I have several reforms to improve the k-12 education system and ensure students are able to reach their full potential. The reforms are as follows...
Research Courses - Open ended research courses offer the perfect opportunity for students to begin learning occupational skills without needing teachers who are experts in the field. By 6th grade students know all the basics of reading and writing, and the main way they increase these skills is through practice. The best way to make sure students practice is by having them read and write about something they're interested in. A research course presents the perfect opportunity for students to begin studying their occupation, while continuing to practice their reading and writing skills. English teachers can teach this course and can continue to check grammar when grading assignments. The main requirement of the course will be that all research has to be non-fiction, and skill oriented. Students will turn in essays once a month, and do presentations. Presentations will give students the opportunity to share and learn from other students. Class time will be used for personal study, checking books out from the library, breaking up students into small groups of common interest, open discussion and presentations. In middle school research courses will be themed in order to help students find their path. 6th grade will focus on technology, 7th grade on medicine and disease, 8th grade on the different industries that make up the economy and the different jobs and skills needed to be involved in those industries. These themes will mainly just be discussed in class to help ignite the interests of the students. Students who already know what they want to study can research that subject freely, students who don't know may choose to focus on something brought up in the themes. Ideally by high school students will all have a good idea of what occupation they want to go into. Overtime I will work to expand the amount of class periods that are dedicated to research.
ACT/SAT Training - At the High School level ACT and SAT training courses could be offered. This will give students the opportunity to train for these tests, which will give them the best opportunity to get into college and receive scholarships. This will be beneficial to the students as well as to the city, as more of our kids will receive scholarships and career opportunities, giving us an edge on the competition.
Free Online College Courses - There are many colleges that offer free online courses. High schools and possibly middle schools could offer courses that simply allow the students to take some of these courses online. This would enable schools to greatly expand what type of courses are offered without needing teachers who are experts in those fields. This will also give students the opportunity to attain college credit. Teachers can help navigate and find free courses online, and ensure students know what college the courses are accepted at. Ideally an information packet could be put together on all the courses so students can choose the course before the semester starts.
Investment Courses - Investment is an important part of economy, as well as individual success and livelihood. Offering investment courses as an elective in high school could be a important way to help ensure students begin thinking about this responsibility and having the skill to make decisions and use the different platforms to buy and sell securities. This could most likely be taught by an economics teacher.
Criminal Law/Voting Courses - Probably around 8th grade a required course dedicated to educating students about voting and criminal law could be taught. Voting is already taught to a certain degree in history so it may replace or be supplementary to this. Criminal law isn't really taught in school. Often times kids don't know what the laws are and if they do, they have not been emphasized to them. This often leads to kids getting into trouble due to ignorance or lack of respect. A good course on criminal law can help ensure students know what the laws are, the consequences of committing crime, the causes of crime, and the negative effects it has on victims. Ideally this will help students make better decisions, develop discipline and respect, and avoid environments and lifestyles that lead to crime.
Eliminate Required Courses - Required courses are unnecessary at the high school level. All courses at high school level will become electives.
Other electives could be added on as time goes on. It is important to remember there are only so many students at each school, so there can only be so many teachers at each school. Demand for certain types of courses may not be high enough to justify hiring a teacher with the skills to teach that specific course. Potentially a teacher could teach three courses at one school in the morning, and three courses at another school in the afternoon. Colleges have a greater amount students, which allows them to have more professors focusing on more specific topics. Some course offerings may have to be delayed until college. Open ended research courses offer the best solution to ensure each student can study their desired occupation.
In time I will work to create after school programs as well, strictly for recreation. Open gym, video game club, board game club, watch basketball club, etc. This will help keep kids from getting into trouble by offering recreation opportunities that are supervised.
Implementation: Currently the State and School districts create the curriculum for public education. I will work with them to make these reforms, or apply with the state to make all Portland Public Schools a charter school system.