At the beginning of my term as student member of the Kent County Board of Education I promised to be vocal and voice my opinion. Over the past few months I have chosen to remain relatively quiet throughout the proceedings and see how meetings would be run and discussed without my input. I watched, as a student, a 50% grading policy being enforced in Kent County Public Schools. This rule stated that as long as a student tried, they were to receive a minimum of a 50%. I watched as a system of “quality points” was installed. Instead of receiving the actual points the student deserved for the grade he or she had received, the student now fell into categories such as a ‘D+’ or a ‘B-‘. This did nothing but inflate grade point averages. I watched as a rule was put into effect that gave students ‘I’s’ for incomplete assignments rather than zeros. This allowed students two weeks after the due date to complete assignments with no attached penalty. I watched as more pressure was placed on the teachers to get students to pass, as student responsibility was pushed aside. It is now the teachers’ responsibility to make sure that students receive all of their make-up work.
It is the teachers’ responsibility to work with students on bridge projects who fail the HSA’s. It is the teachers’ responsibility to connect with each individual student to try and figure out a way for each student to obtain a good grade. AII of these policies have culminated together when the board was informed at the last meeting that we must have 100% graduation rate by 2014. Well, I can no longer keep watching. I feel it is my responsibility to speak up since others are afraid to do so, and feel that their opinion means nothing.
The direction that education at Kent County Public Schools is headed in is the wrong one. Gradually, step-by-step, rules have been put into place which have allowed students to become apathetic about their education, and have diminished educational opportunities for others. Over and over again I have been told that these policies are designed to help children to succeed and not simply boost the graduation rate, yet it seems that that’s all they are in place to do.
These rules that are now being enforced have allowed students to abuse the system because they realize that they do not need to work hard at Kent County Public Schools for an education. Students choose not to complete assignments because they know that the system will pass them anyway. Students choose not to go to class because they know the system will pass them anyway. Students have found out that policy makers have instructed indirectly to the teachers that it is the teachers’ responsibility to makes we the students pass, and not the students’ inner ambition for an education. Students are no longer being prepared for real-life experiences such as the work force and meeting college expectations. Policy makers have allowed government expectations to run their entire policy making. While I agree, the board needs to comply with government regulations; I will not sit here and let the standards of our students fall because of the need to increase the graduation rate.
As graduation rates must improve, certain people feel it is their responsibility to make it as easy as possible for students to graduate. As graduation rates increase to 100%, the diploma becomes worthless in many peoples’ eyes, including the students’. It is important that every student is responsible for his or her own education; but, as they are “spoon-fed” the easiest way to graduate, this seriously damages their chances of being able to make real life decisions on their own. It seems that policy makers would rather students face failure when they are out in the real world with no support around them, than to face failure while support surrounds them.
Students need to face failure to observe what failure looks like. If you do not let them face reality now, they will have no clue how to react to failure in the future. While Kent County Public Schools have brought in great programs of AP classes and the STEM program, they are all still placed under the same failing system of grading. The Kent County Public Schools’ system gives students a false sense of hope that this is a way that colleges grade assignments.
I had a conversation with a peer who visited a college last week. The admissions office laughed in her face. They said that students coming from Kent County High School would not be able to be successful in their school. They kindly handed her a list of colleges she should attend instead. It was said by a board member that Chesapeake College was run-down by students who needed to take remedial courses because they were not ready to handle the regular ones. I have seen personally, graduates of Kent County High School, who cannot even read or write.
This should scare the policy makers and anyone else who cares about their child’s education. I ask the board, do you think that complying with government standards using short-cuts to gain results has sponsored, “Successful Learning for All Students”? I would think not. I ask the board to first think of a student’s success in the future rather than seeking the easiest way to comply with government standards. Please realize that through policies put into place by the Board of Education, you have diminished children’s capabilities of success, by not making them take charge of their own future. In time, I ask the board to consider this: that it is the policy maker’s and teacher’s job to offer an education; but, it is the students’ responsibility to pursue it.
Jacob Chaires attends Kent County High School and is the student representative to the Kent County Board of Education. These remarks were presented at the December 2010 Board of Education meeting.
Warrior Bob Kramer says
As good as it reads here… it was even better listening to the presentation in person Monday night. Too bad more citizens didn’t take the opportunity to hear it first hand. Many older Americans have many doubts about the youth of America today… and the education that they’re getting. But… Jacob gets what it takes… and understands the responsibility issues at stake. The big question… do the adults who make the rules understand?
