Do you believe that ALL children can achieve 80% mastery of state standards? Or all children except [fill in blank with segment of student population]
| By Julie - Dec 17, 2008 10:47:07 AM ET |
| Also listed in: Leadership Next | Teach for America Alumni | United Way for Southeastern Michigan employees |
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Categories: Education, Volunteerism, Advocacy, How I Live United, Other, The LiveUnitedSEM Network
Categories: Education, Volunteerism, Advocacy, How I Live United, Other, The LiveUnitedSEM Network
Sometimes, I wonder who really believes that ALL children can achieve academic excellence?
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To me, a region that believes all its students can succeed would not allow for 30 high schools in a three county region to graduate fewer than 60% of their students. But in Southeastern Michigan, that is our reality
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I used to teach in North Philly. My students averaged 85% mastery on their state benchmark exams. I wonder why I always feel the need to validate my students' abilities? No one in our highly resourced schools feel the need to cite classroom achievement. Yet, I always feel the need to defend my students... and their abilities.
I once heard of a Teach for America (TFA) corps member in Baltimore who had someone try to steal her purse. The would-be thief lost the battle to the 5'2'' 105 pound girl. I said something to my brother about how that was remarkable and he started laughing. "Julie- when you were teaching, you had a "[insert foul language of your choice] stare that would have scared off any felon. No one would have come within a 100 yards of bothering you."
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It was with that ferocity that I approached my job. In our own way, that's how all TFA corps members (CM) approach their jobs. What was/is our job? To ensure ALL our students achieve significant gains (often translated as 80% mastery of state standards.)
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ALL. Special Ed, English Language Learners, those without heat at home, those who come into our classrooms 2 or more years behind... ALL. And we, like the would- be purse theft victim, win.
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I feel energized today. Like I used to tell my students, today- we get one step closer to achieving academic excellence.
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Today, we master one more standard.
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Today, I start blogging about my experience- and other Teach for America alumni start blogging about their experiences- and we start talking about how having United Way and Teach for America as regional partners can move us closer to closing the gap in achievement.
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Today, we start a new conversation about student achievement- and what it's going to take for our region to make NOTHING BUT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT our focus in education. No more excuses. No more "it'll never work." No more distractions.
-
Today, we shift the conversation and we continue to work relentlessly to end educational inequity… because I do believe that ALL students can achieve when given the opportunity.
-
To me, a region that believes all its students can succeed would not allow for 30 high schools in a three county region to graduate fewer than 60% of their students. But in Southeastern Michigan, that is our reality
-
I used to teach in North Philly. My students averaged 85% mastery on their state benchmark exams. I wonder why I always feel the need to validate my students' abilities? No one in our highly resourced schools feel the need to cite classroom achievement. Yet, I always feel the need to defend my students... and their abilities.
I once heard of a Teach for America (TFA) corps member in Baltimore who had someone try to steal her purse. The would-be thief lost the battle to the 5'2'' 105 pound girl. I said something to my brother about how that was remarkable and he started laughing. "Julie- when you were teaching, you had a "[insert foul language of your choice] stare that would have scared off any felon. No one would have come within a 100 yards of bothering you."
-
It was with that ferocity that I approached my job. In our own way, that's how all TFA corps members (CM) approach their jobs. What was/is our job? To ensure ALL our students achieve significant gains (often translated as 80% mastery of state standards.)
-
ALL. Special Ed, English Language Learners, those without heat at home, those who come into our classrooms 2 or more years behind... ALL. And we, like the would- be purse theft victim, win.
-
I feel energized today. Like I used to tell my students, today- we get one step closer to achieving academic excellence.
-
Today, we master one more standard.
-
Today, I start blogging about my experience- and other Teach for America alumni start blogging about their experiences- and we start talking about how having United Way and Teach for America as regional partners can move us closer to closing the gap in achievement.
-
Today, we start a new conversation about student achievement- and what it's going to take for our region to make NOTHING BUT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT our focus in education. No more excuses. No more "it'll never work." No more distractions.
-
Today, we shift the conversation and we continue to work relentlessly to end educational inequity… because I do believe that ALL students can achieve when given the opportunity.
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