Talk Priority Schools

By Amy Buffenbarger

The National Education Association hosted a National Summit on Family, School, and Community Engagement last week in Alexandria, Va where educators, education leaders, parents, family and community activists, business leaders and representatives of the faith community met for two days of small group and panel discussions.

Participants shared success stories and discussed the challenges faced with strengthening the bonds between families, communities and their public schools. Parents work hard and don’t have much time to visit their childrens’ classrooms. Sometimes there are language barriers between educators and families. Legislators don’t prioritize family and community involvement as highly as they should. Some educators could use more training in reaching out to parents. In other cases, the education system has changed so much since the parents were in school, they simply don’t understand it anymore. read more »

By Cynthia Kain

We rarely miss/pass up an opportunity to network with other public education advocates. And this week, dozens of educators, school board members, after school program directors, administrators, foundation officers, etc etc attending the Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative conference came together to share ideas and strategies around Transforming Public Education for African-American Youth.

The challenges facing African American students and in particular black male youth is well documented. At we received yet another reminder this summer. The Schott Foundation said out of 50 states one half have grad rates below the national average.  No one at the gathering needed to be reminded of the consequences of inaction.

Instead the focus was what’s working that could be scaled up?  What are the right policies states/school districts should adopt.  What needs to happen at individual schools? What role do parents play? What can students do to take charge of their own education?

The central question for the Priority Schools campaign? Can our work in Priority Schools make an impact with black youth? Can what educators in schools that some would rather write off turn things around for black youth?  Big question. What do you think?

From The Record in Stockton, CA, some interesting detail in a report from Roosevelt Elementary about starting work on the Transformation model, beginning with the new school motto: “Collaborate! Empower! Succeed!”

“Collaboration has been ongoing since the transformation model was adopted. Last week outside the Roosevelt office, (the leadership team including teachers) wrote their goals for the first 30, 60 and 90 days of the new year on sticky notes and covered the wall with them. Among the items on the wish list:  ‘Info for parents on homework and minutes of home reading’ and ‘clear procedures for updating info for new or existing students’ and planning of a ‘family math night.’

“Empowerment will come through portfolios all 483 students are expected to receive on opening day. The students will maintain the portfolios through the year, chronicling their own progress and reminding them of the gains they have made.

There also will be student-led conferences where children will share their successes and challenges with parents and teachers, with whom they will work to develop academic and social goals. Increasing parent involvement through regular school events is another part of the package.

“…teachers unions universally have deep reservations about their members being evaluated based on test scores. The district and the Stockton Teachers Association have not reached an accord on this issue…Despite the challenges, (the ‘school leaders’) seem to be onboard with the transformation. This week, there was a clear common thread in comments from several of them: hopefulness.

“’I feel our administration is wonderful,’ fourth-grade teacher Sheryl Simmons said. ‘(The principal) wants input from everyone. It’s driven from everyone. I love everyone I work with. We’re different but the same. We want the best for the children. It’s not just a job. It’s life.’”