MISeducation of Students

To educate means to train the mind. To enlighten means to give greater knowledge to. Teachers are charged with this grave responsibility of educating and enlightening our students. High school graduates are leaving without both. Additionally, graduates are leaving high school without the ability to perform basic math computation and some of them can't write a coherent paragraph.

However, the blame for the MISeducation of students cannot be placed on the teachers alone. Parents and have to assume the lion's share of this responsibility as well.

Parents have to attend PTA meetings; they have to check their children's homework; check their test scores; and monitor their children's study habits.

Some may say that some parents don't know themselves, how to assist their children. This may be true, but this does not excuse the parent. Enrolling children in study groups and after-school programs are examples of how parents can assist.

All it takes is some time and effort. If only this effort could be transferred to helping with homework and attending PTA meetings.

Education has the power to transform. I have listed a few easy to implement changes that can assist our children with learning. 

1.     Modernize the educational curriculum. There should be civic courses offered every semester to teach students how to engage the political systems in society. This will help give them a sense of pride because they would have been identifying with their culture.

2.     Students should be given mental tests yearly or as needed. Early detection of domestic problems or learning difficulties will assist in the proper care and placement of students in programs that can cater to their needs.

3.     Teachers need additional resources if they are to be held to a higher standard. Teachers should be allowed to teach without corrective action if their techniques are proven to be effective.

Education From The Top

With the adoption of No Child Left Behind in 2001, School Boards have been faced with the challenge of creating learning environments that will eliminate the achievement gap. To achieve this goal schools have struggled with assessing past practices and policies that either support or inhibit the learning success of all students.

Thus, schools administrators, teachers and Board members have sought ways to refine their individual as well as collective efforts for systemic change. As we clearly identify in Prince George's County, change of this magnitude requires both pressure and support from leaders. 

"An organization that changes practices without changing beliefs will quickly revert to the old practices."

An effective School Board member must be clear of those changes that will lead to what I label "Social Justice Advocacy." Social justice advocacy ensures that ALL learners have access to high quality instruction in a positive learning environment. This can only be achieved in District 8 if we have a School Board member who will:

• Question the way policy is administered
• Participate in the agenda setting as they raise significant issues
• Target political systems “because those systems are not responding to people’s needs”
• Are inclusive and engaging
• Propose policy solutions
• Open up space for public argumentation

I believe that leadership experience in these challenging times will provide a new set of skills which will serve to engage constituents, administrators, teachers and other School Board members in the creation of instructional equity in an inclusive learning environment.

It is time to commit to working together in pursuit of the school mission, that above all else, “Children First.”

Orlando J. Bego, Candidate

Prince George’s County School Board District 8

www.voteOJBego.com