Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 August 2005 — Page 7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A7

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Back-to-school summit Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eugene White will be the keynote speaker for the 2nd annual Back-to-School Christian Leadership Summit. The free event will be held at the Madame Walker Theatre on Aug. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. the purpose of the summit is to encourage youth to strive for educational excellence. There will also feature a play, concert, a video production and praise dancers. Arlington class reunion A 20th anniversary class reunion will be held Aug. 20 from 8 p.m. to midnight for graduates of the Arlington High School class of 1985. The reunion will be held at in the Grand Lobby at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. The cost is $40 per person. For more information contact Marian "Pebbles" Crabtree-Smith-son at 466-3056 or e-mail Michelle Hayes at [email protected] Adult evening school Manual Adult Evening School classes will begin Aug. 22. Classes will be offered for high school credits, GED preparation, English as a second language and skill improvement classes. Classes are open to any person 16 or older living in Indiana. Registration ends Aug. 23. For more information and to enroll call 226-2231. Jackson State alumni meeting A reorganization meeting will be held for all Jackson State University alumni in Indianapolis and surrounding areas on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be held in the Marion County Health Department building and attendees need a picture ID to enter the building. For more information contact Jim Robinson at 253-7853.

EDUCATION DOES MAHER Students need consistent, committed and positive feedback from adults

By LEROY ROBINSON

In last week’s column, we discussed the experiences of Warren Brown, of Farmville, Va., who in 1972, passed up three college basketball scholarship offers because he did not feel he was prepared to go to college and succeed. He feared “the academics would have been too challenging.” Brown also stated, “I didn’t get a proper foundation, if you’re not prepared, what good is the school going to do for you,” he was quoted as saying. So often, we as educators interact with a variety of parents who are seeking strategies to assist them in helping their children perform better in the academic arena. It is no secret that far too many of our young African-American public school students are not performing at or above grade level. The main reason for their lack of high academic performance is that they are entering the classroom unprepared to learn and they are traveling throughout the education system with little or no preparation to carry them through. There are a few simple things that parents of low performing students can do to help increase their academic achievement. These rules or strategies are being applied by high achieving students and are behaviors that can be taught and learned. The limiting of television viewing and video game playing is essential if we ever want to close the ever-widening achievement gap. Many of our young male students are so hooked and mes-

merized by the video game craze that it is increasingly difficult for a classroom teacher to hold their attention for any length of time. Mastering the three R’s seems to still be the most essential aspect of acquiring a sound education. Reading, writing, and arithmetic seem to continue to dominate the standardized tests and they are the areas that drive the standard of measurement in education. In math, since it is the main subject that continues to build on previous learning, early and extended practice is required to see any improvement in this subject area. Math is a subject that must be learned in continuous steps and it presents concepts that must be mastered. When students fall behind in math, they most likely will remain behind. Parent involvement and oversight is needed, along with daily student practice, if there is to be sufficient higher achievement in math. Reading and writing, along with reading comprehension, are essentials on all standardized tests. It is quite unfortunate that many of our young people do not like to read, even in areas that interest them. It is seemingly unfortunate that they do not like to write. When alesson is presented which requires students to do any amount of extensive reading or writing, the moaning and groaning begins. It is always suggested to encourage students to read on topics that they enjoy during free or quiet reading time and to encourage them to write about experiences that they have enjoyed or write about some of their prior fondest memories. Empowering and preparing our young people for high achievement

and academic success is an enormous task. It will take serious commitments from parents, students, and classroom teachers. My experience has shown me that when one of these three intricate parts is unable to dedicate themselves to the task, the student suffers. Preparing young people for success is only the beginning, consistent, committed, and positive feedback and support from the adults in their lives is mandatory. During the conclusion of this academic school year, we can no longer afford to have any more modern day Warren Brown’s pass up academic or athletic scholarships. “Family Education and EmpowermentForum: Reaching African American Families and Achieving Student Academic Success,” recorded live at the Madame Walker Theatre, DVD/VHS video can be ordered and purchased for $10, by contacting the IPS Office of Multicultural Education at (317) 226-2430. Or send your request to: [email protected]. “Best Practices - Teaching African American Students: Classroom Achievement and Academic Success,” recorded live in the Marian College Library Auditorium, DVD/VHS video can be ordered and purchased for $10 by contacting the Marian College School of Education at (317) 955-6089- Or send your request to: educationdoesmatter @hotmail.com. For speaking engagements or education workshops, contact Robinson at: educationdoesmatter @,hotmail.comor write: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. For questions or comments, call (317) 502-0272.

Growing charter school moves forward with athletics

Charles Tindley school certified to compete in state sports By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer

An inner city charter school has taken a crucial step forward on its road to growth and expansion. The Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, a near Eastside institution currently serving high school students, was recently admitted to the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). The IHSAA regulates, supervises and administrates interschool athletic activities for more than 400 member high schools throughout the state. The not-for-profit organization is seen as the most legitimate vehicle of keeping schools connected athletically, and establishing qualifications of contestants, coaches and officials as well as standards of sportsmanship. More than 160,000 students participate in IHSAA activities. The Tindley school was admitted last Thursday along with the Campagna Academy, a charter school based in Schererville. “We consider it a great accomplishment to be admitted to the IHSAA,” said Ramon Batts, a dean and athletic director at the Tindley school. “It adds validity to our athletic programs. It gives our students opportunities to compete against the best in the state and in our area so that they can get better in their sporting contests. We’re excited about that.” As an IHSAA school, Tindley will start out with activities in the areas of basketball, cross country and track and field for boys and girls. A cross country meet is scheduled for Aug. 30 with Southmont High School, and Tindley school students will appear at the Ben Davis invitational on Sept. 13. Dates for the other sports are not yet confirmed. The Tindley school will compete with both public and charter schools within the IHSAA. The Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, one of 13 charter schools in Indianapolis, opened last year in the Meadows neighborhood on the Eastside. Students there learn in a series of honors-level, college preparatory courses. The school has become known for interactive instruction that enables students to demonstrate and apply what they have learned in some subjects. One day a week students have an

alternate schedule that allows them to participate in civics workshops with guest speakers. Designed to address the growing problem of under achievement and dropout among youth in its area, the school has a longer year (195 days) than many other schools on the traditional calendar, and a longer school day (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) To apply for membership in the IHSAA, which has been in existence since 1903, a high school has to agree to meet the organization’s bylaws, be accredited by the state and meet state graduation requirements for its students. Blake Rest, commissioner of the IHSAA, said the organization is glad to have both public and private schools, and noted membership is particularly good for newer schools such as Tindley. “I think having athletic activities at the charters are important because they help build enrollment and capture the interest of potential students,” said Rest. “It gives them, to some degree, credibility and it means their students are going to be out there doing the same things other high schools are doing.” During a time when more municipalities across the nation are looking at cutting some music and athletic programs from schools to save money, both Batts and Rest agreed that extracurricular activities such as sports provides students with a broader learning experience. “It’s athletic programs, music, drama groups and student council that make the schools vibrant,” Rest stated. “Academics are the main reason you have a school, but a school would be a rather unfine place to be if everyday all you had to look forward to was class work and no other options. You’ve gotta’ have academics, but sports is an important component also because it teaches you some things you don’t learn in a classroom.” Batts agreed, saying that athletics play a key role in promoting school pride, building alumnus and making a school more visible in the community. “We are an academic institution first and foremost, but athletics allow the students to identify with the culture and the nature of the school,” said Batts. “Our students can now express the gifts that they’ve been given in whatever area of sports they would like to compete in.”

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