I have many wishes for our schools but I don't see any of them happening because higher-ups might view them as taking a step backward instead of forward. I would love for our schools to be more child-centered than test centered. I think we put too much focus on ISAT testing and not enough on appropriate child development. I've said it before, just because a fourth grader or a sixth grader can do 2 hours of homework, doesn't mean they should. I think teachers are bogged down with so much they have to teach in one school day, the overflow makes it home. I know it starts with the state goals and we have no choice but to follow them but it would be nice for our school board to have a voice in wanting to get back to the basics of making school fun. Things like creative writing have taken a backseat to writing expected on standarized testing. I think it is sad that many students feel that school is overwhelming instead of fun. Some issues are a direct result of the money we have to spend. If we can't afford teachers, our class sizes are going to be large. The bigger the classes, the more chances for children to fall through the cracks and the more overwhelmed the teachers will be in trying to reach everyone. I would like to see the board approve programs and resources that will help our teachers to encourage our children to be lifelong learners instead of just learners for that year. I know it is easier said than done.

I would like to see the school board get more involved in each building and what the realty is in the schools. While I understand and support the incredibly large span of things they must plan such as finance, space issues, teacher salaries, test scores etc. I would like them to see a bit of what actually is going on in the rooms good and not so good. I would ask all parents to go to 1 board meeting a year if you can. I am tired at night and never want to go, but it is really educational and enlightening. You really have no idea until you go and see how things work. The board members work very hard but I think sometimes they forget some of the basic things that still matter in schools day to day. I agree with you AnnMarie that testing should not be such a focus but state money is attached to that and all districts need that money. I have always said if you teach with enthusiasm and teach all the curriculum your kids will do well on the tests if your teaching the material. I am a teacher who has given the ISAT so I truly understand how parents feel.

Well my daughters currently attend school elsewhere, but will be transferring out here for the next school year. I'll be speaking about Lombard school district as that's the district that my apartment lies in.

BUT, I would like to say that I've heard both positive and negative things about that particular district in regard to its "gifted" program. I am incredibly happy with the leaps schools have made in the last 20 years to recognize students with disabilities and the special education improvements that have occurred since I was in school. Unfortunately, I truly believe that the gifted programs have suffered tremendously as a result. Too many kids are not challenged enough, and oftentimes end up on the "wrong" path in life as a result. I don't, however, think this is strictly a school board issue, though. I think parents need to communicate with each other and the school to remedy the situation. Pay attention to your student, particularly at the junior high and high school levels where most of us parents tend to back off to give them space. Look at your child's homework and studies, talk to him or her about it, find out if they're bored in class or if they look forward to it. Are they getting excited about what they're studying? If not, it may be time to talk to administrators....perhaps multiple times, if necessary. Take it to the board if need be, they need to be made aware of these situations so kids don't fall through the cracks anymore.

I think it might be exciting to see more healthy food being served at middle schools. It would be awesome to see an extension of the global food revolution being manifested in our local schools. Here's a link to Jamie Oliver's website- it sure inspires me! <http://www.jamieoliver.com/>;

I would like to see a new evaluation system for teachers (and subsequent pay for performance system). Instead of automatic step/lane increases, the Unions would negotiate an average raise across the district. Each school would get a lump sum dollar amount that correlates to this average raise. Within each school, actual raises would be determined by the new evaluation system. Some teachers would get more (great teachers, new teachers who show exceptional potential, teachers in hard-to-fill positions, and teachers with challenging classroom demographics). Some teachers would get less.
And the evaluation system should involve multiple layers, including student assessments, test scores, classroom observation, and input from students, parents, peers and principals. I realize the big “can of worms” that some may predict if parents and students are asked for input. But the ultimate decision would come from the principal, so the parent/student responses can be put into perspective before deciding whether to act on them.

I think I agree with everyone's statements: more fiscal responsibility, healthier food (Hooray for the Wheaton middle school that just received a grant for the salad bar! ) Less focus on testing , improved allocation of resources etc. It's a big job- let's see what the newbies will bring to the table.

In regard to Louise's comment to better compensate and reward quality work rather than quanity being the marker, thank you for so clearly stating the common sense method that has been absent for decades.