Dr. Kelvin Adams was recently on KWMU radio to discuss the situation he is confronted with, his plans, and aspirations for St. Louis Public Schools. Click the link below to listen to the discussion on St. Louis on the Air.
St. Louis on the Air: March 16, 2009-St. Louis Public Schools
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Mayor Slay gave high marks to St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams.
To our online visitors:
In a recent interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mayor Francis Slay had a lot of praise for Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Courtesy of Eddie Roth of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 10, 2009.
Also in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article of January 21, 2009, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district he has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly. Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The parents, teachers, the school principals, the urban community the school district serves, and the teachers' union are optimistic about Dr. Adams' vision for the city's troubled public schools.
The Special Administrative Board has all praises for Dr. Adams for his leadership skills.
Our Perspective: Dr. Adams is reaching out to all stakeholders, which is a smart move. He is building a coalition of stakeholders to help him implement his vision. A St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent to be complimented by the most powerful Republican in the Missouri legislature (Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields) is unheard of. Sen. Shields is a mover and shaker in Jefferson City. He has to give his blessings for any public fundig that comes out of the State Capitol. To have the blessings of Mayor Slay of St. Louis is good for the school district. Support from parents, teachers, principals, the urban community, and the teachers' union is fundamental to Dr. Adams' success. Now that Dr. Adams has built a coalition of stakeholders, he needs to hold this fragile coalition together. He needs to be political savvy! He is playing his cards smart so far.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
In a recent interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mayor Francis Slay had a lot of praise for Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Courtesy of Eddie Roth of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 10, 2009.
Also in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article of January 21, 2009, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district he has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly. Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The parents, teachers, the school principals, the urban community the school district serves, and the teachers' union are optimistic about Dr. Adams' vision for the city's troubled public schools.
The Special Administrative Board has all praises for Dr. Adams for his leadership skills.
Our Perspective: Dr. Adams is reaching out to all stakeholders, which is a smart move. He is building a coalition of stakeholders to help him implement his vision. A St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent to be complimented by the most powerful Republican in the Missouri legislature (Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields) is unheard of. Sen. Shields is a mover and shaker in Jefferson City. He has to give his blessings for any public fundig that comes out of the State Capitol. To have the blessings of Mayor Slay of St. Louis is good for the school district. Support from parents, teachers, principals, the urban community, and the teachers' union is fundamental to Dr. Adams' success. Now that Dr. Adams has built a coalition of stakeholders, he needs to hold this fragile coalition together. He needs to be political savvy! He is playing his cards smart so far.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Senators hear about St. Louis Public Schools, Prop A and the funding formula.
"St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams told senators today that to improve St. Louis schools, he needs “in a word, flexibility,” including more autonomy for principals and the possibility of merit pay as an enticement for science and math teachers.
He also said during a Senate seminar on education that the district needs more money, a common theme for hearings, especially this session.
But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly.
During the same seminar, Don Thalhuber, a former Senate education research analyst, spoke about the effect of Proposition A on the funding formula for education.
Proposition A increased the tax on casino gambling and eliminated loss limits, and all the extra revenue is supposed to go to education. Thalhuber said the money would make problems for the funding formula because the formula is still being phased in.
Also, the funding formula is being questioned in front of the Missouri Supreme Court, and Thalhuber said the extra money could hurt its chances of being ruled constitutional.
Thalhuber suggested legislators fix the language of the proposition." Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2009.
Our Comment: We refer you to the following quote "But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly." Senate President Pro Tem Shields' compliment for Dr. Adams is especially notable because he is one the three most powerful legislators in Jefferson City along with the Governor Nixon and the Speaker of the House, Rep. Ron Richard. No legislation moves forward without the support of Senator Shields and Rep. Ron Richard.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
He also said during a Senate seminar on education that the district needs more money, a common theme for hearings, especially this session.
But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly.
During the same seminar, Don Thalhuber, a former Senate education research analyst, spoke about the effect of Proposition A on the funding formula for education.
Proposition A increased the tax on casino gambling and eliminated loss limits, and all the extra revenue is supposed to go to education. Thalhuber said the money would make problems for the funding formula because the formula is still being phased in.
Also, the funding formula is being questioned in front of the Missouri Supreme Court, and Thalhuber said the extra money could hurt its chances of being ruled constitutional.
Thalhuber suggested legislators fix the language of the proposition." Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2009.
