Entry #15: Community support is
easy to talk about, and tough to do.
Columbus, Georgia -- As we approach the halfway point of
our cross country journey, I find myself reflecting on some of the more
difficult lessons I have learned. With the schools and programs on vacation
these past two weeks, this has afforded me, as with most educators, time
to ponder.
This has also been a period where my wife and I have had more time around
our middle school sons, Ian and Tyler. This has led to some interesting
observations -- some of which are not very comforting. I'd like to take
some time to share some of these findings, then tie them into observations
here in Columbus as well as across the nation.
At the outset of our trip, I knew that time together would be both a bonus
and a curse. Our boys have been unable to attend the local middle school
this month, so time together is ALL we've had. They did connect with another
boy for a few weeks, but the main activity was video games. Given the choice
between taking an excursion with the family and Nintendo, you can guess
which one they would pick.
Then there is PE. If anyone has home-schooled before, you know that physical
education is limited to what two or three people can do with a ball, racket
or bike. Suddenly, trying to get these two active boys to stay active has
become quite challenging. Again, given the opportunity to watch TV all day,
they take it. Of course, kids are not that unlike adults. We know what should
be done but often settle for the easiest or most comfortable activity instead.
Just yesterday, I read a statement from Tom Landry, former coach of the
Dallas Cowboys. Referring to coaching, he said that the main task is "to
get men to do what they don't want to do in order to achieve what they want
to achieve." That, it seems to me, describes raising and educating
kids as well.
Our youth want to be successful, productive adults but don't have the self
discipline to get there on their own. At least mine don't. Parents, educators
and all who work with kids have to get them to do those things necessary
to make it. Its not easy, nor comfortable at times.
Unfortunately, we can apply the same concept to education. We know what
should be done but don't actually do the work necessary to get there. Every
school I have read about or visited has mentioned parent involvement as
a key. In addition, most communities have professed a desire to assist young
people, partner with schools, and provide programs and activities. But the
reality has usually been far different. Its easy to talk about but tough
to do.
Here in Columbus, one of the meetings I attended was hosted by the Columbus
Children, Youth, and Family Coalition. Present were city leaders, state
representatives, United Way directors and dozens of others. The Coalition
presented some statistics -- most of which were known by all those present
-- about high teen pregnancy, abuse and neglect. In addition, Zero Population
recently posted their report card for Kid Friendly Cities, giving Columbus
an overall grade of C-minus.
It is going to take more than meetings and money to make the changes necessary
to bring success to all students. Some of the people I talked to here stressed
breaking out of the mold and doing things differently than they have been
done before.
There are many examples of this all over. As I reported in September, Southwest
Star Concept School in Minnesota completely restructured their school in
all areas. Here in Georgia, Midnight Basketball is a major phenomenon, drawing
hundreds of youth to basketball and life skills classes at unusual times
(not always midnight).
For the most part, the changes required someone to go against the grain.
Having parents and students participate in all committees and decisions
at Barren County Middle School is not easy -- but it's important. One of
the big tasks in the school here in Columbus is to get teachers to better
understand their students and the problems their families face. As reported
by several people, the schools are out of touch with the lives of many of
the kids they serve. Instead of understanding and working for change, kids
are suspended and the problem is moved out of the school.
How we work with youth, how parents are treated, how schools operate, how
communities are structured -- these are the issues that must be addressed
in order to bring about successful schools for all of us. It's a huge task.
As I see my sons being stretched in new ways and exposed to new experiences,
I know the trip is worth it. Now if I can only help my school and community
to do the same.
Next stop, Southwest and Jackson Heights Middle Schools in the Greater Orlando
area.
Happy New Year! Darrell
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