Concerns linger as school chiefs gear up for reform

Roughly 200 people attended a public meeting on education on Wednesday.
Education Minister Randolph Horton and his restructuring team reported on progress since the release of the Hopkin’s Report in May of last year.
The two-hour meeting was held at Cathedral Hall.
Mr. Horton said the purpose of the forum was to provide an update on the the restructuring of the education system:  “Education in any government is the highest priority,” he said.
Philip Butterfield, Chairman of the Interim Education Board, elaborated on the workings of the board and stated that its mission was to assist in the implementation of the Hopkin’s Report recommendations.  The six components for focus of the interim board were identified in the areas of: principal leadership; teacher learning; reform of the ministry; establishment of standards for accountability; identifying opportunities for parental engagement and business partnerships; and planning for systemic long term issues. Mr. Butterfield said that his board’s focus was to transform a system of schools to a school system.  
Education consultant, Dr. Henry Johnson, said: “The most important thing is in improving teaching for student learning outcomes,” and spoke of various objectives pertaining to accountability that he hopes will create a first class public education system.
“The board and the ministry have embarked on an audacious goal to make the Bermuda system second to none.”  
Student success is to be measured in a series of specific testing between May 2008 and June 2010, inclusive of the Terra Nova test.  Dr. Johnson clarified that the purpose of the Terra Nova test was to compare local students to “some general population” although he did state that the population to which Bermuda’s students is compared is “heavily California based”.  The Terra Nova is scheduled to be administered to local students on May 28 – the day after return from a public holiday.  
Audit of the curriculum
Timeco Richardson, mentor teacher, identified the objectives of the parent-business partnership and said that four schools have recently been selected to participate in a pilot project for the use of school websites.
During a period of questions and answers, a concerned parent asked how Bermuda’s system compares to standards set internationally. Minister Horton replied that an audit of the curriculum will soon be held to confirm whether or not Bermuda’s curriculum is a rigorous one. One community activist asked how students who are faced with family struggles will be accommodated. Panelists assured the audience this matter was being addressed among their respective teams as were the sentiments raised by a grandmother, who expressed deep concern for overall standards of students’ dress and conduct.  Mrs. Richardson spoke of the unfortunate reality that many students lack parental guidance.  
A question from a parent of a special needs child caused the minister to become emotional with thoughts of his own child. The parent spoke of her frustration in being unable to get adequate support for her child from various agencies.  
A father queried the sincerity of teachers who work in the public system but send their children to private schools.  Although Mr. Butterfield challenged every administrator and teacher to engage in supporting the public system immediately, Minister Horton stated that right now, “we don’t have a system that’s good enough.” This statement, although brutally honest, appeared to send shockwaves through the audience.
Although each team member of the restructuring team presented specific objectives and a blueprint for creating a successful system, the audience was still left wondering what major visible transformations can be noted one year since the publication of the Hopkin’s Report.