Florida Writes Style

Prompt: How would you change Alabama public education?

As a parent and former teacher I feel like there are a hundred things I could change about Alabama public schools.  If I could change just three things about public education in Alabama they would be less emphasis on Accelerated Reader,  an emphasis on writing and I would change how parent and teachers communicate.  I feel by changing these three areas that public eduction would see an improvement in learning.  Let me share with you my ideas.  

First I would change the way Accelerated Reader is used in the school.  I am not against the program.  I think that is is being used wrong.  The only thing the kids are getting from Accelerated Reading right now is how to annihilate the love of reading.  I feel like it should be used to reward instead of demanding the reading to be done and point to be met for a grade.  

The second thing I would change is writing instruction.  This is why I chose the Florida Writes style of writing today. Alabama needs Alabama Writes.  I am saying this as a former Florida fourth grade teacher that loathed at times the emphasis on writing.  I now see the importance.  I am at the other end of the spectrum and crave for my child to learn to write.  As a parent that would like to see just one well formed paragraph.  It seem that if the state doesn't demand writing it doesn't get taught.  

Lastly, I would love better parent/teacher communication.  Many times I feel like I find out things on the cuff.  I find out because I asked or I happened to be at the school at the right time.  I sometimes find out things the day it is happening.  Sadly some days I find out after the fact.  I know that this is easier said than done because I have been on both sides of this coin.  If I went back to teaching I would do a much better job at communicating classroom goals to the parents.  Our school has a website that has not been updated in years.  I think it should be updated weekly or monthly.  It is an awesome tool for communication that is not being utilized.  

I feel like at times I am at a advantage because of my teaching background.  At least I know what questions to ask. I feel like I crave these changes because I know they are missing.  For today I would change the way Accelerated Reading is used in the classroom, put an emphasis on writing and improve parent and teacher communication.