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Q & A With the Fairfax County Schools Chief
Wednesday, May 23, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel A. Domenech was named the head of the Washington area's largest school system in 1997.
Since his last live online appearance, Supt. Domenech has unveiled his education budget, which must be approved by May 24. For more information, visit the Fairfax Schools News Page.
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washingtonpost.com:
Thanks for joining us today, Superintendent Domenech. As the school year winds down, can you look back over the past year and share your biggest triumphs and your biggest challenges?
Daniel A. Domenech: Our biggest triumph has been the achievement gains our students continue to make. Our SAT scores are the highest in the region and all of our high schools rank among the top 41 schools in the Washington Post Challenge Index. Over 45% of our juniors and seniors now take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
Our biggest challenge has been and continues to be the lack of money to run our schools properly. For the second year in a row, we are forced to trim $30 million from our budget by cutting programs and services.
Fairfax:
What's your opinion of the situation at the Silver Spring middle school, with teachers sharing copies of the tests with students? Would you have reacted differently?
Daniel A. Domenech: We have had our share of "testing irregularities" in Fairfax. Unfortunately, high stakes testing has created the kind of atmosphere in schools that occasionally results in inappropriate behavior on the part of staff. As adult role models, such behavior, no matter how well intentioned, cannot be tolerated. As long as the tests are here, we are obliged to administer them and maintain the integrity of our schools, and staff.
Centreville, Va.:
I have read that other counties are luring quality teachers away from Fairfax Co. with bonuses and higher salaries. If this is true, what is the county doing to prevent this?
Daniel A. Domenech: We are concerned over the competitiveness of our salaries. I have recommended to our School Board that they approve a pay package that would give our teachers an average 7% increase next year. On top of the 8% increase teachers received this year, we are much closer to the Montgomery scale. Over the past three years, our teachers have received a 22% increase in pay. We're not where we want to be yet, but we're getting there.
Falls Church, VA:
What are views on Constructivist teaching methods. Having taught mathematics for more the twenty years in High school and College, I think constructivist methods should not be used in mathematics instruction.
Daniel A. Domenech: The math wars resemble the reading wars. It's the basics vs. problem solving and critical thinking. The fact is, you need both. All children should learn the times tables and other basic math facts. However, childrem must also be able to solve problems. Clearly, you cannot do one without the other. It seems so common sense to me.
Fairfax, VA:
We need schools built and renovated in Fairfax County NOW. It seems to me that the two state Delegates, Albo and Rust, have put together a plan to get this done quicker and cheaper. Is the school system going to follow thier suggestion?
Daniel A. Domenech: We appreciate what Virginia state Delegates Albo and Rust are proposing. In essence, they suggest that we have schools built by the private sector and that we lease the schools, rather than build the schools with bond money. Unfortunately, their suggestions will not provide the additional money needed to either lease or build schools. What we need from the delegates is a bigger contribution from the state of Virginia for school construction. Their idea will not pay the rent.
Burke, VA:
I am concerned that students attending classes in our Fairfax High schools who are not in the gifted and talented program are getting short changed in their education. Without the competition afforded by the higher caliber students, my sense is the teachers are teaching at a lower level that if the stronger students were still in the classes. What can be done to ensure that our "average" students are being sufficiently challenged?
Daniel A. Domenech: The average student is getting an excellent education in Fairfax County. Our average SAT score in math is 556, compared to 514 nationwide. In the verbal section, the average score is 542, compared to 505 nationwide. In all achievemnt benchmarks, you will see Fairfax leading the pack. That's incredibly difficult to do in a system of 160,000 students. It could also not happen unless our average students were receiving an above average education.
Springfield, VA:
Having worked for the county in the technology-related position, I saw many highly qualified and talented individuals leave for private companies because of low salaries and no career ladder. With the recent trends toward outsourcing technology resources, when is the county going to abandon its costly practice of being a training ground for technology-related careers?
Daniel A. Domenech: In our case, outsourcing technology is much more expensive than an in-house staff. You may be surprised to hear that lately technology workers have been leaving the private sector to come to work for our schools. That's a trend we like.
