Back To School, Back To Core

Students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District have just over a week before they head back to class.

Superintendent Dr. David Cash addressed the media Tuesday on what the community can look forward to this school year, including the recently adopted and highly debated common core state standards that are expected to be fully implemented.

“The common core is really about innovation and creativity,” said Cash. “It’s about recognizing there are multiple pathways to an answer. It’s about celebrating how kids determine what the right or wrong answer is,” said Cash.

The philosophy behind the new standard is to have students come up with solutions to real-world problems.

“They’re supporting teachers to take the time to create the curriculum,” said Colleen Million, principal at Open Alternative. “We’re not just going out and buying a curriculum, we’re creating it,” said Million.

Four schools in the district have also implemented ipads, to determine if the technology is essential to improve student learning

The response to these devices has been very positive.

Dr. Cash also spoke on the importance of school safety in the wake of the numerous school shootings that have devastated our country over the last couple years.

“We have new protocols in place as far as how visitors are allowed on campus and how we work with police and law enforcement,” said Cash.

Other changes this year include elementary schools implementing the restorative justice approach, a philosophy surrounding student discipline that’s already in our junior high’s and high schools.

Restorative justice prompts teachers to build relationships with students prior to any bad behavior and works to help the student on the issue outside the classroom.

Cash said enrollment numbers are up — classes begin Wednesday, the 27th.