Ridgefield Candidates '97
Board of Education

Mary Pat Devine

For Educational Excellence

The following statement was published in The Ridgefield Press on October 16, 1997:

As the Board of Education campaign focuses on space problems and the search for a new superintendent, we can't neglect the educational goals for our schools. We need a board dedicated to emphasis on excellence.

It's time for a renewed student writing program. No student is truly educated if he or she can't communicate ideas clearly. Yet, recent test scores show Ridgefield students' writing skills lag behind those of students in comparable towns. Ridgefield schools need to set specific goals in writing. Writing skills must be integrated into the curriculum at every level. Every teacher in every subject needs to view writing as a priority.

However, we can't simply demand the addition of new courses to our curriculum. Over the years, our curriculum (which is currently being mapped to see what is actually being taught in our schools) has become very broad and thin. We teach a little bit about a lot of things. It's time to compact and deepen our studies. We need to free the teachers to spend more time on the basics, including writing.

At the same time, we can't neglect our technology program. We must continue teacher training and include teacher proficiency in technology as part of their regular evaluation. Two computers per classroom offer a limited resource right now. We should make better use of what we have, perhaps creating a library/technology "special" where basic skills from keyboarding to research, can be taught to our younger students.

I ask your support in setting these priorities for our children.

Contributions to Ms. Devine's campaign may be sent to Mary Pat Devine for Board of Education, 23 Overlook Drive. Information about the campaign can be seen at the new Democratic Web site, www.ridgefielddems.org.

Campaign '97 Home GO TO Mary Pat Devine profile and position statements

Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct. Democratic Town Committee, John Kukulka, Chairman.

This site hosted by Web-Connect of Ridgefield