The folks at Edutopia asked educational professionals what they would do to save public education? Here are some of the suggestions I thought well worth considering:
“Create a nationwide 24-hour cable television network that gives English as a second language, literacy, and basic skills instruction.” Victor I. King: President, Board of Trustees Glendale Community College Glendale, California
“Require all administrators to teach at least one class per day at some level.” John Stallcup Founder, APREMAT/USA Napa, California
“Fund the arts in education. The first programs that are cut when budgets are tight: musicand art programs. These programs have the greatest potential to develop dendrites in thebrain and a love of learning and of school.” Jackie H. Daniilidis. Principal, Estelle Elementary School Jefferson Parish School System Louisiana
“Make parents more accountable for student attendance, and encourage parents to show respect to the teachers. Unfortunately, when parents don’t find attendance important, then neither do the students. The same goes with respect. Most parents today immediately get involved if a teacher tries to discipline a student but normally feel their child is in the right and the teacher is wrong. This is a big shift from the ’60s and ’70s, when, if you got in trouble at school, you could be sure to get in trouble when you got home. Teachers don’t seem to be viewed as the authority figure that they once were. It is great that parents are more involved, but that involvement should include respect for the teacher’s authority in the classroom. Many parents refuse to believe that their child could
do anything wrong.” Theresa Jackson Pierce ; Staff Development/Technology Associate Microsoft Office 2000 Master Instructor New Castle Community Schools
“Do not allow corporate contracts with school districts, e.g., Coke or Pepsi, and do not allow soda or junk food sales. This theory of letting kids ‘choose’ is just plain silly. You wouldn’t expect a child to ‘choose’ between reading and playing video games, would you?” Kelly Haarmeyer Parent and California Department of Education Employee Sacramento, California
“Promote teacher Web sites. My Web site, myschoolonline.com/nh/mrs5st, is very successful. It motivates students to be the best student they can be, and rewards them by posting their names for awards as well as displaying their projects (via digital pictures) on the site. Students can practice current subject matter on the site in the quiz lab, which increases learning and raises grades.” Wendy Tetrault
Retired Teacher Manchester, New Hampshire
“Attract more male teachers.” Dr. Richard Kimball: Professor, University of the West Rosemead, California Barbara Schwartz-Bechet: Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Graduate Special Education Bowie State University/University System of Maryland
“Increase funding for schools. At present most corporations are required to make grants to nonprofit corporations, and they often do so for educational purposes. Pass laws that would allow corporate giving to go directly to schools instead of the current practice requiring schools to apply for those grants, which is time-consuming for school
administrators and brings in funds only in small amounts, $1,000 to $5,000.” Dennis Deliman: Rolling Hills Charter School Paulden, Arizona
“Give teachers only one job: to teach (no more than four classes a day). Hire others to coach, tutor, etc. Give teachers a budget each year that allows them to decide what to buy for their students/classroom. Require a small percentage of this to go toward meaningful professional development—again, allowing them to decide which workshop or class would benefit them the best. Provide an individualized professional development plan for each teacher, to which they have given input. For new teachers, this plan would place them with a suitable mentor teacher and plenty of planning time.” Chelsy Hooper: Computer Teacher Nashville, Tennessee
“First I would proclaim myself Queen of Education with an annual operating budget of $1 billion. I understand that money does not solve all problems but it’s a good start.
1) I’d change the school day to 9:00 to 4:00. Before and after care would be from 8 until 7 and free of charge. However, families would have to be approved on a case-by-case basis to get both. Every child would receive a free breakfast, lunch, and snack. Instructional time would end at 1:00. Classroom teachers would then have planning time and professional development and a decent lunch hour. After lunch and recess, students would participate in special classes including art, music (vocal and instrumental), physical education, foreign language, and character education (that includes team building, peer mediation, anger management, and conflict resolution). These activities would be carried out by special teachers who had their planning period and professional development in the mornings. There would be a cadre of paraprofessionals for lunch and recess duty.
2) Every school in this nation would be entitled to a makeover. No more dingy, dank, and dark restrooms and faulty plumbing. Full-spectrum lights. Large windows that open and close. State- of-the-art play areas with age-appropriate equipment for all children, from tiny 3-year-olds in pre-kindergarten to sixth graders who at age 12 are five feet eight inches tall and 170 pounds. Gardens with benches and observation booths.
3) Instructional and behavioral professionals and paraprofessionals. An aide in every classroom. A supernanny in every school. High-caliber workshops and tuition assistance.
4) Each member of the school staff, from the principal to the janitor to the lunch server to the nurse, would get professional development and a mini grant of $1,000 that could be carried over for up to three years. Each would design a project to benefit the school from buying books to children to purchasing environmentally friendly cleaning supplies or chalk.” Seledia Shepherd: Parent Volunteer Amidon Elementary School Washington, D.C.
“Create a nationwide 24-hour cable television network that gives English as a second language, literacy, and basic skills instruction.” Victor I. King: President, Board of Trustees Glendale Community College Glendale, California
“Require all administrators to teach at least one class per day at some level.” John Stallcup: Founder /USA Napa, California
“Teaching the guidelines of the academic content standards is a MUST; it’s how it’s done that can be the difference of retention with students. As a music teacher I believe in cultural education through music performance. Students need to be challenged and realize learning can be fun.” Charles Ferrara: Turpin High School BandsTeacher, Instrumental Music, Grades 4-12 Forest Hills School District Cincinnati, Ohio
“Fund the arts in education. The first programs that are cut when budgets are tight: music and art programs. These programs have the greatest potential to develop dendrites in the brain and a love of learning and of school.” Jackie H. Daniilidis: Principal, Estelle Elementary School Jefferson Parish School System Louisiana
“Make parents more accountable for student attendance, and encourage parents to show respect to the teachers. Unfortunately, when parents don’t find attendance important, then neither do the students. The same goes with respect. Most parents today immediately get involved if a teacher tries to discipline a student but normally feel their child is in the right and the teacher is wrong. This is a big shift from the ’60s and ’70s, when, if you got in trouble at school, you could be sure to get in trouble when you got home. Teachers don’t seem to be viewed as the authority figure that they once were. It is great that parents are more involved, but that involvement should include respect for the teacher’s authority in the classroom. Many parents refuse to believe that their child could do anything wrong.”: Theresa Jackson Pierce: Staff Development/Technology Associate Microsoft Office 2000 Master Instructor New Castle Community Schools
From: edutopia.ord. EDUTOPIA JUNE/JULY 2005