Latest news with #PostEditorialBoard
Washington Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
How to track educational performance? Here's a good start.
What are the best ways to measure whether an education system is preparing students for life after high school? That's a difficult question to answer because of a lack of quality data. Thanks to the National Governors Association, that could soon change. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) focused his year-long term as chair of the bipartisan association on reframing how states measure and track educational readiness from kindergarten through 12th grade. He convened seven meetings around the country to hear from experts on which metrics, beyond literacy and math, matter most to prepare children for long-term success. The result is a report that he will unveil next week in Colorado Springs at the annual summer gathering of governors, which he shared with The Post's Editorial Board. The governor's view is that states value what they measure; therefore, they need to more carefully track whether young people are getting the tools they need to thrive. 'We don't want states to achieve success by reducing standards,' Polis said. He believes readiness rests on four elements: academic foundations, workforce preparedness, civic engagement and lifelong well-being. The first three are fairly self-explanatory, and academic research has identified dozens of data points that predict future success. Measuring well-being, on the other hand, is much tougher than tracking the availability of apprenticeships or Advanced Placement courses. Themes that came up repeatedly during Polis's listening sessions are that students should finish high school with a strong sense of self, psychological skills to persevere through hardship and a clear, attainable path toward a meaningful and contributive adult life. Polis acknowledged that metrics for such soft skills probably are not well-suited to control funding formulas because they can lead to reference bias or potential data manipulation. Nonetheless, they're still valuable to monitor. Polis understands that making data publicly available, in as close to real time as possible, will drive accountability and lead to continuous improvement. Numbers on chronic absenteeism by school, for instance, could generate public pressure on principals to get more students back into classrooms. Highlighting how schools are doing on nonacademic indicators, such as the availability of after-school programs for science and technology, might similarly empower families to advocate more effectively. Three states already offer great examples of educational dashboards that others should build upon. Indiana measures students' work ethic, communication and collaboration skills as well as civic, financial and digital literacy. Kentucky tracks how its high school graduates perform in college, including grade-point average and credits earned. Rhode Island measures chronic absenteeism and an array of other data. The NGA plans to launch a pilot project this fall to help five states build out customized dashboards over 18 months, with hopes that others will follow. Applications will open after next week. The chairmanship of the NGA typically rotates between Republicans and Democrats, and the governor who gets the job picks a signature initiative. Last year, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) focused on 'healthy conflict' and how to 'disagree better.' The year before, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) devised a playbook for how states could address the youth mental health crisis. In 2005, the NGA spearheaded an initiative — which all 50 governors at the time signed on to — to improve data collection and reporting about graduation rates. Six years later, the federal government began requiring states to do so. But while graduation rates reached all-time highs in the subsequent years, graduates didn't necessarily become better equipped for college, trades or the military. Polis, who is halfway through his second term as governor, issued a data-focused executive order earlier this year to compel five state agencies to share data so that Colorado can create a cradle-to-career coordination system that tracks how kids are doing, longitudinally, from pre-K through high school into higher education and the workforce. The governor has a libertarian bent and believes that states will have an interest in prioritizing different metrics tailored to their own needs based on industries in the region and the jobs they think will be available in the future. At a time when the Trump administration is seeking to eliminate the federal Education Department to return as much power as possible to the states over setting standards, governors feel a sense of urgency to better track student progress. Knowing which states are doing the best job will allow for easier imitation and for the scaling up of good ideas. Competition between schools, districts and states will lead to more students being ready for whatever the future might hold.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PBC commission averts questionable "fix" in replacing county administrator
What started off as a perceived "fix" morphed into a a credible procedure in replacing County Administrator Verdenia Baker, who is retiring. Following an eyebrow-raising 4-3 vote earlier this month to skirt a national search, Palm Beach County commissioners Thursday took the time to craft a national search, minimal and preferred qualifications and a timeline for applications, interviews and evaluations that ensures a more open, competitive and thorough hiring process. It's closer to the kind of process that the residents and taxpayers of this county deserve. And it's a notable improvement from an earlier meeting in which a majority of the board — Commissioners Sara Baxter, Joel Flores, Bobby Powell and Maria Sachs — voted to set aside hiring a firm to conduct a national search in favor of an expedited "stay home," approach of finding a new administrator. That move seemed to boost the chances of one applicant in particular — County Clerk & Comptroller Joe Abruzzo — and quite rightly drew the ire of county residents. Still, the Post Editorial Board believes that a national search conducted by a headhunter would have ensured a better