Kim Frencken: How I would reform education

My plan for reforming education

I'd start with special education policies. Students with special needs would include kids that fall through the cracks- nothing makes me more angry or frustrated than to be told a child has fallen through the crack.

 Instead of ignoring the needs of children, they would be addressed. All of them. Not just the extreme cases. Not just the ones that scream and hit and bite. Not just the ones that are multiple grade levels below and totally unaware that they are behind. Everyone. The child that sits by herself at lunch and recess because she thinks that there must be a reason that no one likes her. There must be a reason that her parents call her bad names and other kids call her stupid. The child that struggles to read. They want to read. They try to read. They stay after school for tutoring with their teacher. They try at home. But they are still behind. And falling further behind each day. The child that sits quietly at their desk, seething inside, but not showing it on the outside. Unless you are observant enough to catch the subtle hints.

Then I'd quickly move to discipline. For starters... I'd bring it back.

I'm smart enough and compassionate enough to know that a spanking does not solve every problem and it does not work effectively with every child. But I'm smart enough and compassionate to know that corporal punishment does have a place and it does have merits if used properly.

I'd write in stone that teacher/student ratio could not go over 15. Never. Ever. And primary grades could not exceed 10. Why? Because, Betsy DeVos, smaller class sizes allow a teacher to teach and a student to learn. 

Smaller class sizes allow a teacher to spend more one on one time with students that are struggling with a concept. Smaller classes form and build lasting relationships. They are more manageable. Teachers can plan more activities and experiments and STEM or STEAM related lessons.

Last, I'd hire teachers who love to teach. Teachers who love kids. Teachers who teach because it is the best thing in the world to do. And... I'd pay them what they are worth.

(For more of Kim Frencken's writing, check out her blog Chocolate For the Teacher.)