Schools

Superintendent Bob Scott: Are Our Kids Getting A good Education?

Avon Lake's superintendent of schools shares his thoughts on the district's education system and answers this important question.

Editor's note: The following article was submitted by Robert (Bob) Scott, superintendent of Avon Lake City Schools. 

All children begin their education the second they hear their first sound, the second they see their first sight, the moment they think their first thought. Every experience adds a layer of learning, each layer of learning leading to a culmination of skill and knowledge which makes a person an individual. This education is intended or not, formal or not, from cradle to grave, regardless if you are trying or not.

“Education is not preparation for life; Education is life itself.” (John Dewey)

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In my home, the opportunities for learning have always included books. Books lying around, books being read, silently and aloud, books and reading being an expected part of my home by my children as much as doors and carpet. Everybody reads in our home and learning occurs both intentionally and unintentionally for parents and kids.

The reason for starting this letter this way is not to profess the importance of reading and books at home (they are important, but that issue is for another time), but to get to “formal” education and opportunities to learn. How do you, as a parent or as a community member, know if your kids or the kids who live in your community are getting the education they need to be successful as an adult at your local school - public, private or charter school?

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I am also starting this discussion this way because as a reading household, the current landscape of education reminds me a lot of the content of certain books lying around our house. My 12-year-old daughter, like many of her peers, has made her way through the popular Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson series, and even the Twilight series. I have not brought myself to read the Eclipse series (sorry, I have no idea if I am an Edward or a Jacob) but the other series have made their way onto my night stand (Kathleen, my lovely wife, and I believe that you should know what concepts and ideas your kids are getting through their reading, especially as they get older…I left the Eclipse books to Kathleen), and as I have read about Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, I have marveled at the similarities between education today and what the heroes of these books must go through to survive and/or meet their objective.

Do I see education as a “hero” in our world as it is in 2010?  Yes, I most certainly do! Education is more important now than it has ever been, not only in the history of the United States, but the world. As the world becomes more and more complicated, as well as smaller and smaller due to technology, it is vital that we have a population which possesses the knowledge, ability, and skills to participate fully in all aspects of life in the 21st century.

J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series) and Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series) developed plots for their books that twisted and turned, often unexpectedly. Harry and Percy often found themselves shifting dramatically from apparently safe situations where the path to success was clear, to situations permeated with suspense, fear and the unknown where the path to success blurs and confusion reigns.

 Mist often seemed to be part of the scenes where the heroes found their greatest challenges, obscuring their vision as it swirls out of hidden crevasses or previously unnoticed bogs adds to already confusing situations. This mist creates doubt to a clear path, doubt which leads to fear; fear being the greatest obstacle to finding the right path and staying on the path to success.

“Mist” is swirling around education today. Whether you are listening to the latest political debates (local, state or national), watching specials on NBC, going to the movies to see “Waiting for Superman,” wondering where we are racing (to the top?), or trying to figure out who, if anyone, was left behind. Being an educator is like being in suspense novel. “Mist” is coming from crevasses (politicians, movie directors, etc.). It is rising from unseen bogs (TV, special interest groups, etc.). This “mist” says that public schools are failing our children.

Are they? Clearing a path for our children

How, as a parent or community member, are we going to keep the “mist” at bay so that we can see the path to success for our kids?  How, as a parent or community member, do we cut through the “mist” and find out if our kids’ school (school district) is offering the opportunities needed for all kids to be successful in the 21st century?  How can parents and/or community members help their kids be successful academically and socially in the 21st century and how can parents and/or community members help their school(s) deliver academic and social programming appropriate for the success of all children not just today, but into the future?

“How” is one of those things that sounds very easy, but is really very hard to identify, understand or explain. “How” can be very complicated, but “how” is not an impossible concept. “How” can be accomplished if we keep our ears and eyes open. “How” will become clear and confusion will be minimized if we all stay engaged.

The key is to remember that everybody’s goal is the same when it comes to education: give kids the knowledge and skill to be successful at the next level. That next level might be the next grade level. That next level might be from elementary school to intermediate school, intermediate school to middle school or middle school to high school. That next level might be from High School to a technical school, a 2-year degree school, a 4-year degree school or beyond. That next level might be the work world.

You will know your school (school district) is offering your child a good education when opportunities to gain the knowledge and develop the skill needed for success are available where and when a student needs them. School is not meant to be easy. It is hard work, but you will know your school (school district) is offering your child a good education when help is available, not to make learning easier, but to help all students learn. You will know your school (school district) is offering your child a good education when s/he transitions smoothly, both socially and academically, from level to level.

A good education is about timely opportunity, preparation for the next step, and support. Education is a system that begins before students ever step into a classroom. Learning comes from books, from people, from experience, from life. A good education is all about becoming a lifelong learner. Twenty-first century skills are about what you can do with what you have learned.

We are very lucky at Avon Lake City Schools. We do well on standardized tests of all kinds. We have all kinds of opportunities in the classroom and outside the classroom that connect our learning to the real world. We have opportunities to stretch our learning and to make it meaningful.

We are lucky at Avon Lake City Schools, but it is not by chance that we have what we have. Staff, students, parents and our community are dedicated to a quality education. We work together to ensure success. A quality education comes through planning and hard work.

Our students are beneficiaries

The students at Avon Lake City Schools are beneficiaries of a system steeped in tradition and based on past success. They are also beneficiaries of a system that knows it has offered outstanding educational opportunities in the past, but can offer better opportunities for all students in the future. The world is changing quickly and education must be flexible enough to offer what is needed today for a quality education while planning for what students will need to be successful five, ten years from now, and beyond.

A student starting kindergarten in 2011 will graduate in 2024. To make sure that these students are ready for the world they will graduate into is a challenge which is exciting and daunting. It is a challenge that schools cannot do alone. Communities must be involved if we are to continue educating our kids to be our future.

Avon Lake City School District is an excellent school system that offers quality educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom. We could not do this without the support of our parents and community. The future of our students is bright because of this support.

We can never say “thank you” enough. This fall we began using the newly renovated Memorial Stadium. Besides our school and community activities, we hosted two football playoff games which brought extra revenue to the district and to our community. This winter we will begin using our new transportation center on Pin Oak Parkway. We will save thousands of dollars yearly on bus maintenance as well as improving the safety at our high school and on Electric Boulevard. Next fall we will begin using 20 new classrooms, support areas and bus loops at five different schools. These improvements will allow us to grow and continue to offer a quality education while effectively using our personnel and financial resources.

Again, thank you for your support of our schools and kids. The world is changing, as is education. Together we will manage this change and continue to offer our students a quality education.        

Bob Scott, superintendent of Avon Lake City Schools can be reached via email at robert.scott@avonlakecityschools.com.


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