Montgomery School

Attentive parents absorb information as Collier Schools Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton speaks on Monday at Tommie Barfield Elementary. Cheryl Ferrara/Eagle Correspondent

— A little holiday cheer and a lot of educational hope framed Dr. Kamela Patton’s first Town Hall meeting on Marco Island.

Patton has six months under her belt as Collier Schools Superintendent. On Monday, she stepped forward to involve the Marco Island community in improving schools and raising student achievement.

During a 45-minute presentation at Tommie Barfield Elementary, Patton outlined best practices for fast tracking students toward a successful future. Prior to the start of the Town Hall, Tommie Barfield Elementary Morning Singers performed a series of holiday songs. After her presentation, Patton answered questions.

“The number one thing parents can do today is read to their children, read with their children, have their children read to them; and most importantly, let their children see them reading,” Patton said.

She explained that schools in Collier Country face a huge “diversity divide” in pre-kindergarten classrooms. Regardless of whether children read or are read to in English, Spanish or Creole, the act of reading ultimately will improve proficiency, she said.

That could close the gap on first and second grade assessment tests. Currently, 70 percent of Collier County students reach acceptable levels while 30 percent of students fall below performance requirements.

Additionally, Patton plans to initiate standards-based progress reports for pre-kindergarten through second grade giving parents an exact description of performance deficiencies.

New this year for students in grades six and 10 will be computer-based testing. Digital testing gives teachers and administrators quicker results, Patton said. New technologies also will allow for additional end-of-course assessments for graduating seniors.

In 2012 and 2013 testing will remain the same. By 2014, students will need to show proficiency after completing algebra. By 2015, students taking algebra, geometry, biology and honor courses in those fields will be required to pass proficiency exams.

All testing was designed to move students from the schoolroom to the workplace, Patton said.

“Graduation is the best day in the whole year,” she explained, “but it’s also the worst day when youngsters cross that stage and have no idea what they’re going to do the next day.”

Collier County’s school system should be graduating students with 21st Century skills, Patton said. Her goal of introducing the STEM program – an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math – could make that possible. But as competition for college admissions grows, soft skills such as communicating, working in teams and project leadership need to be developed and showcased.

To do so, Patton instituted electronic portfolios to display student projects for college admissions or potential employment. Patton encouraged student participation in internships and mentoring to test whether a student’s career choice was a good fit.

Patton explained that Collier County is the only district in the state to purchase digital versions of textbooks that can be updated as events occur.

“It would take six years for something like Japan’s tsunami to hit textbooks,” Patton said. With the county system, information would be available within a few weeks for students to study.

Patton was asked for her view on school uniforms. She explained that dress codes were left to individual schools. On holding a daytime Town Hall, Patton said definitely for next year.

Hoping to fund more teachers and textbooks, Patton urged parents to vote in favor of 2012’s referendum to move $14 million from capital bricks and mortar projects to operations.