Curriculum That Prepares for the Future

Bringing Excellence and Innovation Back to Our Schools

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Mercer Island was once ranked #1 in Washington. Today, we’re #2, with strong math proficiency rates (72-86% across grades, far above the state average of ~40%), a solid 95% graduation rate (well above the state average of 83.6%), and an 11% decline in student enrollment since 2018. However, it’s not enough to be #1 or #2 in a declining state like Washington, which ranks 27th nationally in K-12 education. We should set our sights higher, measuring ourselves against the top public school districts across the country—such as aiming for our high school to reach the top 100 nationally, building on its current strong performance as #1 in Washington and #463 nationally per Niche rankings. While the curriculum budget rose to $13.5M, inflation-adjusted spending has actually fallen 3.5%, and no major new STEM or literacy initiatives have been launched.

I’ll prioritize evidence-based learning, stronger math and science pathways, career training options, and expanded support for special education, so current students thrive and parents feel confident choosing Mercer Island schools.

My Priorities for Curriculum Improvement

  • Adopt Proven Math Curricula: Replace i-Ready with evidence-based programs like Saxon Math or Singapore Math, which have demonstrated strong results in building foundational skills and conceptual understanding.

  • Implement Comprehensive Testing: Expand the use of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), already used universally for HiCap screening, to all elementary students for reading and math. This norm-referenced test allows for comparisons across decades, unlike the state-mandated Smarter Balanced assessments, which aren’t required for every student every year. This will provide reliable data to track progress.

  • Measure Curriculum Effectiveness: Conduct side-by-side curriculum trials by implementing new curricula in different classrooms within the district to rigorously evaluate outcomes and ensure we’re adopting what works best.

  • Reduce Screen Time in Early Grades: Limit iPad use in elementary and middle schools. Students develop better fine motor skills and absorb knowledge more effectively through writing with pen and paper. Additionally, many iPad-based curricula include distracting animations that hinder learning.

  • Evaluate Inverted Classroom Models: Review the use of inverted classrooms in middle school, where students watch lectures at home and complete exercises in class. While innovative, this approach may not adequately prepare students for executive function skills needed in high school, as some parents report a shock when freshmen receive traditional homework assignments. I’ll work to balance innovation with preparation for future demands.

  • Offer SAT Testing at the High School: Expand testing options by making Mercer Island High School an SAT exam site, building on our existing PSAT offerings. The current board voted down a resolution to bring the SAT here. I’ll push to reverse that decision and make it more convenient for our students.

  • Strengthen Support for Dyslexia: Ensure we have sufficient teachers trained in Orton-Gillingham structured literacy methods to better support students with dyslexia. Too many families are leaving the district due to inadequate resources. I’ll prioritize this to retain our students and provide the help they need.

  • Reinstate Walk to Math: Bring back the “walk to math” program for all upper elementary students, which the district previously offered. In this model, students are grouped by math proficiency and move to different classrooms for instruction tailored to their level (foundational, on-level, or advanced), ensuring every student receives appropriate challenges to maximize their potential.