So… now the ball is in Superintendent Wheeler’s and the BOE’s court. We’ll see if they have as much courage as Jacob did. If not, then just file these comments in your good read file… and we’ll go on bemoaning our education system.
L. Fry says
so well said!!!
Melinda Bookwalter says
Thank you, Jacob, for taking the time to share your impressions and observations in this excellent article. I know an administrator at AACC who would say the same thing regarding high school graduates ability to be successful at community college without remedial reading, writing and math classes.
Keith Thompson says
All I can say is “wow!” and I think I now have a complete understanding of why the school system’s enrollment is in decline.
Anonymous says
Jacob, I admire your ability to put into words what a lot of teachers are thinking right now about the future of education, but you and everyone else must realize it is not only the KCBOE that needs to change, it is the entire country’s view on education (especially the policy makers). The problem requires a solution that is bigger than any one school system.
Hopefully many more teachers, parents, students, and others will be inspired by listening to or reading your speech. They should then vocalize their opinions to people that make policy changes. Don’t let yourself be satisfied with the way things are if you are truly bothered by what you have read here!
I also hope that everyone that reads this doesn’t come away thinking that KC is the only place with this problem. The entire country’s educational system is at fault. We must let our voices be heard, as Jacob has. My other hope is that the KCBOE will take this student seriously and look to make appropriate changes.
Jacob, thank you so much for taking a stand and know that I am standing with you!
Parent says
Jacob,
Thank you for coming out and saying what so many adults are afraid to say and/or afraid to admit to themselves. This is something that I, and I’m sure many other parents, have despaired of as we’ve watched and helped our children go through school. Values of hard work and responsibility that we try to teach at home just aren’t backed up the way we wish they were by the school system. Success and accomplishments have less meaning, and poor work habits and lack of organization have fewer consequences, tempting many who need to learn to overcome these challenges to take the easy way out instead.
I, and many other parents I know, have been loyal, hopeful, and optimistic through the years that “things would get better” by the time our kids got to the high school, then that they would get better before the youngest got to the high school, but the same challenges remain. I realize that all responsibility does not lie with the school, or the school system…..but I also have friends in other parts of the state with children in school, and I KNOW that not all Maryland school systems are equal. It’s a complicated issue which should probably start with a clear and honest look at the situation (and you, Jacob, have expressed it wonderfully above!) by all parties. It’s time to stop kidding ourselves.
Concerned Student says
I totally agree with Jacob here. Another point to be made is that the school system is so worried about graduation rates and such that bad kids who do not want to learn are being made to stay in classrooms–THEY ARE DISRUPTING THE CLASS AND THE KIDS THAT ARE TRYING TO GRADUATE AND GO TO COLLEGE. I believe that the students that receive more than 3 suspensions should be expelled. Kids that disrupt classes on a daily basis- should be expelled. Those disrupting teachers and disrespecting them-should be expelled. Why risk lowering the graduation rate for kids that obviously do not have any intentions of going anywhere in life? These kids are going to be bums or end up in jail right after school. Sorry for being so blunt but this is affecting the students education. Although everyone has a right to an education, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!! The system gives these worthless kids way to many chances to do right, but it’s never going to happen. Technology and other school property gets stolen, broken, and lost because of these kids (well most of the reason). How much could KCHS change if this wasn’t happening. We would have better stuff, better technology and less money will be spent replacing items. Our schools have the ability to be great and have a better educated graduated class. Just think about this situation the next time your doing something for the school.
I completely support Jacob and I’m so proud of him for speaking up. Someone really needed to make everyone aware of what is actually going on–without sugar coating it.
Keith Thompson says
@ Anonymous,
Yes this is a nationwide problem but if you have Kent County High School graduates being told by colleges admissions personnel that they aren’t likely to handle the academic requirements of the college because your high school’s graduation standards are too lax, that goes into the realm of local embarrassment.
