Q&A – Watch
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, at a hearing
of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee (HELP) on
ESEA reauthorization examining school turnaround, Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) questioned the expert witnesses on the best ways to support
struggling rural school districts as they work to turn around. This is a
critical issue for rural school districts in Washington state, and
Senator Murray is committed to ensuring they have the resources and
support they need to help their students succeed.
Murray
also focused on how we can help high schools prepare their students for
21st century careers, and discussed her bill Promoting
Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act. Murray asked the expert
witnesses about efforts across the country to put in place career
pathways for students as a way of keeping them engaged and succeeding in
school.
Rural Schools
Question
directed at Timothy Mitchell, Superintendent of Schools, Chamberlain
School District 7-1, Chamberlain, SD
Senator
Murray: Dr. Mitchell, thank for coming today to share your
experiences as a superintendent in a rural district.
I know
that rural districts in my home state of Washington are facing serious
barriers to turning around their lowest-performing schools.
At the same time, we know that in many schools where student achievement
has not improved for a long time, major changes in student instruction
are needed – and tough decisions have to be made.
There’s
not just one right way to turn a school around, and in rural districts,
options are often very limited.
What do you think the most
significant obstacle to turning around rural schools?
How
did Chamberlain school district overcome this challenge, and how can the
federal government help rural schools and the students they serve
overcome this challenge?
Mr. Mitchell: Listen to
Answer (0:45)
High Schools
Senator Murray: I applaud the efforts of all of our
witnesses to turn around our nation’s dropout factories. I believe that,
under current law, we are not doing enough to support our
low-performing high schools.
You are all well aware of the
negative effect not having a high school diploma has on a student’s
future career prospects. And you know how crucial it is that we make
sure the students who do graduate are prepared to move into 21st century
jobs.
I believe that an important part of that preparation
is providing our students with career pathways – giving students a
chance to experience what it’s like to work in career fields while they
are still in high school. These programs get students actively engaged
in their education, and we know that students who are engaged are less
likely to drop out.
In your experience, what role do career
pathways programs play in turning around low-performing schools and
increasing high school graduation rates?
Mr. Mitchell: Listen to
answer (4:02)
See more information on
Senator Murray’s Career Pathways Bill
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