Education Summit Webpage

"It Takes a Village to Educate a Child"

Problems to Address, Sorted by Perspective

1. There is no common understanding of the measurements of successes* and recognition of failures* (or areas of concern) in the Shelburne Community School. * to be defined
2. The "institution" of school…..formed for a past that no longer exists…..will not meet the future needs for learning.
3. Current student performance based on state level assessments in writing effectiveness, reading analysis, math concepts and science is too low.
4. Potential lack of alignment between curriculum delivery and formal measurement systems.
5. Shelburne Community School does not provide enough academic program opportunities to provide for the varying talents and the Multiple Intelligences of our children.
6. Education program development does not always include stakeholder participation and omits the critical measures of success needed to justify program existence and continuation.
7. Often teachers and parents have inconsistent, poorly defined expectations of students and have inconsistent follow through and accountability.
8. Shelburne Community School needs to do more to ensure early literacy in K-2.
9. There is a lack of understanding in our community of what is included in the Shelburne Community School assessment program including the state and local assessments. (What are the expectations and performance criteria?)
10. We as a system (classroom, school, high school and state) do not have the capacity to adequately address the wide variety of learning styles that individual children bring to the classroom.
11. The current Shelburne Community School curriculum does not address all the knowledge, skills and *dispositions essential for future success. (* attitudes and values) 

Staff Perspective

1. There is an experienced teacher population nearing retirement age.
2. We have not implemented the Technology Plans that have been developed.
3. We do not have a well defined (data to be provided/communicated) hiring criteria and training program for instructional support staff.
4. There is a public perception of lack of a systematic teacher performance and evaluation process that will ensure teachers acquire and embrace the teaching skills that will be needed to effectively teach in the future.
5. Shelburne Community School faculty are not trained in the full use of technology in the classroom.

Financial Perspective

1. Shelburne currently has a high tax from its high pupil expenditures but needs to do more, both in programs and facility.
2. We, as a community, do not yet understand the long term financial impact on the quality of education due to Act 60.
3. Mandated programs are generating increased tension for limited resources among programs.
4. If school choice happens, it could negatively impact Shelburne Community School.
5. There is a public perception that the Special Education budget is out of control (since it is escalating by leaps and bounds) and that the School Board and Administration could do more to control expenditures.

Facility Perspective

1. The Shelburne Community School facility needs improvement to address curricular and extra-curricular learning needs. (Auditorium, Science Lab, Art, Tech Ed, Living Arts, Walls, Bathrooms, lighting ……..Town, Population, Recreation Program)

Community Perspective

1. The goals for the school may not be clearly defined.
2. We do not have the right level (quality & quantity) of discourse around education, for our town, state and county.
3. There is a broad range of expectations of leadership that frequently results in misunderstanding about the roles and responsibilities of school leaders.
4. There is a lack of understanding by the public about the roles and responsibilities regarding what needs to be approved by the School Board.
5. Due to residual feelings, some community members feel that Shelburne Community School faculty do not welcome their input.
6. Shelburne parents have strong differing opinions on what constitutes a good education for their children.
7. The definition of effective parent and community involvement is not clearly defined.
8. The level of trust between the school and the community is not where it needs to be.

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Home Page maintained by Greg Thweatt
gthweatt@shelburne.k12.vt.us
Last updated:  May 05, 1999