Higher Education in Elementary School

By CHERI RAE — Nov. 12, 2009

In 1994, legendary local educator, Frank Van Schaick wrote, “Home of the Wilson Wildcats: Life and Death of an American Elementary School” (Capra Press). In the lively book, the much-beloved teacher and principal chronicles an innovative, alternative approach to education in one of Santa Barbara’s long-time institutions that closed years ago. It’s well-worth reading his lively account of 35 years of teaching kids to become fine citizens, thoughtful individuals and responsible leaders of our community—and beyond.

And it has particular relevance today.

Had his beliefs about the value of outdoor education been adopted widely, concerns about “nature-deficit disorder” would never have occurred. Had his beliefs about “the tyranny of testing” been heeded, real learning—rather than rote learning—would be more highly valued now.

He noted, “The testing of school children became a great, looming giant. It interfered with real learning. It dictated what teachers did. Everyone had to get high test scores. Class was compared with class, school with school. The whole educational system became diverted to raising test scores rather than gaining understanding or knowledge. We forgot that teaching was not a numbers game….We need to look at the child’s thinking rather than at his test scores; test scores seldom indicate thought. Schools should leave the path of the right answer in favor of the path of ideas an opinions. We need to follow the path of thought.”

Which brings us to the current situation: the misguided notion of shutting down Cesar Chavez Charter School. The dual-immersion, bilingual school was founded a decade ago with just 40 students. Today, the enrollment is more than 250—with a long waiting list.

The school is thriving, and so are its students, families, teachers and administration—all working together in common purpose to create a bold and unique educational experience that resonates long after the elementary years. The school’s mission is “to develop bi-literate, multi-cultural students whose strong academic and cultural foundation prepares them to meaningfully participate in their families, their community and their world to create a more just and equitable society.”

But their standardized test scores are low, par for the course in a school that supplements the standard requirements with a rich curriculum that includes music, art, physical education and dance, as well as the mastery of two languages. Other schools have given up what used to be called enrichment—and considered the very foundations of a well-rounded education—in order to slavishly teach to the ever-more-important, annual, state standardized test. These other schools, where obsessing, stressing and professing high test scores above all else, naturally improve students’ performance.

Not the case at Cesar Chavez School. There’s intention and brilliance at work here that extends far beyond test-taking and the classroom. The value of the school is recognized and supported by generous benefactors, university professors and community leaders who speak eloquently, passionately about the innovative program like no other. In the words of one father with two children at the school, “Parents don’t put their children on a waiting list to become underachievers.”

The students have a pen-pal relationship with students at Crane Country Day School and Montecito Union—two wealthy schools so close but so far away—their mutual apprehension vanishes in their visits, and the value of their connection as children will pay off when they’re on the same campus in their high school years. This kind of school experience was inspired by the school’s namesake, when he observed, “Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?”

Narrowly focused standardized tests don’t evaluate the whole child; the development of values; the ability to work collaboratively; the determination to express feelings and frustrations using words instead of inappropriate actions; the curiosity of fully engaged students experiencing learning as an adventure, not an ordeal.

Number-crunchers—here and in Sacramento—need to look away from the ledger, take a break from the spreadsheets, data points and statistical analyses. It’s time to comprehend the stories behind the numbers, and understand the long-term consequences of a short-sighted solution to a manufactured problem.

Perhaps the failure here is the inability to recognize the value of this model school community of students and their families at work. It is a terrible mistake to even consider the possibility of shuttering this beacon of hope and source of pride that has so much to teach. It’s a mark of our humanity to recognize goodness and excellence, even if it doesn’t show up on standardized test scores.

As Principal Van Schaick wrote, “I can’t think of a better way to ruin a neighborhood and to destroy the self-concept of every individual in it—not just the children—than to deprive it of a good school.”

Although the superintendent appears hell-bent on closing the school, the school board has admirably indicated its willingness to work with school representatives to figure out a way its charter can be renewed, and the children continue to flourish in immeasurable ways for years to come.

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Cesar Chavez : 11/12/2009

Before you imply that high achieving schools have sacrificed enrichment at the expense of test scores, look at some of those high achieving schools more closely. You will see PE, Art, Music and other programs, available to all students, at high achieving schools as well.

truthseeker

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On Patrol for students! : 11/12/2009

Cesar Chavez Charter School can't afford to buy "On Patrol" commercials, That's the whole problem.... If they did I'm sure some kind of backroom deal could be worked out! I'm also sure the school should advertise there just so they get a higher class of individuals you know. Some people that have more money and influence in the city. That always helps right... Sorry to bag on a very nice article about some very deserving people, but we've just got to face the facts!

Boycott Boy

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Time for Change : 11/12/2009

I believe Cesar Chavez is the best school in Santa Barbara. Thanks for pointing out its brilliance. When will school boards and professional teachers start speaking out against the state controlled educational system that creates test taking curriculum? A little courage could help the current Santa Barbara school board do a world of good for California elementary school students.

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Irony! : 11/15/2009

The irony of this situation is that it is the BILINGUAL students who will have the jobs in the future, not the students with the highest test scores. Dr. Sarvis is an idiot...his only purpose is to crunch numbers....he does nothing for real children.

Tracy314

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enrichment at other schools : 11/16/2009

Just to clarify to your readers, I am a substitute teacher in Santa Barbara and Goleta Schools and nearly every school I go to has "enrichment" classes such as p.e., art, music, library time with a library teacher and computer lab. Some include dance and other programs unique to the school. These programs may vary in quality, but they are in place and do give our students the "extras" you are talking about. I'm not downplaying the success of Caesar Chavez but you should also not mislead the readers into thinking that other public schools in the area don't enrich the children with these "extras". There are many wonderful traditional public schools in the area including Caesar Chavez.

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Keep this alive : 11/17/2009

I have been away for awhile and my children long out of school. They are in their 40;s so you see I am rather out of it. but I cannot see closing down a school that offers and enrichment of ideas, arts, thoughts and languages. Children need to be taught to think "out of the box" and express themselves. They also need break times to do physical activities to rest their brains. These are children, not robots. The idea of rushing from one class to another at the bell, and focusing anew on another subject without a break can break the spirit of a child.
It sounds like the children and parents at Cesar chavez are happy with the curriculum and the progress of the students. the students seem happy with themselves and how they are utilizing their time. Is this not an important lesson?
The adjusted student, (happy) will do better in the later years than the ones who have been pushed to achieve for the sake of marks only.
I firmly believe in the 3 R's but without music and art and expression, the whole child is not being properly educated.The bilingualism is a bonus that is must in the future of any graduating student.

Bajamama

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: 11/17/2009

Great Philosophy. Keep at it!

Kuldip Singh(Founder Principal)

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School Education : 11/17/2009

Reading thisarticle was a waft of fresh air in the stagnate system of test oriented system of education in India. You are lucky to find parents who can appreciate your philosophy of real education. I wish I was as lucky as you are!

Kuldip Singh

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