Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / June 17, 1999, edition 1 / Page 17
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SSEEEETTTT ee — ~ amt FQ A Ga aa oe va MAGA J June 17, 1999 Page 5B (GUEST COLUMN Educational Excellence Act expects more from schools Herald/Times By Richard W, Riley Ask most American parents what they want for their chil- dren, and the first answer is likely to be a good education. But how can you know if your child’s school is really perform- ing well? Recently, we pro- posed “The Educational Excellence for All Students Act,” which would go a long way toward addressing some of your most important school-re- lated cncerns:. How good is my child's school: States and school dis- tricts would be required to give all parents annual report cards that include essential informa- tion on student achievement, teacher qualifications, class size, attendance and graduation rates. t eHow safe is my child’s school? Schools would give parents an - annual report of any gun, drug or violent incidents, and under the current Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, school districts would be expected to adopt only proven anti-drug and violence prevention programs, to inter- vene with troubled youth, and to expand character education programs that help children learn the difference between right and wrong. Hunt plans to Raleigh - Recalling the sense- less and untimely deaths of in- nocent people across the nation as a result of school violence, Gov. Jim Hunt made a passsion- ate plea-and a powerful charge- for North Carolina schools not to fall victim to the violence that plagues our children and schools. “We have done a lot in this state to keep our schools safe,” said Hunt. “But'none of that is enough when our students and teachers come to school afraid- and when we're afraid of them. We are serious about not adding a single school in North Carolina to that national list of horror. To do that is our top priority. “This is not just a school problem. It is also a community problem. It is a family problem. It’s a problem for all of our soci- ety,” Hunt added. Hunt charged Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Richard Moore with forming The Governor's Task Force on Youth Violence and School Safety in response to the rash of school violence across the na- tion. The task force will focus on how North Carolina is doing with reference to prevention, in- tervention and response. The task force will report back to the Governor by mid- July with specific recommenda- tions for local leaders, school administrators, teachers, juve- nile crime prevention councils, law enforcement, parents and students to begin implementing before the 1999-2000 school year. The report will compile resources and best practices for reducing school violence. The task force will also identify is- sues that should be dealt with at the state level. Hunt urged the task force to do everything possible to make North Carolina’s schools safe places for children to learn, in- cluding implementing zero tol- erance and safe school plans in every school-and making stu- dents a part of that effort, re- ducing school size, encouraging communities to make schools a top priority, getting businesses involved and finding ways to boost parental involvement. For the next several weeks, task force meetings will be held to address different perspec- tives on how to reduce youth violence and boost school safe- ty. At each meeting, the task force will hear from experts de- scribing model programs. In addition, the task force will hold regional town hall meet- ings across the state. North Carolina began to fo- cus on the problem of youth and school violence in 1993 when Gov. Hunt formed the Task Force on School Violence. Following the task force's rec- eHow can my child's school be improved? There would be special attention to low-per- forming schools—-intensive teacher training and extra after, school and summr help for stu- dents trying to catch up, based on proven school reform meth- ods. (Nineteen states have al- ready shown success by taking such actions. President Clinton’s budget includes $200 million to help more states and school districts make these im- portant improvements.) *How can classroom discipline be improved? States and school districts would adopt fair, con- sistent discipline policies, and students who are suspended or expelled form school would re- ceive appropriate supervision, counseling and other services. eHow can the quality of teach- ing be improved? States would test all new teachers to make sure they have the skills and knowledge they need to teach the subjects they'll be teaching. This would help to make sure that no teachers are teaching ‘out of field,” such as social studies teachers teaching math or science, as happens all too of- ten. And there would be new efforts to recruit, retain and support good teachers, especial- ly in high-poverty schools. fight violence ommendations, North Carolina’s schools have become. safer places for students to learn and teachers to teach. Because of the efforts of the Hunt administration, North Carolina has created after- school and mentoring pro- grams, pushed for tougher weapons laws, a stronger juve- nile code, more effective pro- grams for disruptive and vio- lent students, more student involvement, and more time and resources spent on chil- dren. *How can we get smaller class- es in my child’s school? Under this proposal 100,000 new teachers would be hired, allow- ing class size in grades 1-3 to be reduced to a national average of 18 students. This would give teachers more time to give young students the individual- ized attention they need to get off to a good start. What about after school time? Funding for quality after- school, weekend, and summer programs would triple. More than 1 million young people would receive expanded learn- ing opportunities in academics, computers and the arts, and en- joy healthy recreational oppor- tunities. I want to challenge my child to do better. Can I expect the school to do the same? All stu- dents would be expected to show that they are meeting high standards of excellence at key points in their education, including graduation from high school. In addition, the practice of social promotion would be ended, not by holding students back indefinitely, but by provid- ing qualified teachers, meaningful after-school and summer school programs, smaller classes, and other ways to help students make the grade. I look forward to working with Congress to pass the “Educational Excellence for All Children Act.” I believe it will make a real difference. But as parents and family members, you also have an important role to play. Research shows that your personal involvement can make all the difference--read to young children, share and dis- cuss books with older children, and encourage reading through the summer months. Check homework every night. Stay in touch with teachers and princi- pals. Limit TV viewing. And engage in conversation--about values, the dangers of doing drugs, alcohol and tobacco, the everyday hurts and fears of growing up. Call 1-800-USA- LEARN for more ideas about ways to become more involved in improving your child's edu- cation. Every child can learn and ev- ery adult can make a difference in the life of a child. We must expect much of our children-- and be prepared to give much in return for their success. (Richard W. Riley is U.S. Secretary of Education) DENTON’S WEST 4TH GRADE A/B HONOR ROLL - Front row, left to right, Patrick Champion, Matt Henson, Jeremy Huffman, Kristin Long, Nikki Norwood. Back row, Lamar Robertson, Wesley Sipe, Chris Rudd. Not pictured, Caleb Bowen. 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The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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June 17, 1999, edition 1
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