Our Comment: We refer you to the following quote "But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly." Senate President Pro Tem Shields' compliment for Dr. Adams is especially notable because he is one the three most powerful legislators in Jefferson City along with the Governor Nixon and the Speaker of the House, Rep. Ron Richard. No legislation moves forward without the support of Senator Shields and Rep. Ron Richard.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The challenges that the St. Louis City Schools face.
"The challenges that the St. Louis City Schools face, from low test scores to lead paint in aging buildings, are legion. But this is not a time for shrill public voices to cry, "When are you gonna fix this? or legions of educators, administrators and legislators to think, in private, "This is so broke, I really don't know if anyone could ever fix it.
The problems the City schools system has faced have been well documented: Infighting at all levels, safety issues ranging from weapons to antiquated structures, inadequate transportation and low educational achievement.
Most significant, the Missouri State Board of Education in March 2007 took over the City schools, which had lost accreditation. In 2006, there was a 55 percent graduation rate; 19 percent of students dropped out. Cumulative debt by 2006 had reached $25 million. A transitional school board was appointed to run the District for at least six years. Since 2003, the District has had seven superintendents.
Meanwhile, concerned parties both from inside and outside the City schools have been working hard to reverse the fortunes of the troubled District, home to 35,000 students.
Kelvin Adams, Ph.D., knows a little about crises in an educational system. He comes to St. Louis from New Orleans, another city district whose schools are being run by the State. Add in the incomprehensible effects of Hurricane Katrina on a District already hamstrung by budget shortfalls and the crushing poverty endured by students. Although not superintendent, Adams was chief of staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans. He also has some experience here, having served as executive director of human resources for St. Louis Schools in the 2006-07 school year.
Adams does not wish to dwell on the past, or on the legion of long-term issues that he has inherited. As the City schools’ eighth superintendent in five years, he says that everyone must look forward, and take on each “opportunity” individually. A thoughtful man, Adams reflected awhile on each of this reporter’s questions before responding.
“You have to know what the problems really are,” Adams says. “Take them one at a time. The plan would be that, once you solve one problem, it morphs into solving another.”
The chief issue, what led to the State takeover in the first place, was poor student achievement. In 2006, more than 60 percent of 10th graders scored at a level “below basic” in math on state standardized tests.
Some in the District see a comparison between what it faces locally to what Barack Obama has waded into with the profound spectrum of problems facing the country. “Grandfathered” issues characterize the challenges on a national and local level. Anyone who expects dramatic changes to occur immediately is naïve. Obama has said it probably will take more than one term to get a handle on the country’s most pressing issues. Adams and others in the District emphasize that “fixing” the St. Louis schools isn’t going to happen overnight, either.
“If the 20th (of January) is when Obama comes in, he’s not going to fix it by the 24th!” Adams exclaims. “It took us awhile to get here. It will take awhile to fix it. I can only take it from where I am, and try to make it move forward. While I’m glad the public is so vocal and engaged, we can’t solve all of these problems. We can’t even try to solve all of them.”
Rick Sullivan, CEO of the State-appointed board, likes what he sees so far in Adams. “He’s hard-working and he gets right to the point,” says Sullivan, who, as former CEO of McBride & Son Companies, one of the region’s top homebuilders, knows a little about building things to last. “We selected a very experienced and qualified superintendent, which is only one part of a comprehensive plan for the schools that required a great deal of community input.
“Our focus has been on student achievement,” Sullivan says. “Meanwhile, stability in the governance and administration both are essential to long-term progress.”
Sullivan and the Transitional Board’s other two members Melanie Adams and Richard Gaines have made, and will have to make, tough choices as the district makes progress. Facilities have deteriorated. Addressing the lead-paint problem could cost upwards of $3 million. Much of the work centers on reconfiguring the schools to best serve the district at large. Some may have to be mothballed, others razed.
“We are undertaking a full review of all facilities to determine their most efficient use over the next 10 years,” Sullivan says. “Among other numerous operational improvements that are under way, we are requiring continuous improvement in every operating area of the district.
We’ve identified programs and strategies that are successful, and are expanding them throughout the district. At the same time, we need to eliminate programs or processes that don’t work at all; that is, don’t lead to improvement in student achievement.”
Neither Adams nor the Board can accept the status quo. Facilities and personnel are both under intense scrutiny. Soon after he arrived, Adams has made unannounced school visits to observe how the City’s teachers teach. He took great pains that this did not become a media event; he had to see for himself without commotion or interference.
Adams will fold what he saw and heard into his ongoing approach. But by no means is he going simply on “feel.” Data will tell the story. And disaggregating data, breaking it down into relevant, manageable chunks, is essential.
