Innovation and Reform

By Dennis K. Chaconas

We must be committed to sharing the best local practices county wide. Every local district has areas where they succeed and areas where they struggle. We must collaborate so as it reinforce our success' and overcome our challenges.

For example, some local schools are operating successful parent involvement programs that have made their school more user friendly, thus easier for parents to support their child's education. Others local schools still struggle and are unable to attract parent support and participation in their child's learning experience. These local schools, due to a lack of parental involvement, suffer from decreased productivity, teacher frustration and lowered expectations for academic achievement. Workshops conducted by those successful in this area and attended by those who are challenged will result skills being conveyed, traded and expanded. The result will be an increase in the quality of education county-wide.

Each local district in the county, and each school within that district, have their own areas where they succeed and those where they struggle. I believe that by sitting down together, in a regular, structured environment of sharing and learning, all districts can realize dramatic improvements. This is especially true if we bring the education programs of all the local colleges and universities to the table to help both new and experienced practitioners improve their craft. In addition, we should create a link on the County web page that will provide information on the skills conveyed at these workshops, as well as any other best practices available, that could be accessible throughout the County.