September 15, 2024 Newsletter
In This Edition:
1. Our 2024-2025 Priorities
2. 2024 Survey Results Are In!
3. Open Policies - Make Your Voice Heard
4. What We Are Reading
4. September 5th School Board Recap
5. Happening Soon
Welcome to the start of the 2024-2025 School Year!
Based on feedback from YOU, below are our advocacy priorities for this school year. Of course, we will continue to advocate on more issues as well, but we have decided to focus our efforts on these six because a) they're YOUR priorities and b) we believe our advocacy can make a difference in these areas. We will continue to advocate for evidenced-based curriculum at APS to help students thrive academically and decrease achievement gaps, as well as urge accountability, transparency and educational excellence. APS can and should challenge every student and meet the needs of our diverse student population, including through high-quality special education and gifted services.
Thank you again for your input and ongoing support. We are looking forward to another productive and rewarding year serving the students of APS! If you'd like to get more involved and volunteer, please email us!
We are an all-volunteer, grassroots 501(c)(4) organization—learn more about why at our FAQ.
Please consider supporting us with a donation to help cover expenses like Mailchimp.
Take a peek at what we've accomplished over the past three years!
2024 Survey Results: Thank You For Your Feedback!
Thanks to the many of you who responded to our fourth annual survey!
Your comments primarily focused on educational priorities, experiences, and policy recommendations. Key themes include:
Top Priorities for APS:
Curriculum Focus: Calls for a stronger emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with reduced digital and screen time across all grades, and a return to basics.
Technology: Many respondents want a reduction in the use of technology, especially for younger students (PK-2). Suggestions include eliminating iPads and reducing screen time in favor of more outdoor and real-world experiences.
Academic Excellence: There’s strong support for more rigor in education, smaller class sizes, more advanced opportunities for gifted students, and closing academic gaps, particularly in reading and math.
Teacher Retention: The importance of keeping experienced teachers through better pay and support is emphasized.
Bullying and School Environment: Concerns about bullying and classroom behavior were frequently mentioned, with suggestions for how to improve discipline and safety.
Grading and Accountability: Respondents called for clearer grading systems, more homework, and less grade inflation, as well as more engagement and accountability for both students and staff.
Additional Comments on 2023-2024 School Year:
Discontent with Technology: Many parents expressed frustration with the over-reliance on digital tools and apps like Lexia and Dreambox, preferring more traditional learning materials such as textbooks.
Gifted Program and Advanced Education: Some parents feel the gifted program is inadequate, with not enough challenging content for advanced learners.
Behavioral Issues: Several comments noted concerns about the disruptive behavior of students, with particular criticism of policies allowing cell phone use during school.
Grading and Retakes Policies: Current grading and retake policies were criticized for teaching complacency, with some parents feeling their children were not sufficiently challenged.
Policy and Suggestions for Future Focus:
Technology Use: There’s widespread desire for APS to rethink its technology policies, especially the use of digital devices and AI-related tools.
Parental Involvement: Calls were made for better communication with parents, including engaging Arlington taxpayers and APE holding more in-person meetings.
Anti-Bullying Efforts: Respondents want stronger anti-bullying initiatives, particularly in elementary and middle schools.
Focus on Core Academic Mission: Some parents advocated for refocusing on traditional academic excellence.
Overall, the feedback reflects a strong desire for APS to prioritize academic rigor, reduce dependence on technology, address behavioral and bullying issues, and improve teacher retention and improve accountability
What We’re Reading and Listening To
Wise County Outperforms Most Schools in Virginia (Fredericksburg Advance)
Wise County schools have had the third-best overall SOL pass rate in the state of Virginia. It hasn’t ranked lower than eighth since 2013…An impressive feat considering it…is riddled with a meth epidemic that has led to a startlingly high incarceration rate…and 20% of its citizens live in poverty…In the halls of Richmond’s Department of Education, and among education policy wonks, the reason for the county’s success is captured in a simple acronym — CIP, which stands for “Comprehensive Instructional Program.”
Should Schools Adopt Equitable Grading Practices? A Teacher Voices His Concerns (EdWeek)
I am a high school teacher in the Fairfax County public schools…[As opposed to equitable grading practices, I believe the] “holistic grading” approach is [superior] based on the notion that a grade is a tool to help students develop the skills, traits, habits, and attitudes to be a successful learner…That means coming to class on time, participating in class activities, turning in assignments on time, demonstrating intellectual curiosity, collaborating with others, and putting in the effort to learn.
Many kids can’t read, even in high school. Is the solution teaching reading in every class? (Hechinger Report)
For decades, the primary methods for teaching students how to read in the U.S. were out of line with current research, known as “the science of reading.” …[As a result,] “[m]any students struggle at the secondary level with decoding, typically multisyllabic words, so those longer words that they’re encountering in science text, for example, or in social studies text,” Wexler said.
Virginia voters support school cellphone bans, Post-Schar School poll finds (Washington Post)
The guidance came after Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed an executive order calling for “phone-free” learning environments in Virginia, citing concerns about the effects of social media on teen mental health. The order joined efforts by other states and education leaders to restrict cellphone use in schools to limit classroom distractions or reduce time on social media.
Why Are Kids Still Struggling in School Four Years after the Pandemic (Hechinger Report)
Four years after the pandemic shuttered schools,...the latest analyses from three assessment companies paint a grim picture of where U.S. children are academically and that merits coverage. While there are isolated bright spots, the general trend is stagnation. One report documented that U.S. students did not make progress in catching up in the most recent 2023-24 school year and slid even further behind in math and reading, exacerbating pandemic learning losses.
Read something you disagree with? Hear something that strikes a chord? Join the conversation on our Facebook Page!
Feedback Period is Open!
Arlington Public Schools currently has several important policies open for public comment, including J-30, the personal device policy. This is a key opportunity for parents to share their feedback, especially with the deadline for the device policy fast approaching on September 23. Don’t miss your chance to weigh in—visit the APS website to submit your comments today.
Read more about J-30 in our special edition.
Read more about the Wakefield Phone Pilot last school year.
Applications are open! Apply to Serve on a School Board Advisory Council or Committee for SY 2024-25
Information about all advisory groups and the application to join an advisory group is available on the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning webpage.
September 5th School Board Recap
Key takeaways from the September 5th School Board Meeting are:
1. The School Board discussed the upcoming Cell Phone Pouch Pilot and impending long-term personal device policy. (Read the draft policy)
2. FY 2023-24 Final Internal Audit Report was presented by the Internal Auditor. Auditor reports to the SB. Topics covered in the audit- School Activity Funds, Transportation, Purchasing Cards, and Healthcare.
Read the full recap or watch the recording.
Happening Soon!
Thursday, September 19, 7:00 PM: School Board Meeting. Syphax. Watch Live.
Tuesday, September 24: School Board Work Sessions. Syphax. Watch live.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Planning Factors
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Instructional Technology
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Career Center Programming
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM: Partnerships
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Closed Meeting on the Discussion of Public Safety
Wednesday, September 25, 8:00 AM: Policy Subcommittee Meeting. School Board Conference Room, Suite 260
Don't forget! You can subscribe to APS School Calendars here.