Concerned Educator says
Several weeks ago I sat down to write a letter to the editor of the Kent County News. It began, “Christmas came early this year to Kent County Middle School. Every student received an ipod touch with unrestricted internet access.” The ipods (which cost $229 a piece) were purchased with Title 1 funds. This money is intended to help “even the playing field” by allowing schools with the highest poverty levels the opportunity to hire teachers and purchase materials to help support the instructional needs of students. In Kent County’s haste to be the first county to distribute an ipod to every student, they failed to provide adequate training to their staff and students in how to utilize the technology “for educational purposes.” Furthermore, they failed to install software on the ipods to prevent students from downloading inappropriate content. While it is true that filters are in place while the ipods are being used in the building, nothing prevents the students from taking the ipod home and installing songs with explicit lyrics, games which are illegal for minors to purchase and worse. Once the song, picture or game has been downloaded, the student is free to enjoy it as they ride the bus, eat lunch in the cafeteria, walk the halls and yes, as they sit in class with their headphones on. Students have also downloaded text-messaging applications to communicate with their friends. As if teachers did not already face enough challenges, they now have the added responsibility of monitoring ipod use. I commend you Jacob for having the courage to express your grievances in such an articulate and confident manner. I couldn’t agree with you more.
bill_harrow says
Not to fear….Kirby is here…and will get things done the right way
High School Student says
I think the ipods are ridiculous and a waste of money. School is for learning. What is educational about an ipod? NOTHING. The school needs laptops and more internet portals. We cannot type, read, or research on an ipod. Laptops are needed. Every class should have a laptop cart. We can never get the cart when we need it because other classes need it too. School is for typing papers, research, and learning new skills. An ipod is for music and games. How bout we stop spending money on useless stuff. The school could use: A better landscape ( how about we plant some trees and flowers?), upgrade our books, TURN OUR WHOLE SCHOOL INTO A STEM SYSTEM!?!? The whole idea of ipods are obviously a bad choice. Theft, destruction, and doing stupid – non-learning things on these ipods just goes to show how worried the board is about bringing technology into our schools. They obviously didn’t think this through. If the school wants to use technology so bad why don’t we do the morning and afternoon announcements on the television? THINK PEOPLE THINK! It’s pretty bad that the school students are noticing this. We can have fundraisers to raise any money that is needed.. but instead of selling cookie dough, candy, magazines and stupid unsellable stuff..how bout we sell items people can use. Stuff that people will buy. DUH!?
Warrior Bob Kramer says
High School Student, Concerned Educator, Concerned Student and Jacob Chaires have me convinced that they could put together a plan that would make KCPS numero uno in the state of Maryland. And I believe that there just might be a few more students and teachers who could help them.
I certainly don’t think it’s an absurd idea that we could have the best public school system in the state… with folks and ideas like these. Afterall, we’re paying bigtime taxes, shouldn’t we have a bigtime education for our kids?
M. Jordan says
High School Student and Jacob, As a parent with 2 children in the public school system (but used to attend the private school system) – I commend you for speaking out and up for the right reasons. I totally agree with everythign you have said here….I’ve said everything you all have said ever since we left the private school system and came to the public system but no one has wanted to listen. I do feel the ipods are a waste of time and money – as the kids just see them as a game…I know, my child got one from the new middle school, and now he loves to play games on it. The grading system needs to be more realistic rather than a ‘pass/fail’ thing and upgrades needs to be put in place inside the buildings that help the teachers and the children….as they always say: These children are our future.
Another Concerned Educator says
Jacob, I commend you for speaking out. As an educator, I support you, and applaud your courage.
You are correct, many of the policies that we have are no longer in the best interests of our children. The policies exist to meet the demands of the State and Federal Departments of Education. Unfortunately, those demands are often counter to the best interests of our students. For example, we give children calculators in third grade, so that they can pass the test. Anyone outside of education can figure out that if a child has a calculator, he will not learn his basic facts, yet administrators seem surprised that we have seniors in high school who can’t add single digits without a calculator. Similarly, we focus on the “BCR” in elementary and middle school almost to the exclusion of any other type of writing prompt. Yet who, outside of the school system, has even heard of a BCR? Teachers condemn this and other practices, but are forced to conform and teach in lock-step as demanded by our Administration, despite almost unanimous teacher disagreement (particularly in middle and high school reading). KCPS has some phenomenal teachers, who have exemplary resumes, who are masters of pedagogy, who are stifled and crammed into teaching in ways that they know are ineffective. Why does our Administration allow this to continue – No, why does our Administration demand this?
Our current grading policy does, in fact, diminish “children’s capabilities for success”. According to dictionary.com, grade inflation is, “the awarding of higher grades than students deserve either to maintain a school’s academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.” Change “teacher” to “administrator” and it sounds like an apt description of our grading policy. The theory behind ‘grade recouping’ is that if a child fails an assignment, she will study, and then recoup not only the grade, but also the concept being tested. In practice, it doesn’t work. In practice, we have taken away the incentive for the child to study before the test, and have instead taught our students that studying is not necessary, because one can always recoup. Those students are in for a rude awakening when they enter college. For an upper-middle class student, with parents who can afford to pay for that course again, it’s not such a tough lesson. But for the student who loses his scholarship because he never learned how to study in public school? Ouch.
