Educational Reform Proposals : Initial Thoughts
Christine Ogle Erotas, R.N.,M.S.N. Certified Parent Coach

The “Race to the Top” educational reform proposals generated by Superintendent Tony Bennett and Gov. Mitch Daniels are creating quite the buzz. I am encouraged that we are attempting to win part of the 4.4 billion federal stimulus money to create a viable education system for our future generations. There are some concerns, mainly the proposal to tie teacher’s evaluations with 51% of its weight being given to student test scores. Okay, it is 51%, but we are still correlating success with standardized testing. According to the paper (Indy Star, 1-20-2010, page, A1), Indiana would sign on to a nationwide test that would replace ISTEP. YES! Question: Is the new test going to change the way that we measure a student’s success and dictate their individual future? I certainly hope that it will be a “tool” that will have realistic expectations and that it will be used to help direct and propel instead of stagnate and discriminate. There are so many things that we can do early in the student's school career to encourage participation and to nourish individual gifts; however,by schools focusing only on numbers, many of our talented students fall short. I hope that our political leaders will listen to the teachers that work with students on a daily basis and incorporate their ideas. As a parent, life-long learner, past nursing educator, masters prepared nurse, and current certified parent coach, I believe that there has to be a way to measure success in a more holistic manner. The encouraging part is that we are recognizing that we must change. Let’s not stop short !