority, we must invest (or divert) enough effort and dollars to address literacy needs in the pre-school years.

 

All kinds of organizations have a role to play in developing reading, writing and analytical skills: hospitals, Head Start, day care centers, community agencies, universities and more. Lee Pesky Learning Center, with the support of Congressman Mike Simpson and the cooperation of hospitals, has distributed a literacy education booklet to new mothers in every maternity ward in Idaho. On this playing field, there is no reason we cannot develop a coherent statewide plan.

 

Second, let’s help kids develop aspirations and dreams that are realized through education. The simple truth is that young people with high aspirations, regardless of family income factors, have a high probability of succeeding in school. The various innovations in the current environment may be helpful, but an inspired, goal-oriented student is the engine of change.

 

There are schools around the nation that provide mentors to students, structure goal-setting into daily life and assure early exposure to college. I recently accompanied ninth graders from a predominantly Hispanic high school in Denver on a visit to a local university. The excitement was evident, and the record shows that attendance is up, disciplinary incidents are down, grades are solid, and each young man and woman aims to attend college.

 

Third, an old idea still holds true: inspiring teachers, who are leaders in the classroom and in the school, reach and change students

 

Over the past two summers Idaho teachers have participated in a workshop on “Teachers as Leaders.” The workshops focused on one’s vision as an educator, specific goals for improving learning, qualities of a leader and how to communicate in a way that reaches every student. The teachers, from all grades levels and subjects, came away with a sense of themselves as true leaders. Back in school, they are having a strong impact on student learning.

 

The educational landscape is complex and fractured. Progress is fleeting. Let’s take a few simple steps that hold promise for making things better. Let’s assure that every child gets an early start in building basic literacy, develops dreams that are achievable through education and is touched profoundly by a teacher. Early learning, students with dreams, teacher-leaders – it is simple and attainable.  

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Dr. David Holmes is Executive Director of Lee Pesky Learning Center. He is served as a foundation officer, boarding school headmaster and university administrator.