Chair Of State School Board Addresses Rich County School Board

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  December 18, 2013.  Tami Pyfer, Logan, is Rich County School District’s representative to the State Board of Education.  She has just been asked to serve as Chair of that board.  She hopes to improve communication with the Legislature and school boards throughout the state.  She noted that often local school boards are unaware of work being done by the State and what information the State has that could be helpful to local boards.  She hopes she can get more communication between these bodies so that information is more readily available to all. 

There is a proposal in the Legislature for new graduation requirements.  Currently, the credits that have to be earned must come from certain areas.  She thinks there should be a bit more flexibility and individualization for students.  She is not certain where this proposal is in the system but will find out soon.

Pyfer is concerned about the confidentiality of student data.  It is currently a big issue, and she feels that a resolution needs to be written to cover this issue.   Good instruction is based on good data.  However, if the data gets into the wrong hands, it can be detrimental.  Also, some data should not be used as it is currently being used.  Student data to evaluate teachers is probably not a very sound practice.  Currently there are some issues about who can release student data and to whom it can be given. 

She would like to see another resolution written dealing with the proper role of assessment.  There are core standards in the State, and tests given to see how individuals meet these standards.  However, the test results from these standardized exams are being used for purposes different than what the data was collected for in the first place.  This is not a proper role of assessment and can easily make testing a problem instead of a good measurement tool.   Hopefully, the Legislature will review and reword some of the laws dealing with these issues.

Pyfer went through all of the current testing that is being required by the State.  She found that the common tests for the core are about the only tests really required.  Many districts are giving additional tests for their own purposes, but they are not state mandated.  She said that Utah has a comparatively lean testing schedule.