Equality

Educate Equality

Our present educational system is denying success and access to personal abilities.  Many are simply dropping out of the system entirely. These students are our future.   Allowing them to truly be themselves begins with a love and understanding of their own unique identity and gifts.  When children and young adults begin to value their own place in the world they can begin to be a positive participant in their community.  As parents and educators, we can encourage future generations of children and youth to contribute to our society by overcoming age-old prejudices about our present hierarchy. I believe we can break down the cycle  of shame that has so often consumed our educational system.

Knowing each child's gifts and encouraging them to try as hard as they can will motivate individuals to be the best they can be.  How can we introduce fundamental concepts of peace, unity, and academic achievement in anyof the school curriculum - from history to science to the arts if we do not start with the motivation of the individual. It would be great if high academic standards and values were an integral part of a student's experience. But, it can not be done without truly valuing the students themselves and the gifts they have to offer society. The process of educating our future citizens of tomorrow needs to involve interaction with the entire community.

Art, music, and hands on instruction as well as regular field trips in the community build confidence in students.  All students should be considered exceptional in their talents and appreciated for who they are.

The state of Florida is continually raising student expectations and parents are finding new options for success like individual tutoring and home education as well as many enrichment programs in music, art, and sports. There is a continued trend of being weary of massive amounts of testing that place external value on our children without ever asking what gifts each child has to offer our community. This is setting a mold for performance that excludes creativity and unique individuality.  Students are taken out of their music and art classes for raising performance in areas that might not be their strong area. This is difficult for students  who are not ready to meet these higher “expectations.” Why aren’t public schools expecting students to find what makes them unique and special?

Some schools use retention as a strategy for children when their reading skills are low.  In the long run low readers are more successful when allowed to learn at their own pace and not retained.  Many children are not ready to learn to read on the same level at the same age. Children who find their own learning style and pace, thrive academically.

Why damage a child's opinion of who they are just because he or she is unsuccessful at something, when they would be naturally able to do it at a later date? This is an unfortunate consequence of high stakes testing.

Encouraging your child is the most powerful strategy for building academic excellence.  The first step to do this is to give them a chance to excel academically through experiential learning and intensive tutoring. Tell them that you know they are a good learner who needs to find their own special way of learning and that you love them for all the things they are, and that they can do now.

Conferencing with your child’s teacher about alternative assessment methods (such as portfolio assessments) for your child is another powerful strategy to increase academic progress.  

Consider an alternative school setting as a strategy that will individualize your child’s needs.   A small private school with a class size no larger than five or six students will provide individual instruction where children can learn at their own pace.

The final and most important strategy is to make sure your child can celebrate their achievements to build confidence as unique individuals. The laws keep changing but the individual needs of each student remain rather constant.

Many schools offer the "solution" to children who are gifted or don’t fit the traditional mold which is a referral to special education. All too often, schools fail to offer the critical third "R" – Rooting for their own identity. Our community needs to tailor programs to do just this for students 12-18.  We need to give students a chance to find where they belong in our community not on the Florida Student Assessment bar.