“We can only make decisions based on the data,” Adams emphasizes. “I won’t have a chance to talk with every student or every educator. The data accomplishes both, and will support conversation with both parties.”
As Adams points out, everything in education bears on everything else. When student achievement increases, so does enrollment, and then the resources to support the efforts will begin to flow. Then, community trust and involvement will increase as well. Adams says that he is gratified by the support he has received from citizens, City Hall, and local business leaders. Everyone needs to get behind the effort, or it is doomed to fail.
“It’s all linked together,” he notes. One frustration for Adams, among others, is the state of technology in the District. Analyzing data is only as good as the hardware and software that exists to crunch the numbers. But, like lead paint, it won’t be a problem solved this week or next.
Adams says he is confident that support will continue, and says that Board members and the community have been “forthright in what they see my role to be.”
“I don’t see any hidden agendas,” he says, then breaks slowly into a smile. “Of course, if there were any, I wouldn’t see them anyway.” Courtesy of Bill Beggs Jr., in St. Louis Commerce Magazine, St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
The problems the City schools system has faced have been well documented: Infighting at all levels, safety issues ranging from weapons to antiquated structures, inadequate transportation and low educational achievement.
Most significant, the Missouri State Board of Education in March 2007 took over the City schools, which had lost accreditation. In 2006, there was a 55 percent graduation rate; 19 percent of students dropped out. Cumulative debt by 2006 had reached $25 million. A transitional school board was appointed to run the District for at least six years. Since 2003, the District has had seven superintendents.
Meanwhile, concerned parties both from inside and outside the City schools have been working hard to reverse the fortunes of the troubled District, home to 35,000 students.
Kelvin Adams, Ph.D., knows a little about crises in an educational system. He comes to St. Louis from New Orleans, another city district whose schools are being run by the State. Add in the incomprehensible effects of Hurricane Katrina on a District already hamstrung by budget shortfalls and the crushing poverty endured by students. Although not superintendent, Adams was chief of staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans. He also has some experience here, having served as executive director of human resources for St. Louis Schools in the 2006-07 school year.
Adams does not wish to dwell on the past, or on the legion of long-term issues that he has inherited. As the City schools’ eighth superintendent in five years, he says that everyone must look forward, and take on each “opportunity” individually. A thoughtful man, Adams reflected awhile on each of this reporter’s questions before responding.
“You have to know what the problems really are,” Adams says. “Take them one at a time. The plan would be that, once you solve one problem, it morphs into solving another.”
The chief issue, what led to the State takeover in the first place, was poor student achievement. In 2006, more than 60 percent of 10th graders scored at a level “below basic” in math on state standardized tests.
Some in the District see a comparison between what it faces locally to what Barack Obama has waded into with the profound spectrum of problems facing the country. “Grandfathered” issues characterize the challenges on a national and local level. Anyone who expects dramatic changes to occur immediately is naïve. Obama has said it probably will take more than one term to get a handle on the country’s most pressing issues. Adams and others in the District emphasize that “fixing” the St. Louis schools isn’t going to happen overnight, either.
“If the 20th (of January) is when Obama comes in, he’s not going to fix it by the 24th!” Adams exclaims. “It took us awhile to get here. It will take awhile to fix it. I can only take it from where I am, and try to make it move forward. While I’m glad the public is so vocal and engaged, we can’t solve all of these problems. We can’t even try to solve all of them.”
Rick Sullivan, CEO of the State-appointed board, likes what he sees so far in Adams. “He’s hard-working and he gets right to the point,” says Sullivan, who, as former CEO of McBride & Son Companies, one of the region’s top homebuilders, knows a little about building things to last. “We selected a very experienced and qualified superintendent, which is only one part of a comprehensive plan for the schools that required a great deal of community input.
“Our focus has been on student achievement,” Sullivan says. “Meanwhile, stability in the governance and administration both are essential to long-term progress.”
Sullivan and the Transitional Board’s other two members Melanie Adams and Richard Gaines have made, and will have to make, tough choices as the district makes progress. Facilities have deteriorated. Addressing the lead-paint problem could cost upwards of $3 million. Much of the work centers on reconfiguring the schools to best serve the district at large. Some may have to be mothballed, others razed.
“We are undertaking a full review of all facilities to determine their most efficient use over the next 10 years,” Sullivan says. “Among other numerous operational improvements that are under way, we are requiring continuous improvement in every operating area of the district.
We’ve identified programs and strategies that are successful, and are expanding them throughout the district. At the same time, we need to eliminate programs or processes that don’t work at all; that is, don’t lead to improvement in student achievement.”
