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.