Author and Educator Debra E. West answers President Obama's call to action, shares Citizen's Education Idea Initiative

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A Citizen's Call To Action

Image located on Chicago Tribune site.

President Barack Obama meets with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office at the White House on his first day at his new office.
(White House photo by Pete Souza / January 21, 2009)
President Obama called all citizens to action in his inaugural speech and again when he addressed America today. He stated that his cabinet and staff were to look out for ordinary citizen opinions and solutions to the massive problems we are faced with as a nation.

Therefore, we must collectively give this administration our solutions to better the educational system in this country. If we do not address this immediately, we will not be able to complain when new legislation and ideas are implemented. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students must participate in this opportunity to make the necessary changes that will make a difference in getting successful results for our schools. We are in the trenches and know what works and what does not work.

Currently, school systems, administrators, and teachers are held accountable for student learning. Standardize testing is used to measure if student learning has taken place. Realistically, all students will never meet the current expected criteria. If a student is in the lower percentile in student learning and makes a projected amount of progress, that should be considered successful for that particular child. If a student is in the higher percentile scale of achievement, they must also show that they have progressed and are being challenged according to their higher skill set(s). We must look at the individual child and make sure educational goals are set and met in a timely manner.

I also feel that parents and students must be held accountable for student learning. It is not good enough to place all the responsibility on teachers and school systems. Parents and students must pledge to do their part in making sure education is a priority. TV sets, computers, and electronic games must be turned off and books must be opened. Students must pledge to strive for excellence and take their studies seriously. They must understand the importance of getting an education and assist in making sure it happens for everyone and attend school every day possible.

These are only two ideas for improving education in this country. What ideas do you have? This is an open challenge to all peoples across the world. You have ideas, please share them with us!

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The Realization of Unlimited Dreams for OUR Children

Children in classrooms, family rooms and living rooms all over the world today were able to witness the realization of a dream differed. The underlying message in today's inauguration is that through EDUCATION all things are possible. We may not know Senator nor President Barack H. Obama if it were not for the dedication of his mother during his youth in Indonesia, waking him early every morning to insure her son had the proper English lessons which the family could not afford at that time.

It was the strong commitment to education imparted by his mother that enabled President Obama to attend Occidental College, Columbia University and ultimately Harvard Law School.

AN OPEN CHALLENGE -Let us each, one and all, as parents, teachers, neighbors, adminstrators and elected officials make the that same commitment of molding and making the strong minds of our future teachers, leaders, Representatives, Senators, and Presidents.

Our nation and our world are connected in unprecedented ways, we all face the challenge of harnessing this 'Hyper-Connected Generation' for the benefit of all mankind. How will you contribute to tomorrow's successes?

An Open Letter to the 44th President

As my feelings about the inauguration of the 44^th President fills my heart with unspeakable joy, excitement for the future, and pride, the realism of the economy, wars, health care, and education crisis interrupts my thoughts. I say a silent prayer for divine guidance and protection over Barack Obama’s new presidency.

After spending more than 19 years in the public school system in Alabama’s Huntsville City Schools, I have very strong opinions as to the direction education must take to be successful. For too long administration after administration have come and gone with new programs and agendas. I believe it is time to change the way federal and state governments mandate the future of our crippled systems.

First, it is not enough to hold administrators and teachers accountable for student learning and achievement. We must hold parents, students, and the entire community accountable and responsible for the success of our schools. Parents must educate themselves as to what they should expect from their child’s school and their child’s personal achievement. They must become an active positive partner in their child’s education.

Next, teachers must receive professional development and be willing to make changes for the success of every child. If a teacher is not willing to make the necessary commitment for change they need to find a new profession. There should be monetary incentives for strong, positive, experienced teachers and administrators to go to intercity schools to help inspire and train the teachers in the trenches. These teachers should be selected for their innovative practices and results. They could sign for 3 to 10 year terms. This practice would inspire and keep fresh blood and ideas in the most needed schools.

Our political leaders need to listen to the people who are in the trenches (administrators, teachers, and parents), everyday and know what to do to change the course of education in their system. No one knows better what needs to be done then the administrators, teachers, and parents. I also believe that there should be schools of choice. The schools that are not serving our children well should no longer exist and magnet schools and charter schools should replace them.

Finally, there must be a commitment on the parents to make education a priority. I have watched parents guide their children into educational success. I have also watched parents watch from the outside, hoping their children are getting the education they deserve. It takes turning off the TV and computer games and opening up their school books committed to doing their absolute best. This is why I wrote, How to Get the Best Education Possible for Your Child K-6: A Parent’s Handbook. This book will help parents make an intelligent decision about what school your child should attend and the steps to take that will help your child find success in school.