A Brief Selection of Joe Erickson's School Policy Positions:
		On Integrating Technology into Schools: "I believe we need to continue to support the authentic integration of technology into our K-12 classrooms as a tool to increase literacy for the modern age. Well integrated technology can assist children to become more active, self-directed learners. But we must not be fooled to think that technology will be a cure-all. Tools don't make good learners--any more than pencils make good writers. It is the skilled application of the tools that matters, and for that we need training--of teachers and learners. I support targeting resources for training of teachers and others on how to use technology."
		On Middle School and High School Reform: "I support the district's efforts to reform middle-level and high schools, including the move for smaller more family-like school groupings I also endorse the expansion of community-based learning strategies such as school-to-work and community service-learning."
		On Resources for Schools: "The impending budget cuts that schools again will feel are unconscionable. Schools should be among the first priorities for our state’s resources. Schools are not the place to be shopping for bargains."
		On Standardized Testing: "While authentic assessment and accountability are valuable goals towards which we should continue to be committed, I am alarmed at the simpleminded testing mentality of many school critics. Many of these tests have little or no value to the teaching and learning process and tell us almost nothing meaningful about school communities. We need to move away from the old-fashioned "factory" model of teaching which treats children like "widgets" on an assembly line. Children need to be treated and assessed like growing human beings. Our measurement tools should be authentic and performance-based, not simplistic multiple-choice tests." For more details on Joe Erickson's school policy positions, click here to download a PDF document containing additional selections. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read this document.
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