Academics-Based Education in San Diego?

WHEREAS, the County Board of Education holds that children should be offered the best possible education available; and

WHEREAS, the County Board of Education assumes the responsibility, as elected trustees, to assist districts not only in financial and program assistance, but also to promote the best possible educational opportunities available to achieve excellence in education; and

WHEREAS, many of San Diego County's school-aged children are not showing adequate achievement in reading, writing, and mathematical skills so as to become adults prepared to compete in the global marketplace; and

WHEREAS, changes must be implemented to allow schools to choose the best possible curriculum and teaching methods to bring America to the level of educational excellence it deserves; and

WHEREAS, every effort should be made to influence legislators to allow school districts to decide the best possible methods for educating children without mandates in this respect placed upon them;

THEREBY, the County Board of Education adopts the following guidelines for use in programs throughout San Diego County, and encourages the 43 school districts throughout San Diego County to commence the following actions to the fullest extent possible:

• 1. Return to direct, systematic phonics teaching in elementary schools and any grade level where appropriate.
• 2. Introduce cursive handwriting instruction in the first grade, followed by an emphasis on legible penmanship and correct spelling;
• 3. Teach the skills necessary for problem solving;
• 4. Teach basic facts and skills before moving students to higher levels of thinking or problem solving.
• 5. Reintroduce mathematics programs that focus on computation and correct mathematical answers;
• 6. Maintain grade levels K-12, but accelerate students by promoting them to higher grade levels when appropriate;
• 7. Group students by ability to learn so that all students can advance in school as fast as they are capable;
• 8. Use portfolios as supplemental classroom assessment material while employing individualized grading with report cards showing specific grades in subject-matter fields; include on report cards a separate section on students' "self-reliance and responsibility" to assist parents and teachers in reinforcing expected behavior in the classroom;
• 9. Teach academic subject matter rather than coursework that focuses on changing students' attitudes and behavior;
• 10. Employ teachers trained in specific subject matter fields to teach exclusively at their level and area of expertise;
• 11. Encourage and support elementary teachers to train specifically in early elementary (K-3) education and advanced elementary (4-5 or 6) education;
• 12. Promote high academic standards while assisting all students to meet high standards;
• 13. Employ nationwide standardized tests rather than mastery testing; use mastery testing only for skill acquisition in programs such as ROP/vocational education and occupational/technical training;
• 14. Acknowledge and respect teachers as experts, managers, and directors, rather than simply as facilitators;

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of November, 1995, at the regular meeting of the San Diego County Board of Education. AYES: Carpenter, Davis, Hampton, Kelly, Rindone. NAYS: None