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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 15, 2015 4A EDITORIALS How to Contact Officials Standardized tests for nonstandard kids Humans come in all shapes, sizes and colors — and abilities. Students are no different. So why are they all test- ed with one test while in school? This is the debate around standardized testing, which in Oregon means Smarter Balanced. The test is supposed to show that all students — regardless of shape, size, race, ori- gin or mental ability — are being taught the same stan- dards and not discriminated against. A test of the standards that all children should be taught in school sounds, on the surface, like a good idea. But that’s not what’s happening. Students are being coached on how to pass the tests. El- ementary school kids are being taught how to use the com- puter specifically to take these tests, because they aren’t in- tuitive. The tests are high stakes, with roughly $140 million in federal funding on the line for school districts through- out Oregon. If these tests are truly just testing whether or not stu- dents are learning the standards — math and language skills expected of high school graduates — then extra time coaching and prepping students should not be required. Just teach them the standards and let the test determine whether the students have learned said standards. Standardized testing is a result of the No Child Left Be- hind beast. Regardless of how the name changes on this monster, the idea of 100 percent of students succeeding re- mains. While the concept is a good one in theory, it neglects to provide the means necessary to accomplish the ends. Funding continues to dwindle to pay for education, K-12 and higher education. Students are not “standard.” Students who struggle because of intellectual or physi- cal disabilities, those whose native language differs from English, or those who find themselves bored because they are talented and gifted, and therefore not challenged by curriculum — these students are being left behind, and standardized testing is not helping. The topic is a 20-sided die, with many facets and argu- ments. We see the need for a way to test students, and also how student results could be useful for teacher evalua- tions. At the same time, it feels like K-12 schools have become an experimental educational laboratory as districts strug- gle to jump through whatever new hoop legislators throw their way. It is unfortunate that so much rides on these tests as far as the federal government is concerned. Rather than pro- vide avenues for schools to give students opportunities to succeed, the feds have chosen to punish those who won’t conform to take the tests. While that attitude may be changing, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and changes have not been signed into law yet. Oregon is taking a risk by allowing parents the freedom to choose to opt out of standardized testing. With budgets tight everywhere, federal education dollars aren’t some- thing to sneeze at. However, the education revolution has to start some- where. PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for gov- ernmental and nongovernmental agencies in Polk County. To submit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503- 623-2395) or email (ionews@polkio.com). — WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. • Chemeketa Community College Board of Education — 7 p.m., Salem Campus, building 2, room No. 170, 4000 Lancaster Drive, Salem. 503-399-2517. THURSDAY, JULY 16 • Polk County Fair Board — 8 a.m., Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Main Building, Meeting Room No. 2, 520 S. Pa- cific Highway (99W), Rickreall. 503-623-3048. • Dallas Economic Development Committee — Noon, City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Independence Parks and Recreation Board — 6 p.m., In- dependence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503- 838-1212. • Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. MONDAY, JULY 20 • Dallas School Board — 5:30 p.m. work session, District of- fice board room, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594. • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dal- las. 503-831-3502. TUESDAY, JULY 21 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Independence Historic Preservation Commission — 4 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. GOVERNOR Gov. Kate Brown (Dem.) 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-378-4582 Email: via website, http://governor.oregon.gov/ — STATE LEGISLATORS Sen. Arnie Roblan (District 5, Democrat) S-417 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 sen.arnieroblan@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/roblan LETTERS TO THE EDITOR County gravel roads need fixing My wife and I live on Highland Road, one of the 250 miles of gravel roads in Polk County. Over the past two years, we have had 17 flat tires and three destroyed tires caused by or destroyed by sharp rocks on the road. I have taken two of the destroyed tires to show to the county commissioners. I was told on both visits that Polk County has the best roads of any county in the state and that the com- missioners are proud of their roads. When I asked if 17 flat tires and three destroyed tires are normal for well- maintained roads, I was told to just buy heavy duty, more expensive, truck tires for my cars. When the roads are grad- ed or fresh rock is spread on the road surface, the driving public is used to compact the sharp rocks back into the road surface. Our rubber tires are used instead of a steel drum roller as compactors. De- stroyed tires and flats are to be expected. Polk County is an urban county that is right next door to the state capital, not an eastern rural county. We have miles of 19th century roads with a lot of 21st century traffic. Little has been done to improve these antiquated roads over the past 20 years. It seems like there is little long-term planning and a lot of just getting by. Am I the only one driving in Polk County having tire damage due to poor roads? I urge any driver who has had tire problems caused by the poor roads of Polk County to call the commis- sioners and voice their con- cerns. Michael Henich Independence Help finding lost spouse appreciated I would like to thank