Neither Adams nor the Board can accept the status quo. Facilities and personnel are both under intense scrutiny. Soon after he arrived, Adams has made unannounced school visits to observe how the City’s teachers teach. He took great pains that this did not become a media event; he had to see for himself without commotion or interference.
Adams will fold what he saw and heard into his ongoing approach. But by no means is he going simply on “feel.” Data will tell the story. And disaggregating data, breaking it down into relevant, manageable chunks, is essential.
“We can only make decisions based on the data,” Adams emphasizes. “I won’t have a chance to talk with every student or every educator. The data accomplishes both, and will support conversation with both parties.”
As Adams points out, everything in education bears on everything else. When student achievement increases, so does enrollment, and then the resources to support the efforts will begin to flow. Then, community trust and involvement will increase as well. Adams says that he is gratified by the support he has received from citizens, City Hall, and local business leaders. Everyone needs to get behind the effort, or it is doomed to fail.
“It’s all linked together,” he notes. One frustration for Adams, among others, is the state of technology in the District. Analyzing data is only as good as the hardware and software that exists to crunch the numbers. But, like lead paint, it won’t be a problem solved this week or next.
Adams says he is confident that support will continue, and says that Board members and the community have been “forthright in what they see my role to be.”
“I don’t see any hidden agendas,” he says, then breaks slowly into a smile. “Of course, if there were any, I wouldn’t see them anyway.” Courtesy of Bill Beggs Jr., in St. Louis Commerce Magazine, St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Clyde C. Miller PTO Invites Community to Welcome New Superintendent
"ST. LOUIS, MO, January 6, 2009 – On behalf of all parents in the St. Louis Public School District, the Clyde C. Miller Career Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization would like to officially welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams as the district’s new Superintendent by hosting a reception January 14th, 2009 from 6:00p.m. – 7:30p.m. at the Career Academy High School, Commons Room, 1000 N. Grand.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Adams,” said J Morris, President of the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization. “He is a strong leader and an asset to our children and schools. As parents we would like to give him a proper welcome into the community.”
Parking will be available in the school’s parking lot located at the corner of Josephine Baker and Cook. Welcoming remarks will be provided by the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization with student hosts from the school escorting attendees and serving refreshments.
In addition, parents, representing schools from across the district, will serve as presenters on behalf of the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Adams will conclude the evening by highlighting his academic vision and visiting with attendees in a receiving line.
Dr. Adams joined the St. Louis Public School as the new Superintendent in November 2008. With more than 30 years in education, his experiences made him a top candidate for the position. Since taking office he has spearheaded efforts to restore St. Louis Public Schools back to original glory.
“There are numerous opportunities for us as a district,” said Dr. Adams, “If we pull together as a community we can help each child learn and succeed.”
Since stepping into his new role, Dr. Adams has implemented changes to improve each student’s educational opportunities through curriculum, community outreach, volunteerism, and much more." Courtesy of St. Louis Public Schools Home Page
Come One Come All to Welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams. We urge parents, teachers, the clergy, business leaders, and the greater urban community to attend and welcome the Chief of City Schools. We will see you at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Adams,” said J Morris, President of the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization. “He is a strong leader and an asset to our children and schools. As parents we would like to give him a proper welcome into the community.”
Parking will be available in the school’s parking lot located at the corner of Josephine Baker and Cook. Welcoming remarks will be provided by the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization with student hosts from the school escorting attendees and serving refreshments.
In addition, parents, representing schools from across the district, will serve as presenters on behalf of the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Adams will conclude the evening by highlighting his academic vision and visiting with attendees in a receiving line.
Dr. Adams joined the St. Louis Public School as the new Superintendent in November 2008. With more than 30 years in education, his experiences made him a top candidate for the position. Since taking office he has spearheaded efforts to restore St. Louis Public Schools back to original glory.
“There are numerous opportunities for us as a district,” said Dr. Adams, “If we pull together as a community we can help each child learn and succeed.”
Since stepping into his new role, Dr. Adams has implemented changes to improve each student’s educational opportunities through curriculum, community outreach, volunteerism, and much more." Courtesy of St. Louis Public Schools Home Page
Come One Come All to Welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams. We urge parents, teachers, the clergy, business leaders, and the greater urban community to attend and welcome the Chief of City Schools. We will see you at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Winter Break Academic Stimulus Packet
Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, sent "Academic Stimulus Packets" home with grades 1-8 students for the them to have fun and continue learning over the 2008 Winter Break.
