The importance of focus.

When I was doing design work whether it was airborne weather RADAR, flight navigators or even televisions, I learned how important it was to have a precise, fixed goal and work towards it. There were plenty of times when there would be distractions ("Can it do this?" or "Can you make it cheaper" or "Can you add this feature?") and staying focused on the goal was imperative. If I took my eyes off the goal, the project fell apart.

Ford Motor Company illustrated that well when they designed the Edsel and put into production. The Edsel was designed to answer the question, "What would you like in a new automobile?" They should have asked "What would you purchase in a new automobile?" Everyone wanted all sorts of things, but did not want to pay for them. Edsel cost Ford millions of dollars because their focus was wrong. So what should the focus be for Colleton County Schools? It seems to me the Colleton County School District Mission Statement is a good objective:

Of course, World Class Education (or "21st century education") needs to be defined, otherwise it sounds good, but is basically meaningless.

A good definition to me would be equipping students with knowledge and skills to thrive in the world whether the student chooses to continue in college, business or a trade. That involves basic skills such as:

Communications skills (reading, writing and speaking),
Math skills ,
Historical knowledge (the good and the not so good),
Sciences (including biology, chemistry, physics, computer technology),
Physical education (exercise, team sports, physiology, hygiene, first aid)
Relationship skills (morals, manners, good character)

The first and most important skill is reading because if a person cannot read, they are handicapped severely. If they can read, they can learn anything by finding an appropriate book and reading it. Reading involves more than just sounding out words. It involves understanding what the words mean. Writing, speaking and listening are also critical skills because humans need to communicate. Writing, speaking and listening are learned skills -- they are not automatic. Those skills involve learning proper grammar and word usage. Writing also involves penmanship and spelling.

Math is also a critical skill to thrive in today's world. You have to understand principles of mathematics to figure taxes, discounts, profit, grades, keep your financial records in order and hundreds of other tasks.

History is important because as George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." There are a lot of things in the past we don't want to repeat. It matters little if you fail to remember or failed to learn in the first place. Educated people understand their country's history and the documents that guide their country.

Science (biology, chemistry, physics and computer science) is also a critical subject in today's world.

Physical education is a valid area of science that should be taught. This includes physiology, group sports, first aid, hygiene and overall health topics.

Social skills, manners, morals and good character are also critical if we want our young people to succeed. Mannerly, moral people will always be in demand.

Whether a student chooses to pursue classes designed for college admission, a career in business or a trade, our schools should prepare them.

How are we doing?

According to South Carolina Department of Education (Click the red button below to check for yourself), we have a lot of room for improvement. County wide, well under 1/2 (in most grades under 1/3) of our students meet or exceed expectations in English Language Arts (grades 3 through 8).

In Mathematics, there is even more room to improve. The number meeting or exceeding expectations are below 30% for grades 3 through 8. Only 8.9% of our 8th graders meet or exceed expectations in math according to SC Department of Education. Over 90% of the 8th graders failed to meet expectations.

Note: Since this is not horseshoes or hand grenades (where "close" counts), but human lives, the "Approaches Expectations" on ed.sc.gov is just another way of saying "Does Not Meet Expectations." Maybe we need to tighten the focus on our schools. We can make things better -- not perfect, but much better. Every student in the Colleton County School District mission statement means 100%, not 40%, 30% or even 8.9%.

Vote for me and I will do my best to improve our Schools.