by Julie Rochelle, retired teacher

Julie Rochelle

Teachers never know what influence they have on children.  I taught the first, second, and third grades over a thirty year tenure.  Several times I have stepped in to help children years after I had them in school for one or two years.  Last week, I received a call from a mother of a young man I had had in the second grade.  He had just turned 19 and was in his senior year.  He had become weary and frustrated with school and had simply quit going to class a month ago.  His mother wanted me to call her son and have a talk with him to get him to try to return to school and complete his remaining Gateway exam in order to graduate with his class on May 14, 2010. 

 I discovered that the senior only needed to pass the Gateway test and he would be able to “walk across the stage” with his class.  I called the mother back and explained the situation to her.  I encouraged her to let the student know that this would be a wonderful asset to his future if he received his high school diploma. 

 On a Friday at 12:00 p.m., he showed up and the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) coordinator read him the test per his IEP.  Tonight is graduation for the Senior Class.  He will be walking with his class!  How proud I am that I had a little something to do with helping a child succeed!

A Maryville father wanting to be more involved in his children’s lives initiated a local chapter of a national organization at Foothills Elementary School.

By Eric Rice

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a “Father Involvement Initiative of the National Center for Fathering.” Jim Moore created the program in 1998 in response to a tragic school shooting in Jonesboro, AR.  Noting the relative absence of fathers in his own son’s school, Moore began recruiting men and challenging them to become more involved in the school. Today, 1,500 schools and 65,000 men are reconnecting with their kids, keeping schools safe, and supporting the work of school teachers and administrators through Watch D.O.G.S. 

After researching the program for some time as a way to be more involved with my own kids, I introduced the program to Principal Amy Vagnier at Foothills Elementary School. She, along with school administrators Tammy Hooper and Kara Buckner, began putting the plans in place to launch Watch D.O.G.S. at Foothills. On Jan. 12, 2010, the school hosted its first annual Dads and Kids Pizza Night, to kick off the program. More than 500 people, including 200 dads, were in attendance to hear about Watch D.O.G.S. Fathers and father figures were challenged to take an active role in the lives of their kids, specifically in their education. Dads were asked to commit to spending at least one full day in the school per school year and more than 100 dads have done so already.

Dads show up for their “Dog Day” at 7:15 a.m. wearing their Watch D.O.G.S. “uniform” t-shirt.  They receive a specific schedule and spend time, not only in their own kids’ classroom, but in other areas needing assistance, such as playground duty, the lunchroom, “specials” (Music, Art, P.E., Library), and small reading groups. They also help with arrival and dismissal, patrol the hallways and periodically walk the perimeter of the school.  Dads have thoroughly enjoyed their experience, and the faculty and students have also responded positively to the new Watch D.O.G.S. presence.

Since implementing Watch D.O.G.S., 89% of schools have found the program to be a valuable component of the schools effort to promote a safe and positive learning environment, and 79% have noted an increase of father involvement in the school in other areas such as parent/teacher conferences, volunteerism, and PTA/PTO involvement, according to information on the National Center for Fathering’s web site. Visit the NCF website to learn more about the Watch D.O.G.S., as well as the effects an involved father can have on his kids, and ideas about how to become more involved in your kids’ lives. Go to NCF’s web site for more information.

If you missed the chance to hear Tennessee’s gubernatorial candidates in October at William Blount High School at a forum hosted by BEI, then you will have another opporunity.

Tennessee SCORE will host a forum on Jan. 14 with the leading Democrat and Republican gubernatorial candidates at Belmont University in Nashville. The forum, which will be focused solely on education issues, will be held at 7 p.m. CT at Belmont’s Curb Event Center and broadcast live on CBS affiliates across the state. The gubernatorial candidates  confirmed to attend are: Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Jim Kyle, Kim McMillan, Mike McWherter, Ron Ramsey, and Zach Wamp.

Tune in as the candidates share their views and vision for education in Tennessee.

by Kori Furcolowe, Baker Scholar

Kori Furcolowe

The Tennessee Diploma Project will impact today’s ninth graders in terms of the numbers and types of credits they need, hopefully making them better prepared to meet the future. But the gains don’t come without initial growing pains. Representatives from Tennessee Department of Education have warned that this increase portends lower test scores over the next couple years; it does, however, indicate a brighter future for Tennessee overall. In conjunction with increased standards, the Volunteer State is one of thirty-five others across the nation to join the American Diploma Project Network, an initiative aimed at preparing students for collegiate level study and future careers. The ADP was launched by Achieve, a national, nonprofit educational reform organization based in Washington, D.C.  This past week, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen was named co-chair of Achieve.  

            “I’m pleased to assume this leadership position and to help Achieve continue its work with states to adopt a system of common standards and assessments,” Bredesen said in a recent release. “We stand today at a defining moment in the American education system and our economy, and I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to become more involved in this critically important area.”

