In a letter to school board trustees, attorney Marke D. Gilbert questioned its decision to approve the Fast ForWord computer-based learning program.
‘There is an underlying current among the faculty members ? fear of reprisal if they question too vocally,? wrote Gilbert, representing ‘a fairly substantial group of Clarkston parents and faculty who expressed deep concern? about the program. ‘Right now with the schools, everyone is very cautious about voicing opinions.?
Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts said Gilbert is a former teacher and rejected his characterization of the district’s ‘underlying current,?
‘I have no idea what that means,? Roberts said. ‘My proof is the Clarkston Education Association wasn’t notified. They would let me know. That’s their job, and they do it without fail.?
Gilbert said his former employment with the district is immaterial, and he is trying to facilitate communication between parents and school board by forwarding information given him by the parents.
As of Monday, he received an email from school board President Stephen Hyer referring questions to Roberts, and a voicemail from Trustee Rosalie Lieblang. He has not heard from Roberts, Gilbert said.
Brooke Davis, Clarkston High School teacher and CEA president, said some don’t like the person in charge no matter who it is.
‘I think Dr. Roberts is fair and open, and does what is best for the district,? Davis said. ‘No one has come to me and said, ‘I hate Dr. Roberts.??
Davis disagrees at times with administration and has faced no reprisals, he said.
‘I’ve been critical of the administration and Dr. Roberts ? I said to him, ‘nice raise you got there,? but we can talk about that,? Davis said. ‘He won’t bite your head off. He listens, he’s professional.?
Concerns raised by Gilbert include:
? Information about Fast ForWord’s effectivemess is incomplete, and doesn’t include studies showing it to be ineffective and possible harmful to learning;
? Cost of the program, including teachers assigned fulltime to the program; and
? The program cuts into core classes such as writing, math, and science.
Trustee Barry Bomier voted for the program at the Oct. 12 school board meeting, but was absent Oct. 26, when it was approved. His wife runs the Fast ForWord Lab at Clarkston Junior High School, but his support for the program is based on what’s best for students.
“Everything I do is above board, and always has been,” he said. “It’s really simple, I place students first, what’s right for them. I’m excited about this program. It’s absolutely the right thing to do.”
Those opposed to it should also be questioned, he said.
“Why are they objecting to it when it’s such an overwhelmingly good program,” Bomier asked. “It’s disappointing some are trying to undermine it.”
Trustee Joan Patterson, who voted against Fast ForWord Oct. 12, and for it Oct. 26, said no parent or teacher voiced opposition to her about it. A demonstration of the program at North Sashabaw Elementary and Clarkston Junior High left her cold, though.
‘I was not impressed with it,? she said. ‘I thought it was like a computer game my son played when he was in elementary.?
Students listen to pronunciations and match it to correct sounds, which helps those with sound-processing difficulties as well as those learning English as their second language.
‘But you can do that with other programs as well,? she said. ‘But I am willing to look at the data. I don’t know what our students testing for special ed are having trouble with.”
She’s willing to give it a try, she said.
‘They showed us 15 students from North Sashabaw were identified to go into special education and they went through the program,” Patterson said. “Only one went into special education.?
If successful, the program would save special-education money ? this past year, testing for special education cost $50,000, Roberts said.
Patterson said she will follow up on the program.
‘We are going to be asking for proof,? she said. ‘We are going to check and see if what they said is happening.?
The program will also be available as an elective, she said.
‘It was a very hard decision for me,? she said. ‘I wanted to be open-minded and I wanted to help our kids. I went around to the schools and asked a lot of questions.?
Roberts said the program has been thoroughly tested in Clarkston over the past year.
‘The board based its decision on results of the program with our own kids since last year,? he said. ‘It’s not a magic program, but it will help a great number of students. The evidence is based on testimony of our own kids and teachers. The positives are phenomenal, and we got a good deal on the program. It will pay off lots of dividends. We’re proud of it.?
Wendi Reardon contributed to this report.