The impact of No Child Left Behind legislation will forever be debated in the world of education. Regardless of how you feel about the legislation which started the flood of tests our children are now required to take, isn’t the idea of every child learning how to read, write and do math what we all should strive for? Teaching is a noble profession and certainly not for those who give up easily. We must believe and act on the quote by Charles F. Kettering, an American inventor, “Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”
Minnesota ranks 50th, yes 50th, out of all 50 states in American Indian Achievement. In Cook County we have large achievement gaps in our American Indian, free or reduced lunch, special education and male populations. The percentage of students proficient in math and reading is lower than comparative groups. For instance, male students have a lower proficiency rate than females; students qualifying for meal benefits have a lower proficiency rate than students who do not qualify, etc.
Some think there is no way we will ever close the achievement gaps. They believe it is impossible for all students to be motivated enough to learn, that reaching every child is just simply impossible or there are too many factors outside of school influencing the child’s ability to succeed. This article is intended to encourage every single person in Cook County to work with and encourage all of our educators to reach every student. Without strong support from the community the achievement gaps will persist and we will leave children behind. Simply put, schools cannot effectively address the achievement gaps alone.
Achievement gaps are fueled by opportunity gaps. Children across our county have their basic needs met to various degrees. Food, shelter, clothing, acceptance, respect, safety, medical and dental services, prenatal care, love, access to high quality education services prior to kindergarten, etc. are met in some households, while in many of our households one or more basic needs are absent. The greater the number of needs unmet the greater the chance children will fall behind their peers in school. Because the opportunity gaps begin before birth, the schools in the county need the support of all Cook County residents and agencies to help make sure the basic needs of our developing children are being met. Giving all of our children equal opportunity to succeed is an overwhelming thought, however, if we become so overwhelmed we fail to act, we fail our children, and, in the end ourselves.
What can you do? Believe it or not there are numerous opportunities to help erase the opportunity gaps and, in turn, the achievement gaps. For example, donate to the local food shelf, mentor a child, volunteer at a school or at the YMCA, support school operating levies, donate money to the food services in our local schools to help cover costs for students who just miss the free or reduced lunch cut off, read to children often, donate to the YMCA or Community Education scholarship programs, support our local Salvation Army, engage young people in conversations, and the list goes on and on.
The schools in Cook County cannot effectively address the achievement gaps alone. If we truly want a strong, vibrant Cook County we need to make sure all of our children succeed. Yes, it is an overwhelming challenge, but if we “believe and act as if it were impossible to fail,” we will make progress towards our goal, our children will be more successful, and our county will be stronger. Working together, we can achieve the impossible!
Each month a representative of our local schools will offer thoughts in Issues in Education. This month’s contributor is Beth Schwarz, superintendent of School District 166.
Leave a Reply