Answers To Questions

1. What role should statewide standardized testing play in Plano ISD? Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing, as some teacher and parent organizations have reported?

Schools-teachers are judged almost completely by TAKS results, so they are forced to “Teach to the TAKS”, to the detriment of covering subjects thoroughly. National entrance exams for students are available in University testing centers almost any day of the week because the questions are selected at random. This should be provided for Texas students at no cost since it would cost less than the current or planned approaches. If End-Of-Course Exams are required then they should be online when the student is prepared to test on the course materials, not a one-day, high-stakes test.

2. What is the best way to reward good teachers? Do you think that the state’s merit pay plan for teachers with matching local fund requirements is an effective use of the Plano ISD funds?

The first goal should be to identify good teachers; however, TAKS tests do NOT accomplish this goal; AND Teachers-Parents-Students should be consulted on how to identify good teachers. Parents should be allowed to select campuses-teachers when possible and parents should have the option to rate a teacher including providing confirmed-anonymous feedback on teacher performance.

A good teacher should be rewarded with praise, honor, and money.

Texas merit pay plan is not effective for Plano: no future funding guarantee, not fair to all teachers, and significant administrative costs.

3. How should Plano ISD prepare students for success whether they are college-bound or not?

Character: Character is essential to appropriate learning, application of knowledge in life, and service to society. Parents should teach USA, Texas, Plano, Family, and ideal individual Character Traits at Home. Plano ISD should provide a Character Curriculum for each student, require students to demonstrate Character at School, and have a yearly standardized test on Character for every grade level.

Project Based Learning: Have a significant portion of course work be completing a somewhat freeform project with real life application, mentors from the community, and this approach also teaches character.

Life Skills: We should teach character, USA legal system, personality testing, personal finance, job search, office politics, computer applications, home ownership, nutrition, health, hygiene, and interpersonal skills.

4. How do current procedures in textbook selection affect Plano ISD? How can Plano ISD ensure that appropriate textbooks are available?

Textbooks are extremely overpriced and outdated by the time they come off the press. There is a place for workbooks. However, in Science and Social Studies, most educational materials should be delivered via computer. Online textbooks are the preferred educational tool. They can be updated real time, affording our children current information, and reducing costs. The same holds true for standardized testing: Online testing would also reduce costs while SIGNIFICANTLY improving the pedagogical value of the testing.

5. Is the current property tax rate, plus state financing, adequate to support the needs of Plano ISD?

There are Federal and private grants already in place. If we get good results for our students then money will not be an issue. Also our successful alumni will contribute and businesses that need more great employees will donate possibly by matching employee contributions.

6. As more students from non-English-speaking backgrounds enroll, what should Plano ISD do to facilitate their success at school?

English skills are necessary for success EVERYWHERE in the world (including Plano, Texas USA). ALL of our students need to FIRST become fluent in English – listening, speaking, reading, writing, and composition. This is necessary for their success, will reduce overall costs, and will help Plano stay competitive in the world market. Students should become fluent in English prior to mainstreaming. If this requires a student to spend an additional year or even two in school then that should be done to provide the highest probability of success. Individualized approaches integrated with traditional campuses will allow simultaneous socialization.

7. What are the most important issues you think will come before Plano ISD in the next three years? What are your views on these issues?

Character: Character is essential to appropriate learning, application of knowledge in life, and service to society. Parents should teach USA, Texas, Plano, Family, and ideal individual Character Traits at Home. Plano ISD should provide a Character Curriculum for each student, require students to demonstrate Character at School, and have a yearly standardized test on Character for every grade level.

Project Based Learning: Have a significant portion of course work be completing a somewhat freeform project with real life application, mentors from the community, and this approach also teaches character.

Life Skills: We should teach character, USA legal system, personality testing, personal finance, job search, office politics, computer applications, home ownership, nutrition, health, hygiene, and interpersonal skills.

Parental Choice of campus, teacher, and curricula – Parents should be allowed to select campuses-teachers when possible and parents should have the option to rate a teacher including providing confirmed-anonymous feedback on teacher performance.

Individualized Approaches based on student needs – Schools should provide at least one hour of computer lab time per day (a computer for each student would be even better) – curricula could include remediation, foreign language, standard courses, research, and computer technology.