Preparing our children for a flat world

Monticello Schools launch bold initiative to prepare students for rapidly changing global economy

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY—European explorers once feared that if they sailed too far they would fall off the edge of a world they believed to be flat. Now, in the dawning years of the 21st century, the notion of a flat world has taken on an entirely new meaning.

In his book, “The World is Flat,” New York Times foreign affairs correspondent Thomas L. Friedman posits the idea that the convergence of technology and events has led to a “flattening of the globe,” in which countries like India and China have emerged as major players in the supply of manufacturing and services, leaving the United States , once the world’s prime mover, to “run faster just to keep pace.”

In a world where communication is measured in nanoseconds and where digital technology is in a state of constant change, countries, companies and individuals must adapt or face the prospect of being left behind.

In order to “think globally, but act locally,” making that adaptation begins with a reassessment of our educational programs. To that end, Monticello School District Superintendent Patrick Michel spoke to the assembled district staff on September 4 about some sweeping changes being implemented for the 2007-08 school year that will better prepare Monticello students for the flat world in which they will soon have to navigate.

Currently, in the United States, only 79 out of every hundred students graduate from high school and only 21 out of every 100 graduate from college. In 1970, half of the doctors in the world were American. That percentage is expected to drop to a mere 15 percent by 2010.

Faced with such grim statistics Michel, the board of education and an advisory staff have put in place an initiative designed to enable students to reason, communicate, problem-solve and work collaboratively to acquire the skills they will need for work, college and to become informed active citizens.

Spearheading those changes involves a restructuring of the administration. Included in that will be a grades three through 12 testing system, with more focus and guidance on a K through 12 perspective. Principals will become instructional leaders and agents of change to insure that there is success with K through 12 state testing. New positions were created including directors for K-12 English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, technology and library directors, an executive director of professional development and technology, a program evaluator and an expanded number of teacher leaders.

Smaller learning communities will include a Freshman Academy and a 10th-grade Experience, team teaching to promote collaboration and a sustainable partnership with area business and Sullivan County Community College.

The Robert J. Kaiser Middle School is finally coming off the state list of schools failing to meet targets for math. An increased effort to help students make the transition from fifth to sixth grade is about to be deployed, as 30 percent of students entering sixth grade are currently three grade levels behind in math and literacy.

The district plans to create intensified classes for these students to bring them up to grade level. In terms of enrichment, the district is increasing the number of college-level courses in the high school. A position of literacy coach has been created to support staff members.

The use of math and literacy coaches at the elementary school level, a transition program for third grade, added enriched classes at the Rutherford School and a discussion about the K-5 redesign of the Cooke and Rutherford Schools are designed to augment the program for the district’s youngest students.

Summing up the total mission, Michel noted “We do not just educate children here in Monticello, we save lives.” Startlingly, Michel revealed that, in many states, the prison systems look at the number of students not reading on grade level in grades two, three and four to determine the number of prison cells to build ten years hence.

In that context, Michel’s pronouncement about saving lives takes on a tangible meaning.

Monticello has always been in the forefront when it comes to the academic achievements of its outstanding students and its place of high regard in the arts and athletics. With the proposed changes in place, expect to hear much more about the district’s progress in terms of its entire population.