This was written by Rhonda Bromley of the Alpine School District and I support it 100%. I am so glad to live in America where we don't have to live in fear of standing up for things that we believe in. I know the election is over and this isn't as hot a topic as it was a few weeks ago, but I thought it was worth repeating. So here it is:
We are fortunate to live in a country that allows free expression of opinion. Because of this freedom we must filter through various available sources to find correct information so that we can make informed and responsible decisions. Because many misconceptions are being circulated about Alpine School District, I would like to offer some information and invite you to research for yourselves exactly what is happening.
Recently a website has been created called "Save ASD" which outlines multiple contentions some people have with the district. As with any organization, we always have room for improvement; and all 6,300 employees are constantly looking for ways to make those improvements; but Alpine School District does not need to be "saved." Great things are happening.
One of the major concerns expressed is the use of the word “democracy” in the district mission statement. In 2005, the Alpine School Board adopted the mission statement "Educating All Students to Ensure the Future of our Democracy." This idea was taken from the writings of Thomas Jefferson, who believed that all children, regardless of social class, deserve a basic education. He and other Founding Fathers wished to steer away from the meritocracy that had extended them certain privileges based on social class and extend those privileges—such as education—to all citizens. Many believe that basic education is provided for in the Constitution, but it is not. It is something for which Jefferson fought tirelessly.
In the context of our mission statement, the word “democracy” is referring to "our American way of life," the same way it is used regularly by religious and political leaders. The fact that you are allowed to vote for a school board to represent you and your children is evidence of democracy. The fact that the “Save ASD” website could be created and opinions can be expressed freely and without legal repercussions is evidence of democracy. Our use of the term is not intended to be any kind of political statement or reference to any political party. The mission statement is referring to the fact that we all have a stewardship to prepare our students to become contributing citizens in our society.
The ASD Board of Education certainly understands and respects the fact that we have a Republican form of government. When concerns over the term were expressed, the Board needed to know if this was a small group of people expressing concern or if this is something that is felt district-wide, by the majority of the 100,000 homes within its boundaries. In response, the Board has spent the last few months visiting all 74 schools, as well as faculties, administrators, PTAs, School Community Councils, and the District Community Council. They are currently synthesizing the data received so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not the mission statement should be changed. The employees of the district will support the members of the Board.
Another concern that has been expressed is in regard to the “Moral Dimensions of Teaching.” Twenty-six years ago, five districts along the Wasatch Front entered into a partnership with BYU called the BYU Public Education Partnership. The districts included Alpine, Provo, Nebo, Wasatch, and Jordan. Collectively, later the partnership adopted what is called the "Moral Dimensions of Teaching," grounded in four core values. In recent months some have raised concern about those values. Over the last several years, the administrators and Board of Education have changed the way those values are worded to clarify our meaning.
The four values of ASD are:
1) To prepare students to become contributing citizens in our democracy, our American way of life. As district employees, we have the opportunity to work with students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Upon graduation, they will go a variety of directions. Some will go to college, some will immediately enter the work force, some will get married, some will go into the army, etc. They need to be prepared to be contributing citizens, no matter what they choose to do after they graduate.
2) To establish an effective and caring environment (formerly referred to as a “Nurturing Pedagogy”). Recently, a patron of Alpine School District addressed the Board of Education and told them that the role of the Board and the employees of the district is to “stick to academics” and to leave the nurturing and caring to the parents. We definitely focus on academics in Alpine School District. We strive to accomplish this in an appropriate environment. Should a custodian not care about providing a safe and clean environment? Should a nutritional services employee not care about having a healthy and nutritious lunch so that students have energy to learn? Should a secretary not care when a student falls and is injured on the playground or when students come into the office because they are not feeling well? Should a teacher not care if a student is struggling in class? Should a principal not care about communicating with parents or the overall academic success of the school? These are just a few examples of the ways that employees have and will continue to care for and nurture the students of the district. As a parent of six children, I want to feel that I am sending my children to a place every day where people care about their success. The way teachers and administrators care and nurture my children does not take away from my role as their mother.
3) Stewardship. We all have a role to play in the education of our students, and we each should take ownership of that role. The role of a teacher is different from the role of a custodian. The role of a Board member is different from the role of a principal. The role of a parent is different from the role of a secretary. Our children’s success takes all of us working together and having stewardship, whatever our role.
4) Access to knowledge for ALL students. We have programs that address the needs of all students no matter what their ability or background. We have students who are struggling, students who are advanced, students who have physical or emotional disabilities, and students whose primary language is not English. Every one of these students must have the opportunity to advance and make daily improvements—no matter what the circumstance. Our public neighborhood schools do not limit who may attend but welcome all.
