Kudo's to the Doings

So just who the heck or what the heck is the Doings? Well, it is a small newspaper publication (the Pioneer Press Publication) in the western suburb area just outside of Chicago, IL. Just this past Thursday, January 29th, an Opinion Piece written by Randy Blaser drew attention to a central issue in education today.

The article is titled, "We need a Marshall Plan for Education." Prior to reading the piece I must confess I was a bit on the skeptical side. Well, the piece was right on in so very many ways. In fact, it is a piece worthy of publication in any major publication in any large city in America.

Let me give you a small sample of the insight into Randy's thinking. He comments on the issue of being tardy to work. The point Mr. Blaser makes is that if an employee or two (a small number) is late, the entire department or firm gets a scolding or "memo about tardiness." Well, lo and behold, we make all types of rules and regulations, through bureaucratic agencies, that are suppose to apply to everyone even though not everyone is tardy.

That says Randy is one of the biggest problems in education today, we have rules, regulations and standardized tests for 100% of our schools even though the schools are in completely different situations. He implores us to look closely at where we are at. As Mr. Blaser says, "Some schools are doing just great. They don't need the extra money or bureaucratic hoops to jump through. We should just leave them alone." Give help where help is needed.

Randy implores us to help those in need and to 'leave well enough alone.'

Well said!!

Dick

Ask a Teacher

Students have numerous questions. They are always looking for answers and direction be it in the classroom, on the playground or on the field of play. That, in part, is what teachers spend a good deal of their day doing, addressing the questions and concerns of the kids. That's as it should be.

Let me take this a step further, I believe that the idea of posing questions - which means there is a dialogue - is a wise way to proceed. What I am advocating for is a scenario where dept. chairs, principals, asst. principals, and boards of education ask teachers "What do you need for the kids, what do you need to get the job done?"

This is about spending money this is about properly resourcing students and teachers while empowering them. Besides, what do you suppose good leaders do? In part, they attend to the needs of those they serve.

So, as I said, ask a teacher. Kids do and so should those who administer the schools.

Dick

Another Reform Notion

Education reform, better expressed as educational improvement, is not some silly game or prone to knee jerk reaction. The point is, to improve learning, get students engaged, to make learning instructive and to motivate students, requires time...lots of it. Teaching and learning that is meaningful is not something that can be altered or improved at the snap of ones fingers or the click on a computer.

Real progress and effective methods of instruction and student learning are time consuming and the habits that have to be acquired are in many respects timeless.

Students and teachers will have to spend hours reading, studying, preparing, analyzing and reflecting on a good deal of material. Questions need to asked and research is a necessity. The formula, in many regards, is known and someone declaring that unions are ruining education or that standardized testing remedies all is ills is missing the more critical points.

Please take heed!

Dick

Let me Refute that One!!

As part of the movement to really address the needs of students and educators, it might be wise to open up the channels of communication to find out the problems, concerns and needs in the classroom. No, I really want to hear from those in the trenches.

Without making a farce out of the trench analogy, wouldn't leaders of our nations' forces want to know what conditions or situations need to be addressed concerning the soldiers in the trenches? Is there a need for more ammunition, food, clothing and supplies? I fully understand that teaching isn't warfare but the point about getting the truth from the troops is critical.

To those who say that 'teachers will ask for everything,' forget it!! I have been in this situation on countless occasions and the staff will generally ask for only what is truly needed and warranted. Teachers aren't greedy, they are only looking for those tools and resources which will best him them deliver the goods.

By the way, if you don't believe this will work (asking staff what they need), try it!!

Dick

Education Reform Redefined

It is time for the people in the trenches to speak up concerning the reform movement most often driven by corporate America or those who have very little/no real knowledge of what is taking place in the classroom or what ought to occur. Talk to the teachers in almost any corner of America and you're likely to hear ideas which are strikingly different from those of the supposed 'reformers.'

By almost all accounts teachers will weigh in by advocating for their students. That's as it should be. Accordingly, what needs to change, then, is for school administrations and boards of education to take the step of asking staff what they most need to get the job done on behalf of the children. This may be a simple step but it is too often ignored.

Far too frequently, administration and boards dictate what programs will fly and how much money will be put into various budgets. This isn't too say funding isn't important. But the driving force has to be students and staff rather than the mere dictates of the 'higher ups.'

