Coronado Educational Summit Brings Parents' Concerns to Light

In his State of the District address last month, Felix suggested holding a two-part in which parents, teachers and interested members of the community could discuss ways to continue the district’s high educational standards in a fiscally responsible way.

The first part of the summit was held on Feb. 3 at , and the second was on Feb. 10 at . Both were well attended.

“People loved the forums,” said Maria Johnson, Felix’s executive assistant. “I’m still getting e-mails and letters from people who could not attend, but wanted to offer their views.”

This Thursday the board will consider those goals in light of the community comments and decide whether the district should begin implementing the goals and strategies Felix proffered in his address.

The superintendent's goals included: implementing plans to educate students using online instructional techniques and digital tools, stressing the need for continual financial support in order to sustain and expand student success and seek the highest level of performance, and developing assessments that evaluate progress toward this goal.

The use of technology and an emphasis on math and science, along with the arts and performance evaluation, generated the most comments—about 70 each. The need for more money generated the least amount of feedback. Only 27 commented, although many people suggested that the district ask for more grants and federal aid.

The board will also explore an important issue that was raised in the film The Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture. Do kids have too much homework? The district screened the film on Feb. 8 and again on Feb. 10, just before the Educational Summit.

The film argues that parents, teachers and coaches are making too many demands–excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. These demands are robbing children of their childhoods, according to the documentary. Many of those who attended the Feb. 10 summit had seen the film and took its message to heart.

“This is great,” one parent wrote. “I want my child back.”

Another asked: “If your spouse brought home hours of homework every night and every weekend, you’d consider him/her a workaholic. Why are we OK with giving teens hours of homework each day after school?”

Others saw the value of the current system. “Homework is vital to future success in life–it goes not only to learning but to all six pillars of character–the time to learn work ethic, personal responsibility and self-learning is in K-12, not in college or on the first job,” one commenter said.

The superintendent also weighed in on the issue at the summit and proposed that the district adopt a “No Homework” calendar, which would be overseen by a committee of teachers to “ensure homework has purpose, is given in appropriate amounts and is consistent across course.” 

He also suggested limiting homework to four nights per week, Monday through Thursday, and making assignments in advance, so that students could manage their time better.

The homework reform proposal is really more of “a conversation starter than a recommendation,” Johnson said. “He is not offering any direction.” It is an issue that vexes many parents and the film brought it home. 

The school board will meet at the at 201 Sixth Street on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m.