I would hope that educational institutions would share these basic values: to prepare students for their future, to care about students’ success, to accept a stewardship in each person’s role in that success, and to provide a quality education for all students, regardless of their ability or background.
The Educator who originally wrote about the "Moral Dimensions of Teaching" was named John Goodlad. Unfortunately, some people are jumping to the conclusion that because the BYU Public Education Partnership adopted the "Moral Dimensions of Teaching" that somehow we "bow down" to everything John Goodlad has ever said or everything he believes. This could not be further from the truth. We do, however, stand behind the values of our district.
Recently, there was a prominent religious leader that quoted Horace Mann in a talk he was giving to the women of his faith. Does that mean that this particular church "bows down" to everything Horace Mann has ever said or that this religious leader believes everything that Horace Mann believes? Certainly not. Yet there are those making that same conclusion about Alpine School District. Ironically, the talk being given at the time was about being careful not to judge other people.
There are some people spending significant time and energy researching and distributing information about John Goodlad and implying that anything Goodlad has ever written or said is supported by Alpine School District. This is not correct. As employees of the district we ground our decisions in the cognitive and pedagogical research of many educators, and we will continue to do so. We believe in continuous improvement. For example, we recently adopted the use of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and collaboration focusing on “four essential questions: “What do we expect students to learn? How will we know what students have learned? How will we respond to students who aren’t learning? How will we respond to students who already know?” These questions originated in the works of Educators Bob Eaker and Rick DuFour. We do not know what their religious beliefs are or how they voted in the last election. We do, however, stand behind the principles of PLC’s that have been adopted by ASD.
Another point of contention against Alpine School District is the use of the Investigations Math Program. After a few years with the program and based on parent feedback, the district changed and adopted a balanced approach. Teachers and parents at each school determined which math program was best for their students. All schools in Alpine School District follow the state core curriculum for math, but schools have the right to choose their preferred methods for teaching. As a result, no school or teacher uses one exclusive method, but rather a balanced approach using different methods. Some parents, teachers, and administrators have chosen to include Investigations Math as one type of approach used. That decision is a school-based decision. But ironically, some of those people who were upset several years ago when Alpine School District adopted only one program are now upset that the Board of Education is giving parents, teachers, and administrators the ability to choose which program is best for their students. This group would like our Board to “force” schools to use the program that they choose. How can it be wrong for the Board to choose a single program several years ago, but now be wrong for allowing schools with parent input to select their own program?
I respect people having different opinions about issues. We must all ask questions and research on our own to find out if what we are being sent or told is true.
In response to the recently created website “Save ASD” I ask: Who or what is it about Alpine School District that anyone needs to be saved from?
Is it the thousands of teachers? Those who spend countless hours outside of their contract time preparing to help students achieve at their highest levels every day?
Is it the administrators? The people who take ownership in their department or school by focusing on student achievement and continuous improvement?
Is it the custodians? The people who arrive at work at 5-6 a.m. each day to make sure the schools are safe and ready for the students?
Is it the bus drivers? Those who focus on safely getting thousands of students to and from school each day?
Is it the secretaries, the nutritional service workers, the playground aides, the coaches, or advisors?
Is it the past, current, or future school board members? Those who work tirelessly day after day, beyond their regular jobs, seeking input from all areas of the district so that they can make the most informed decisions for our children?
Is it the mission statement that we need to be saved from? Is it the values and goals of the district? The BYU partnership? The school children themselves?
I invite and encourage anyone that has a concern about Alpine School District to visit any of our 74 schools or departments. Talk to any of the thousands of employees to find out exactly what we need to be saved from. I invite you to do your own research and find out for yourself what is going on in our schools. I invite you to stop spending time creating websites and sending e-mails, but instead to join the hundreds of other parents who are volunteering in the schools serving the children every day. If you find something that concerns you, I invite you to talk to the teacher, principal, or others so that your concern can be addressed. Don’t just believe what you are reading from me or from anyone else. Find out for yourself. You live in a country that allows you to do that. Take advantage of that right! I am confident that if you take time to do your own research and make your own decisions, you will find that Alpine School District is accomplishing great things. You will find the best and most dedicated employees that have the students’ best interest at heart.
I have had a few people make the comment to me recently that “this isn’t personal.” I want you to know that it is personal. It’s personal to all 6,300 employees, it’s personal to all 67,000 students, as well as to thousands of parents and patrons in our district.
I am proud to work with 6,300 other people in Alpine School District that get up every day and do their best to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Rhonda Bromley
Alpine School District Employee
I fully support this document.
JoDee Sundberg
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