Another comment mentioned the IPOD distribution at the middle school. The teachers with whom I have conversed at the middle school overwhelmingly find the IPODs to be an impediment to learning, yet they will not speak out against it, because this initiative came from the “top”. Why didn’t the school system, if they are so intent on technology, give each teacher a classroom set, for academic use? Why weren’t restrictions put on the IPODs before handing them to students to keep them from filling the IPOD with foul language, violent video games, texting applications, and silly time-wasting apps; in other words, to keep the IPODs academic, instead of entertainment? At over $200 a piece, was it really the best use of Title I (Federal) money?
The last item that I want to address might be one of great importance to our specific system. Jacob implied that teachers are afraid, and believe that their opinions do not matter. I would ask the Board of Education to inquire more about this. Are teachers afraid? If so, why are they afraid? What has happened or been said to make them fear for their jobs? Is a fearful teacher an effective teacher? If our teachers truly are afraid, how is that impacting students? I respectfully suggest that the BoE complete the survey before May, and that it be done on paper, without any reference to school or grade. Teachers have long believed that anything that we do on our school computers is not anonymous, regardless of the promise of anonymity. And frankly, in such a small county, if you know the grade level and school of the respondent, you know the respondent.
Thank you, Jacob, for speaking up. This is a conversation that needs to continue.
MBTroup says
Somewhere in a world with Shadoe Stevenses and Jim J Bullocks surrounding us, we at least get Jacob Chaires for the win.
I-pods? Really? Are we sure everyone didn’t get some virus whereby the A and O keys are transposed? I can see that “crazy Mr Troup’s” third installment going live shortly.
High School Student says
Definitely got Ipods. which is most definitely ridiculous like i said before. Queen Annes County High School teachers each received an IPAD, the school system has so much money that they obviously have a better technologic standing than we do. KC needs to take the initiative to do something. All it takes is the first step. QA holds quarter auctions, flower sales, bake sales, community yard sales, they are all involved in community pride. KC on the other hand is so concerned with getting away from the schools that nobody is concerned with the education and well being of our schools. KC needs to be more involved with our community. Have you ever gone down the streets in Centerville? The store windows are all decorated with signs and such to congratulate and encourage the students and teachers to be the best. In Kent county, we are a joke. Instead of making a ton of money for each club and organization..how about we have school wide donations, and fundraisers..and then the clubs that want money write a proposition for why and how much money they need. Those that demonstrate real need should then receive the amount needed. Our school needs laptops. For every class room, and for every student. That is another problem that is faced, our classes have too many students in them for the laptop carts to support. The high school hasn’t seen much of the ipods, i’ve only seen 1 class using them..the majority of them playing games. The teachers aren’t trained to use the ipods, and some aren’t trained to use the smart boards. Come on people. Where is all of our money going???? Oh wait.. on stupid useless ipods. This is infuriating, what happened to our education?
M. Jordan says
One could only hope that the BOE and the Administrators actually read Chestertown Spy and War for the Shore – even if they are too scared or oppossed to write their own opinion, but instead ACTUALLY READ what the people say, take it to heart, learn a lesson or two AND then change their ways. Thats all anybody can hope, unless somebody has a better idea!
MBTroup says
@High School Student: I don’t begrudge your Net anonymity, but sometimes the first step is being counted. Otherwise, you become the drone that you fear the schools are creating. But bullying, retaliation, etc are reality. So don’t do what you aren’t comfortable doing. And so I change course before using more phrases that sound like an awkward date.
“…the school system has so much money that they obviously have a better technologic standing than we do.”
School funding is driven by property taxes. So think of all that Kent Island property. More people plus higher property values (though our per capita value is in the top quarter of the State) equals a larger pool. Plus each child in the system represents funds that come from above. So add enrollment to that equation.
“KC needs to take the initiative to do something. All it takes is the first step.”
As a mild defense of the administration, I don’t think they’re stepless. The right path? That’s the discussion I guess.
“KC needs to be more involved with our community.”
Is KC the County gov, the BOE, or the community at large? I have seen a lot of programs that integrate the community and the younger kids (e.g. Sneaker Creeper). One thing that can be done at the KCHS level is to post the sports schedule as you drive in. Smaller communities are unified by the high school football team (or am I just reciting plotlines from Friday Night Lights?). But seriously, make the game a destination on an otherwise idle Friday night.
