Hosted by The Center for
Education Reform
Hosted by The Center for
Education Reform
EDUCATION'S BEST, WORST FOR 1996
by Dr. Michael E. Tomlin
The Signature, January 2, 1997
A new year rolls in and the time is ripe for making our resolutions. Yet we must not forget the year that has just gone by. Like most years it consisted of educational triumphs and failures -- triumphs and failures that must be learned from, and then used as the foundation for our resolutions. The cart must not get in front of the horse.
First, the bad news. The biggest educational debacle of 1996 was undoubtedly the Oakland, California School Board's decision to declare bad English an official language. The School Board determined that many of their black students were struggling in their classes because they used street language and slang, or so-called Black English, also so-so-called "Ebonics." Rather than setting standards for English the School Board "dumbed itself down" by recognizing the slang as a language that can be taught and then used as a bridge to standard English. The minority children in Oakland would be much better served by the School Board finding a short bridge over the Bay from which to take a long walk.
Bad news number two, the "Grinch" Award goes to the Pittston, Pennsylvania teachers who saw fit to engage in a six week strike. Putting their selfish personal contract desires ahead of the children had them in school on Thanksgiving Day and only one day off for Christmas. There was a time in America when employees worked for the people who paid them. Now far too many work for their own self interest or for the benefit of their union without regard for loyalty to those who pay their salaries. Not only was the Pittston situation a poor example for the children, it gave fuel to the argument for market-based competitive schools. Why do citizens want educational vouchers? Look no farther.
The third place winner in the bad news category for education in 1996 goes to President Clinton. Not only did he, as Candidate Clinton, wiggle, waiver, and waffle on educational choice and charter schools but he as much as admitted that our public schools were a failure while accepting the endorsement of the Nation's largest teacher's union. Go figure on this one. Clinton promised over one billion new dollars to insure that children could read by the third grade, and many millions to provide so-called school to work programs. Don't we already have a program to teach children to read by the third grade? Don't we call it first and second grade? And don't we already have a school-to-work program? Don't we call it "school?" Voter bribing and money throwing is a bipartisan activity and it disserves education every time, and this one is no different.
But there was good educational news in 1996. One of the best stories I came upon is from Houston where their KIP or Knowledge Is Power program is dramatically raising math and reading test scores of fifth and six graders. The beauty of the program is that it is teacher driven and establishes high standards for all children regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The teachers maintain an after school homework help line and provide assistance to students and parents who telephone with questions. Other teachers volunteer in shifts to make house calls and assist with both specific homework problems and establishing study space, habits, and priorities in the home and with the students' families. These teachers have established a goal for the year 2007 for all of this year's students to graduate from college. Congratulations to these teachers for their vision, courage, initiative, and refusal to accept failure or excuses. Are you listening Pittston?
Educational award number two for 1996 goes to the charter school movement. These public schools are popping up everywhere and are conceived, organized and run by outstanding teachers and caring and involved parents. There are currently over 480 of these schools now in the U.S. operating in seventeen states and the District of Columbia. This is school reform done right. The public's money stays in the public sector, teachers and parents develop outstanding educational programs, and students attend by choice. Charter schools are truly a win-win program and their continued growth across America is guaranteed.
My third educational award for the past year goes to the National Teacher Leadership Academy. This three year old annual program held in pristine McCall, Idaho attracts the finest educators from many states. In a camp and adventure environment they develop incredible relationships with others and within, and leave even stronger than they came. I have experienced this one first hand and can attest that the participants and faculty develop bonds that remain strong and active long after the T-shirts and singing have faded. The Academy teaches lessons of self-reliance and leadership for educators at all levels, and darn near makes them "victim-proof" in a time when being a victim is seemingly easier than stepping forward and being a leader.
That is what my three success awards are for this year - stepping forward. For if America needs one thing it is for those of us in education to step up to the plate. To partner with parents and businesses like the Charter Schools folks, and to not accept excuses for not improving. To behave like the Houston teachers in the KIP program, who, like the students they teach refuse to make excuses or allow themselves to be victims. And like the Teacher Academy faculty and graduates who just say "no" to mediocrity and self-limiting thinking.
Yes, the new year is just beginning - let's see who is ready to step forward in .1997. I much prefer writing about the success awards rather than the embarrassments. And I will be watching.
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Dr. Michael E. Tomlin is an education columnist.