New Charter School for Problematic Boys Only, EXCELLENT idea!

Behavior is the Primary Focus for These Boys, SUPERIOR idea!

                Commencing the 2011-2012 school year we will have an innovative charter school called “Willie H. Brooks Soar Academy.”  This school will admit only boys and those with authority dilemmas.  Their goal is “high standards of conduct.”  There will be a dress code, including no tennis shoes, excluding gym class; all students will refer to each other as, “mister” and their last name; they will be expected to assist women and senior citizens by opening doors and offering to transport items for them.  In other words they will be respectful and courteous to everyone, although it failed illuminate what the consequences were for not adhering to these regulations.

          There is such a need for this in our school district; however the key will lie in the consequences for disobedience.  Tami Bass is the individual in command and declared the academy will commence at the sixth grade and then progressively increase grades until it includes the “sixth through the twelfth grades.”  Frankly I consider it would be enhanced even further if it began at the third or fourth grades and finished in the ninth grade, nevertheless I am not attempting to look a “gift horse in the mouth.”

            I listened to Ms. Bass on the “Heidi Harris” show today, June 3, 2011; I sensed she had an excellent grasp of what several of the obstructions are in education.  Many of which I have been referring to for quite a few years.  Despite the fact that she is not a teacher herself, apparently she has paid attention to several members of her family that are teachers.  The most revealing comment in support of that was her commentary regarding teacher evaluations.  She believed evaluating teachers on student progress is erroneous; you are unaware of the numerous times the student may have been passed through the system, what their home life entails, and there are simply too numerous potential issues to justly appraise a teacher with this method.

           How familiar does that sound?  I have been saying that for years. 

          Here is a list of some of the real benefits I can see the Soar Academy contributing to the education system:

• Boys and Girls do learn differently and amid all the apprehensions, from certain organizations, over how each student learns differently and teachers should discover these differences and adjust accordingly, this should moderately gratify them.  Although we nonetheless continue to call for awareness that teachers cannot instruct to every child’s learning method as it would not permit ample time for the lesson to be taught.  The diversity amidst the manner in which boys and girls learn is undoubtedly the most prevalent and this charter school will produce a discernible restitution.
• The dress code will reveal equality and if enforced appropriately, particularly the sagging, you will be able to observe the students focal point shift towards academics.
• Ms. Bass said, “The use of first names will not be encouraged.”  I take that to indicate not simply to each other but moreover towards the staff.   Accomplishing this endeavor will edify respect, no matter how the student feels concerning their teacher, thus altering their focus towards academics.
• Opening doors and serving the elderly I trust the students will genuinely commence feeling good about themselves and recognize the benefits of common courtesy and respect.  Occasionally it IS that straightforward.
• With Ms. Bass’ perceptiveness of teacher appraisals,you will perceive enhanced student accountability for their development and allocates the teachers responsibility to the instruction.  Remove excuses for these students and you remove the probability of their failure… naturally if that is what THEY wish for.

           Personally I am extremely excited for this school; my one primary concern is in knowing what the consequences will be for students that do not adhere to the regulations.  Rules that are not enforced correctly are not rules at all. 

           Another minor concern would be the population of this school; in the last charter school Ms. Bass was in charge of, “The 100 Academy of Excellence” the population was primarily blacks and over the years I have ascertained that discipline and respect are equal opportunity problems.  Whites, Hispanics, Asians and all other ethnic groups suffer equally from these dilemmas.

            Actually, in my prospective educational world I would love to see one school for boys and one for girls concluding in the tenth grade.  From there they go to the same school; however they remain in separate classrooms.  In my prospective school of the future, students would be expected to perform precisely as is expected at the Soar Charter School.   If the student lacks the ability to act accordingly, at that time they will be dispatched to a boot camp brand of school for up to a year or as soon as they discover respect and manners. 

           What never ceases to astonish me is why we don’t demand this in each and every one of our schools?  Discipline, courtesy, respect, manners, I deduce there is no need or desire for that in our customary schools.  It truly is a gloomy state of affairs when America has to have a special school to expect prominent qualities in our students.

Jim Blockey                                            
Teacher/Author “Teachers… It Ain’t Your Fault.”