Ever wonder why board games appear to resemble life? Or is it life
resembles board games? We're now in the position of looking for
another commissioner for the Kansas Department of Education. Without
a doubt, the previous one appeared controversial but sought feedback
from the grass-roots community — a group often left out of the loop
when making decisions about our state's education process. For his
innovative and unconventional thinking, he was rewarded with
micromanagement and feedback that generally reflected myopic
thinking.
So, now the department is soliciting
comments from the public, via a consulting firm, on things that
may be considered while looking for a new commissioner — back to
square one on the game board.
In the game of educational chess while attempting to secure the
queen (funding), we have a tendency to ignore our children in
the process. We have those who climb into a self-constructed
shell, wait for the smoke to disappear and then look around to
pick up the shattered remnants. We have those who are diligent
in beating the drum in educating others about the rights and
issues at hand. We have those who are distantly and safely
removed from the matter because they feel they have no direct
investment or involvement.
At one end of the educational spectrum, we have those who say
charter schools are among the most effective answers for working
with children who aren't meeting achievement goals. The debate
is whether they give another fresh approach to a newly created
environment for change. Why is this concept so difficult to
embrace? It's been said it's because it doesn't appear to be
much different than what we currently have in the district.
How much different does a new process need to be in order to be
considered different and thus sufficient for approval? Given
there are a number of children in our community who aren't
meeting achievement goals makes it even more important to
address alternative learning models. What's the slogan? If you
keep doing the same thing over and over, you'll continue to get
the same results.
On the other end of the educational spectrum, we have those who
say the proposed charter school petition offers nothing
different than the current educational system and information
regarding performance measurements and facility location was
lacking. Well, some of our children are lacking good fundamental
skills in the current environment.
One thing we know is it's always more difficult to sufficiently
address a moving target. I believe the issue at hand is trying
to keep the queen (funding) in this chess game . Strategically
thinking, one would be less inclined to give up playing pieces
especially when faced with ultimately losing the game.
And, in the middle of the educational spectrum, we have the
ever-present issue: students not meeting academic standards.
With the stakes so high, certainly there can be a consensus for
the benefit of our future assets. Just keeping it real.
Glenda Overstreet is an active volunteer in the Topeka
community. She can be reached at
goov6@cox.net.
