Ybarra: ‘Moving away from a very rigid philosophy of over-testing, compliance, and one-size-fits-all accountability’
In her budget presentation this morning, state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra said her budget is in line with a strategic plan her department has developed to “provide us with a roadmap to success,” and “help guide the districts we serve with an educational philosophy and ambitions for achievement.” That means change in culture in education in Idaho, Ybarra said.
That’s in line with “the department’s strong emphasis on improving K through 12 education culture in Idaho, and will empower districts to provide high-quality education while moving way from a very rigid philosophy of over-testing, compliance, and a one-size-fits-all accountability structure,” Ybarra said. “Moving forward, the department will work with local districts to achieve high-level outcomes for students while we adhere to our guiding principles, to ensure this cultural shift will occur seamlessly.”
Those “guiding principles,” she said, are: “The needs of children must drive any necessary change. Every student can learn and must have a highly effective teacher in every single classroom. Current and new resources must focus on the demands of the 21st century.”