GPS board candidates talk standards, curriculum

By Tom Blodgett
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Twitter: @sp_blodgett

This is the second in a series of questions asked of Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board candidates. Voters will decide among these four candidates for the two open four-year seats on the board. 

How would you balance state-required standards and parental and teacher involvement in selecting curriculum?  

Collette Evans, loan originator 

Quite simply, we consider curricula that first meets state standards. We then utilize a committee that includes all stakeholders (teachers, parents, instructional coaches, and administrators) to select a curriculum that is rigorous and flexible, giving each of our students the best tools to succeed. To further ensure we mirror the values of the community and our families, we then invite the public to review the curriculum so they may voice any concerns and propose any adjustments prior to final adoption. 

Jill Humpherys, incumbent, homemaker 

The Arizona Academic Standards are set by the Arizona State Board of Education, appointed by the governor as per the State Constitution. One of the responsibilities of a school board member is to adopt curriculum that teaches those standards. The district administration puts together a committee of teachers, parents, and administrators to review curriculum and through consensus make a recommendation to the board. Once the board votes to pilot a curriculum, there is a 60-day review to seek parental and community feedback. Feedback is gathered and given to board members for review. The board may choose to adopt the curriculum, or they may ask the committee to go back and make another recommendation. In GPS, we are focused on teaching the Arizona Academic Standards. 

Trina Jonas, small business owner 

I think parent and teacher involvement is absolutely critical when selecting curriculum. I was recently selected to sit on the curriculum committee for the adoption of a new ELA curriculum. I wish there had been even more parents on the committee and think GPS can improve in this area. Still, I was happy that parents were included and encouraged to give feedback and be part of the process. The state-required standards were very clearly laid out, and I think the process of teachers and parents working together created a balanced result. I will also note that I believe communication is key in generating participation, engagement, and ultimately buy-in with parents so we have the balanced outcomes we are hoping for. Parents and families are busy, and inboxes are full — it’s tough to keep up with all the messages. We need to find creative ways to educate on the opportunity to contribute and on the process new curriculum goes through (even if they don’t personally contribute). 

Chad Thompson, real estate investment franchise owner 

The number one priority in selecting curricula is ensuring that the curricula focus on education and is free from political and social agenda and bias. I will empower parent and teacher curricula selection committees with resources and knowledge to know the who, what, when, where, and why behind the curricula and the organizations selling them. I would also advocate for curricula that do not overwhelm teachers with unnecessary tracking and reporting requirements. Finally, I would support textbook-focused curricula to get our kids away from screens and electronic advertisements that can be divisive and distracting. 

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert
@sp_blodgett

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).