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A bittersweet moment

To the Editor:

I have arrived at a very bittersweet moment in my life and my heart is feeling a gamut of emotions as I write this. I have just fulfilled one of my life-long dreams of becoming a nurse, having graduated from TECOs LPN program. Within a few days, I will be moving to north Florida and beginning my new career. As I pack my bags and reflect upon my years in Osceola County, my years involved with the School District of Osceola County weigh heavily on my mind.

I am grateful to the district and to TECOs excellent RN instructors for the education my children and I have received. That said, I am also troubled that our citizens do not get involved, ask questions and demand accountability from the leaders of education and the School Board. This county has amazing teachers and educators, yet politics continue to overshadow all they do in the best interest of our students.

As a student at TECO, I had the opportunity to see things from a very different viewpoint, (other than a board member). My focus was my nursing studies, but I learned much more, some of it very disturbing. The standard of performance at TECOs nursing program is 80 percent; however, the district wants more students to pass. They think that lowering the performance standard to whatever it takes in order to have higher retention will accomplish this. It shocked me when the assistant principal instructed the staff to change a students grade from a fail to a pass (told to me from the student) so they could continue in the program. Think about it do you want a person taking care of you or a loved one who is only right 70 percent of the time? There is a reason the program is well respected, it is the high standards and high percentage of graduates that pass state boards, nearly 100 percent, unlike the state average of 80 percent.

Another thing I learned is that all teachers are not created equal, nor should they be. Our district thinks nothing of changing job descriptions when someone is desired for a position. There have been four such situations in one recent month. Educators who have failed have been moved and then Paid More Money. It only takes a little inquiry to see who is related to whom and who gets preferential treatment.

In the K-12 system, teacher expertise regarding student retention has been ignored as the district policy is no retention. How does this help a child who is struggling? Or, is it intended to help some report look good?

Test scores are down, but the areas of improvement are not being reported.

One board member has administrators, teachers, and staff members so bullied they fear for their jobs. Many good people are leaving the district and the students and community are the losers.

The district has designed a system in which being good at what you do is not rewarded, while being poor at what you do is not corrected or penalized.

See the original post here:
Letter to the Editor for June 29, 2013