talent pool of candidates based on that firm's knowledge and contacts with qualified candidates. As it is, commissioners settled on having staff advertise the opening on various public administration association websites, a way to get the word out but not necessarily in front of those "elite" administrators who may not seek the job without the urging of a reputable headhunter. To be sure, Abruzzo is no stranger to Palm Beach County and its government. He's a duly elected constitutional officer and has represented the county in the Florida Legislature. But had the commissioners not spelled out a more thorough hiring process, he would have been seen as the tainted beneficiary of a political appointment. And deservedly so. Besides the commission and the public, it's Abruzzo who'd benefit by going through a more open process to replace Baker, a 38-year administrator respected nationally for her bureaucratic acumen. More: Why developers say they see better days ahead with Palm Beach County Administrator gone Fortunately, the commission took a step toward bringing rationality back to the process while dispelling the notion that Baker's successor could be found so easily through a political appointment. Baker started working for the county 38 years ago as an analyst. She worked hard, climbing the ranks to become the first woman and the first Black person to run Palm Beach County government. In that position, she oversaw growth, often siding with taxpayers against the interests of developers, while achieving the county's current AAA bond rating. Her last day is May 31. Baker's successor will have big shoes to fill. The good news is that county commissioners have moved closer to a transparent process that whoever gets the position, it now looks like that individual will be hired through an open procedure rather than a backroom deal that would have hobbled the next county administrator even before he or she showed up to work. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Transparency to pick new PBC administrator is right move | Editorial
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lake Worth Beach should elect Carla Blockson and Reinado Diaz
On March 11, the voters of Lake Worth Beach should consider making a change to spur its commission to revive its city government so that it can better address projects and proceed to make key improvements in services. Known for its thriving arts district, Lake Worth Beach could use a more collaborative city commission in dealing with ongoing challenges, whether it's finding new tax revenue from commercial development to developing more reasonably priced housing opportunities for city residents. A fulltime city manager to do that work would help, too. To help make that happen, The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board recommends voters elect Carla Blockson to the District 2 seat and re-elect District 4 Commissioner Reinaldo Diaz in hopes of taking Lake Worth Beach in a better direction. This is not Blockson's first rodeo. This contest between Blockson and incumbent Christopher McVoy marks the third time the two have faced each other for the right to represent Lake Worth Beach's District 2. This time, though, voters should make sure Blockson wins the race. After considering her position on the city's chief issues, the Post Editorial Board believes right now she's the better choice. Palm Beach Post Editorial Board endorsements for March 11 municipal elections Blockson, 68, understands the issues facing the city. Since 2021, she has served on the Lake Worth Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency and as chair, she has overseen several grants and key projects along the city's Dixie Highway corridor -- including the proposed Weiner Museum of Decorative Arts. If elected, she would bring a pro-business approach to the dais in support of attracting more commercial development to boost city tax revenue and make the city more of an attraction. She'd also work to improve traffic congestion along 10th Avenue North in her northwest district. Commissioner McVoy is the district's current commissioner. His status quo-stance on the city manager's position strikes the board as counterproductive. For that reason and more, voters should choose Blockson for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Diaz represents the city's southeast quadrant, which includes Lake Worth Beach's only oceanfront tract. The Post Editorial Board recommends voters re-elect him to another term, with the following caveat: Lake Worth Beach needs a full-time city manager, a task the next city commission must address sooner rather than later. In his first term, Diaz, 41, has tried to bring administrative changes to City Hall, in hopes of putting the city in a better position to address ongoing legal and development issues. He has also been thrust into the ongoing immigration controversy, threading the needle in protecting the city's growing Hispanic population, continuing to attract revenue from Tallahassee while abiding by punitive state deportation laws and federal dictates. If re-elected, Diaz would like to establish a more effective growth policy that would put the city in a better position to review and track ongoing projects. Still, the commissioner's take on leaving Jamie Brown, Lake Worth Beach's current public works director, to somehow balance that job with working as the city's "interim" manager, is well, troubling. Diaz believes Brown is doing a better job than his predecessor that the commission removed in 2024. Fine. So start the process that leads to Brown being hired to the job on a permanent basis. There are many projects that need a full-time city manager's attention, and a full-time public works director, including the city's long unused pool that sits near the beach in the commissioner's district. Greg Richter, a 69-year-old Realtor, is also running for the seat. He is running as a change candidate, but the Post Editorial Board believes that Diaz's performance to date makes him the better candidate in the race. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lake Worth Beach voters should choose Blockson and Diaz | Endorsements
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vote Glas-Castro, Michael Hinsley and Judith Thomas in Lake Park elections