            Tennessee’s efforts to increase its standards and standing with the nation in the American Diploma Network are both steps in the right direction, and the message it sends is paramount. If Tennessee endeavors to make education one of its top priorities, the burden does not belong to the politicians alone. This increase means strenuous work on the part of educators, it necessitates more involvement by parents, and it demands hard work from every student. The community at large and businesses must also be part of the equation in supporting our schools and their educational efforts. The transition will probably not be seamless and, while lower scores across the board are expected at least initially, a combined effort from teachers, parents, students and the community will help to mitigate those possible consequences. However, we have to keep our eye on the target, and the target is future global competitiveness on the part of our children and our state.

Furcolowe, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, is a Baker Scholar and works under the direction of Dr. Matt Murray, who is Associate Director of the Center for Economic and Business Development, and President of Blount Education Initiative’s board of directors. Furcolowe will be a contributing blogger to BEI’s Community Conversations.

Today Gov. Phil Bredesen is promoting National Parent Involvement Day in Tennessee to honor parents who are involved in their children’s education and their schools. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage parents to become even more engaged. Involvement in your child’s education is one of the surest roads to your child’s success as an adult. Are you looking for sensible, doable ideas? Then check out our link for activities that can help you and your child connect on the education front. If you have ideas you’d like to share, please post them in the comment section to share with others. Here are some other ways from a web site called Family Education.

Parents often have the opportunity join school organizations that raise money for that school’s extra educational needs or to help out in some way with the school. Check out the importance of these organizations here.

“We all have a vested interest in education whether we know it or not.” Those are the words of former Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist as he opened a presentation of “A Roadmap to Success: A Plan to Make Tennessee Schools #1 in the Southeast Within Five Years.” A Roadmap to Success is a 36-page report put together by Frist’s organization, Tennessee SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education) after consulting with parents, educators, community leaders and other key stakeholders across the state for the better part of this year.

Sen. Frist talks about Tennessee SCORE's final report and its recommendations.

Frist and his team, Executive Director Brad Smith, and Alene Arnold, director of statewide operations, have been touring the state, sharing details of the compelling report. Earlier this week, they stopped by the Knoxville Chamber where Frist delivered details of the report.

Tennessee SCORE is a citizen-led, statewide commission focused on education

Before recent changes, Tennessee had the lowest education standards in the nation, Frist said.

“We want to be No. 1 in five years,” he told the supportive crowd. “The question is can it be done? It can be done.”

Frist cited four key strategies outlined in the report:

• Embrace High Standards/expectations – raise them
• Cultivate Strong Leaders – principals and directors of schools need support
• Ensure Excellent Teachers – how to attract them and retain them: give them the support and tools they need
• Utilize Data to Enhance Learning – lots of available data but not using it

He further describes the report’s actionable details:

60+ specific recommendations, specific roles for key groups that includes advocacy (changing culture and making education most important), teacher and leadership initiatives (empowering them to do their jobs), innovation fund, (scale up programs) and legislative agenda (providing support for initiatives).

“Our only goal is to make sure every child has an opportunity,” he said.

That is a lofty and admirable goal that we should all pursue.

Sen. Frist, founder of Tennessee SCORE, and BEI Executive Director Bonny Millard

Thanks to all the community members who came out for BEI’s Gubernatorial Community Forum. About 250 people attended the event, and a number of them asked pertinent questions to the four participating gubernatorial candidates. We appreciate those candidates who were willing and able to make time in their busy schedules to participate in this event, which focused on education. William Blount High School provided an excellent backdrop for the discussion. Thanks to all the WBHS staff and students who helped make this event such a success. Students assisted in getting the auditorium ready, and members of the Student Council helped BEI by handing out materials and greeting guests. Thanks also to WBIR for televising the forum live on its 10News2 Channel and streaming it on the WBIR web site. WBIR’s staff, John Becker, Randy Stephens and the rest of the crew, did a fabulous job in making this event flow smoothly from beginning to end as did the League of Women Voters of Blount County. Blount County Sheriff’s Office provided officers for the event. Thanks to you all. We couldn’t have done it without you. BEI’s goal is to partner with other community agencies to facilitate the discussion of education. Thanks to all those who helped.  Stay tuned for pictures of the event in the near future.

In just a few days, we’ll have several of the gubernatorial candidates meeting in Blount County to talk about education in the state of Tennessee. We’d love to have you join us for BEI’s Gubernatorial Community Forum at William Blount High School. The event is at 7 p.m. Monday (Oct. 26) in the auditorium. Please plan to arrive early and find a seat as the event will start promptly at 7 p.m. If you can’t make it out to the high school, it will be aired live on WBIR’s 10News2 Channel and streamed live on their Web site, www.wbir.com. It promises to be an informative evening on education in Tennessee.

