By DR. LARRY MOSES
No one asked me but… I was invited to a meeting of the Moapa Valley Community Education Advisory Board on Thursday. We are blessed to have people like Lindsey Dalley and his committee members to act as watchdogs for those of us who either do not have the time or inclination to do so ourselves.
In attendance at this meeting were our State Legislators, County Commissioner, School Board Trustee, Moapa Town Board Chairman and CCSD Superintendent.
A major issue discussed was the lack of input the people of Moapa had in the selection of their new elementary school principal. The representatives of Moapa were quick to point out that they are not disappointed in the one who was appointed but in the fact that they were not allowed input into selecting the new principal. T
his got me thinking about the input the locals had in the selection process of the high school principal. I write this as a member of what was called the “selection committee” for Moapa Valley High School. Knowing the district had a process to follow, which does not include outside input, I reluctantly agreed to be part of this “selection committee”.
Before I describe this convoluted system, let me say the appointment of Mr. Rod Adams as the principal of MVHS was not only the correct one, but also one I whole-heartedly support. Rod has been an integral part of MVHS for over twenty years. Every program he has been involved in at the school and elsewhere in the district has been exemplary. As a teacher, his programs were top notch. He was the premier volleyball coach in the State of Nevada for over a decade. His girls played at a high skill level but even greater than that, with integrity. His program was always one of class. Under his leadership, Mack Lyon Middle school was one of the few Five Star middle schools in the county.
So please, do not in any way believe this is a statement about who was appointed. This is written about a process, which was flawed, not about the result, which was not.
The committee was informed that it would interview five candidates. I contacted the district to ask for an opportunity to review the resumes of the five candidates prior to the interviews. I was informed that was not possible.
When the date for the interviews arrived, we were informed by the two district administrators present that we would be interviewing only two candidates. Apparently three candidates had already been screened and eliminated.
After interviewing the two candidates, I asked if we should not take a few minutes to discuss what we had just heard. The district administrator indicated that would not be necessary. When asked if they wanted a recommendation, the answer was no. I recommended Rod anyway.
They collected the resumes and left the meeting. Now if that is the input Moapa missed, let me say I would have rather that we had missed it too.
I cannot speak to the selection of the Middle School principal but that is the input we had in the selection process at Moapa Valley High School. Other members of the committee may have a different perception and they are more than free to say so.
Let me say again this process selected the best possible candidate for principal of Moapa Valley High School and we are fortunate to have the man. This may indicate that the administrative process works. However, experience tells us that this is not always the case.
The second major issue of the day was the institution of Common Core State Standards for the schools of Moapa Valley. A great deal of concern was voiced by committee members about the core values that might be taught under this program.
Common Core State Standards is the next great educational innovation to replace the last great educational innovation, No Child Left Behind. Just as NCLB failed, despite the millions of dollars spent, CCSS will fail, at the cost of millions of dollars. We will spend, millions of dollars teaching teachers how to implement the program while students languish in educational oblivion.
At this meeting, a local teacher expounded the virtues of CCSS and how much it has done for his students. I applaud him for that.
However, let me say to him: ‘It ain’t the program, son, it is you and your dedication to the student that makes the thing work. Give me a school of teachers with your passion and dedication and we will change the educational world.’
It is not the Inquiry Method, Writing Across Curriculum, NCLP, Race To Top, CCSS or any other of the myriad of education reforms designed to save the educational world that will educate kids. Only through the efforts of dedicated teachers, skilled in their subject matter, will real education take place.
No matter what system one champions, all education remains one on one between the teacher and the child.
The goal for CCSS, as stated by State Superintendent Dale Erquiaga, is to prepare the student for college-level content and careers. While careers are mentioned, all testing is based on college level content. That is not by accident for college-level modifies both content and careers. The only careers they appear to be concerned for are the 22 percent that require a college education.
Excuse me, Mr. State Superintendent, not all people are suited by intellect or inclination for college-level content.
Superintendent Skorkowsky stated that CCSD is moving to a requirement for all students to take the ACT or SAT (pre-college exams) and a diploma will be issued or not issued based on the results.
Core standards would be fine if one remembered that the role of public school is to teach basic reading, writing, and math. The opportunity to move beyond basics should be there, but it should not become the standard.
The standard should be the maximization of each student, not some arbitrary standard set by some math geek or old maid English teacher. This ain’t Lake Woebegone where all students are above average.
Thought of the week…Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task.
Haim G. Ginott
