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Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sticky PR for School Systems
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
School systems are PR machines.
A case in point: My colleague Bridget Gutierrez, who covers among other things the Fayette school system, called up the Fayette system’s Web site and found a link to a “clarification” of a story she wrote about Fayette’s decision not to participate in the state’s graduation coach program.
The one-page clarification says: “The Atlanta Journal Constitution article, ‘Fayette Opts Out of State Program, Graduation Coaches Deemed Not Worth It,’ inaccurately implies that the Fayette County School System is doing nothing to help lower dropout rates since it is not using the state’s Graduation Coach model…The Fayette County School System supports School Superintendent Kathy Cox and Governor Sonny Perdue’s efforts to lower dropout rates and has publicly stated that the school system is participating in the statewide initiative.”
The statement goes on to list the many dropout prevention programs the district has in place, though it never cites an inaccurate statement in Bridget’s story. Bridget spoke with Superintendent John DeCotis today, and he told her he did not like the tone of her story.
DeCotis acknowledged getting a call from someone at the Georgia Department of Education - Superintendent Kathy Cox hails from Fayette - about the story, but he told Bridget he did not post the clarification at the behest of Cox. He just wanted to clarify things… (He went on to mention a lack of fondness for the headline on this story…)
This happens sometimes on the schools beat. Even when a reporter writes up a conversation straight from a public meeting, school officials may feel misrepresented. Their Web site is a place to post their side of things. Public schools desperately need public support, so it’s understandable that they would monitor news coverage. Posting a rebuttal could backfire, however, and make the system appear defensive or overly sensitive.
What do you think your school system leaders should do, respond to news stories on their Web site or shake their heads and let it go?
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“Teachers Shouldn’t Have to Pay Federal Taxes”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A blog reader suggested this post on an earlier thread:
“Patti, Can you please start a blog about attracting quality teachers in the classroom? My suggestions - 1)Teachers shouldn’t have to pay FEDERAL TAXES. 2)A FEDERAL LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM that will be used to pay off student loan debt. 3)Give Teachers More AUTHORITY IN TODAY’S CURRICULUM. (Teachers know what works) 4)Abolish the UNIONS and Offer Bonuses to Teachers who Increase students scores in the classroom. 5)Create a Partnership that Teachers are able to get LOANS FOR HOMES. 6) Starting salary at $45,000 7) Performance Based Compensation (Bonus) 9)Authority to get rid of troublemakers in the classroom
ANY SUGGESTIONS MY FELLOW BLOGGERS?”
Well, folks?
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Dacula Elementary: 2,008 Kids and Counting…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Holy moly, I have heard of giant elementary schools. When I covered Gwinnett in the late 1990s, Jackson, Walnut Grove and I believe Fort Daniel were all over 1,500 students large. But 2,008???? You have to ask, “Is this just too big?” Laura Diamond does just that in her story
Some parents say there are too many kids packed into the school building, but others say as long as the school is properly run, they’re okay with it. After all, Dacula draws from many family-oriented neighborhoods, so parent involvement is a given. With the PI comes high test scores, generally good discipline, good teachers and all the other things that make a school click.
Would you object to a 2,008-student school for your child? Teachers, would you teach at a school as large? Any parents out there who have experienced the mega-school first-hand?
And after you’ve contributed to this discussion, hop on over to MOMania and read how Theresa’s child’s Gwinnett County kindergarten class had to be disbanded because it fell just a few students short.
