The Duluth listening session took place Jan. 24 at the Radisson Hotel-Harborview.  Participants focused on four areas surrounding public education; below are some of their comments.

What’s working

• Everybody is working together: teachers, parents, cooks, janitors, etc. Schools have a working relationship with parents.
• School choice is a good option. Through open enrollment, children can go to any school.
• Educators are meeting a wide variety of student needs.

Challenges

• Declining enrollment is a challenge. It means less funding, which leads to less diversity in courses and extracurricular activities.
• Other challenges include a lack of counselors, the high cost of employee health care, aging facilities and public apathy.
• How can we fund public education adequately? The current formula is unfair and inadequate.
• The impact of standardized testing is a “dumbing down” of the curriculum.
• How can we meet the diverse needs of children? The community includes a greater diversity of socioeconomic and family backgrounds.

What should schools provide?

• Top test scores are a good marketing tool for the housing market.
• Businesses want employees who have the tools to succeed. Tech schools can do this.
• Schools need up-to-date equipment and high-quality educators. They should be a safe place for kids and challenging for students. They should also be open and inviting for students.
• The community wants to understand what they are paying for.
• Schools should provide education for all students, to meet their needs, teach to their strengths, prepare them for citizenship.
• Business need highly qualified employees. There should be free post-secondary vocational education, and more career education.
• Students should acquire life skills: balancing a checkbook, handling credit card debt, etc.

How can we all take part?

• Get involved in the school: call teachers, etc. Pass on the positive word whenever you get the chance.
• We need to create an environment where the most qualified teachers teach. Then we need to hold on to them.
• Speak out, be vocal. Attend school board meetings. Talk to educators and lawmakers/policymakers.
• Increase community involvement through school and community partnerships.