To the Editor,
An important but little noted race on the November 3rd general election ballot is that for member of the State Board of Education from the 5th District. I have been particularly impressed by the candidacy of Dr. Christina Collins for that office.
Dr. Collins’ world revolves around public education. As a mother of four and as an educator with 12 years of teaching and administrative experience, her focus as been to improve the quality of the education that her children and all students receive. Dr. Collins will provide an educator’s voice on the State Board. She will advocate for a refocus on supporting public education across the Buckeye State.
As a State Board of Education member, Christina Collins will strive to decrease the growing and misguided emphasis on standardized testing. In the last decade, Ohio has seen an overemphasis on testing that now requires multiple state tests in all grades from Kindergarten Readiness Assessments through state-provided SATs and ACTs. Dr. Collins has rightly stated, “This excessive testing is not good for Ohio’s kids.”
I am impressed, too, that Dr. Collins has brought her campaign to Richland County, one of 8 counties in the sprawling 5th District. She has spoken electronically to groups that included persons from Plymouth, Shelby, Ontario, Mansfield, Lexington, Lucas, and Bellville. She has been eager to hear our thoughts about schools, students, and education.
If we elect Christina Collins to the State Board of Education, we will get our educational system back on track and refocus our efforts on what’s best for Ohio’s kids.
Garland John Gates
Shelby, Ohio
