Fifteen Steps To Academic Success

1. I will have a model school in each district. Preferably, take over the worst performing.

2. It will be staffed only with people that believe in all children reading by first grade using phonics and Direct Instruction.

3. The staff will be trained and provided the tools they need for success in that classroom.

4. Success will be measured by individual student growth/achievement year to year.

5. The school will be managed by someone from the outside.

6. Students will be allowed to progress through the curriculum as they master it.

7. Students will also learn basic math facts early and progress as they master math.

8. Continuous progress is important for brain challenge. If they don't get that, they start to shut down or worse, redirect their pent up energy in ways that cause problems.

9. We have lots of problems with testing, data gathering and reporting here. I will propose the Iowa Test of Basic Skills be our measuring stick.

10. I am known to have worked for years, reading, writing, speaking and testifying on behalf of student learning/achievement. I have made many friends in the Senate and House that will help me get us where we need to go and quickly.

11. I know the folks that wrote the books on how to do it right. They will all help.

12. I will look at ways teacher certification can be made relevant to the job duties, eliminated, and/or alternative means of certification.

13. I will look at school accreditation as a part of the accountability piece, including Teacher Education Schools.

14. Superficialities will cease. Programs and initiatives that do not lead to student learning/growth/achievement will cease because accountability will be designed and measured around student learning, Value Added Assessment.

15. Money saved by using effective curriculum and instruction, as well as continuous progress, will go toward a system of reward to acknowledge and promote success.