Katy ISD school board candidates Ross Raymond and Stacy Edwards-Tomdio have responded to the fifth reader-submitted question in InstantNewsKaty’s online candidate forum.

 

Raymond is challenging incumbent Robert Shaw for the Position 6 seat. Edwards-Tomdio is running against Neal Howard for Position 7.

 

Howard declined to take part in the forum.

 

Shaw initially agreed to participate, but then withdrew because, he said, not all candidates were participating.

 

The question, as submitted by InstantNewsKaty readers, was:

 

“If an elementary child can pass TAKS at the beginning of the school year, what is KISD offering him for a year spent in class?  Who is watching the growth and development of those kids if TAKS is the main assessment and accountability tool?”

 

These are the candidate’s unedited responses in the order they were received:

 

Stacy Edwards-Tomdio –

 

“When I hear of TAKS testing and the way everyone talks about it, I can’t remember ever hearing a kind word about them.  No one I know likes or understands them.  It seems it may have been a good idea which horribly went off the track.

 

“From your question is sounds as if you are of the opinion your child may be wasting his or her time by spending another year in school because they did well on the TAKS.  I don’t know your child so can’t speak to the specifics, but somehow I believe the teacher is still teaching and your student is still learning TAKS tested or not.

 

“Often I hear parents say they think we should get back to basics, the ‘3-R’s; reading, writing, and rithmetic.’  Without a doubt all our students need to master these three disciplines.  Our world has changed since I was a kid and there are so many other things our children must learn in addition to these important classes.

 

“I believe the teacher in conjunction with the parent is probably the best judge of student learning.  It seems the state of Texas thinks we need a test to keep all of us honest.

 

“I guess we will have to suffer along with the TAKs until such time as the law changes, which from your note probably won’t come soon enough.  What do you think should be done about TAKs and can the district do anything other than what it does at present?

  

Ross Raymond –

 

“Let me reverse the order of the question, ‘Who is watching the growth and development of those kids…?’ I am old school and believe this is primarily a parental responsibility.  Any parent who has concerns or feels educational objectives are not being met owes it to their child to approach the classroom teacher and if needed, campus administration to discuss the educational objectives and needs of their child.

 

“I believe our teachers do a very good job and value parental input and observations.  I am sure parents and teachers working together can ensure each child receives the best possible education. 

 

“As to what Katy ISD offers a student who passes the TAKS, I hope the answer is an education. From what I have been told the TAKS establishes a minimum base line and is by no means an indicator of the student ‘having topped out’ as if such a thing were possible!

 

“If the question asks about proper pacing for a student who has mastered grade level material, I believe it is important we continue to provide every student with relevant instruction which both challenges and stimulates learning.  Elementary school is about learning, social interaction, physical development, and intellectual pursuits.  It also a time for kids to be kids.

 

“Thanks for the question.  I am sorry others chose not to reply to it.”

 

Neal Howard –

 

Declined to take part in the forum.

 

Robert Shaw –

 

Declined to take part in the forum.

 

Additional questions and answers will be published in the remaining days leading up to the May 9 election.