the many people who helped find my misplaced husband in the power chair on July 9. I wasn’t able to thank you all personally for your kind- ness and concern: Thank You. Michelle Hunter Dallas WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, ob- scene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or individuals will not be printed. Letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a busi- ness, products or services will not be printed. Letter writers who disagree with other published letter writ- ers should maintain a civil dis- course and address the subject, not the author. Letters, like all editorial mate- rial submitted to the newspaper, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the au- thor’s name, address and tele- phone number. Names and cities of residence are published; street addresses and telephone numbers are used for verifica- tion purposes only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- tions, and must be original sub- missions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to busi- nesses, individuals and organi- zations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. — Reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338. Fax: 503-623-2395. Email: ionews@polkio.com. Office: 147 SE Court St., Dallas. Sen. Jackie Winters (District 10, Republican) S-301 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1710 sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/winters Sen. Brian Boquist (District 12, Republican) S-305 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1712 sen.brianboquist@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/boquist Rep. David Gomberg (District 10, Democrat) H-471 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1410 rep.davidgomberg@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg Rep. Paul Evans (District 20, Democrat) H-281 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1420 rep.paulevans@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans Rep. Mike Nearman (District 23, Republican) H-378 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1423 rep.mikenearman@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/nearman — U.S. CONGRESS Sen. Ron Wyden (Dem.) 221 Dirksen SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-5244 Fax: 202-228-2717 Salem office: 707 13th St. SE, Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-589-4555 Email: via website, www.wyden.senate.gov National ‘Give Something Away’ Day is today National Give Something Away Day is cel- ebrated annually on July 15. This is a day to give something to someone. It can be some- thing that is a basic necessity like shoes or clothing or something more frivolous like flowers or a balloon bouquet. Spend time with someone in a hospital or just call some- one to let them know you are thinking about them. National Give Something Away Day is a day to pay it forward and do something nice for someone, whether it is someone you know or a stranger. Celebrate by buying lunch for someone in need. Buy a cup of coffee for the person be- hind you in line at the coffee shop. Go through your closet and donate clothing you no longer wear to a good cause. Post on so- cial media using #GiveSomethingAwayDay to encourage others to join in paying it for- ward. Sen. Jeff Merkley (Dem.) 313 Hart SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Salem office: 495 State St. SE, Suite 330, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-362-8102 Email: via website, www.merkley.senate.gov Rep. Kurt Schrader (Dem.) 108 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-5711 Fax: 202-225-5699 Salem office: 544 Ferry St. SE, Suite 2, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-588-9100 Fax: 503-588-5517 Email: via website, www.schrader.house.gov — POLK COUNTY Board of Commissioners 850 Main St. Dallas, OR 97338 Phone: 503-623-8173 www.co.polk.or.us — CITIES Dallas 187 SE Court St. Dallas, OR 97338 503-623-2338 www.ci.dallas.or.us Falls City 299 Mill St. Falls City, OR 97344 503-787-3631 www.fallscityoregon.gov Independence 555 S. Main St. Independence, OR 97351 503-838-1212 www.ci.independence.or.us Monmouth 151 W. Main St. Monmouth, OR 97361 503-838-0722 www.ci.monmouth.or.us HOW TO REACH US Vol. 140, No. 28 (USPS) - 437-380) The official newspaper of Polk County • Serving Polk County families since 1875 Winner of 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 General Excellence Awards from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, OR, Independence, OR and Monmouth, OR. Published weekly at 147 SE Court Street Dallas, Oregon 97338 Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Polk County — One Year $27 Other Oregon Counties — One Year $33 Outside of Oregon — One Year $38 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338 The Polk County Itemizer-Observer assumes no financial responsibility for errors in adver- tisements. It will, however, reprint without charge for the portion of an advertisement which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault. NEWSROOM Nancy Adams ...............Publisher/Editor .............................................................nadams@polkio.com Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com Emily Mentzer ..............Monmouth/Independence Reporter ..................ementzer@polkio.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING Heidi Leppin .................Display Advertising Manager ....................................hleppin@polkio.com Rachel Best ....................Display Advertising.............................................................rbest@polkio.com Karen Sanks...................Client Services ...................................................................ksanks@polkio.com CLASSIFIED LINE ADVERTISING Dawn Ohren .....................................................................................................................ioads@polkio.com PRODUCTION Kathy Huggins ..............................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Karyn Pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com BOOKKEEPING Pat Letsch ......................................................................................................................pletsch@polkio.com Web: www.polkio.com Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395