Claudia Keenan is spot- on again!

I've mentioned my personal admiration for the education columns written by Claudia Keenan of the Briarcliff Patch.

Claudia Keenan - education historian

Today, Claudia has posted a truly inspired description of DeKalb county schools. Here's a snippet:

Running the schools with superb opacity, our elected officials and administrators share essential information only under duress. Documents appear and disappear at will, and the system’s financial accounting is routinely withheld or obscured.

At least in the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, the crumbs dropped by the children led somewhere. In the dark labyrinth of the DeKalb County School System, there are no trails at all. It’s impossible to follow the money or the ideas.

You just have to read it. Here's the link:

The Pathology of DeKalb County Schools

Claudia Keenan - education historian

Do any of you follow the columns in the Patch written by Claudia Keenan? I hope you do. Claudia is one of the most interesting people. She holds a doctorate in the history of American education from New York University and writes very informative stories about DeKalb schools and education in general.

The most recent story is an eye-opening historical perspective on Medlock Elementary School, where as it turns out, Decatur School Board member and former PR and Communications officer for DeKalb Schools Julie Rhame was a student. (Julie was a big loss to DeKalb in the recent round of budget cuts.)

I urge you to read this enlightening perspective highlighting the racial desegregation and its associated pain for young African-American students.

A Story About Medlock Elementary
Medlock Elementary School opened in 1955 and remained all-white for its first 14 years. Two alumni share their memories of integration.

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Below are links to a few more of Claudia's columns. Watch for her reports. She brings a very balanced, informed and well-researched perspective to the table.

The World Comes to DeKalb Schools
DeKalb County is the nation’s fourth largest receiver of distressed, foreign refugees. The DeKalb County School System educates 85 percent of those who come to Georgia each year.

International Families Flourish in DeKalb Classrooms
Refugee and immigrant families in DeKalb County receive support from a variety of philanthropic and educational organizations. The public schools provide essential services for children and parents as they experience resettlement. 

Heated School Issues Resonate Across a Century
DeKalb parents might be fired up about potential school closures and redistricting, but educational challenges like these are age-old issues. 

Getting Involved and Improving Your Child's Education
As DeKalb County residents react to possible school closures and reassignments, PTA leaders are in the forefront. They face other, long-term challenges.

Desperately Seeking Superintendents
As local school systems search for new superintendents, will candidates come from within Georgia, from the field of education or elsewhere and with many or few credentials?

The Business of Education
Business leaders, foundation officials and legislators search for superintendents who are great managers, not educators. A century ago, superintendents were educators with brilliant administrative skills.