My passion for children, education and community service has led to 25 years of volunteering in and for our schools. But I have learned that passion is not enough. To facilitate change we must be courageous, daring and ready to step outside the box. That's why I'm running for School Board.
My education-focused roots run deep; this journey started about 25 years ago. I have been involved in my children's education from day one -- chaperoning field trips, working with the PTA and more. My volunteer responsibilities changed as my children grew. In 2006, we adopted our special-needs grandson, which brought new parenting and educational challenges, reinvigorating and expanding my passion for education -- and teaching me tons. (By the way, someone told me she was concerned that I'm a single-issue candidate and am only focused on special education. Not at all. I have worked hard and will work hard for my children. What's more, I have worked hard and will continue to work hard for your child, every child, doing my best to give them the best possible education and the best possible start in life.)
While I'm still active in the PTA -- I'm president of Wendler's -- I now work on several districtwide issues. I testified at School Board meetings on topics such as ASD's Improvement Plan, the achievement gap, the findings published from the Councils of City Schools on Everyday Math, and budget cuts. I joined the Special Education Advisory Council and became chair. I was appointed to the Capital Investment Advisory Committee and helped formulate the bonds you'll see on the ballot. I have been asked to serve on two other committees, one to review educational specifications and the other to review the findings for Everyday Math. Now it's time to move from making recommendations to making decisions.
Here are five points I've learned from my work with our schools:
• We have to do away with social promotion, promoting children who academically are not ready to proceed to the next grade level. This only creates more frustration and failure for children.
• We cannot continue to spend money we do not have and ask taxpayers to pay for more new schools. We need to extend the life of existing schools whenever possible.
• Some of our elementary schools are not operating at full capacity. This presents a great opportunity to expand our alternative programs and/or charter schools. Putting these programs in neighborhood schools gives parents and students more options.
• We must provide an incentive program for our students to become teachers here in Alaska. Most of our teachers currently come from the Lower 48.
• The last Curriculum Management Audit was conducted in 2002, with noted deficiencies. Student proficiency scores have dropped four years straight and the achievement gap among students has continued to widen. I recommend that an external Curriculum Management Audit be conducted before next school year. The ASD's Curriculum Plan expires in September 2012.
These are only some of the changes needed in our schools. The job of a School Board member is to be informed and keep up with the innovative ways to educate our children -- to think outside the proverbial box, to consider creative solutions, to never be afraid to ask questions, even the hard ones, and to listen and take action. After all, the future of our children and schools does not lie in any one person but in our community.
I'm passionate for children and education. I'd like to put my skills and experiences to work for you and your children. I'd appreciate your vote on Tuesday. You may visit my website for more information at starrforschoolboard.com or on my Starr for School Board Facebook page.
Starr Marsett is a candidate for Anchorage School Board Seat G.
By STARR MARSETT