At the very least, let's get all the parties together to work on this in a constructive manner.

Dick

Make the Change

Since so many public school children are coming from environments of great poverty [and neglect] then it has not only serious implications for staffing and curriculum but it has urgent implications in terms of choices made by government bodies, taxing authorities and boards of education.

Unless these agencies understand and come to grips with the urgent social, behavioral and emotional needs of impoverished children and make the necessary adjustments there will be few opportunities for significant growth in learning during the school day for these kids. One can't expect kids, no matter their age, to be 'on top of their game' in the classroom when faced with ills that are attached to poverty.

I don't have all the answers to address what to do within the four walls of a school when faced with so many students who are coming to class with poverty related issues. What I do know is that I would ask the education experts for their advice before I, as a governing body or school board member, took any action.

Let the pro's initiate the proper programs to help children of poverty.

Dick

Making a Commitment

As I have reflected on the worsening crisis in public schools with regard to the number of children who attend school and live in poverty it makes sense to look at the plight of these children in a not so different manner than educating others. Here's where I am going with this...

Yes, the social, emotional and behavioral needs of those coming from a poor family and neighborhood may different from other students but, what isn't different is the fact that a commitment has to be made, long term, to attend to the needs of these students.

This is a crisis, for certain, but educators, the public, and government officials can't look at this as a three year plan or five year plan and then, at the end of this period of time, say that the program has worked or hasn't worked. A child's growth and ability to overcome severe problems can't be looked at in this manner.

We have to work to eradicate poverty and the attendant problems created by the scourge in addition to providing schools with the means to address its effects.

Dick

More on Slipping

As noted in yesterday's blog, 51% of all American public school children are now officially listed as impoverished. That certainly is devastating news and there are serious implications.

Given this type of hardship it makes sense to see to it that those public schools with a large population of students living under such hardships are provided with the proper emotional and behavioral support they need and deserve. In short, this means that schools can best address these urgent needs by having a sufficient staff of social workers and school psychologists. These are people trained to get to the heart of issues confronting the students and their families.

This dire situation also calls into need the fact that teachers must be attuned to those emotional and behavioral problems that children bring to school each day as a result of the problems which arise because of poverty. Having all staff on board with respect to how to best help students coming from this environment is an absolute must.

The above has to be addressed; otherwise, children of poverty will slip further through the cracks.

Dick

Slipping

For the first time in 50 years, as reported by the Southern Education Foundation, a majority of America's public school children come from poverty. A staggering 51% of all Pre K - high school students are eligible for free and reduced lunches according to the report which tracked impoverished school children during the 2012-13 school year.

These are children, as the author noted who "are less likely to have support at home, are less frequently exposed to enriching activities outside of school and are more likely to drop out and never attend college." And these are but a few of the hardships faced by these students.

What does this mean? The implications are many on different fronts and I will explore some of them this week.

Of most immediate concern is the fact that schools will have to make financial and program decisions that are, in part, driven by this scourge of poverty and neglect. Perhaps laptops and other technology needs have to be put on the back burner to address poverty driven problems. Psychological and social support systems will certain need to come to the fore and demand immediate attention. To be sure, the physical and mental problems that poverty exposes will have to be addressed asap.

It is a shame that those at the lower rungs keep slipping...

Dick

2015 Wish List

One of the most urgent needs in education is a call for our IEA, NEA and AFT to come together to agree to pressure local, state, and federal government agencies to enlist their help on at least two fronts.

First, our education associations need to make clear from the local levels to the Department of Education that teachers, in cooperation with local Boards of Education, are capable and willing to foster the proper tools to best evaluate teacher performance. I am not advocating an absence of such a instrument but it has to be one that has clear criteria and the people who are evaluating staff must understand what that criteria means and that they are capable (trained) to competently assess teacher performance.

Finally, teacher associations need to take a much more aggressive posture when it comes to the whole area of standardized testing. Right now students and instructors are pretty much at the mercy of non-education folks when it comes to this arena.

Yes, a 'wish list' but one that merits serious consideration.

Dick

Leave Teachers Alone

You bet, if parents have questions regarding their son and/or daughters, by all means, make a phone call or sit down with the various staff and hammer out the concerns and issues. The same holds true for students. That communication is critical for a variety of reasons. The kids and parents deserve answers and information.

