Community Peers into the Future of Vancouver Public Schools

Their mission: to expand the discussion on strategic planning for the next five years.

In light of Vancouver Public Schools’ continuing deployment of one-to-one technology to all students in grades 3-12, the keynote speech was delivered by Hall Davidson, a former teacher, respected expert on technology and education, and senior executive with Discovery Education. Davidson spoke about educational technology’s implications for teaching and learning and shared his rules for classroom technology use: Allow yourself to feel wonder. Allow yourself to feel dumb. Never hesitate to use the web for support. Never hesitate to ask a kid.

Then, symposium participants met in small groups to categorize the district’s strengths and opportunities for improvement or enhancement, as well as speculate on the evolving requirements for and barriers to college-, career-, and life-readiness.

The discussions were constructive. Said Sen. Annette Cleveland, a Fort Vancouver High School graduate, parent of a Columbia River High School graduate, and 49th Legislative District representative: “My overall impression is how positive people feel about their school district—about the quality of our schools and the quality of education that is being delivered every day. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of negatives in terms of what it is we could do better.”

Next, goal area teams will consider comments from the District Leadership Team workshop, student symposium, and community symposium as they develop goals and target objectives. In March, a draft will be posted online for comment, and the plan will be finalized in April. Finally, the Board is scheduled to consider the refreshed plan in May.