Author calls for “one team, one goal” to improve public school education
by D. C. Sistrunk
Improving the quality of public school education cannot be accomplished without the collaboration of school, home and community. That is the basis of Educational Reform: The Role and Responsibility of School, Parents, Students and Communities by Carletta D. Washington.
Washington is a St. Louis educator. She works off the premise that “one team, one goal” is critical in fostering improved student achievement and preparing our children for their journey into the real world. The message holds as much value for parents as it does the education community and policy makers.
The author makes many compelling points when she addresses educators – from superintendents and school board members to classroom teachers. Among her key points:
• The keys to education are inside each and every educator.
• In the midst of all that drives [them], educators must reclaim the respect that so rightfully belongs to them and their profession.
Washington also goes into great detail about the importance of parent involvement. She offers specific tips to teachers and parents on how to better engage each other – on the importance of working together to achieve common goals.
Washington's book is a must-read for anyone who values academic success for all children, empowered teachers and informed parents. It centers around that often-quoted African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Educational Reform: The Role and Responsibility of School, Parents, Students and Communities is published by Prioritybooks Publications of St. Louis. For more information about the book or its author, visit Prioritybooks.com or Washington's website, Education 4 All.
Tags: Books, Education Reform, Education, Education 4 All, Media by Sistrunk
9 comments:
This is great! America schools are not where they should be. Student achievement is at an all time low. To help effect change it is going to take all of us to help our children. If students are really going to have a successful education, parents, the schools and the community must work hand in hand.
Rose: Thanks for your insight.
First things first.
Spectacular site. Love it. I can go on and on about education, but I am going to make it short.
Educators are not as valued as they were in the past. Some of my BEST k-12 experiences don't necessarily come from my childhood friends; but the relationships that I had with my educators/cross trained with what I received at home.
There are a myriad of factors that are preventing (1) a successful transition into primary, and advanced education, and (2) effective social skills in order to be a positive producing adult. These two go hand in hand. I could go on and on but I will not.
A successful education is the by-product of so many other factors that are in place, either by sheer will, or by being placed on the path by someone telling you - You can make it, you can DO THIS!
I'm not going to even factor in socio-economic barriers, I'll be on this all day.
Number two: Thank you for visiting my site, and I'm glad you liked it.
P: You have made some very valid comments. Research shows that children who succeed in school usually have a long-term relationship with an adult in the school - an adult who expresses concern about the student and keeps him or her inspired. In other words, that child has a mentor. That adult may be a teacher. He/She may also be a principal, counselor or other member of the staff.
Our parents' and grandparents' generation had a whole community who took an interest in each child's education. For the most part, that sense of community no longer exists in the U.S.
If you are interested in other issues related to education, you may want to check out my other site, Education by Sistrunk, at http://dcsistrunk.blogspot.com.
Thank you for stopping by. It's always good to hear other voices.
You may want to check out the three short postings by 'I Me My' at
iditis.blogspot.com
titled Teacher the revolutionary, Teacher the activist, and Teacher the friend.
Great article Sis! (Other than your talent, I really love the values that you generously share to us).
I agree with MsRose, parents, schools and community must work hand in hand.
Anonymous: Interesting posts. Thanks for the heads up.
AsianSmiles: Thanks. I have a great deal of respect for Ms. Rose, the book's author, Carletta Washington, and YOU!
It is an honor to read such wonderful comments! It is my goal to reach more individuals so that an even greater number become more involved in the education process. We are at such a crucial time. It is imperative that everyone works together to help resolve education issues.
Carletta: It's an honor to hear from the author herself. Yes, it is a crucial time in education. You can already see that others agree. We look forward to hearing more from you. Thank you for stopping by.
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