Candidate Ward Cammack will now be in attendance. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has withdrawn from the event.

We look forward to a lively discussion on the importance of education to our students and our state. See you there!

Test results released by the U.S. Department of Education yesterday show why we have an urgency here in Tennessee to improve statewide education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that we rank 44th in fourth grade mathematics and 42nd in eighth grade mathematics. The Tennessee Diploma Project, a state education reform effort, has increased state standards and graduation requirements that take effect this year, but we all have to do our part to make successful outcomes for our children. We need to encourage our children to do well in school by helping them with their studies and making sure they understand why learning is important for their futures. It’s not just their futures but the future of our state as well. We need a well-educated work force to bring in the best businesses that provide higher paying jobs and support our economy. Get involved with educational issues in your community. One upcoming opportunity is BEI’s Gubernatorial Community Forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at William Blount High School, where five of the nine gubernatorial candidates will be discussing the future of education in Tennessee.

Brad Smith, executive director of Tennessee SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education), shares his thoughts on the recent news. BEI has been named a promising practice in education by Tennessee SCORE.

SCORE Statement on New National Assessment of Educational Progress Results

NASHVILLE, TN – Today, the U.S. Department of Education released mathematics scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  These new scores show that Tennessee ranks 44th in fourth grade mathematics and 42nd in eighth grade mathematics.  SCORE Executive Director Brad Smith released the following statement about these scores:

“The NAEP math results released today by the U.S. Department of Education illustrate Tennessee has a lot of work to do to improve our schools.  Ranking 44th in fourth grade math and 42nd in eighth grade math means far too many of our students are not receiving the opportunities they deserve. With the exception of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, we rank behind every other Southeastern state. On October 22, SCORE will release a detailed plan for how Tennessee schools can become #1 in the Southeast within five years. We know this goal is achievable based on our research of other states and the detailed plan we have developed for Tennessee.  We look forward to sharing this plan with Tennesseans next week.”

Tennessee SCORE, which is chaired by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist, is a statewide education initiative focused on bringing all education stakeholders in the state together to improve K-12 education in Tennessee. SCORE will release its final report, entitled “A Roadmap to Success: A Plan to Make Tennessee Schools #1 in the Southeast Within Five Years,” on October 22, 2009.  For more information, go to www.tennesseescore.org.

By Matt Murray, BEI Board President and Associate Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research

A small kernel of conversation on education by concerned individuals will grow into a full-blown discussion by the community when it gathers for BEI’s Gubernatorial Community Forum later this month.

Several years ago as the chairman of the Economic Development Board of Blount County, I sat down with a small number of colleagues and members of the local business community. Our discussion focused on high school graduates and their inability to meet many of the hard and soft skill requirements of emerging job openings. We talked about teachers and administrators, parents and their children, peers and social influences on students, and so on.  No one cast blame, but there was a general consensus that something was amiss. The good news?  Local businesses that had affiliates elsewhere said that the problem was not unique to Blount County. Ok, not really very good news at all when the problem is spread across our country. But we did agree to keep talking with our eyes focused on our own backyard.

Parallel to these discussions, and unbeknownst to me, was a Leadership Blount class that also was focused on education and our community.  The efforts of that class resulted in the third Leadership Summit in 2006 to be centered on education with the involvement of renowned education reformer Willard (Bill) Daggett, who currently serves as president of the International Center for Leadership in Education. The summit, along with a series of follow-up initiatives involving folks from Blount County, got more people talking about the importance of education.

Somehow—to be honest, I don’t recall exactly how—these two groups came together to discuss their mutual interest in promoting education in Blount County. The end result? The Blount Education Initiative. So here we are, championing the cause of education, seeking to elevate education as Blount County’s top priority. 

I am honored to have the recent opportunity to serve as the new president of the Blount Education Initiative. As a parent and educator, and someone involved in promoting economic development for our region, I understand the importance of education to people, families and communities.  I will do my best to serve Blount County well in my new position.

One of things we want to do is engage the community in an ongoing conversation about education. The educational front offers plenty to talk about. We have a new curriculum and higher standards for our high schools. A new proficiency standards reporting system for our schools will shock many parents and the community at the new assessments relative to previous-year assessments. And new, uniform requirements for measuring dropout rates are in place. All of this is set with a backdrop of a rising unemployment rate and concerns about America’s competitiveness in the global arena.

To help keep this dialogue on education moving forward, BEI is excited to be in a position to sponsor a Gubernatorial Community Forum at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at William Blount High School. This forum will focus on the question of how we can make education our state’s top priority and what kind of educational leadership these candidates would provide if elected governor. I invite all of you to attend and participate in this noteworthy event.