Calls for more support and less bureaucracy for local schools
STATEWIDE - Crossing the state today, Sandy Welch announced her candidacy as Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Kalispell, Helena, and Billings. Sandy's message focused on how to improve lagging student achievement in order to preparing Montana’s students for the jobs of tomorrow.
"Our economy is rapidly evolving and we can’t allow our schools, or our kids, to fall behind. Our education system in Montana needs to ensure that the next generation of Montanans have the educational background to succeed in a changing world,” said Welch, “The people of Montana have invested in our education system —now we just need to make sure that investment is being utilized in a way that provides the greatest benefit to our students.”
Sandy continued to explain that, “Student achievement trails behind in critical areas and with the right leadership in education, we can put our schools and our kids on track to a brighter future.”
“We are not fully achieving the results Montana’s kids deserve. Too many students need to take remediation courses when they enter our universities and community colleges. Too many of our students cannot read on grade level. Too many of our employers can’t find the highly-skilled people they need for today’s jobs. This can, and it must, be fixed.”
As a seasoned educator with over 20 years experience as a mathematics teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, and public education consultant, Sandy will reorient the Office of Public Instruction to become a service-oriented partner for local schools. More than simply recommending state standards or ensuring regulatory compliance, the OPI will serve as a data-driven resource that will collaborate with schools to strengthen Montana’s education system.
"Our schools and our teachers struggle under the weight of bureaucracy. Montana’s school administrators are frustrated with the Office of Public Instruction, its impractical mandates and it’s unworkable demands that distract from the education of our youth. The OPI must be refocused to its core mission of helping schools better educate their students. My vision is for the Office of Public Instruction to be a partner in building excellence and opportunities for all of our students.”
Sandy has introduced plans which would grant enhanced local control and administrative flexibility to high achieving schools, amplify teacher performance through mentoring programs, and ensure that all students develop a common foundation of literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills.
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