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Public schools... Independently-managed ( "LABORATORY" public schools ) A "tablet" from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets", ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link) (about the author)
Posted here 10/02; 1/02; 12/02; 1/03; 2/03; 3/03; 4/03; 8/03; 1/04; 2/04; 6/05; 6/3/06 See related titles, in this website, linked below: SEE Public Schools in Alabama (link) AND: MORE Local TAX from productive citizens (link) And: A+ COALITION for Education, in Alabama (link) AND: Racism, and anti-Racism (link) AND: Taj Majal Public Schools (link) AND: TRACKING in public schools (link) AND: Ebonics and Albonics (link) AND: Mutual involvement foundation for education (MIFFED) CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author ( jtoddiii@bellsouth.net )
Dear Mr. College President, I am writing to ask your advice.... and to seek your "input".... on a subject that is very special to my wife and me. We have been investigating and discussing this subject; and we have found that we cannot answer our questions without the "wisdom" and advice of a knowledgeable "educator" -- especially an "African-American" educator. This is the "subject".... We have wondered about whether or not an independently-managed public school could be initiated and developed, in the West Tuscaloosa area.... a public school "open" to all races, but "designed" especially for the benefit and edification and education of young African-American children.... in cooperation with Stillman College, and the faculty and students of Stillman College.... AND, in close cooperation with, and participation by, the parents of the students. We are not aware of any "Black" private schools, in Tuscaloosa; and we are not suggesting that anyone (or any group) should form a "private school" for Black children. Our thought, instead, is that there could perhaps be a "pilot" public school (a "laboratory" public school), in West Tuscaloosa.... funded not only by State and local education-revenues, but also by supplementary funds obtained from donations of interested parents, and from local individuals and organizations who want to participate financially in helping to demonstrate that students in properly-managed public schools can indeed learn better, and achieve more.... than in the present faulty public-school circumstances. We are not suggesting a traditional "charter" school; nor a "magnet" school. We would like for there to be a "fresh-start" in a new concept of "independent" management.... so that a public school, which Stillman College would be managing and directing, would not become imbedded in the "pitfalls" of many of the typical public-education "reforms". We feel that enough funding is already being allocated, per student, by State and local revenues. Our attitude (or perhaps I should say, our "thesis") is that students properly "managed" and instructed, can indeed succeed beautifully.... if they are led to understand what is expected of them.... and if they and their parents participate willingly together, in a sincere and dedicated long-term educational endeavor. Of course, it would be presumptuous of us to outline our own suggested rules and regulations for this type of pilot school. All of that would be up to the "designers" of the school's format. But, anyway, we will make (to follow, below) a few introductory suggestions that could be considered by superior "educators".... and by the teachers in this school, and by the parents of the students who attend. Dr. Wynn, we would like to hope that you, yourself, would be willing to get behind a project such as this, and truly give it your "blessing" and support. Perhaps Stillman College, itself, would enjoy becoming the originator of this "laboratory public-school", independently supervised by its own personally-caring individuals. Maybe Stillman College could even supply a building, or part of a building, for the initiation of this project. We envision that an independently-managed public school would, at first, accept students starting at age 4 and age 5 for kindergarten; and that, in the initial phase, the school would accept students for, say, the first three or four grades of school, with a plan to add one additional "grade" of school, in each subsequent year. Forty students would be accepted for the four-year-old kindergarten, 40 for the five-year-old kindergarten. and 40 students for each of the first three or four grades. Hopefully, two talented public-school teachers could be assigned to each grade-level, with an intermingling of teachers among the various students, according to each student's needs and accomplishment. Students for this school would be accepted from applications made by interested parents on behalf of their children. (We believe that there would be literally countless applications for the available "slots".) Certain requirements for admission could be specified, but a broad cross-section of students would be accepted, without consideration of "race", or background, or financial circumstances. (We would hope that intellectually-disabled children would not be accepted in this "laboratory" school.) Specific "requirements" for consideration for admission would be specified by an administrative "Board". For example, it could be decided that a student must live with one or both "true" parents, and that one or both of the parents must have full-time employment. It could be specified that only students who live within a 1.5-mile-radius of the school would be considered for admission. Parents would be "required" to participate in the functioning of the school; specifically, in the classrooms. For example, it could be required that, on a rotating basis, one parent of a student in each classroom would "volunteer" to sit in with each class, all day, every day...... both to assist in any chores that the teacher might specify, and to help in maintaining discipline in the classroom (like a "sergeant-at-arms"). These class-room volunteers would come from every family of every child. (On a rotation schedule, with a class of 20 students, no volunteer would serve more frequently than once every 20 school-days, or once every 4 weeks.) Volunteer teachers (in addition to the paid public-school teachers) would be encouraged, both from retired teachers, and from (say) college-students. Also, "alternative" teachers would be encouraged to assist during the school-day, even those "teachers" without college degrees...... for subjects like music, or art, or manual training; or for athletic instruction. "Homework" (obligatory home-study and enrichment) would be assigned every day; and the participation of a parent, at home, would be guaranteed, and verified, every day, by signature of the parent or adult or tutor who assisted with the student's homework assignments. "Field trips" would be encouraged, under the planning and arrangement of classroom parents assigned for this purpose. We would like to propose that all students wear uniforms, paid for by private donations. We envision that, in this school, no provisions would be made for feeding the students. "Box-lunches" would be brought from home (or supplied by volunteers to any poverty-stricken student). Transportation to and from school, would be arranged by parents, in car-pools. No busing would be allowed. We would like to suggest that instruction be given each day in manners and courtesy...... like "yes ma'am", and "no ma'am" to teachers, and to elders. "Values" (for lack of a better term) would be emphasized, in classroom activities. "Racial harmony" would be taught, and supervised in the classrooms. (Since "religion" cannot be taught in public schools, because of Federal Court edicts, "ethical" and religious principles could nevertheless be encouraged. And, of course, recent "Court" rulings have indicated that individual students may pray, alone or along with other individual students, whenever they choose.... without fear of governmental censure, intrusion, or restriction.) Behavioral problems, even among the very youngest students, would be "nipped in the bud".... and gently-but-firmly dealt with, along with the help of volunteer parents.... and with the authority and supervision of the "principal" of the school. Parental groups would discuss with the parents of a repeatedly unruly child, the necessity of discipline in the classroom, and the need for confirmatory discipline, at home. Recalcitrant students (and their parents) would not be allowed to continue participation in the "laboratory" school.... for fear of "contaminating" the cooperation and learning process among eager students and families. Promotion to advanced or accelerated courses would never be allowed until satisfactory achievement of grade-level skills had been mastered. Precise curricula would be decided-upon by the teachers, and by parents, and by the "local-board" of the school. All students, however, would be required to receive as much time in classroom instruction, and in home instruction, and in volunteer-tutoring..... as necessary..... to master reading, spelling, "grammar" and sentence-structure and composition.... and basic arithmetic..... all according to grade-level expectations. And on and on, Dr. Wynn, according to local decisions of this "pilot" laboratory school. We would love to see the bright and happy faces of beautiful children enjoying the fun of accomplishment.... and the reward and reinforcement of success in learning -- both in the school and classroom environment..... and at home.... lovingly encouraged by caring "grown-ups". My wife and I believe that with your power in Tuscaloosa, you would be able to get the State and local "education" authorities to permit this type of pilot project, in West Tuscaloosa. We believe that this type of school would flourish, and that the success of this program would quickly become evident.... and spread to other schools. In fact, we believe that other local colleges might involve themselves with comparable programs. For example, Shelton State Community College might embark on a similar project. AND, what about the University of Alabama? In addition, other organizations (not necessarily public schools) could participate in this type of "project". Well, we could go on, but this "epistle" has already become too long. I know you see and understand what we are proposing. And.... perhaps you can sense our enthusiasm. Do you have any immediate thoughts and comments about these suggestions?
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