Last Sunday, we asked readers for insights on how to improve Atlanta Public Schools. A pair of responses follow:
Gerson Paull: How do you make a good school system? You hire good teachers and let them teach.
Should it cost a lot to educate children? Do you need more than a comfortable classroom, a good teacher and a good textbook? You shouldn’t waste money on more administrators and bureaucrats than are needed.
You identify problems that may interfere with a child’s ability to learn (poor nutrition, parental abuse or negligence, drug abuse, medical illness) and address them. You create a system where good employees are rewarded and bad employees are fired. The latter is probably the most difficult.
Marlena-Gabrielle Alvarado: Alleviating the issues at APS will begin by changing the alleged bullying culture of administrators toward their teachers. The environment must be welcoming for all: parents, teachers and students.
The culture must be changed to state that “All children can and will learn; no excuses.”
This statement cannot be a mere motto or some form of rhetoric touted by educators; it must be truly believed by the staff and then it is their goal to prove the statement.
Culture modification must mean that the leadership team will applaud educators for daily gains as they overcome struggles and, at the same time, demand rigor in curriculum, adherence to state standards and integrity in teaching.
APS must also create relationships, respect students and create assignments which are relevant to the students’ world so that they want to learn. In essence, motivate the students!
We live in a global society with students most capable of learning. They devour technology with iPhones, MP3 players and texting. Why not make these part of their learning and testing process?
Gaining back the students’ trust as well as those of the parents and stakeholders is imperative.
