I am writing this letter in support of Dr. Terry Bergeson in her bid to be re-elected as superintendent of public instruction. While Terry was a colleague of mine in the Central Kitsap School District in Silverdale, she was a champion for students and she has yet to diminish her efforts to increase their academic performance.
She has brought a renewed thrust toward responsible accountability for student growth to the education profession. In carrying out both state and federal mandates, she has implemented reasonable statewide learning standards to ensure consistent expectations and learning in every classroom. Parents, students and school personnel now know what is to be taught and learned and that yearly progress will be expected and monitored.
Yes, there is much discussion over the WASL and the new graduation requirements, but any program that demands results is going to have its detractors. Student achievement has increased each year. Now Terry’s opponent wants to go back to “the good old days,” but that’s neither possible nor desirable. With new technology and reliable assessment programs now available, there is no reason not to be able to track individual student growth each year and to set reasonable expectations for each student. That’s what Terry’s goals are all about! She is not an unreasonable person and she does not want any student to fail. She fights as hard as anyone for the welfare of all educational employees in this state – but she wants results. And what’s wrong with that?
I urge you to cast your vote for Terry Bergeson and help her continue to improve achievement for all students.
Gene Hertzke
Mill Creek
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