Imagine a game of Musical Chairs in which contestants compete for four seats. Once the music stops, the scramble for a chair begins, ending with the seated winners and standing losers. The analogy fits the upcoming Lake Park municipal election. On March 11, voters will choose one of six candidates, and the top four will go on to serve three-year terms. Lake Park, a community of about 9,000 residents squeezed between North Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, may be small. But, like many of its surrounding communities in this part of Palm Beach County, it faces the same problems of that come with growth and development — traffic congestion, and the demand for new residential and commercial projects that ultimately have the potential to change and reshape the very nature of the town. The Post recommends three incumbents who are hoping to either be re-elected or elected to a full term in office. Their experience, knowledge and commitment to the job gives them the edge over three candidates who didn't accept The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board's invitation to interview — former Commissioner John Linden, former Mayor Michael O'Rourke and Commissioner Mary Beth Taylor. The Post won't recommend even seemingly experienced candidates if they don't show up to present their views. Post Editorial Board endorsements: Palm Beach Post Editorial Board endorsements for March 11 municipal elections Kimberly Glas-Castro, 60, has been on the commission for four terms. She's seeking re-election because she believes the commission and town administration are finally at the point where they can make progress after ending a time of bickerng at commission meetings and financial difficulties that almost put the town in bankruptcy. If re-elected, she would push to establish a plan for the U.S. 1 corridor that would allow for greater housing density. She would be open to making Park Avenue more pedestrian-friendly, and would maintain ad valorem rates while prioritizing services to take advantage of new tax revenue to address town expenses. Michael Hensley, a 44 year-old middle school teacher and a former high school football coach, was appointed to the commission eight months ago when former Commissioner Linden stepped down from the dais. He is seeking his first full term as commissioner, and on March 11 voters should give it to him. In his short stint, Hensley has initiated a number of community events to draw more Lake Park residents into town government affairs. If re-elected, he would work to enhance public safety and infrastructure. He'd also work to complete ongoing projects, like the aquatic and community centers. Judith Thomas, 54, brings the experience of being an urban planner and former Riviera Beach planning and zoning administrator to her role as town commissioner. That on top of a 12-year stint as a volunteer member and board chair of Lake Park Planning and Zoning Board, along with her time on the dais as an elected official. If any candidate has the qualifications to help a community grapple with growth and development, it's Thomas. If re-elected, Thomas would try to retain the town's small time charm by encouraging the growth of small businesses, particularly along the town's Park Avenue corridor. She would also work with young residents and help boost schools in Lake Park as well as work to improve community engagement with the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office and other county agencies. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lake Park voters choose Glas-Castro, Hinsley and Thomas | Endorsements
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In Royal Palm Beach Council election, vote Hmara and Avila
The village race for mayor features two proven council incumbents and a businessman making his first bid for office. Following the death of Royal Palm Beach's longtime mayor, Fred Pinto, the village council appointed Council member Jeff Hmara to be interim mayor. Residents have the chance to elect him, and remove the "interim" tag next month. The Post Editorial Board recommends voters do just that. Hmara has shown he can handle the job, and represent the village well. Hmara, 80, has been a council member since 2012, and he remains active in village affairs. Traffic congestion, improving area schools and ensuring adequate supply of affordable housing remain priorities for Hmara. And his work with county officials and those from surrounding communities is helping ensure that the village isn't lost in the sauce of development among other growing western communities like Wellington and West Lake. There are two other candidates seeking the seat. Selina Samios, 52, the executive director of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County and the town's vice mayor. Justin K. Plaza, a computer consultant, is making his first bid for public office. Post editorial Board endorsements: Palm Beach Post Editorial Board endorsements for March 11 municipal elections While Samios makes a strong case, Hmara is the better choice. The Royal Palm Beach mayor's race features two experienced candidates vying for the job. The Group 3 race? Not so much. Amid three inexperienced candidates running for the seat, the Post Editorial Board recommends voters choose Steve Avila. He offers the greatest promise among the candidates who are running for the seat. Avila, a 35-year-old college consultant and former schoolteacher, is a lifelong resident of Royal Palm Beach. He is active in several business groups, including the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He ran for mayor in a losing bid last March, and has set his sights this time for an open seat on the council. If elected, he says he will push for responsible development in hopes of keeping the town's "Mayberry-esque charm." He would also be a big advocate for term limits, given the fact that several officeholders have been in the job far longer than eight years. Sylvia L. Sharps and Doniele Pinto are also in the race. Pinto, while she has name recognition as the widow of the late Mayor Fred Pinto, seemed uninformed about several key issues that she would have to address as a council member. Sharps did not accept the editorial board's invitation to interview. Advantage, Avila. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Royal Palm Beach should elect Hmara and Avila | Endorsements
