Et TU Brute?

As far back as 52 B.C. the great Roman leader, Julius Caesar reminded the world that “Experience is the teacher of all things” (De Bello Civili).

A letter to the Dispatch submitted by Diane French on April 30, 2009 reminds me that Diane has yet to experience and much to learn about character education, which I note was not touted in her list of trainings as she recently entered her first year of teaching. Taking my comments out of context and twisting my words to fool the public into believing that I have accomplished nothing during my twelve years of serving on the Board is as William Shakespeare so aptly wrote, “the most unkindest cut of all” (Julius Caesar, 1601.

I, Pam Lutfy “did have the audacity to publicly ask” why Diane French and Dr. Finan proposed to replace the present elementary reading curriculum with a new $350,000 + reading curriculum, especially in light of the fact that our elementary students demonstrated outstanding reading performance on the 2007-2008 PSSA according to an administrative report. Diane retorted that her employer uses the proposed $350,000+ reading program and all the teachers at her school like it. Interestingly, I learned that our own DV teachers were not consulted regarding the reading curriculum proposal and by the way neither were any other Board members!

Yes, I, Pam Lutfy do have the audacity to continually question why Bob Goldsack, president of the Board, and Diane French, education committee chairperson, fixate on elementary reading discussions and smugly ignore the fact that the DV High School failed to reach Average Yearly Progress as a result of poor performance on the state assessment. Twenty percent of last year’s eleventh grade class failed to reach proficiency in reading and 35% failed in math! Those students are graduating this year with hopes of fulfilling their dreams and aspiration? What are their chances? Do Diane, Bob and others not grasp the significance of a school failing to reach Average Yearly Progress? If this trend continues parents will be permitted to transfer their child to another school district at the taxpayer’s expense!

For years, I have had the audacity to implore the district to adopt the highly stimulating and researched based “Read 180” Stage B (Middle School) and Stage C (High School) reading series supported by Dr. Willard Daggett whose “Quadrant D” learning initiative was recently integrated into the core subjects of the Delaware Valley School District. It confounds me that our secondary school staff is expected to succeed with “Quadrant D” high order thinking skills and abstract learning when the students who are dropped on their door steps cannot read proficiently.

Through experience, Diane will learn that educational efforts will not succeed without the input of staff, parents and community. She will learn that I and others will not simply rubber stamp her recommendations even if she and her cohorts do control the majority vote on the Board. If our state legislators have their way, 12th grade Graduate Competency Exams will soon become a reality. When students are not permitted to graduate because of reading deficiencies, will Diane French along with other Tax United affiliated Board members realize that reading matters at every level of education?

I have never “questioned anyone for hard work and new ideas”, but I do question acquisitions that are “popular” and inappropriate to the needs of all students in the district. I disagree with Diane French’s publicly stated approval of scripted curriculums and scripted packets. I believe our teachers are highly capable of teaching and important enough to be included in decisions regarding all aspects of education.

Two years ago, Bob Goldsack appointed a new board member with nil knowledge of special education to replace me as the district’s special education liaison. A void developed as discussions and meetings rapidly slipped through the cracks -- no fault of mine! Five months ago, Bob Goldsack assigned me to act as special education committee chairperson. Parent surveys were initiated, co-curricular activities for students with special needs were organized and Round Table discussions were held. I did not notice Diane French at any of those meetings, which perhaps accounts for her failure to notice the resurgence of special education committee activity.

Through networking with parents, staff, community, legislators and Board members I am proud to report that MUCH has been accomplished in our district to keep the promise of equity for all students. Eclectic efforts have resulted in hiring high quality special education teachers, a principal of special education, Round Table discussions, a tracking system for student accommodations, improved professional development, researched based instructional methods, realistic assessment standards, consultants addressing low incidence disorders, the hosting of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics and much more! I will continue to seek improvements whether I a member of the Board or a private citizen through professional interaction as opposed to juvenile behavior, law suits and misleading statements.

There are 3 additional curricula recommended in addition to the reading curriculum at a total cost of almost one million dollars. Does anyone else have the audacity to ask questions especially during these difficult economic times?

Sincerely,
Pam Lutfy