Education Is Cool
The Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) is a mandatory test administered to 3rd through 10th graders in public schools in Florida to measure student achievement. After several predominately minority schools received the grade of ‘F”, a number of organizations were alarmed and reached out with invaluable assistance. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church is one of the oldest and largest African American Churches in metropolitan Orlando, Florida. The church has a school nearby named Richmond Heights Elementary. A gallant effort was immediately undertaken to improve Richmond Heights’ grade with weekend tutoring by members. Also, a revamped media/library center was effectuated to assist students with the learning process. The school improved its overall FCAT grade to a “C” at its next evaluation.
Governor Jeb Bush took notice of the community assistance effort and awarded the school his Governor’s Award in FY 2002. The principal, administrators and teachers were very proud and continued to work diligently for academic improvement. A disturbing, strange turn of events occurred with the next FCAT grading period. Assuming the same level of participation from school, church and students, the school grade dropped to an alarming “D”. What happened?
When one reviews the volunteers on the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), School Advisory Council (SAC) and other Additions Volunteers statistics, there is a glaring lack of family participation. A similar lack of substantive family participation is found at many of the minority schools. The conclusion that one can reach is that short-term academic gains are possible using third party volunteers, but for long-term gains, the family unit must assist the student.
In response to increasing family awareness of the educational processes,
a program was developed. The EDUCATION IS COOL. GET ONE! program is an
innovative method for encouraging student and family participation. OCPS
printed 10,000 pamphlets for dissemination. The district also adopted
a resource statement which states Orange County Public Schools encourages
family participation. Contact your local schools for opportunities.