Are We Abandoning Our Kids?

Recently, test results were released for the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests for participating districts nationwide. Many were shocked when it was announced that the Detroit Public Schools district ranked lowest of participating districts nationwide and even in the history of the test. Sixty nine percent of fourth grades scored below basic level on the math test while 77 percent of eight graders were below basic.

Let's have some real talk. This is shameful, and it's a sign that kids and education are being put on the backburner. In fact, one local leader called for jailing and civil lawsuits against anyone in the city's educational system failing to do its part to help educate children in the system.

I hope this also includes the parents. Education is a collaborative process between schools and parents and such dismal test results show a break down in the collaborative process. There is no way any educator can spend a day with a child doing math and not immediately recognize that child is not at grade level. Likewise, any parent spending quality time with their children helping with homework knows if their child can't do basic math or lacks understanding of simple math concepts.

This isn't to blame parents but let's be clear. The buck starts and stops with the parent in my opinion. These are our children. School districts come and go but our children remain our children. We are the one consistent thing in their lives and we have to fight for them, their education and stand up when we believe they are not getting a fair shake. Let me tell you, the test results suggest the kids in Detroit aren't just being left behind but they've been abandoned. While Detroit may be an extreme case, I suspect many schools are producing kids that are underperforming. We have an education crisis in our country and while we're arguing about healthcare, Afghanistan and jobs, let's not forget where our real future lies: in our children.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO:

1. Spend time with your child helping him or her do his homework. This will help you understand what areas they need to improve on.
2. Get involved with your child's school. Kids whose parents are involved tend to do better.
3. Communicate with your child's teacher. Let your teacher know if you think your child isn't getting something and ask them to provide your child additional assistance.
4. Get your child help in subjects they need/make sure they are in school each day. Don't get me wrong I know that some of the work the kids bring home seems foreign but ask your child's teacher for an answer sheet or get your child a tutor. If you can't afford one, see if there is someone else: another relative, a family friend who can do it. If not, ask the teacher or school principal about starting a tutorial program or ask the teacher if they would be willing to provide additional after school assistance. After all, your child may not be the only kid in need of help. If this doesn't work, see if the parents can get together and create some type of tutorial program. Approach colleges about getting help from students. Additionally make sure your child attends school everyday unless they are sick. A child who misses 50 and 60 days out of a year can't be expected to be proficient in a subject area.
5. Leverage school activities, extra assignments and projects/give your kids supplemental work. Have your kids take advantage of any extra assignments given by the teachers or extra activities the schools may offer. Additionally, parents can supplement their children's education with a lot of online sites such as edhelper.com, mathplayground.com.

WHAT SCHOOLS CAN DO

1. Leave No Child Behind/Terminate Teachers Not Carrying Their Weight. This is not just a slogan. Schools have to really adopt and embrace the mentality that our children deserve our best and really commit themselves to not leaving any child behind. Don't get me wrong, I think being a teacher is an admirable job but like any job we have good teachers and bad teachers. Teachers who only see education as their job and not their calling should be terminated. Our children need teachers who can motivate, inspire, nurture and most importantly educate.
2. Test For Competency and Not Answers. The nature of education has changed such that some schools teach answers so that children can pass tests rather than testing for competency. Any child that doesn't have competency in a subject area, should be require to relearn it and offered additional assistance until they are competent.
3. Know Your Children And Their Families. While some schools have more kids than they can handle, schools should still make an effort to know the parents of all its students. In my day, teachers and principals would do home visits. This helped educators understand the environment children were living in and also helped them meet with parents to show parents they were vested in their child's education.
4. Extend School Day, Week & Classes Provided To Children. Schools should extend the number of hours kids go to school and the school week to Saturday while decreasing the amount of time children have for a summer break to 2 months instead of 3. All of these things will help to provide children with more hours of education thereby giving them the opportunity to obtain competency in areas as well as giving them a competitive advantage to compete on a global basis. Additionally, schools should add foreign language, computer and other classes that will give them a competitive advantage. Schools should also consider extending the amount of time children engage in math from 1 to 2 hours each day.
5. Seek Innovative Methods To Obtain Parental Involvement. Parental involvement remains the key to a student's success. Schools should do more to encourage innovative approaches to involvement whether it's videoconferencing, home visits, telephone communications or online methods. Parents are a critical element in ensuring the success of students that more has to be done to include them in the educational process.

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