Grassroots School Turn-Around here in Knoxville

Just got back from an "Austin East High School Community Thank-You Lunch," and I kept thinking, "Now this is a school turn-around strategy that's somewhat grassroots and larger than just one school." 

First - Invitees included people from K-Town Youth Empowerment Network, United Way of Greater Knoxville, local churches, Project GRAD, area schools, a school board member, and a few other community members. 

Second - Members from schools offered information from area FEEDER schools (AEHS, Vine Middle, Green, Sarah Moore Greene)--realistic data and information.  The good, bad and ugly.  AEHS celebrated having movement with AYP numbers.  Vine Middle said that they're "on the list."  They then shared different events and efforts that are going on to address some of these challenges:

- AEHS talked about an event on March 24 @ 5 PM to showcase Career/Tech Education students work to parents and other members in the community.  In April, there's another effort to showcase how students are learning through new teaching strategies.  They're also thinking about how to restructure the school day to get more time to focus on student learning. 

- Vine Middle talked about their After-School Academy (after-school activities that range from LEGO League to West African Dance) AND their Tuesday/Thursday reading and math tutoring programs from 3 - 5 PM (where transportation is provided).  They also shared information about the TAP program that's coming to the school next year--and AVID, which is already there.  The Assistant Principal also mentioned how they're working with teachers on how to build a respectful relationship between students and teachers--they both share responsibility in changing how they interact.

Then, they said, "How can your group get involved? We'll take commitments right now.  This is a community effort.  We can help our schools if we work together."

School turn-around strategies can really be grassroots.  But you've got to have the community bought in to the process.  It was a good feeling to be in the audience because I felt like I was a part of something bigger while I was playing my small part.

Schools need our support now more than ever

It's been a while since my last post, and I've been to a lot of different places since last writing--from schools to administrative meetings...from Northeast Tennessee to Washington, DC...you get the idea.  As most of you know, several pieces of legislation related to education are taking the spotlight, but it's hard to keep free of different   agendas that are behind all of these bills.  I've almost been scared to write because of the numerous different opinions out there.

Going out to different schools, I've been hearing a lot of ground-level perspectives (however, I've not done a scientific study to capture them all), but one thing is certain: SCHOOLS NEED US NOW MORE THAN EVER. 

Some ground-level sentiment from teachers leads me to believe that morale is low because of a perception that the standardized testing mantra is only teaching our children to be robots who can't problem-solve.  Some ground-level sentiment from administration leads me to believe that they seriously want to help all children learn and that we all could be doing more to help that along.  There will always be a tug between schools and administration, and to an extent, that's OK. 

One general question I always ask when I'm in a school / in meetings is, "What can I do better? How can I improve? Can you help me understand something better?" People reading this blog who have met me can probably think of a time or 2 that I've asked something like that.  I ask out of a genuine concern for my effectiveness.  Something I feel like that's missing is a willingness to be open, honest, and candid in our discussions.  People refuse to share their real opinions in meetings.  People refuse to show up when there's a contentious issue at hand.  And when certain opinions are shared, it's almost perceived to be a "faux pas," something that shouldn't have been done.  Realistically, it's all about compromise.  Extremes can't be the norm of dialogue.
...do people really think teachers are just leaving at 2:30 PM when the bell rings and wait for a chance to be really lazy?
...do people really think administrators are looking for the next chance to fire a teacher they hate?
...do people really think that conversations about strategic compensation are really just a chance to give bonuses for test scores?
...do people really think a critique of standardized testing is born out of desire to do no testing and get away with no accountability?

All of these critiques have a level of truth behind them.  No differing opinion is just dreamed up overnight.  They're all born with a sense of authenticity.  Yes, there are some teachers who squeak by.  Yes, there are some administrators with a vendetta...see what I mean? But, by and large, teachers REALLY care.  Administrators really WANT to have good schools.  When we can stop speaking in the language of hate/accusation/defense (check out any "Comments" on the Knoxville News Sentinel articles about education, like THIS), we might actually get somewhere.

YOU can actually do something about it.  Get involved in a school, be honest about your desire to help children succeed.  Heck, if you can't find a way into a school, LET ME KNOW (luterg@unitedwayknox.org).  I'll make sure you get in touch with someone.  If we as a community stood up with a genuine sense of wanting to help (and not lament how bad the future looks unless we do this or that...), schools might be able to overcome these obstacles with our support.  I'm speaking in ideals, which will no doubt upset some of you reading this post, but I can't help it.  Have a great weekend!!!

IN THE NEWS:

Teacher working conditions study (VERY IMPORTANT FOR TEACHERS TO COMPLETE): http://telltennessee.org/
The details of Haslam’s new education plan
A TEA response to the supposed “anti-teacher” bills
Details about the new proposed teacher evaluation system
The politics of education reform
Data we have, but we don’t use
The “elected” vs “appointed” superintendent bill keeps coming up
A focus on a teacher who is trying something new and different to reach students
Celebrate Knox County Schools' Teachers of the Year!
Schools aren't failing; the world is changing (Editorial)
Niswonger Foundation's website for the "College and Career Ready Consortium" that will help NE TN Schools
UTK Helps area school with a new partnership
Group providing music education for disadvantaged youth in Knoxville
Dads supporting schools in Maryville!!!
Changing paradigms in education (Video for fun)
Teachers: Strive to be ordinary heroes (Video for fun)