“Without a vision, the people perish…”

And so will the future of public education in DeKalb County if we don’t see radical change. Bloggers –parents, teachers and students – demand those in charge either lead or get out of the way. We are tired of the blaming, the excuses, the diversion tactics. It is still possible to educate children within a public system – but it requires skilled leadership and a sense of mission - a sense of purpose; a clear vision we have not had in this district in easily 20 years. In the past, we have blamed the old boys’ network, the federal court case, M to M, Dr. Brown – when the real culprit behind all of this has been an abject failure of leadership. How is it Fulton and Gwinnett have not become the public school embarrassments DeKalb has? Because when challenges emerged, demographics shifted and the feds made new rules, these counties adapted. They are not perfect: but they installed capable leadership and communicated a clear mission: educate kids. Let us do likewise.

The consequences of failing in this mission are grave. We polled our regular bloggers, contributors and consultants asking their input on a vision for our schools. Herewith, our own 2020 vision:

• A trained, experienced superintendent who possesses the utmost integrity and character, who can guide DeKalb Schools in a way that develops teachers, staff and students; a leader not heretofore connected to this school system, who will end cronyism and nepotism, who can restore trust and is dedicated to putting student learning first; a leader qualified to re-structure a Central Office to serve children first.
• A chief financial officer of the utmost integrity and character who is trustworthy and transparent in overseeing wise expenditures of the people’s money.
• Board of Education members who adhere to codified ethical and legal standards; who are themselves educated; who are engaged in the mission of student learning; whose family members are not employed by the DeKalb County School System.
• The completion of a thorough, outside audit of the budget, all SPLOST expenditures and financial practices of the school system.
• A re-configuring of the pay scale to redirect monies to classroom teachers from the Central Office personnel.
• A qualified, skilled principal in every school, gifted at harnessing the power of teachers and parents to work in harmony for the development of every child; empowered principals who can remove inadequate teachers and staff.
• A system of schools that offer an equitable course of study in a safe, clean and welcoming environment – no matter where you live.
• A qualified teacher in every classroom, each encouraged to seek national certification, and each supported by the network of resources – including student teachers – available at area colleges.
• Aligned feeder patterns that afford vertical planning time for all teachers to eliminate educational gaps as children move from elementary to middle school to high school.
• A philosophy that encourages children to “advance when ready:” a nimble school environment that can meet the needs of early readers and those demonstrating unusual early facility, allowing them to move on to new academic challenges instead of marking time.
• A system of schools sized to maximize collection of state and federal funding.

Elementary Vision:

• A safe, clean environment with appropriate resources in every classroom – from teaching tools to tissues.
• Individualized learning support for struggling students that begins in Kindergarten.
• Small learning groups to support solid reading and math skills.
• An exploration of “looping” to allow a teacher to stay with a group two or even three years to focus on building on known strengths and addressing known deficits.
• Refashioned art, music, PE and foreign language instruction for all students that builds on and is integrated into the core learning curriculum.
• Technology: Wi-fi, SmartBoards, laptops, Kindles, iPads and/or other identified resources – plus the teacher training that ensures technology will be utilized to extend learning.
• Fully-equipped science labs.
• A quality program to meet the needs of gifted learners.
• Recess every day.
• A magnet program that begins in the upper elementary years – after children begin to demonstrate certain proficiencies – to address the needs of the top five-percent of students.
• After-school programs that address learning struggles, while providing other life-enhancing and wellness activities.

Middle School Vision:

• A place where children are known by the adults around them – where they are supported in academic pursuits and extra-curriculars.
• A clean, safe environment, where adults are trained to develop students and coach them into better choices and behaviors; where intransigent students are removed in deference to the entire school community.
• Refashioned art, music, PE and foreign language instruction for all students that builds on and is integrated into the core learning curriculum.
• Technology: Wi-fi, SmartBoards, laptops, Kindles, iPads and other identified resources – plus the teacher training that ensure resources will be utilized to extend learning.
• Fully-equipped science labs.
• A quality program to meet the needs of gifted learners.
• A full complement of sports, academic competitions (including science, debate, Hi-Q, chess, engineering) leadership and musical opportunities – with qualified adult leadership – to develop students’ gifts and talents.
• Intra-mural programs to promote cooperation and play.

High School Vision:

• A place where children are known by the adults around them – where they are supported in academic pursuits and extra-curriculars.
• A clean, safe environment, where adults are trained to develop students and coach them into better choices and behaviors; where intransigent students are removed in deference to the entire school community.
• Multi-track diplomas that recognize not every child will attend college – but every child needs a high school diploma. Vo-Tech and Career-Tech paths that will ensure students graduate prepared to support themselves and capable of functioning in society.
• Courses of study for the brightest students, supported by the resources of area colleges and undergirded by IB, AP and nationally-recognized standards.
• General-level classes that do not warehouse children – that are engaging and develop all students.
• Mandatory Saturday school for failing students.
• Meaningful and informed college counseling.
• Technology: Wi-fi, SmartBoards, laptops, Kindles, iPads and other identified resources – plus the teacher training that ensure technology resources will be utilized to extend learning.
• Parents Centers for all schools within a cluster that truly offer needed resources, especially to non-English speaking parents.
• A full complement of sports, academic competitions (including science, debate, Hi-Q, chess, engineering) leadership and musical opportunities – with qualified adult leadership – to develop students’ gifts and talents.
• Intra-mural programs to promote cooperation and play.