With new school year comes a new approach to education

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White.

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 4:26 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 4:26 p.m.

SARASOTA - Without the drama of major budget cuts or program shake-ups, a relatively status quo 2014-15 year begins today in Sarasota County public schools.

One of the most noticeable changes this school year — and perhaps one of the biggest political fights in education across the country — involves the Common Core standards. (The state tweaked the education guidelines and renamed them the Florida Standards).

School systems, including Sarasota County, have been rolling out the standards by grade level since the state first approved the switch in 2010.

But when school starts today, it will be first time Sarasota County students in all K-12 grades are learning the standards that outline what children need to know in each grade in math and English Language arts.

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White met with the Herald-Tribune to talk about what parents can expect and gave advice on how to make sure their children have a good school year.

Q: What should parents expect to see in their children's homework under the new standards?

A: “Students will be exposed to more reading — and lengthier passages — for homework as well as during the school day. Children will see more informational texts, including historical documents and primary sources.

“We're going to be seeing more and more writing in terms of students being able to convey their thinking by writing about a problem or a situation. So not necessarily writing an essay but writing about what they think and how they work through a problem.

“You'll see more and more of that. It's a tool we're using in all of our classrooms. English Language arts, math, science and social studies and including in all electives.”

Q: Will report cards look different?

A: “Report cards will traditionally be much the same but some of the tools that our teachers are using in their instruction might change ... Our teacher are getting used to a new textbook system that is fully aligned with new standards.”

Q: Students' test scores are expected to drop because the new standards are more challenging when the new tests roll out. What do parents need to understand?

A: “These new standards really focus on students' problem solving and critical thinking. So its not about memorizing procedures. ... What makes this different is it really requires students to use multi-steps to think through different ways of approaching a problem and frankly, with some of those problems, even our students who feel very proficient in math might struggle as they contemplate, 'How do I approach this problem?' That could also be frustrating for parents.

“... Just understanding that sometimes, for our students to learn the most, they have to struggle and try different ways. I think that's part of what we're trying to achieve is students really thinking through, not giving up too easily, but not expecting somebody to just say, 'Memorize these procedures and apply it to this problem and you will get an A.' ”

Q: Should parents freak out about the lower scores or harder problems? What can they do to help their child?

A: “No. If they find that their students are struggling, they might encourage and ask them to think about other ways they might solve it. Even if they can't totally do what is required of them to solve a problem, but to outline what they did try because I think our teachers recognize we want our students to persevere and to think through more complex problems even if they don't end up on that session with the correct answer.

“We want them to outline what did they do, what did they think about, what things did they try so we can nurture that perseverance and not expect it to always come easy, for our brightest students.”

Q: What other advice do you have for parents so their children start off on a good foot this school year?

A: “Be encouraging and positive about each of their children's capacity to learn. And to reassure students that it's a a partnership. Parents are supporting them. Teachers are supporting them.”

Q: OK, enough about Common Core. For this school year, are there going to any major changes, such as school start times, transportation or lunch prices?

A: “No, we really haven't had major changes... We're lucky enough last year to not make significant budget reductions so we're able to provide very similar types of staffing and programs.

“This school year, the district expanded its food service program so it will serve free breakfast for all children at some of the poorest schools. The district is also continuing to refit middle school classrooms with new computers and technology as part of a multi-year STEM initiative. STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and math.”

Q: There are lot of parents who are struggling to find affordable housing or pay for school uniforms for their children. Is there anything schools can do to help?

A: “We would encourage our families to let us know. Sometimes our social workers and guidance counselors can help them make more connections more easily. When they're struggling, at least we can help point the way ... There's so much that impacts learning. Students who are hungry can't learn. Students who are worried about what's happening at home, that anxiety prevents learning. We can't provide all those services, but we can make those connections. We have some wonderful foundations that provide support for families in need.”


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