RE-STRUCTURE SCHOOLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS

By Mike Dismukes

It is time to put the students first, the parents second, the community third, teachers fourth, the support staff fifth, and the administration last.

We need to re-structure the school system for accountability to the local community, parents, and students. We need to applaud and welcome our immigrant population, and teach them English. Diversity is our strength, cultural balance, and evolving wisdom. I propose an open reporting system: The school successes/failures should be published to the local community. That means standardized tests and community involvement. Administrative salaries, funding for school projects, and the availability of books on ratio to students must also be published. The community needs the schools to function, and that includes our piteous high schools. I further support limits on administrative spending. Texas made these major reforms in some of their most under-performing, bi-lingual schools. If Texas can do this, we can, too! I have been teaching English to the Japanese people. If Japan can do this, we can, too!