Could county benefit from KTEC? You bet
There is a unique opportunity on the horizon for Kootenai County to join the forefront of education in this country. As a teacher in Kootenai County since 1970 I take great pride in the "cost-effective" preparation our kids have been receiving. I do not believe that any citizens get as much for their buck as Idahoans! And I say that also as a parent, grandparent, and patron of Post Falls School District. Education, as we know it, continues to adequately prepare our kids for today's world. Notice that I said "adequately" and "today's world." We face the question of whether or not to seek excellence for tomorrow's world. Aug. 24 is the day that we respond.
Many other industrial nations have surpassed us in standardized test scores, which concerns many in this country. Top math and science scores have been registered regularly by the small nation of Finland. Are their kids smarter? Are their teachers better? Don't they have financial difficulties in their education system? After teaching in Finland and viewing their system from the inside, I find the answers to be NO, NO, and YES. So what is the difference?
One huge difference is that education is valued from cradle to grave. There is basic public education available to all kids from 7 to 16. Then there are numerous options for secondary (HS) education ranging from university preparation through a multitude of vocational options. Or the young adult may choose to enter the job force and undergo apprenticeships or on-the-job training to develop his skills. Many korkeakoulus (professional specialty colleges) exist to train professionals in sales, management, construction, electronics, production, and so on. And for those who wish, and are capable of scoring well enough on matriculation/entrance exams, there is free university education. There are even aikuislukios (adult education) for individuals wishing to better themselves later in life.
Options! That is what it is all about. They don't have the same school discipline or classroom management problems experience in the U.S. that interfere daily with an efficient and complete learning experience. Their teachers aren't even taught how to deal with these types of situations and/or students. Students are not in an environment of disinterest or one not of their choosing. A young lady interested in cosmetology, a young lady interested in medicine, a young man interested in computer programming and a young man interested in automotive technology are not sitting through identical educational experiences, texting one another about how bored they are, causing disruptions, or taking up valuable time and space. The student must not only choose their secondary school, but they must ask to attend and be accepted. It is up to them to perform, which enables them to stay in the school of their choice.
This is a model found throughout the most successful education systems worldwide. While teaching in Finland, I had the opportunity to discuss these topics and questions with teachers from Sweden, Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, Belgium, France, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Not one country was without its own set of education problems, but all agreed on the value of education to the security, health and welfare of their nation.
None of these countries has smarter kids or better teachers than we have in Kootenai County. They simply believe in a variety of opportunities for the diverse interests and personalities of their children.
Join with the consortium of business and education leaders, generous donors, institutions of post-secondary education, and caring parents of Idaho's promise in making the right decision for our county. Education is a basic right in this county, not only for those who can afford it. Someone provided it for you, now it's your turn to step up. Hopefully, we can lead the way to better education, a better workforce and better-prepared citizens by responding YES to KTEC.
Greg Cossette of Post Falls recently retired after 40 years in the classrooms of Lakeland Junior High and Post Falls High School.