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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, July 17, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 30, 2004 Groups want to reinvigorate schools By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune For Karen Salant of the Little Applegate Valley, a statewide initiative to improve the state’s schools is more than just another study that will sit on a shelf. "It’s a ray of hope," said Salant, whose 11-year-old daughter, Carly, will be a sixth-grader at Ruch Elementary School in the fall. Her optimism comes from the fact that the Collins Foundation, Ford Foundation, Jeld-Wen Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust and Oregon Community Foundation have each contributed $250,000 toward a $2.2 million project called the Chalkboard Project. Additional fund-raising will draw in more money. "These are very influential foundations and I’m very encouraged that they’re looking into this," Salant said. She was one of a handful of parents attending the news conference announcing the statewide Chalkboard Project Tuesday at Washington Elementary School in Medford. Advertisement Tired of leaving Oregon’s budget-strapped public school system in the hands of legislators, organizers behind the Chalkboard Project say they will conduct statewide brainstorming sessions to find solutions. The 18-month process, begun in March, consists of surveys, discussions, research and forums to come up with a program to re-energize Oregon’s public school system. Recommendations for changes will be given to policymakers next year. The local announcement is one of six around the state. There were also media presentations in Eugene, Bend and Portland, with announcements scheduled today for Astoria and La Grande/Pendleton. In April the project conducted a public opinion poll of 1,800 Oregonians. According to the survey, state residents say the top two obstacles for public school success are a lack of parental support and a lack of stable and adequate funding. They don’t perceive Oregon’s public schools as being good enough. "I think Oregon pride is taking a beating," Norm Smith, president of the Ford Family Foundation, said during the presentation in Medford. "The climate for our dialog has become toxic." He said that’s why they are launching a new vision with the Chalkboard Project. "Long-term change is possible," said Smith. He said the project’s mission is to ensure three things: quality, accountability and a predictable funding source for education. "Oregonians want their public schools to be the very best or among the very best in the country," he said. Bill Thorndike, president of Medford Fabrication, said the project will create a road map for the success of Oregon’s students. "It’s really your chance to improve Oregon," he said. For parents like Salant, something needs to change so programs stop getting cut. "The scope of education is getting more and more narrow every year," she said. "We’re losing a lot of stuff that, first of all, makes school interesting for kids. ... You want your kids’ education to be a full experience." Stefani Jacobson Willis, president of the Chalkboard Project, agreed. Long-term planning for the state’s troubled education system is not just a worthy cause, Jacobson Willis said in a telephone interview from Portland. "It’s a grand adventure," she said. Chalkboard Project agenda Through end of 2004 — convene parents, educators, employers, students and general public in discussion groups; coordinate individual sessions with education, business, advocacy and nonprofit organizations; conduct a public awareness campaign and speakers’ network; research successful public education models worldwide. January and February 2005 — Host local forums throughout Oregon asking a broad range of citizens for their opinions on choices for improvements in education. March 2005 — Present recommendations to improve public schools to policymakers. What’s your opinion? To share opinions or answer survey questions related to kindergarten through 12th-grade public education, go to www.chalkboardproject.org or call 877-YOUR-K12 (877-968-7512) for the Chalkboard Project line. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times