That being said, I am tired of teachers being badgered at all hours of the day for all sorts of reasons and demands. Here's the deal. Give teachers, and other staff, the time and space to do their jobs; create lessons, work with other staff, teach the students, assess student progress and grade various instruments.

Right now, teachers have so much thrown their way that the essence of teaching and carrying out those responsibilities too often, because of others, gets pushed, to the dismay of staff, to the proverbial back burner.

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Dick

More on the American Dream

Last week I commented on the hardship endured by those living in poverty who want a better life but cannot afford the vehicle(s) to transport themselves to a better stage in life. Of course we are referring to the high cost of a college education, something clearly out of the reach of those on live on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.

As further evidence that many of the poor remain so, the Jim Tankersley Washington Post story reports that a person gaining only a high school diploma in 2012 earns less than 20% of the national median income.

What does that mean? It boils down to the fact that it is not only difficult for the poor to get the funds to attend college, but those who do gain but a high school education are falling further behind the rest of the pack. No doubt, sadly, those folks will likely never realize the mirage that is the American Dream.

Dick

Homeless, Cold, and Children

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are 147,000 homeless people in the city of Chicago. That is an incredible number and I am, during this cold snap, thinking about how many school age children are homeless. It has to be a significant number.

Any of these children, and others, who we can provide with warm clothes and other school resources is most crucial. I am left wondering just how on earth cold, homeless students are expected to march on in the classroom and meet someone else's expectations for success. They have enough on their plates just to survive.

Whatever their needs, let's continue to assist those in need.

Dick

Higher Education and Wages

The ticket to a middle class or a higher standard of living is tied closely to one obtaining a college education. And the bottom line is this...a university (college of juco) education seems to be getting more expensive by the day. As I mentioned yesterday, this leaves those in poverty a in real bind since coming up with the money for college is so very problematic.

Many who live in poverty and have jobs are employed in positions which pay the minimum wage. That minimum wage isn't enough to live on much less provide funds for college. In fact, having two full times jobs paying minimum wage won't do the trick. Now you can see why so many are fighting for an increase in the minimum wage in this country.

For those parents who want to see their children advance on to get a college degree, paying these folks what they merit for their work should be a no-brainer. There is some movement on the positive side in terms of paying fair wages but much remains to be done. Until this situation is really remedied then a college education will remain out of the reach of the poor.

Dick

The Paradox of Escaping Poverty

That's not my title concerning the absolute roadblocks that those living in poverty face. It comes from a well researched article from Sundays Chicago Tribune. In essence, as if we needed someone to tell us this, the piece states that as the gap widens between the rich and poor, it becomes harder to move into even the lowest rungs of the middle class.

Tankersley's story puts holes in the argument that one can escape poverty by getting a college education.

As those in the middle strive to move forward they do so largely because they obtain a college education. When one lives in poverty there are many challenges just to get through high school let alone college. Since college is the 'ticket' and a college education gets more expensive then those in poverty, who can't afford to pay those high tuition fees, are left behind.

So the opportunities for those living in poverty to move forward is further complicated, beyond obstacles already embedded because of effects of poverty, because these good people lack the means to pay for a university education. In fact, a poor person, who could well be fairly bright, may have no chance to realize the 'American Dream' through no fault of their own. What a shame.

Dick

New Year Musings

2015 marks the 8th year of the founding of Schools Count Corp and the 10th year of our charitable work! I never envisioned that so many people would step forward to help those in need. The many donors of time, energy and money have been incredible and this group of generous people seems to grow as the years pass. Those who collect coats, music instruments and classroom supplies continues to amaze me in terms of not just the sheer volume but in terms of the length of the sustainability of your efforts.

The call to action remains and the work to help those in need goes on. As we work to help those afflicted by natural disasters or the cruelty of poverty and neglect, no matter the causes for such harm, I want to invite you to continue to assist us as we endeavor to help those in need.

Many children simply don't have school supplies, various educational opportunities or they lack the proper clothing and/or nutrition in order to encounter success in the classroom. The kids need you and I'd be appreciative of your continued support. Let's make 2015 a year for children-in-need a year that will allow the students the opportunity to excel and grow.

Many thanks,
Dick