AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > December > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat Makes A School Work?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Several years ago, The Dallas Morning News published a series of articles called, “Schools That Work.” In an age of accountability, where we so often hear about what’s wrong with schools, the articles sought to put a spotlight on those that got it right.
I started thinking about this after reading Maureen Downey’s editorial yesterday, which argued that what makes some public schools work is the principals and teachers inside of them.
Last week, I visited F.L. Stanton Elementary School in Atlanta to find out why that campus performs so well when compared with other inner-city schools — which serve equally high levels (near 100 percent) of poverty-stricken students.
Principal Marlo Barber told me it’s a result of dedicated, creative teachers, who go the proverbial extra mile for students, as well as the children themselves, who come to school disciplined and ready to learn.
As I write this, I can’t help wondering whether a school’s success actually depends on whether a multitude of factors — a strong principal, committed teachers, willing pupils, for example — align. So tell me: What makes your school work? And would it still be successful if you took one of those elements away?
Comments
By Lisa B.
December 10, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Success of ANY kind depends on a multitude of factors. Anytime one of the factors leading to success is taken away, it makes sense that the amount of success will diminish.
By JustMe
December 10, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Here is what I feel makes my school work (in no particular order)….
Teachers that teach. Teachers that want to teach content and make good lesson plans based on the students in their class.
Students that come to school prepared. These are the students that have been taught AT HOME the need for a good education and also how to properly behave.
Students that come to class prepared. These are the students that have their homework completed (as well as other assignments). It could be that the student is driven to succeed, or that the parent(s) involved ensures that the assignments are done.
Administration that maintains order - of both the students and the teachers.
Parents that are involved in a positive way. Parents that want to contribute to the learning process - not just ‘fight for their child to get an A.’
There are others, but I feel that these are the more important ones… 6. Teachers that go beyond the call of duty. These are the teachers that welcome students for tutoring before and/or after school, teachers that sponsor academic clubs, and so on.
By L. King
December 10, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
I agree with Just me on all of her points. Teachers who want to teach and get better each day, week, month and year will set the tone for the classroom. But willing students who want and desire to be taught is important. A teacher can not teach someone who is a behavioral problem and is not in school to attain the information being provided. Parents need to be involved and help the teacher reinforce the values of education.
By mmm
December 10, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
I was at the subcommittee meeting that Maureen refers too, and, while I agree that teacher and principal quality is bedrock—-someone needs to consider that really good ones leave the profession in frustration all the time. While Charter Schools are not a panacea—they are part of the solution that gives these good teachers another option when they are stifled or unsupported in the traditional system.
Someone should ask this excellent teacher why she chooses to work a longer school day for less money at Path? I will see if I can get her on this blog.
By proattendance
December 10, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
What makes a school work? 1. Students that attend school. Students must be physically and mentally present.
Faculty that attend school. Teachers must also be prepared each and everyday. Learning should be the only priority in every classroom.
Parents that make education the top priority for their children.
Administrators that make educating the priority at their schools. Mission statements, policies, professional development, discipline, etc. are useless if education isn’t at the center of every decision.
Most importantly- if students don’t want to be at school don’t drag them out of the bed to disrupt the education of others.
Don’t allow students to graduate unless they are ready for work or college. Stop worrying so much about those graduation rates.
Why don’t schools work? 1. Students don’t attend mentally or physically.
Teachers that don’t attend or don’t prepare.
Administrators concentrating on personal agendas.
Programs and gimmicks
Policies/Rules that aren’t enforced.
Schools trying to provide for the health and mental wellness of students.
Clueless board members
Credit recovery programs
Teachers are not allowed to grade on work ethics
The list could go on and on….
By happy2teach
December 10, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Curiosity. All the way around.
By Lee
December 10, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
Looks like Justme pretty much nailed this one down. Next topic please…
By PTAMOM
December 11, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Justme. Nailed it right on!!!!!! No more needs to be said. Let’s talk about something else now.
By woodman
December 11, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Parents make schools work. Period. Parents that work with their kids, hold them to standards, and interact with the school at least once a week. Parents who volunteer and spend a little time in the classroom to help out. Parents who volunteer to help with school functions, parents who hold the school accountable day to day, and not just show up to complain when something goes wrong. PARENTS make a school run efficiently. Principals and teachers who have to deal with an involved community either succeed or leave.
By Charles
December 11, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
The New World Order integrationists Negroes have conspired with others to steal every ounce of real integrity, character, honor, dignity, and self respect from African American children. Since the early 1960s, over ninety five percent of African American children have been deliberately programmed to be “stuck on stupid” via reward and punishment.
An African American school will work if integrationist Negro leaders are removed and tried in a court of law for the high crimes committed against the masses of African American children. It’s also a high crime against the people of the United States of America; a capital offence.
Should the integrationist Negro leaders and their conniving supporters, subversives, continue operating in every area of people activity, economics, education, entertainment, labor, law, politics, religion, sex and war, (so-called black radio and television) our schools and society will continue the awful descent into perversion and chaos.
Their motive is the love of money. Integrationist leaders can’t compete with credible African American leaders on the high road of truth and righteousness, so they take the low road of deceit and fantasy.
By JustMe
December 11, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Charles - got any more of what you’re smoking?
By Charles
December 11, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
JustMe,
That’s taking the low road my friend. I’ve always taken the high road. I can compete with anyone; thank God Almighty.
You can take that garbage to the Negroes at 1380 waok radio. Over there, they deceive and are being deceived.
By JustMe
December 11, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Charles - what has that to do with this blog? Did you randomly pick this blog for your grand standing?
This blog was asking simply - what is working at your school?
Then, you bring in something about race, deception, some radio station, and so on.
Again I ask, what are you smoking?
By b white
December 11, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Our school has an unstable feeling about as if the administration is just winging it. When we are told to do something there is not is feedback, etc. There is no serious evaluation from administrators, so we just don’t take them serious. Too much emphasis is placed on the trouble makers who seem to rule the school.
By Charles
December 11, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
JustMe,
I am able to think. There is absolutely nothing working at African American schools given our predicament.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand your problem.
A rational person would respond to what I have written by saying, I don’t believe that… Anyone who would do such a thing to children should receive capital punishment etc.
But you don’t respond that way. You by-pass everything that’s written, or attempts to belittle the writer… If you don’t like the message, attack the messenger, right?
If you don’t understand, ask pertinent questions. Then we will be able to determine just how disconnected from reality you are. Your responses indicate that you are completely disconnected from reality.
You have no idea how subversives, integrationist, race, deception, 1380 waok radio station etc. negatively influences children and consequently schools.
By Charles
December 11, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
JustMe,
I’ve got to log out and attend to other duties. It’s always good talking to you.
I just love the honest exchange of ideas. That’s a lost art in America primarily because we are conditioned to never offend the sensibilities of others; to lie to each other… Radio, television, schools, and the church provide us with sheer propaganda. Therefore, we deprive ourselves of real friendship and discovering the rich foundation of other people.
I’ve got to run now. We will talk to everybody tomorrow; God willing.
By Donald
December 12, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
One of the most dynamic programs I’ve ever seen is at www.ncbiy.homestead.com. These brothers are dynamic and I’m going to pass this info on to colleauges in other schools…