EdSource: Schools Need to ‘Get Creative’ in Tough Economy

It’s no secret that California’s schools are in crisis.

That's according to Louis Freedberg, the new executive director of Mountain View-based , adding that it’s time to just accept the fact, stop looking for who’s to blame and start getting creative.

“The public shows no inclination at all of changing things,” Freedberg said, matter-of-factly. “So, I don’t think it’s going to change any time soon.”

Freedberg came to EdSource, a nonprofit research organization that focuses solely on California’s education system, a few months ago with decades of related experience, including many years of working directly in schools, as well as at the San Francisco Chronicle. Freedberg, also helped found California Watch, a watchdog journalism organization that focuses on important issues across the state.

California’s budget crisis, explained Freedberg, and how it trickles down into public schools and forces drastic cutbacks, is truly a tragedy. However, he feels it’s time to stop lamenting the fact and start to focus on solutions.

In other words, Freedburg stressed, stop waiting around for the legislators in Sacramento to come through, because it’s not likely to happen.

"Research shows people do think taxes should be increased and more funding should be given to schools, but when it comes to 'their money,' it's a different story," he said.

In other words, everyone thinks it should come from somewhere else.

Therefore, Freedberg shared, schools need to start getting creative. Not just in how they come up with money to fill the gaps, but also in terms of how they offer students innovative learning opportunities. These could help them keep up with today’s ever-changing world of technology, so they emerge from school with skills poised to help them succeed in today’s difficult job market.

"We’re going to have to try and figure out a way to spend the funds we have more efficiently," he said. "In California, that’s a challenge. But we have no other choice."

Under Freedberg's direction, EdSource will focus on a nationwide search to identify schools that can change the face of education today; schools that are finding new ways to stretch their funds, calling for more community resources, and really using innovative ways to teach modern skills to their students.

Then, EdSource plans to share these "best practices" with the public, statewide.

"We need to look closely at what kind of community resources are available to public schools. Such as, are their college students that can come to tutor, or volunteer? Local professionals? Rotary Clubs?" he said. "Take a closer look at forming formal partnerships between schools and community organizations and resources like colleges."

One example would be the Art Docent programs a handful of Bay Area school districts offer, such as in Los Altos and Los Gatos, in which local artists help train other volunteer adults in the community to teach art in schools that can’t afford art teachers. He said, schools that can’t afford music teachers could try something similar by finding local musicians willing to donate their time to teach music in schools.

"I’m not saying this is a substitute, but given what’s happening, we need to be creative in coming up with some solutions while the state muddles through this extraordinary downturn we’re in."

Another unfortunate consequence of the state’s budget crisis is that class sizes are growing larger, and there is less money to hire additional teachers. Larger class sizes usually means teachers are spread too thin to be able to work individually with students at different levels.

"That’s not good," he said. "Kids need to be challenged regardless of what their test scores are. We don’t want kids getting bored, regardless of how they’re performing."

One school Freedberg thinks is doing a great job of addressing that issue is in Los Altos. Thanks to incredible fundraising efforts by the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, Santa Rita has purchased iPads for a few of its math classes. Now the classes work have a great tool to use as LASD expands its online math pilot program, started in partnership with Sal Khan, founder of the .

The program also helps to bring its students into the 21st century, said Freedberg and Sandra McGonagle, the principal of Santa Rita.

"The kids are working online and it gives them such a great opportunity to work individually and work at their own pace," McGonagle said.

She added, it’s a great thing for the teachers as well, who are able to "make instructional changes on the fly" thanks to the ease of the online program.

The program has been seeing great success with the students, and now .