The week after Thanksgiving, I was invited to attend a free event hosted by Pacific Research Institute in Anaheim designed to equip conservative school board members from across the state of California. Most of the information presented was not new to me, including the Science of Reading, strengths-based leadership, out-of-the-box support systems for students and families, and the impact on teachers when disruptive students are not removed from the classroom. However, the most notable new content for me was information presented on the controversy surrounding the 2023 revision of the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools. I heard a summarized history of the Framework and the content changes as well as their impact , including revised pathways that postpone Algebra to high school and the change from high school math culminating at pre-calculus or calculus to Data Science. While the new Framework Is said to promote equity and engagement, it's at the expense of mastery, and as a result is highly criticized by STEM professionals. The presenter focused on the insufficiency of the scope and sequence, and asserted that most California students who are at or above standards are receiving additional family-funded math supports. The big takeaway: while it would largely only affect CVUSD in our middle school math offerings, we need to evaluate this new optional Framework carefully and the impact it will have not only on teachers, but on families as they decide how much they are willing to commit to help their student succeed, as well as how adopting this new Framework may affect our students' opportunities if they pursue higher education.
Other highlights from my last month include the December First Friday Breakfast, where I developed increasing connections to the community and sought out the insight of other invested community members. I also met with the Superintendent and discussed a variety of issues, including school nurses, practices and effects of restorative justice frameworks, the front office staffing formula, and historic community partnerships forged by board members. I also attended a showcase of engineering builds at Rios as well as an art show at Magnolia titled "The Best Part of Me." Finally, I visited multiple departments at the District Office, including Transportation, Purchasing, and the Central Kitchen, where it was great to hear about exciting new changes to our food offerings as well as some anticipated upcoming programs, all in the effort to provide healthy and appetizing options to our students.
There is always so much to celebrate and still so much to look forward to!