Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 January 2003 — Page 6

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2003

It's time for us to help each of our students reach their full potential

Please do not forget the 10 New Year’s Resolutions for'JOO.i.They were listed in the last column and are guaranteed by the federal, state, and local governments to improve your child’s academic success in the classroom, and his/ her social behavior in the educational environment. Although this is the start of a new year, there still seem to be lingering problems from the previous year(s). Shouldn’t it be that educators start a new year off with a clean slate and with a renewed spirit and focus, so they can dedicate the first part of the new year to helping students learn? Everyone comes back with smiling faces, new clothes and shoes, and most with new attitudes. All of the students are excited to share their stories with friends and get reacquainted again. The teachers feel refreshed and after evaluating the first half of the school year, come into the new year with renewed strategies for success. However, in most eases, this joy and excitement tends to fade away towards the end of January. The joy and excitement is gone, the newness of everyone's return has worn off, and the renewed energy that many teachers had begins to fade. Why is it so difficult for the joy and excitement to last? During the first few w eeks of school of the fall semester and during the first few weeks after w inter break, everyone seems excited about school and being back in the education environment. Eventually, all participants, including parents, are back into the same routine of mediocrity. And then, after being back in school for a month or two, the I-STEP scores are released. Anyone who follows this political machine can pretty much predict what the results will be. Scores will continue to be low

Education Does Matter By Leroy Robinson

across the state, there will be a slight improvement in language arts or math for one of the grade levels, “interested parties” will compare the scores of the different school districts, and the finger pointing w ill begin. Will there ever come a time when these "interested parties” w ill all. be on the same page? These individuals consist of the three-legged-stool...thecommu-nity. the school, and the parents. Each of these parts is needed in order to help the students prosper. Unfortunately, it seems that many of those who have the ability to make a difference, often place theirpersonal agendaabove that of the overall student population. Everyone seems to have a personal agenda, whether it is monetary, position of influence, or the power to pass a law. The fact that we have average or below average scores for a majority of our students across the state, should be reason enough for concern. When the scores are released this spring, reviewthose of the more affluent Fishers, Carmel, and Noblesville schools. The percentage of their students, who are passing both parts of the I-STEP test, range from 80 to 90 percent. In the Indianapolis Public School system. Fort Wayne, Gary, and even Marion and Muncie, the large majority of the students are testing below standards.

This information is public knowledge and those “interested parties”are fully aware that those in the more affluent areas are nowin the minority. Because those in the majority, are the students who are struggling to meet the standards. The overall success of a “majority” ofour young people should he at the top of the political agenda. We can no longer afford to continue putting our future on hold. The lives of our young people are at stake and the community, as we know it is in jeopardy. Many of these young “underachievers" will soon be older underachievers. When you fail to meet the standards in the classroom, there is often a support network to encourage you to do better. In the game of life, failing to meet the standards and underachieving in the real world could mean a lifetime of unpleasant experiences and a bleak outlook. We have the unique ability to see this future today and make a difference now. Will we work together duringthisnewyear and grasp the opportunity that is before us? Those who teach the standards, on up to those who w-rote the standards, each know we are fighting an uphill battle. Now is the time for us to join together to help each ofour students, in the minority and in the majority, reach their full potential. “It is easy to shout slogans, to sign manifestos, but it is quite a different matter to build, manage, command, and spend days and nights seeking the solution of problems.” - Patrice Lumumba For speaking engagements or education workshops, contact me at: educationdoesmatter(« hotmail.com or write me at: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. My contact number is (317) 502-0272.

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( t Charter schools open

in cily highlighl education event:

"Every child can learn, and we mean it... excuses are not good enough, we need results."

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer Theyear 2002 marked some breakthrough programs in education. President George W. Bush, along with the first AfricanAmerican Secretary of Education Roderick Paige, passed the No Child Left Behind Act, a bill that will attempt to bridge education gaps in the country and give each child a fair chance at a quality education. The first charter schools in Indianapolis opened in 2002: the 21' 1 Century Charter School, the Christel House Academy and Planner House Elementary School. The National Black Caucus of State Legislators held their 26 ,h annual conference in Indianapolis, their theme being “The Blueprint for Educational Excellence." Many legislators spoke out on the large gap minority education has to cover to be on a level playing field with the majority of the popu-

lation. The ISTEP, a test to gauge academic standards, added an algebra section to its test graduating high school students must pass in order to receive their diploma. Dr. Eugene G. White, superintendent ofWashington Township Schools, made a speech to his Af-rican-American male students at North Central High School about performing better. This meeting "by White caused controversy among students and parents who felt he was being unfair and overly harsh. Rev. Boniface Hardin, founding president of Martin University was presented with the International Center of Indianapolis' International Citizen of the Year Award. Hardin was presented the award for his contributions to the internationalization of Indiana through his institution of higher education. A study by the Education Trust, and education advocacy group in Washington found that teachers with a different expertise teach only 13 percent of Indiana's

classes, the rest have been trained in tJffirsubject matter. Only Min.flesota does better at making sure secondary schoolteachers have been trained in their subject. At the college level, Indiana ranked 27th in affordability. The Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis charity, concluded that 30 percent of Indiana’s public and private colleges cost too much for low-in-come students. That study came out before Indiana’s foun-year public universities announced tuition and fee increases, raising the statewide average tuition to $4,644. Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga., and Mary Holmes College in West Point, Miss., two Historically Black Colleges (HBC), lost their accreditation. Without accreditation, a college’s degree loses value with graduate school admissions offices and licensing boards. It also means the college is not eligible to receive federal funding and many students will lose out on aid needed to attend the college.

Foreign language classed (or children The Language Learning Center is now offering Saturday morning foreign language programs for Russian, Mandarin, Spanish, French, and to teach English its a second language. Classes will meet for 17Saturdays beginning Jan. 1H through May 31, from 9 a.m. until noon, and are held at the International High School located on 4330 Michigan Road. The sessions cost $475 per student and are all-inclusive. Classes w ill be offered in four groups with a maximum of 10 students (breach class, including: kindergarten; grades 1 and 2; grades 3, 4 and 5; and grades 6,7 and 8. The studentsare taught through a variety of proven teeh niques with the core being language immersion. Native speakers teach via exciting activities like cooking, visual arts, music and sports. The program is open to children of all foreign language skill levels. The Language l-earningCentcr isanextensionofthe International School of Indiana (1SI) located on the Michigan Road campus. All teachers have been approved by [SI,an independent, not for-profit, non-sectarian school that incorporates the highest national and international education standards into its program of academic excellence. Students are taught academic and life skills in a supportive and diverse environment and become fully bilingual at an early age. Call (317)25.5-1951 for an application or more information.

Scholarship recipient

Faye McDaniel, (left) Central Region President of Tuskeqee Airman recently presented a $1,000 check from the local Tuskeqee Airman Chapter Scholarship to Lauren Powell (right). Powell also received a $1,500 check from the organization's national affiliate. She attends Xavier University In Louisiana.

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