Springfield, VA:
My son has been in Fairfax County public schools since kindergarten. He is now finishing up his 7th grade year, but he is really struggling in English class (D/F), and it's always been a difficult subject for him. How is it he has gotten this far without ever actually having learned how to write? What can or should I do? Is it up to me to find him a tutor? I've tried working with him, but I find I don't have the patience required! He went to summer school last year, and it seemed like a total waste of time. I love his school and the teachers are generally great, but I am concerned about his future if he does learn to write.
Daniel A. Domenech: We are in the process of establishing performance benchmarks, by grade level, for our students. Benchmarks will have to be met before students are promoted. Students not meeting the benchmarks will be required to attend summer school. During the school year, those students will also receive targeted remediation. This process should prevent what has happened with your son. Meanwhile, I suggest you contact your principal to review your son's needs. We should, and must, do everything we can to help him.
Dale City, VA:
Dr. Domenech,
Why is that every time there is a question about funding or the lack there of you place the blame on the state?
Daniel A. Domenech: When asked why he robbed banks, a famous bank robber replied, "Because that's where the money is."
Virginia's public schools are severely underfunded. The state ranks 47th in its contribution to K-12 education.
This past legislative session we were seeking permission to further tax ourselves through a local sales tax to raise money for school construction. That request was also denied.
Springfield, VA:
Why is the school system allowing schools to become IB affiliated? The AP program allowed students to take challenging courses and get college credit. While the IB program does the same, it is more difficult to obtain credit for classes taken, especially at the SL level. What is the school system's rationale for this?
Daniel A. Domenech: Both the AP and IB programs are recognized for their excellent, challenging curriculums. Although the AP program has greater recognition in the states, the IB program is considered world-class.
We basically allow each school to decide the program it want s to follow. The colleges and universities our students attend give credit for both programs.
Fairfax, VA:
My wife, a first year teacher in Prince William, would love to come teach in the Fairfax schools. She has met with your recruiters at a job fair. Yet she's not heard a peep out of them. I thought there was a teacher shortage?
Daniel A. Domenech: Please have her call my office at 703-246-2631. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Washington, DC:
How is Fairfax's enormous population growth affecting the schools? I just read an article today that said schools around the country are under strain to accommodate all of the new students. Seems like this will make an already hard job--education--even harder!
Daniel A. Domenech: The population growth is having a tremendous impact on our schools. Financially, we do not receive the additional revenue needed to keep up with the growth. Consequently, we have been canibalizing our school system over the last three years to make ends meet.
In terms of facilities, we are probably the trailer capital of the world. Over 14,000 students attend school in almost 900 trailers because there is insufficient space in our existing facilities.
Springfield, VA:
With all the media attention given to school violence, what are you doing to make sure Fairfax County Schools are safe?
Daniel A. Domenech: We are fortunarte to have an excellent risk management office and great collaboration with our police and fire departments. We have trained School Resource Officers in all of our middle and high schools. These officers work closely with the school staff and our security personnel.
We have devised a nationally recognized school emergency plan as well as "table top" exercises that allow our administrators to consider all potential emergencies and how to effectively deal with them. Our peer mediation programs with students also contributes to safety. Our counselors, social workers, and psychologists provide "mental detection" that, so far, has been very effective.
Fairfax, VA:
Hey, I'm a FCPS student. In fact, I am currently in school. I have a question for ya. Why must I take these SOL's? They don't actually count for me or anything. Why should I try on it? If we all (the students) pass the tests, aren't you the one to get the raise? Do the teachers get anything out of it at all?
Daniel A. Domenech: My third grade daughter is taking the SOLs today, and she's doing it for my raise. You will pass them because your excellent teachers have prepared you so well!
If you are a high school student, you will need to pass these tests in order to graduate. At lower grades, not passing them may require you to attend summer school or other remediation programs. Good luck.
washingtonpost.com:
Thanks for joining us today, Superintendent Domenech. Anything we should look for in the summer months, or as school starts up in the fall?
Daniel A. Domenech: Always a pleasure to be part of this program.
We're anticipating our largest summer school program ever, with well over 16,000 students participating. Our year round schools will start their session at the beginning of August.
See you next fall.
washingtonpost.com:
That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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