The academic stimulus packets, the first of its kind we've seen in St. Louis Public Schools,
consist of challenging questions in different curriculum areas. The students will turn in the completed stimulus packets to their school teachers. More...
Dr. Adams has certainly come up with an innovative way of engaging these children and keeping them out of trouble, especially during the festive December holidays.
The St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent has certainly hit the ground running. It is refreshing to say the least.
We ask the stakeholders to ensure that he continues to run his school district without outside constraints. His job is to raise academic standards and student achievement and to regain accreditation. Please let us keep politics and special interest out of the superitendent's office.
We also ask the Governor-elect, who will definitely read our blog, to support and fund St. Louis Public Schools as he promised us in the 2008 elections.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
The academic stimulus packets, the first of its kind we've seen in St. Louis Public Schools,
consist of challenging questions in different curriculum areas. The students will turn in the completed stimulus packets to their school teachers. More...
Dr. Adams has certainly come up with an innovative way of engaging these children and keeping them out of trouble, especially during the festive December holidays.
The St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent has certainly hit the ground running. It is refreshing to say the least.
We ask the stakeholders to ensure that he continues to run his school district without outside constraints. His job is to raise academic standards and student achievement and to regain accreditation. Please let us keep politics and special interest out of the superitendent's office.
We also ask the Governor-elect, who will definitely read our blog, to support and fund St. Louis Public Schools as he promised us in the 2008 elections.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Advice for President-elect Obama-Maxine Clark in St. Louis Business Journal.
"With the election behind us, we can move beyond party platforms, poll results, and campaign promises to the hard work of securing our country’s future. A top priority must be education. If we are to fix our financial crisis and continue to compete in a world market, our schools must do a better job of preparing students, especially those in low-income communities.
If I could advise President-elect Obama on his education policy over the next four years, I would offer the following strategies:
Foster local solutions
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the challenges facing our education system. The federal government has an important leadership role in setting the agenda, but decisions on implementation must occur at the local level.
Look to the accomplishments of our new superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams, during his time with the New Orleans Recovery School District. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he helped hire hundreds of new teachers, implemented a managed-instruction curriculum, and worked with dozens of new public charter schools.
Recruit and train talented teachers
To improve our nation’s educational outcomes, we must energize the teaching profession and recruit a wide range of qualified people who hold high expectations for our children. Teach For America and other programs such as the New Teacher Project and Troops to Teachers are increasing the pool of talented teachers and bringing new energy to classrooms. One recent study by the Urban Institute showed that Teach For America teachers have a positive impact on student achievement relative to other teachers.
Channel the energy of young people
During his campaign, President-elect Obama tapped into our nation’s appetite for change. Now he is in a position to foster this change by supporting the potential for leadership in America’s youth." Read the entire article in St. Louis Business Journal.
Courtesy of Maxine Clark, in St. Louis Business Journal, Friday, November 21, 2008.
Our Perspective: We predict that Dr. Adams will use the same strategy that he used for the Recovery School District in New Orleans to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Loluis School District. He has already hit the ground running. The stakeholders need to support him. There is no turning back the clock at this crucial moment.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
If I could advise President-elect Obama on his education policy over the next four years, I would offer the following strategies:
Foster local solutions
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the challenges facing our education system. The federal government has an important leadership role in setting the agenda, but decisions on implementation must occur at the local level.
Look to the accomplishments of our new superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams, during his time with the New Orleans Recovery School District. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he helped hire hundreds of new teachers, implemented a managed-instruction curriculum, and worked with dozens of new public charter schools.
Recruit and train talented teachers
To improve our nation’s educational outcomes, we must energize the teaching profession and recruit a wide range of qualified people who hold high expectations for our children. Teach For America and other programs such as the New Teacher Project and Troops to Teachers are increasing the pool of talented teachers and bringing new energy to classrooms. One recent study by the Urban Institute showed that Teach For America teachers have a positive impact on student achievement relative to other teachers.
Channel the energy of young people
During his campaign, President-elect Obama tapped into our nation’s appetite for change. Now he is in a position to foster this change by supporting the potential for leadership in America’s youth." Read the entire article in St. Louis Business Journal.
Courtesy of Maxine Clark, in St. Louis Business Journal, Friday, November 21, 2008.
Our Perspective: We predict that Dr. Adams will use the same strategy that he used for the Recovery School District in New Orleans to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Loluis School District. He has already hit the ground running. The stakeholders need to support him. There is no turning back the clock at this crucial moment.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
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