As someone who has worked in different schools systems in New York for the past twenty years, I think I am in a position to give advice on how to improve our schools.
I know recently there has been a big push with charters and a lot of bashing of teachers lately. The idea behind a charter is not bad in theory, but it fails in the execution. It reminds me of olympic diving. Some aspects may be right, but overall there was too much splash at the end.
Here is what I would do:
1) Change start times
The research is clear when students get more rest they tend to be more alert in school, and overall do better. I know this could be a problem in regards to after school activities. But Long Island districts have proven that it is possible to have a later start and still have outstanding teams. The school I work in starts at 7:30 or 8:15. I would require that all classes start no earlier than 8:30. I think the students would love it and I know the teachers and staff would appreciate it as well.
2) Make the building more comfortable
Anyone who has ever worked in an office where it's too cold or no air-conditioning knows that these environmental problems can affect productivity. The same could be said for learning. In June when it's 95 degrees good luck in keeping students focused. What I would do is air condition all school buildings. And include thermostat that teachers have the authority to adjust if they feel a room could use a change. Some NYC schools already allow this. Why not other New York schools? I know what you are saying. Air conditioning is expensive. But what price do you put on a students education? and learning experience.
I would also make sure there are a lot of windows in each building and student art work/throughout. Research shows that in offices where there are a lot of windows the employees sleep better at night. I think that if our children slept better that would boost their mood, health, and overall attention span. Dr. Daniel Amen, noted brain specialist would probably agree.
The importance of sunlight is that extra vitamin D can also improve someone's mood, and I have been in enough school buildings to know that when a school is dark and bleak it really puts a damper on how students, staff, and visitors perceive their school. I would also really do more to beautify the school. Do a better job at recycling and really showcase our student's achievements in all areas: Athletic, artistic, etc. Let everyone know this is what is possible if you try.
3) Limit Class Size
If it were up to me, I would cap classroom size at 30 and 35 for a physical education class. The reason is that on the one hand you don't want classes too small. Too small a class limits what you can do. However when classes get too large, it can lead to chaos and also take away from getting to know students, their issues, and lessen the opportunity for helping individuals.
In the school that I work in they have 34 students in a classroom and 50 in a physical education class, and then administration wonders why more students aren't actively involved in a small gym. I'll tell you why. In a word, "safety."
4) Healthy/Tasty School Food
I don't know if any of you have seen the film Supersize Me, but Morgan Spurlock created one hell of a good film. In this film he showed a school for troubled students in Appleton, Wisconsin that turned things around not through discipline but through diet. By limiting sugar and soda in the school, and emphasizing healthier options like food that is freshly prepared and noting baked, the students were more focused and better behaved. Two great improvements.
5) No more micromanagement.
I think the French have it right when they talk about Laisez faire. It can apply for government, but also for our schools. There are a lot of teachers who are doing things right, but have to justify their job every day. The specter of a pop in, and not the good type, where administrators are seeing part of a lesson and judging the lesson/teacher's merits harshly. It's like someone coming into a play in the second act and not understand what's going on, but still feel the need to criticize. Isn't that what critics are? people with no experience or talent. Enough I say. I do agree there are some lazy and incompetent teachers, but there really needs to be some trust. Especially for teachers who have been doing the job for more than twenty years. Even five years.
6) More parental involvement
I work in a high school and while I don't teach a traditional rigorous subject. However, I do think that health education is one of the most important. It bothers me that so few parents come to open school night let alone contact us to see how their child is doing. Although I guess sometimes no news is good news. If the child is doing well academically.
The problem is that if a student does the wrong thing like misbehave, cut class, or fail. Too often the teacher is the one that gets blamed for not calling the parent. Where is the parent? How come they are not more involved and aware of how their child is doing? That can really help. I remember when I worked in an elementary school in Middle Village there were dozens of parents at a parent association meeting. While at a less wealthy elementary school we were lucky to get six attendees. More involvement, can often lead to more success.
7) Less Homework
I often tell my students that my philosophy of homework is quality not quantity. I give fewer assignments, but try to make them meaningful. I wish more teachers followed suit, but the problem is that too often they are teaching to the test (AP, regents etc.) and they feel they want their students to do well on them. Our children however are overwhelmed. They don't get enough sleep, time for breakfast, and are very stressed out. There need to be more limits. Maybe do what Beacon high school did. Eliminate regents exams altogether and instead rely on portfolio assessment. The result is that their students tend to be more relaxing. Even if they unfairly pick any student they want.
8) Make school more practical
The hard truth is not every student is academically prepared for college, and some do not even want to go, but the pressure from others often pigeon holes them. I like the idea of different tracks. Where students can self select academic or vocational. We used to do it more, but due to budget constraints things have been reduced. We emphasize computers but some students may want to be entrepreneurs, plumbers, or join the military. We need to give them more options. and give them choices early. Tell them its ok to pursue their goals. If I was principal I would also see that more work-study opportunities were available. We have a co-op program where students get credit and graded by their employer, but I would love to partner with more businesses and alumni to give our students more practical/relevant life experience along with their school work.
9) More support
Many students deal with difficult issues. Students may be coping with family, drug, health, or other problems in their lives. We need to provide more counseling to help them become better adjusted individuals. When a student feels they are a nurturing community and that their psychological needs are addressed, I believe that they can thrive.
10) More money for the schools
This is really the sine quo non issue. How can we boost funding for our schools? candy sales are just not going to cut it. We need more teachers to reduce class sizes. More custodians to keep the school cleaner, and more security for schools such as mine to keep our children safe. Where is it?
The idea of boosting special education students because the state gives us a huge amount of money for each on vs. a general education student is untenable. Some students who are special education do bad things. Unfortunately they often cannot be removed from a school even if they commit a crime like bring a weapon to school because of their classification. We need to have firm standards. when it comes to everyone's safety. Three strikes? or maybe less if it's serious.
Where will this money come from? I really don't know. But if they can sponsor a highway or a sports arena. Why not a school? or a school event. They jury is still out, but the students are still coming in the fall. Are you there to help? because either way the kids will keep on coming. The question is, will you be there to help them succeed? These 10 steps and your support may be exactly what they need.
