The educational forum

June 20, 2009 11:53 pm

— By Judith Miller
guest columnist

As a veteran educator, I'm often asked, "What do you think about what is going on in our schools?" Such a broad, generic question always gives me pause. As a rule my response is, "To what are you referring?" Why? Because, I know how hard it is to be a teacher or an administrator in our schools today.
I attended the Meridian Public School forum Tuesday evening at Wesley House for several reasons. One, I'm privileged to serve on the board of directors of Wesley House. Our board and our staff are deeply committed to addressing concerns that impact our community, because we know that education is essential in breaking the cycle of poverty. The board wholeheartedly supported our executive director Ginger Stevens' invitation to Superintendent Kent to participate in an educational forum.
The second reason I attended the forum is because Meridian is my home. Through the years, when professional opportunities arose, my husband Ronnie and I have considered them and decided to remain in Meridian. Striving to be more than just taxpayers, we have spent our lives working to do what we can to make Meridian a better place for all families through education, the arts, and community involvement.
I attended Meridian Public Schools and so did our two children. We are proud that both of our children chose to complete degrees in elementary education. They could have chosen other career paths. They could have chosen to leave Mississippi, but they chose to stay. We are also very proud that our daughter has chosen to begin her teaching career by returning to her home school of Parkview Elementary. Her choice says volumes about what she thinks about education and Meridian Public Schools.
The hundreds of graduate students who have been in my classes at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus have often heard me say, the purpose of public education is easily stated, but hard to achieve. For years, the primary purpose has been to produce an educated citizenry. However, in the 21st Century, we must go beyond the basics and provide a relevant education in which students learn skills that will help them throughout their lives. The most important reason I attended the forum is because in my thirty-plus years as an educator, I've always tried to walk the talk. Perhaps Nancy L. Brown, a developmental psychologist and senior research associate with Stanford University said it best. "I believe that next to love and attention, education is the most important tool that parents can give their children. Research shows us that a perceived connection to school is a powerful predictor of resilience for all children, providing a safety net of sorts, no matter what family or community they are growing up in." Providing an education is important, but being involved with education is extremely important.
I'd like to share my personal observations about the forum. It was encouraging to see so many people interested in our schools, even if that interest was centered on specific concerns. We all have a vested interest in the success of our schools. On the other hand, it was disheartening to hear the sometimes harsh and biting questions and the occasional condescending tone of responses. It is a positive step that school board members, the superintendent, and school administrators were willing to hear and attempt to address those concerns. However, it is obvious that communication is a problem and that trust is strained.
One of the basic tenets of effective school leadership is to communicate effectively with key audiences-parents, teachers, students. School officials can be good at policy development, planning, and budgeting, but chances are if they can't or don't communicate well and establish rock-solid relationships with parents and teachers, they won't gain support for the programs, curriculum, and discipline that they may know are needed. Knowing the public and being able to keep abreast of the community's thinking are major requirements for today's successful school administrators and board members. Trust must be earned.
The commitment to better communications with all audiences is essential. Studies show that people who acquire their information about the schools from board members and employees tend to support the school more than people who get their information from other sources. It is important that all employees recognize their role in public relations.
I would offer the following five suggestions as a starting point to improve public confidence in our school district and in our educational leaders.
1. Do an effective job and let people know about the successes and the challenges. Be ready to admit problems and do not attempt to cover them up. Seek input from all stakeholders prior to policy development and implementation of changes. Whenever possible, provide rationale for decisions.
2. The public's concerns about discipline and school safety for students and teachers must always be taken seriously. Whether the problem is real or perceived, it exists at or near the top of all public attitude surveys toward public schools. Striving for fairness and consistency for all students should be the top priorities of school leaders. Opportunities that encourage more people to visit the schools during the learning day can be a giant step in reducing misperceptions about discipline.
3. Staff morale must be improved. New ideas should be encouraged and people should be asked for their opinions. They must be told when they do a good job.
4. Every effort must be made to involve parents and nonparents in our schools. Citizens who have been in their schools for whatever reason have more positive attitudes about those schools. Any occasion that fosters school visits or school use is a plus in terms of building confidence in school leaders.
5. Communications must be a two-way process. Communication is not just about school officials telling others about the schools. Enlightened leaders know they must be visible and they must listen. Whether a school system is excellent or mediocre depends on how well we communicate and work together.

Dr. Miller is retired from Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus where she served as assistant professor of
educational leadership and as executive director of the East MS Center for
Educational Development, Inc., a 20-school district educational service agency. She is currently adjunct faculty with MSU-Meridian Campus.