Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789
1100 - EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Revised
12/3/79
3/3/80
12/2/85
9/8/93
The Edmonds School District and its Board of Directors subscribe to the following statements:
School exists for children. The proper growth and development of students is the basic concern of society that has led to establishment and support of our system of education. In development of good social and technical competence of students and a good personal character, no other member of the educational staff occupies a position of such paramount importance as the classroom teacher. The teacher is the key individual in fulfilling this high calling.
Service on the Board of Directors is a public trust of the highest order. Hope for the extension, improvement and lasting success of democracy rests heavily upon free public education and, in turn on the stewardship of the school Board member who is custodian of the rights of every American child. The welfare of all boys and girls in the district shall be the primary objective underlying all decisions of the Board.
The Board believes that the ultimate purpose of schools is the education and development of each student to the reasonable limits of his/her individual abilities, so that he/she may become a well-rounded persons who is able to function effectively not only as an individual but also as a contributing member of society. To attain this goal, the Board recognizes that it must seek to offer:
- A curriculum presenting a sound educational core as well as supplemental diversified courses, so that the student, besides obtaining a sound basic education, may have the opportunity of amplifying and developing his/her interests.
- Guidance and counseling to aid the student seeking and achieving educational goals.
- The best teaching staff available, in conformity with the financial resources of the district; recognizing that teaching ability cannot be divorced from a genuine interest in the individual student, awareness of that student's abilities and insistence upon his/her seeking to work to apply himself to the reasonable limit of those abilities.
- The construction and maintenance of economical, functional educational buildings and facilities in order to aid the achievement of desired educational objectives.
The Board recognizes that schools cannot and should not attempt to replace the home as the essential element in development of the individual. The obligation of the school district rests in educating the student to his/her individual benefit, and therefore, to the ultimate benefit of all.
The Board feels that our schools should do their part to enable all of our children to grow up to become competent, responsible, reasonably happy members of society.