Madison Schools' Board of Education Candidate Take Home Test: Week 7

Isthmus:

• What role should the school board play in determining curriculum? What about parents?
  
• Extra Credit: Critics say the district's math program in elementary and middle schools lacks rigor and doesn't teach enough math facts, while supporters say it teaches students how to solve real-life math problems. What do you think of the district's math program?
  
• More Extra Credit: Face the music: How often do you perform long division in your everyday life?

There's no doubt that Isthmus has the juice in this campaign. The traditional daily newspapers haven't covered any substantive issues in this race. I'd like to see some links/words that contrast my opinion on their lack of "beef" (Have they attended any forums?). Focusing on personalities is a simple, self made "pass" that avoids issues critical to our children:

• World Class Curriculum; ineffective curriculum choices can place a lifelong tax on our children. Ironic, from a community that includes the University of Wisconsin.
• Leadership that can pass referenda (will the current approach and personalities be successful?)
• Transparency with respect to the District's growing $321M+ budget. Again, will the current approach pass the necessary referenda?

Isthmus's work represents the best of local journalism. Rather amazing, given the resources they have vs the enormous dailies. Interestingly, the Fitchburg Star has posted some useful articles as well.

The Memorandum to Local Media represented one attempt to at least look at the issues rather than simply compare and contrast personalities.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 8, 2006 12:06 PM
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