I have been telling teachers for years that there is a level of politics that must be played by teachers if teachers are to have a genuine voice in BOE policy.
The position of the teacher rep on the board is a “check” on the affects of BOE policies on students, teachers and the entire system. The problem or challenge has always been to maintain a level of professionalism and objectivity for what is best regardless of the messenger (administration or teachers).
The recent blunders of the board with Praxis are proofs of failed professionalism due to the adversarial politics of the board. First, the COE & board predicted that 80 percent of teachers were supposed to pass the test on their first try — didn’t happen. Next, teachers only needed the reading & writing test — had to add a “content test” for each subject and finally all teachers were to complete their testing by 2006 — now it’s 2008.
Now, here we go again. The idea for an after-school & outreach programs over the summer for our students has been denied “without cause” and with no explanation.
The response only stated “not a good use of funds.”
I actually wrote the board and the commissioner to inquire “WHY” but I never got an answer.
Every government official has a fiduciary responsibility to respond to EVERY inquiry by a voting citizen addressed to them because they work for the PEOPLE — people don’t ignore their boss, duh!
The lack of money is not an excuse because there is more than enough in federal funding available. So why ask teachers to be innovative only to turn down their proposals without cause or without even trying to see if the program is feasible?
The board has also trashed the certified questions I presented on behalf of ALL teachers — a total disregard and disrespect of teachers. The board is even trying to get the law changed so they don’t have to answer these hard questions because the questions clearly favor teachers based on principle.
Common sense tells me that teachers and principals know more about what the students need at the school level to help their students than a person sitting in an office on Capital Hill.
I would suggest that the board members, the commissioner & deputies and some principals that don’t have leadership in education credentials at the masters or doctorate level read the seventh edition of “Management of Organizational Behavior” by Hersey, Blanchard and Johnson that includes the Hawthorn Studies and the X & Y Theory. It would also help if they read “Educational Governance & Administration” third edition by Sergiovanni, Burlingame, Coombs and Thurston.
I have never doubted the commitment of any board member or the COEs to education. I also believe they are all very smart and capable people but what I do question is their leadership in education skills.
Just because a person has degrees and a good education and is very smart DOES NOT make him or her a leader.
But I think most if not all of the present board members don’t have a graduate degree in educational leadership — see the problem?
When you ask why PSS has not caught up to the mainland in student achievement in over 30 years, it should be clear that our leadership style and decisions have been poor. PSS must change its decision process.
The after school programs I proposed are not needed on the mainland because there is a library in the neighborhoods of schools and many academically driven activities easily accessible to students. There is nothing in Kagman or any of the other villages for our students. You would think it is only natural that we create some form of educational outreach facility in Kagman for students after school and during the summer. I do want to make it clear that I was not placing the responsibility on the school system because it is really an issue for the CNMI government to provide libraries and educational facilities for students but it’s very apparent the Legislature thinks we only need baseball fields in the villages.
Parents need the help of PSS. Parents can’t create after school programs and activities for EVERY child — PSS can. Parents don’t need to be told to plan educational activities — parents need PSS or DCCA to offer the venues for the activities and parents will make sure their child attends them.
What “outreach programs” do PSS have in place to assist in the community with the education of our children after school and during the summer? Where is the “activity listing of events” after school and during the summer sponsored by ANYONE to help parents?
Parents have heard parenting speeches from the PSS leadership for years and it should be clear by now with our PTA participation being at an all time low that IT’S NOT WORKING!
Under ordinary circumstances this letter would at least get me an audience to discuss programs and their merits but this is the CNMI and I don’t have a local last name so I won’t hold my breath waiting. But I do hope this will help end adversarial politics and create a more professional attitude toward the working relationship with teachers because it is needed and it’s common sense.
AMBROSE BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
