My August column regarding the need to refocus our school accountability system struck a chord with many people. The overriding response was, “I agree with you, but how can we change such an entrenched system? How can we shift the attention of state and federal officials from students’ tests to students’ lives? Will anyone listen to us? Where do we start? How can I help?”
I caution that there is no quick solution to the accountability quagmire. The road toward a goal of educating lifelong learners is fraught with political agendas, divergent interests, policy fads and strained budgets. We cannot afford to wait for the change to come from “on high” in Austin or D.C. We must start in our neighborhood schools, local school district, PTA meetings, booster clubs and faculty lounges.
Fortunately, we have an ally to help our efforts. I encourage you to join the ranks of Raise Your Hand Texas to “celebrate, defend and strengthen our public schools.” RHYT is a broad-based coalition of business leaders, civic officials and concerned citizens who want stronger schools and brighter futures for each child. RYHT has proposed a school accountability system that meets the needs of children, families and communities with an eye toward meaningful student progress. Please explore raiseyurhandtexas.org.
I am proud that your Richardson ISD Board of Trustees has recently updated RISD’s goals, which are based upon core beliefs central to the legacy of excellence in our community. You can access the RISD vision statement, beliefs and goals at risd.org. You will notice that TAKS results, state accountability ratings and No Child Left Behind criteria are not within our goals. Rather, our sights are set on what matters most to our students, staff, schools and neighborhoods. We believe that excellent student performance and progress will be a natural result if we take care of our stated priorities.
In addition, we developed a “tag line” in which we attempt to articulate the ultimate task for RISD: In RISD, we unlock potential, provide opportunities, and enable dreams … for every student.
We first acknowledge that every child has unique, individual potential to learn, achieve and excel. Our “society of specialization” has created an atmosphere in which children are too often “identified” or “slotted” at an early age to have limited potential — children will be only an athlete, performer, scholar or even an underachiever, rather than a well-rounded lifelong learner. Through caring relationships with teachers, counselors, volunteers and mentors, children can discover their talents, interests and passion, which frame their potential.
RISD must and will provide varied opportunities to our students. Classroom rigor is necessary, but so are learning opportunities, such as an author reading to kindergarteners or a fourth-grade overnight trip to East Texas or a field trip to a museum. High school students benefit from pursuits including extracurricular activities, Junior ROTC, RISD’s Professional Internship Program, and our career and technology offerings. Preparing children to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world requires exposing them to the breadth and depth of what the world has to offer.
We can enable students’ dreams through support, encouragement and guidance. Children should dream big and pursue their dreams. Some children dream to be the first in their family to graduate from high school or college. Others dream of a life of service or military careers or financial independence. The dreams are as varied as our students. The challenge and mission is to assist each child to achieve, whatever rests on their individual heart and mind.
No one said that our public education mission is easy. We can all agree, however, that our mission is essential to our children and society.
See you at school.
