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Show February 18, 2004 SunNes 3 Guest Editorial by Supt. Peterson Cash Strapped Rural Districts Working to Comply With No Child Left Behind Mandate Editor's Note: We asked South Sanpete School Superintendant Jim Peterson to share his views on the recent NCLB debate in the Utah Legislature. We appreciate this guest editorial. The Federal No Child Left Behind Legislation (often called NCLB) was passed a few years d ago with the promise of providing all children with a high quality education. As it is being implemented, many states and school systems are feeling that the legislation, while well intended, has a number of problems. The Utah Legislature is currently debating whether to withdraw from the NCLB and trying to determine what the consequences of that action would be. Throughout the Country, a number of other states and individual school districts are contemplating similar actions. Among the stated reasons for withdrawing are: NCLB is an inappropriate Federal intrusion into an arena which is a state responsibility, NCLB requires a number of programs for which it does not provide adequate widely-supporte- by Lori Olsen The holidays are over and NCLB isn't all bad either. A we didnt funding, and NCLB require- programs to students. capture one minute of But I don't believe the best so- trend underway, that NCLB rements are unreasonable and canfamily gatherings on video tape. not be accomplished at any cost. lution is for Utah to withdraw inforced, was the need to look Should I feel guilty? Should I be A survey of principals and sufrom NCLB because the most at student achievement much ashamed for not recording these perintendents conducted by recent information from the Fed- closer, especially for students at moments for our familys history? Public Agenda eral Dept, of Education indicates risk for a variety of reasons. In New York-base- d Are they gone forever? found that nine out of ten that the consequence would be the past, schools tended to look No, because I did get some viewed NCLB as an unfunded a loss of all Federal Education at overall averages when lookgood still shots of the family mandate and in need of adjust- funding. ing at student achievement. Christmas party, the New Years ment before it can work South Sanpete School District Large numbers of students doAs Superintendent, I also have receives about $1,800,000 from ing well often overshadowed Day skiing adventure and some even rehearsals to get the best serious concerns about NCLB. the Federal Government. Our the fact that some students were pictures of the family in their new stuff. Id hate to miss a trip, fall, I The provisions that require overall District budget averages not being as successful as they Christmas pajamas. take many messed up line or costume malnot but much video. schools to have 100 percent of about $21,000,000. While only could be. We have a history of photos function. I become absorbed in main video reason our The students performing at grade about nine percent of our bud- providing quality remedial prothe filming and I cant be involved level and have teachers only get, federal funds provide nu- grams in South Sanpete, but as camera collects dust is because in the activity. I cant jump up and considered qualified if they hold merous classroom aides, teach- a result of recent test data, we've when I stop to video an event I down, laugh, scream, clap, and a college major in the subject ers for special education, sup- strengthened programs for non become an outsider looking in shout accolades. area place most schools in an port for and allow us English speaking students, through a window. Somehow We dont go back and watch Schools in of classes by added additional reading classes there is a difference between the to the situation. reduce size impossible tapes much either. The kids rural areas as well as schools hiring additional teachers. Were in secondary schools, and fo- taking a quick snap shot and like to watch right after a perforefwhich serve students at risk be- those funds to be lost, we would cused much of our seeing the whole thing on a one mance to see how they did and cause of income levels, ethnicity, lose a number of programs and fort for all teachers on reading inch screen. then I line up the tape for the next At my daughters high speaking, andor employees that clearly make a and writing. important happening. At the end As a District, we've made a school with disabilities, especially substantial difference in the graduation last year I took of the year, I label it and add it to would be at a severe disadvan- quality of the program we can number of efforts to comply a few minutes of video as she our small library. with the NCLB mandates. Most walked to tage. provide for students. get her diploma. When On the other hand, we ofIn effect, NCLB places Of all the States, Utah ranks of our teachers meet the stan- she at her graduspeech began ten sit and look through old famunachievable requirements on last in funding per student for dards for being highly qualified. ation, the video camera sat in my ily albums. Memories are stirred schools, then places sanctions education and it would be very (Ninety-eigpercent of our lap all queued up and ready to and individual perspectives are that would label schools as fail- difficult for Utah to replace Fed- teachers are fully certified by the I go. got caught up in the mo- shared. We take our current al- -' ing while reducing the funding eral funding which is over State of Utah and, the few who ment and forgot to tape. Instead bum on outings with extended available to provide educational $105,000,000 statewide. aren't are enrolled in programs of becoming an onlooker to the family to share our recent lives working towards certification.) I was a participant and with them through pictures. You All of our schools this year event, dont have to turn on the TV to met the criteria for student ad- enjoyed every word. mm both Jim 35 and shoot view the memories and bore equate yearly progress based seafter and and digital photos some that would rather visit. Inupon test data from the Utah I label the ones, good CORE Curriculum Testing Pro- lecting teraction with the photo album them and slip them into the famgram. I'm hopeful as NCLB is may be brief or captivating deIt records our memoimplemented that the leadership ily album. pending on the amount of interin the U.S. Department of Edu- ries and takes very little time. I est. album for you work with. He says you age and interested in becoming cation will make appropriate ad- keep a large Im not going to feel too should make sure the company a proctor parent, or would like justments in the NCLB Provi- each year, which becomes our guilty about the video camera will support their proctor par- more information about proctor- sions that will make it truly in lives documented in prints. hanging permanently on a hook I ents if the need arises. ing, you can contact Sandi at the best interests of schools and only have one 90 minute in the laundry room. There is or (435) If you are at least 21 years of (435) 462-34students. tape of unedited video for each more interaction when we look If you wish to learn more of the last five years; plus a at our photos and share our recabout NCLB please contact me couple of tapes for school plays Because You Can't Always Schedule Your ollections. We may each have a for a copy of an excellent article and dance recitals. When shootMedical Emergencies... different viewpoint of what hapby William Mathis from the ing that 90 minutes, I concenpened and we dont want our Education Journal, Phi Delta trate on We're Open 7 Days A Week!! getting just the right memories to melt into the one Kappan, titled No Child Left angle. I zoom in and out. Ill atperspective that was recorded Costs and Benefits. Behind, Clinic tend every performance and through a lens. 1100 S. Medical Drive - Mt. Pleasant non-Engli- sh ht Sanpete, Sevier Area Families Aim to Aid Youth In Need Since the advent of the child, there have been children in need of good role models and parents. Now local Sanpete families are working to fill that need, by becoming proctor parents to youth in need of a temporary family. Enoch Brown, who with his wife Rachael proctor one child says, "proctoring gives me a chance to make a difference in the life of a really great kid." Proctor parents care for a child who has been removed from the child's home by the Department of Youth Corrections. The proctor parents have the opportunity to teach life skills that help their proctor child become a responsible adult. The proctor family receives payment for helping the child, but "The real payment is seeing the proctor child succeed," says Enoch. Rachael adds that their proctor child "has become part of the family.... it seems weird to think of our home without him." Proctor parents are needed throughout the Sanpete, Juab and Sevier counties for both girls and boys. "It is an experience that you will never forget. You will never want to forget it." Says Enoch, who cannot say enough good about his experi- Through the lens I 835-757- 7. Carson - Friday: 8.00 am to 8:00 Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday: 11:00 am to 300 pm Monday pm Walk Ins Welcome!1! Most Insurances Accented1 Providers to Serve You: Full-Ti- Mia M. Carson, MD Cristy 1. Meacham, FNP, PhD W. Scott Hunt, PA-- C Quality. Care with Convenient Hours THIS COUPON Will ADMIT ONE CHILD AGE 12 OR UNDER FREE. GENERAL ADMISSION CHILDREN CANNOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED - m Mr ii ences proctoring. Enoch and Rachael's proctor child says through the proctor program he has learned "Inter- action. Getting to meet new people." He says this will help him as he prepares for the future outside the proctor home. Proctor parents generally work through companies that help to place children in the homes. Enoch says his experience working with Ascent Inc. out of Mt. Pleasant has been great. He encourages anyone who can, to become a proctor parent. But, he says it is important to look into the company WelVelcomeJetters toJlieEditorl We welcome Letters to the Editor from our readers. If you have an opinion or argument that ought to be considered, please send your signed letter to Salina Sun Gunnison Valley News P.O. Box 189 Gunnison, Utah 8634 or newsgtelco.net. 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