This article originally appeared in WFAE reporter Anne Doss Helms' weekly education newsletter. To receive the latest school news in your inbox, start by Click here for email newsletter.
Last week, the public got a look at Superintendent Crystal Hill's strategy for achieving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board's five-year goals for academic improvement.
Hill and Chief Strategy Officer Beth Thompson believe in hiring top talent, community engagement, and strong support for everything from building maintenance to students, even when the ultimate goal is student outcomes. He stated that it is essential to include elements to achieve this. data.
As a result, 70 item-specific strategies were compiled. You can read it here or read Thompson's summary. “Teaching the whole child. Utilizing a rich curriculum. Developing, recruiting and retaining educators. Focusing on school environment and technology, engaging with the community. That's in our strategic plan. And that's what we do. These are the goals and guardrails we will be working towards over the next five years.”
While these strategies cover a wide range of ground, school board members had more questions for Mr. Thompson. “What about Latinx students?” Or people with special needs? How do we deal with destructive behavior? Shouldn't we explain more about the magnet program?
Thompson said the plan is still in development. Each strategy has additional action steps. And some strategies will require more funding in the coming years.
Some say public schools would improve if they narrowed their focus, cut back on administration, set aside distractions, and allowed teachers to focus on academic fundamentals. And it's also true that in every school system (and institution) there are programs that come and go with little impact.
But watching this plan develop was mostly a reminder of the extraordinary complexity of public education. You can't teach children who are hungry, anxious, or out of school. You can't piss off a teacher with a 3D printer. Although there are no standardized exams for arts, world languages, or sports, they often spark students' passions and help them plan for the future. Yes, the end result is a book-length planning document and thousands of people working in support services. With any luck, it can benefit children and move us several steps closer to the goal of equal opportunity.
