Commentary

School Board Elections Critical

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

While I was able to attend the recent Fairfax Education Summit sponsored by the Fairfax County School Board for only a short time, I was impressed by the theme of the program - "Moving to the Next Level:  Customizing Public Education."  In recent years there has been a major push for standards education to have all students succeed in passing the same standardized test.  As the panel at the Summit discussed it, we have been following the industrial model of education for too long with an expectation that all the widgets represented by the students come out of the school factory performing exactly alike.  This standards approach that is aimed at students in the middle leave challenged students struggling and gifted students frustrated.  Just as industry has evolved into mass customization, schools must customize their programs for individual students.

As part of my career with Fairfax County Public Schools I was charged with implementing Program of Studies (POS), a standards approach I had designed.  In requiring subject area disciplines to develop objectives for their courses, a testing program was designed to measure student progress.  All students regardless of the school attended in Fairfax County could be assured of getting the same instruction.  What I hoped could become an individualized program for students that could be pursued in an ungraded format became instead a lock-step, test-driven system after I left the position.

Superintendent Jack Davis under whom I had developed the system went on to be the State Superintendent of Instruction and introduced at the state level a version of POS that he called Standards of Learning (SOL).  That program also became test-driven with such an emphasis on scores on standardized tests that much of the creativity of teaching was lost.

Programs like SOL and No Child Left Behind are in great need of reform.  Critical to bringing about efforts such as mass customization of learning and individual educational plans for all students is the outcome of the School Board elections on November 8.  While there seems to be a lot of small issues being pushed by many candidates, I believe we need people on the School Board who have a broad vision of the reform that is needed in instruction.  We need people who can make our already great school system better.  I hope that you will join me on November 8 in voting for Pat Hynes for the Hunter Mill School Board seat and for candidates Ted Velkoff, Ilryong Moon, and Ryan McElveen for the three at-large seats.  The outcome of the school board election is critically important!

Delegate Ken Plum Receives More Endorsements for Re-Election

Northern Virginia/Realtors PAC

             Fairfax County Professional

             Firefighters & Paramedics 

Democratic Latino Organization

of Virginia

Delegate Ken Plum is proud to announce that he has been endorsed for re-election by the Northern

Virginia/Realtors PAC, the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics, and the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia: 

"Delegate Plum understands the issues that affect home owners and the importance of private property rights.  He has been an advocate for transportation solutions and quality education for our children -- two issues that are extremely important to home owners in our area.  The Northern Virginia/Realtors PAC is pleased to endorse him."

                                                 -- Zinta Rodgers-Rickert, Chairman, NV/RPAC

Of the list of candidates including Delegate Ken Plum who were endorsed Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics:  "Each and every one of these candidates has either already demonstrated or has pledged their dedication that the people who protect Fairfax County are a priority to them."

                                                -- John Niemiec, President, Local 2068 Fairfax Firefighters & Paramedics

"Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (DLOV) has endorsed incumbents and challengers who have proven a commitment to improving the quality of life for all Virginians."

                                                 -- Antonio M. Elias, Political Director, DLOV

Additional Endorsements of Ken's re-election:

• Virginia Education Association
• Fairfax Education Association
• Virginia Chapter - Sierra Club
• Virginia AFL-CIO
• Virginia League of Conservation Voters 
• NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC
• Northern Virginia Technology Council's TechPAC
• Equality Virginia
• Virginia Partisans-PAC of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia 
• Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 689 

Contact Ken with your questions about these important endorsements and issues of interest to you at kenplum@aol.com.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for this Saturday, October 29, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the following collection sites in our area:

* Herndon Police Department, front lobby, 397 Herndon Parkway

* Vienna Police Department, 215 Center Street South, Vienna

* Fairfax City Police Department, front lobby, 3730 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax

* Northern Virginia Community College, 1st Floor of CA Building near main entrance, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale

* Virginia State Police (point of contact is Lt. Hawkins), 4977 Alliance Drive, Fairfax

This event addresses a vital public safety and health issue and provides a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.