Now that the die has been cast, what shall the end be?

[Anthony Ingram]

I was at a CAC Leadership Class on 2/20 and we met at Sarah Moore Green Elementary. The topic of the day was education and part of the day included a presentation by Superintendant Mullins on the AE and Fulton restructuring.

1. Has anyone else seen the plan?
2. Thoughts?

I did not study it indepth (they gave us a handout of a recent PPT) but it looks like it has potential. Of course, there is a whole lot of "mix in the mix" ---- nothing will be perfect overnight and the overall plan is a 3-5 timeframe --- and add to that, the education bar in TN is being raised. I know that we have to produce better students to meet the increased challenges and demands of the global economy - but - every student does NOT want or need to go to college to be a success in life - but - every student WILL have to have/pass Physics and Algebra II to graduate??

Sheesh!

[Cathy McCaughan]

I think the new graduation requirements were genius and stupid all rolled into one. Great for students who will seek post graduation education of any variety. One burden too many for the students who just want to get done with school and get out. The new requirements should be for college track students. Career track students should have more technical classes required and less academic courses required.

[beenthere_donethat]

Seems as though some are trying to re-invent the wheel. These plans are reminicent of the Comprehensive High Schools of the '60s, but then that was a time when students were not paid to learn, nor rewarded for things they should be doing in school in the first place. Further, that was also a time when parenting was a partnership at home and most families had one parent at home for the kids when they came in from school. For the last 20+ years,schools have had to fill in the voids and attempt to be all things to their students. Schools' hands have been tied in the area of discipline for fear of retribution from the community and parents. Rewards have been meeted out to all students whether they were deserved or not, for the sake of making everyone equal. The schools' problems reflect the inherent problems of community, state and nation. The schools work with what comes to them within the constraints of the law and the perceptions of the community. Until those perceptions are altered there will be no positive change! You cannot continue to pour money down a "rat-hole" if the source of the problem is not recognized and changed. The source is not the schools.
Recommendations:
K-12: strong well-planned and executed Volunteer Programs;common sense discipline; structured attendance guidelines and application; high standards reflected in curriculum as well as staff & leadership; no social promotion; rewards and recognition for merit earned; homogeneous grouping; remediation through alternative programming;focus on mental,physical and "spiritual" well-being; hire competent staff and leaders who will be evaluated annually by peers, experts and parents
Discard frills and work on basics in K-6
6-8 work on discipline,structure and basics(RWA)
9-12 work on identified interests with comprehensive school plan, utilizing technology and preparing students for life after high school