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On the anniversary of her inauguration, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Janet Barresi spent the day answering the questions of area educators, parents and community members during the Southern Oklahoma Education Summit.
“When I get to talk to parents and teachers, I bring it back to the department and make sure what we are doing is the best for students,” Barresi said.
The summit was arranged by Sen. Frank Simpson, Rep. Pat Ownbey and Rep. Tommy Hardin.
“It’s really good for parents and teachers to hear from Dr. Barresi about reforms and her vision of education,” said Simpson. “It’s good to get answers straight from her.” Jennifer Burton, a parent of Oak Hall Episcopal and Ardmore Middle School students, said she is a fan of Barresi and her reforms.
“She is putting us in a positive direction,” she said. “I agree with the way things are going. I had questions when I came in here, and they have all been answered.” Becki Munholland, who has taught at Healdton High School for 40 years, said she was concerned about the funding being given to virtual schools. Her concern is that the new public virtual schools are funded by pupil count the same as schools with buildings, transportation, food service and utility costs.
“The answer was yes they are. But she also said that was something they would address at the summit,” Munholland said.
Barresi said she would have a summit to address issues concerning digital learning in April, describing the virtual learning world as the "wild, wild west," because of a lack of regulations. The summit would be open for people across the state to express their opinion.
"I will be there. (Virtual schools) are taking money from our students in our classrooms," Munholland said.
Barresi is supportive of blended learning, the combination of teacher in-person instruction and digital learning programs.
"We currently measure progress based on seat time," she said. "What a student needs is competency." She used Crescent Public Schools as an example. Over a five-year period, the district gradually invested in technology.
Now, students can often be seen using software on laptops that is specific to their skill level, while under the instruction of a classroom teacher who can answer questions.
"They were determined to do it," she said. "In every classroom I walked into, the students were engaged." Barresi also described many of the education reforms passed during the last legislative session.
On the anniversary of her inauguration, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Janet Barresi spent the day answering the questions of area educators, parents and community members during the Southern Oklahoma Education Summit.
“When I get to talk to parents and teachers, I bring it back to the department and make sure what we are doing is the best for students,” Barresi said.
The summit was arranged by Sen. Frank Simpson, Rep. Pat Ownbey and Rep. Tommy Hardin.
“It’s really good for parents and teachers to hear from Dr. Barresi about reforms and her vision of education,” said Simpson. “It’s good to get answers straight from her.” Jennifer Burton, a parent of Oak Hall Episcopal and Ardmore Middle School students, said she is a fan of Barresi and her reforms.
“She is putting us in a positive direction,” she said. “I agree with the way things are going. I had questions when I came in here, and they have all been answered.” Becki Munholland, who has taught at Healdton High School for 40 years, said she was concerned about the funding being given to virtual schools. Her concern is that the new public virtual schools are funded by pupil count the same as schools with buildings, transportation, food service and utility costs.
“The answer was yes they are. But she also said that was something they would address at the summit,” Munholland said.
Barresi said she would have a summit to address issues concerning digital learning in April, describing the virtual learning world as the "wild, wild west," because of a lack of regulations. The summit would be open for people across the state to express their opinion.
"I will be there. (Virtual schools) are taking money from our students in our classrooms," Munholland said.
Barresi is supportive of blended learning, the combination of teacher in-person instruction and digital learning programs.
"We currently measure progress based on seat time," she said. "What a student needs is competency." She used Crescent Public Schools as an example. Over a five-year period, the district gradually invested in technology.
Now, students can often be seen using software on laptops that is specific to their skill level, while under the instruction of a classroom teacher who can answer questions.
"They were determined to do it," she said. "In every classroom I walked into, the students were engaged." Barresi also described many of the education reforms passed during the last legislative session.
"This year's focus is implementation," she said. "We've got to move forward." Comparing Oklahoma to other states that have implemented similar reforms, Barresi said everyone should expect things to remain flat for the next couple of years. Then in the third year, things will begin to improve slightly. The fourth year should be one of great improvement in numbers.
She also said 60 coaches have been hired for next school year. They will be dispersed among 25 regions of the state to improve literacy and reading instruction and to help transition to the C3, her name for the Common Core Curriculum plus Oklahoma social studies standards.
The C3 will replace the Priority Academic Student Skills. Schools are encouraged to begin the transition as soon as possible, with the standards being fully implemented statewide by 2014.
"Anyone that implements the C3 will have no problem passing (PASS) tests. They will help with the retention of material," Barresi said. "It's more rigorous and focuses on developing thinking skills."