“Where is all of our money going????”
You may want to suggest a field trip for your history/government class. Tuesdays at 8:30 – 400 High Street. That’s when the Commissioners meet. Now they only sign the checks. The BOE spends it. But they also converse at these meetings for the purpose of accountability.
Candidius says
Great job Jacob! Thank you for pointing out to the masses what one sage soul described as KCPS “tyranny of low expectations.” Now let us see if Super Barb and her administration will see the error of their way and change or if they will hunker down and attempt to defend an indefensible position. If the latter, I pray the powers that be have the courage of conviction to remove Super Barb and any one else in the administration who seems unwilling to recognize the truth that is so plainly before them.
Jake Baxter says
As a relative newcomer to the area, I have heard many opinions about what to do about the failing Kent County Schools, particularly the high school. One idea yet to be mentioned in any forum (to my knowledge) is the most obvious. Fire Dr. Wheeler and any of her deputies that are not on board with immediate change, appoint an interim Superintendent, and identify a competent leader who can move the schools forward. Mr.Chaires and the other students who have commented on his op-ed seem to have a better handle on what is going on in the schools then the systems actual leadership.
Steve Payne says
@Jake Baxter.
“Mr.Chaires and the other students who have commented on his op-ed seem to have a better handle on what is going on in the schools then the systems actual leadership.”
I agree!!
I have been waiting for some defense to be put forth by the system but it hasn’t happened.
I moved here around 5 years ago from Bowie MD. This very same thing happened there 10-15 years ago. Many good teachers left the system or got out of teaching.
It’s great to hear complaints come from students though. I have never heard of that before.
KC Resident says
I am impressed by Mr. Chaires’ comments and am glad that he has written this piece as a way of encouraging a thoughtful debate on the issue among residents of the entire county.
I am resident of the county but am currently living overseas so I can not contribute any additional observations or suggestions as to how to fix the many problems that the school system is facing. However, on the specific issue of the iPods that were issued to middle school students, this decision shows an outrageous lack of judgement on the part of the Board of Education and/or whoever else was involved in this decision.
However, it is sadly in line with Mr. Chaires’ comments on the lowered expectations for KC public school students. The digital divide is very real in the US, but to trivialize the concept by stating that the problem is “some kids have iPods and others do not” is profoundly ignorant. The “new” economy calls for a highly skilled workforce, consisting of people who can INVENT the next iPod, or applications for the device. Young people who learn only how to CONSUME digital content and use the newest gadgets will be far behind their peers who are learning to develop their own games, and use technological innovations to address a host of different needs.
KC BoE was able to “check the box” that they were using Federal funds to bridge the digital divide, but this was an incredibly lazy way to spend the money. What they should have done, if the money could have been spent only on technology (as opposed to teacher training, special ed, or other areas which are probably lacking in the schools), was to buy items that could be used in each classroom in order to integrate the use of technology into all aspects of the curriculum. The goal should have been to encourage young people to CREATE their own entertainment using technology, instead of just consuming things that are out there (and largely inappropriate for their age) already.
For example, each science class could have received a few sets of Lego Mindstorms. These kits allow students to use regular legos to build a structure (a car, for example) and then attach a motorized, programmable brick to the structure which would make it move, or perform a simple function. Students would learn construction and basic computer programming, among other skills.
In social studies classes, students could have formed small groups and been instructed to collaboratively write short play about the life of a historical figure. They could then use video cameras (which would belong to the class, not the students!) to film the play, then edit the footage and present the final cut to their classmates.
Similarly, students in math class could have had the opportunity to learn the basics of Adoble Flash and animate a specific math concept once they had mastered it themselves. For example, once a student learns her “7” multiplication tables, she could make a short animated piece which would illustrate the multiplication facts. The students’ classmate could do a similar piece on the “8” multiplication tables, etc.
Finally, music classes could have hooked up simple keyboards, a microphone and recording software to allow students to make and edit their own music.
These types of activities would require teacher training and classroom time, but would surely provide more opportunities for actual learning than just downloading movies and music. The fact that the iPods were literally “just handed” to the students is emblematic of the larger problem of handing all kinds of “achievement” to the students without any real work.
The chance for students who may not usually meet with success to find something that they are good at and enjoy is a wonderful opportunity. There are countless examples out there of poor kids all over the globe being given a chance to express themselves through simple technology, and becoming expert developers in the process. This iPod expenditure was a giant missed opportunity.