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CUSD teacher concerned about district's emphasis on standards, while quality of educational experience suffers

Oct 15, 2007
Mary Ann Irwin 5_2
Marianne Irwin, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "So I ask you, when we talk about the standards, I agree with the standards. I think they’re great. But the fact is, I’ve butcher-papered so many standards, every late start is standards. I feel like I’m calling audibles in a football game, 'Twelve point two four, twelve point…' I want to 'live it.' I’m really…I’m tired of just coming to my classroom and talking. I think we need to 'live it.' ”

Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.

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CUSD teacher says district "plays with" statistics, touting 94% as going on to higher learning, when less than 45% complete four years

Oct 15, 2007
Mary Ann Irwin 5_2
Marianne Irwin, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "I think we need to address another statistic. The district has published a great one, and that is that 94% of our students go on to higher learning, when I know the fact is fewer than 45 are attending four years. And I think that’s a statistic that’s played with, and I think we can do better."

Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.

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Teacher believes large classes have already pushed CUSD passed the threshold of a positive learning environment

Oct 15, 2007
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Bill Hoffman, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "...on behalf of so many teachers, please do the moral thing and find a way to reduce class sizes. I don’t pretend to know the nuances of school finances, but I honestly believe we are beyond the threshold of a positive learning environment."

Hoffman made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Hoffman is a 31-year teaching veteran who teaches economics and laptop geography at Capo Valley High School.

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Teacher says, with CUSD's increasing class sizes, students get less individual attention and teachers burn out

Oct 15, 2007
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Bill Hoffman, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "It’s increasingly hard to help the kids individually with so many in one class. I think this hurts the average student more. They need the one-on-one attention to boost their achievement. Tutorials have become like a triage, helping those in greatest need. The rest of the kids have to take a number. These large classes may also be burning out many of your hardest working teachers. Whether it’s an AP, IP or beginning level class, I’ve spoken to many teachers who tell me it’s harder than ever just to keep up."

Hoffman made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Hoffman is a 31-year teaching veteran who teaches economics and laptop geography at Capo Valley High School.

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