Kids is Kids: and they all can learn

Education Problems?  Easily Fixed:  Resources used with intent for the common good

It truly does take a village to raise a child.  The modern village is no longer centered around the campfires of old. Even though many parents work and we all live in our own little bubbles these days, we are still part of our community.  I totally believe that we should make the new center of the village the place where our kids spend most of their time: their school. 

My experience has shown me that the child who suceeds is the child who has his parents or others as  partners in learning. It is the child who is lucky enough to go to a school where scientific knowledge is as important to and supported by the community as fully as the little league team. Funny how we can find the time to volunteer to coach teams, man the refreshment stands, fundraise for new uniforms, and attend the sports events themselves, but have no idea how and where to help out in our child's school.  We have gotten annoyed and let our feelings be known when we feel our kid has a crummy coach, or the umpire makes a bad call, or a foul is not noticed. But do we get as involved with a poor grade on a test, or missed homework assignments?  When our kids say, "I don't get this", what do we do to help out?  IF we value education, then we must find equal time to support it.  I am not sure this happens.  There certainly is a small but dedicated group of people at school, a handful of parents who provide back up to the teachers and students.  But compared to those at a school football game, which is seen as more important?

I am fortunate to teach in an area where the teachers, students and parents all care about education.  The students in my school consistently win in math competitions, science competitions, writing contests, music competitions, as well as sports competitions.
How does this happen here and not everywhere?  Many reasons:
1. Students are closely monitored by their parents: many kids are not allowed to watch tv until school work is completed. Many students must practice their music every day.  Many others must work on subjects even if "there is no homework".  Many must read daily. Many are not allowed on social websites during the week. Some don't even watch tv during the week! This leads the kids to understand that school work is most important, and comes ahead of other considerations.
2. Teachers give extra time to academics. They give up lunch time to help floundering students. They allow retests when students haven't "gotten" the material. They stay current with the latest educational pedagogy and read about developmental stages of their clients. They LIKE to teach.
3. Common values are used by all teachers from kindergarten to twelvth grade .Through each content area all teachers focus on: communication skills, critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, self directed learning, literacy and research skills, global and local responsible citizenship. Even a kindergartener is taught the meaning of respect and collaboration. Differentiated instruction is prized.
4. The school news system:  Student-produced videos that focus on topics relevent to both themselves and the general world, are presented to the whole school.  Announcements from the administration always portray positiveness and the message that at our school it is "cool" to be smart. Awards in academic areas, respectful citizens and sports heroes are all mentioned equally.

Does this mean that 100% of our students succeed?  Nope, some still do not.  It is in this case, that the whole village is needed to help out.
Most of the reasons students do not succeed have to do with their situations in life.  It is impossible to learn to read if you are hungry.  Its hard to concentrate on math skills when your parents are going through a divorce.  Its difficult to practice your violin when you are the one responsible to make dinner when your patents are working.  It is hard to work on writing a poem if your are concerned for your own safety due to your local neighborhood bully.
Despite what certain government officials would have you think, there isn't enough time in the school day to cure the societal problems that they cannot.
The community can come to the rescue of these students by offering free programs to help.  If we can support basketball tournaments, why not a free counseling program? If we can fly band members to Florida to perform, why not fund a large scale "safe place" program? Why do we take money away from headstart or food programs, when we know they are necessary?  How can we pay one professional sports person 26 billion dollars a YEAR but not want to give it to improve these problems?
All of this goes back to my original point.  If it is our INTENT to have a great educational experience for all children, we all need to pitch in to make it so. ALL does not mean just the parents and teachers.  ALL means the entire village, working for the common good.