Board of Education candidates field host of queries

The four candidates for the Lawrence Township Board of

Education fielded a variety of questions at a candidates’ night forum March 29.
By: Lea Kahn
   The four candidates for three seats on the Lawrence Township Board of Education fielded a variety of questions at a candidates’ night forum March 29.
   Incumbent school board members Leon Kaplan, Bill Michaelson and Laura Waters, along with challenger John Gregg were invited to the Advocates for Special Kids’ candidates night at the Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Brunswick Pike. ASK is the parent-teacher organization for special education students.
   When township resident Anthony Cusimano — one of a handful of township residents who attended the event — asked the candidates what they believe are the "biggest challenges" facing the school district in the next three years, Dr. Waters pointed to government legislation.
   "The biggest challenge is government legislation that overrides so many aspects of education," Dr. Waters said. The federal No Child Left Behind law, adopted in 2001, interferes with "the magic" that occurs between student and teacher in the classroom.
   Teachers’ desire to instill a love of lifelong learning in their students is "pushed aside" because of the concern about test scores, she said. Educators are required to administer standardized tests and ensure their students are prepared to answer the questions on those tests.
   Mr. Michaelson noted differentiated instruction, which acknowledges that each student has a different learning style. Teachers must learn how to teach each child, he said, adding that it is also important to have a motivated staff.
   Mr. Gregg said the biggest challenge is to provide an opportunity for all students to reach their full potential — whether they are special education students, gifted students or student-athletes.
   There should be an increased emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of math, science and language arts, Mr. Gregg said. It is critical that students master the material, because that’s what appears on the standardized tests, he said.
   For Dr. Kaplan, one of the main challenges facing the school district is ensuring that what is being taught in the classroom matches the state’s requirements. School district officials are in the process of reviewing the district’s curriculum, he added.
   "The way we teach (is another challenge)," Dr. Kaplan said. "Teaching is a complex thing. We have to learn how an individual child learns best. Some students are visual learners and have to ‘see’ it, and some are auditory learners who learn when they ‘hear’ it."
   In response to township resident James Armstrong’s question on the candidates’ opinions about including special education students in regular classrooms, Dr. Kaplan replied that "it’s a good thing."
   "Research shows it’s one of those rare things that is effective for children at all levels," he said. "I see it hopefully as a right of passage. Some children start out needing a little more attention."
   Mr. Gregg said he did not object to inclusion classes, so long as all parents are informed. He noted that his daughter, who is a regular education student, was placed in an inclusion classroom but he was not notified.
   Mr. Michaelson said an inclusion classroom "mirrors society at large."
   "To the extent that you can, (special education students) should be included with the rest of the population," Mr. Michaelson said. "I don’t think you need to warn parents."
   Dr. Waters sought to clarify the issue by noting that all students in a regular education classroom are taught the same curriculum. Since a special education student may need extra help, an aide or a special education teacher is assigned to that child, she said.
   She agreed with Mr. Michaelson that there is no need to warn parents of the presence of a special education student in the classroom. She predicted that more inclusion classes are on the way.
   Asked about the wave of the future by township resident Joan Hedden, Mr. Michaelson said the district wants to incorporate technology into the classroom — but technology should be an aid and not a burden. More use should be made of the computers in the classrooms, he added.
   Dr. Waters said school district officials have spent the past year or so rebuilding the academic infrastructure, and the project — which is focused on curriculum review — is continuing.
   Mr. Gregg said standards need to be raised. Rather than being satisfied with the present, the district should aim higher, he said.
   The school district is constantly evolving, Dr. Kaplan said. Students must be taught the skills they will need for the jobs of the future. Students must be more creative and flexible than ever, he said.