It is no secret that the achievement gap is a huge problem in South Cobb schools. In fact, South Cobb school board member David Morgan has made addressing the achievement gap his No. 1 priority. Here's what one South Cobb-area mother wrote to each individual school board member earlier this year. She has allowed South Cobb Patch to run it. Please leave your comments below.
Dear Mrs. Crowder-Eagle (addressed individually to each school board member),
I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” for undertaking the monumental responsibility of being a Cobb County School Board Representative. You must truly have great care and concern about all of our public schools and students to do this.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Valerie Testman. I have been a resident of Georgia for approximately 15 years, a resident of Cobb County for 13 years and a homeowner in South Cobb for 12 years. I, and my husband, have a 1st grader in the public school system this school year (with a 2 year old son to be enjoined into the system within the next 3 years).
I am writing to you today to share my perspective about a disturbing matter that I see within the district’s school system, THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN A MAJORITY OF THE SCHOOLS WITHIN POST 3, AS COMPARED TO THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY. Though I must acknowledge there are a few schools within Posts 2 and 7 that appear to have the same issue. But it appears to be the few and not the many as in Post 3.
I have researched and reviewed a multitude of data to include test scores and ratings for EVERY public school in our district. It has become consistently evident to me that a majority of schools in Post 3 are falling well below many district averages.
I know there are many factors that affect the consistently high academic achievement of a school (i.e. parental involvement, school leadership, teacher quality, community involvement, PTA, school board, etc). However, all of the factors are not weighed equally. Also, I’m aware that any one group or entity does not control all factors.
I am of the opinion the local school board has a significant amount of authority and obligation to ensure that each school within its district is well equipped to create an environment to produce academic excellence. It is not only the responsibility of the Post 3 representative to diligently work to improve the schools in Post 3, but all board members have an obligation to all posts.
I am aware there are many issues the board must address in order to create a school system that offers a world class education, nonetheless, I am asking each of you to take an immediate personal interest in Post 3 and its achievement gap. Often times, I feel as though I am sending my daughter to a school that is adequate, but ill-equipped to help her reach her greatest academic potential.
These are the questions I pose to each of you:
1. Do you believe there is an achievement gap in Post 3 as compared to the remainder of the county? If your reply is no, then there is a larger problem that I thought.
2. Is this achievement gap acceptable for the students and parents in Post 3?
3. What can you do as a board member to immediately begin to close this gap?
4. What do you see as the barriers to closing this achievement gap?
When you ponder these questions, please keep in mind an entire class of students can’t afford to cycle through these schools again before the answers are realized. I urge you to become strategic and focused on how this matter will be handled so that all students in the district may have an equal opportunity to attain their full academic potential.
Please let me be clear, I am not making a statement that the schools, communities, teachers or administrators are inadequate in Post 3, but there is a clear achievement gap that needs to be addressed.
I would be glad to be a part of the solution, please feel free to contact me at your convenience to determine how I may best be engaged to help initiate a positive change in Post 3.
Thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Valerie Testman
Leigh Anne Rehkopf
11:33 am on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Bravo, neighbor! Let's see if the school board actually responds. Keep us posted!
ADT
5:53 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Outstanding letter. The achievement gap is a critical barrier in our children's competitve edge, this can no longer be ignored. Disparities in the overall educational landscape in Post 3 is disheartening and the Board must take action. Kudos to you Mrs. Testman !
Allison Gladney
5:55 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thank You, Mrs. Testman for speaking up for the children affected by this achievement gap! I'm very interested to see their response, it will speak volumes!
Ivory Dorsey, Speaker, Facilitator, and Author
6:03 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
WOW! Concern, Compassion, and a well researched Challenge through reflective questions. Not only has Mrs. Valerie Testman studied the concern proactively, considering she has elementary aged children, she has offered herself up to be a part of the solution. What a mother!! What a citizen! What a gift to South Cobb!! Hope springs eternal!!
janis stevenson
8:33 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
i've been attending post 3 townhall meetings for years, and at first it was refreshing to hear great ideas on how to address the many issues we face as parents trying to educate our children in south cobb but month after month and year after year the wheels are still spinning.... when will some of the presented solutions take hold? do any of them have teeth? they sound great on paper and in theory and then next month, it's another topic. will the school board actually step up to plate and solve the achievement gap here? if the past is any indication, that is doubtful. but if more and more parents like valerie continue to enter the fray, maybe we'll see some progress. the squeaky wheel gets the grease...
Andrea Young
11:25 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Two words come to mind, Consistently Inconsistent.
Via email board members let us know that they are aware of the struggles in S. Cobb but for years they have done nothing.
How many more emails do we have to send? How many more Town Hall meetings and CCSB meetings do we have to attend before we see positive change?
Thank you Valerie for taking a big step for change.
Kim
11:58 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Well written. Let's hope the board takes heed to the concerns addressed and make the necessary changes to help our children succeed.
Tikki
9:21 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Congratulations to Valerie Testman for a great letter. As a concerned parent, my feelings mirror those of Mrs.Testman and a number of Post 3 parents. We are ready for the challenge.
Ivory Dorsey, Speaker, Facilitator, and Author
9:39 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Way to go Tikki! Valerie Testman has stated the case, enough said. In your words Tikki, "We are ready for the challenge." The longest journey starts with the first step of positive epectations!
L Mann
10:22 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Where do I find a map of schools with labeled "posts"?? I'm a new public school mom (Sanders Elementary Kindergarten), and I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the issue -- but I'm not familiar with everything yet. :/
Kiri Walton
10:40 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Hi Laketa, you can find which schools are served by which posts here: http://www.cobbk12.org/board/ and you can also find a map (which I've now attached to this article) there as well, under the "Board of Education" tab.
Jay Young
10:40 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Laketa... the Post Map can be found @ http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/Planning/School_Board_Post_Areas.pdf
Tamisha Peterson
5:19 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
This is a powerful letter. Our South Cobb schools are most definitely failing our children. Thank you, Valerie.
Tomeca
12:04 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Great Job Valerie. I hope and pray the the CCSB members are listening and are finally ready to step up and do something about the academic achievement gap here in Post 3. Parents let's get involved like Mrs. Testman and write a letter to the CCSB with our concerns, we all can't be ignored. Once again, Thank you Valerie for such a powerful letter.
Greta S
9:45 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Valerie thank you for contacting the BOE to let them know what they already know to see if they will take "ACTION" to a problem that has been going on for "years" in the South Cobb community. As BOE members I would hope that their main priority would be to "advocate" for quality education for "all" children. South Cobb's achievment gap is not only a South Cobb issue since we are in the Cobb County school district there should be a sense of urgency to address it as a problem for Cobb County and the BOE should make closing the achievment gap their "TOP" priority period. I would hope they feel as passionate as we do about our children succeeding and putting in place the neccessary and additional support we need to get us there!! There should be plenty of resources available since South Cobb seems like the only area they have to address. BOE please remember the achievment gap follows our children from Elementary School through High School so please consider addressing it in the primary grades so we can see progress by the time they are in High School.
Rich "The Equalizer" Pellegrino
3:15 am on Friday, September 30, 2011
Thanks Valerie for standing up and exposing the elephant in the closet. Give my regards to your husband and family too!
Lisa Cupid
11:57 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Coincidentally, Valerie's courage and frustration were shared by another parent at a prior county town hall meeting.
I acknowledge the overall disparate performance of our schools. Still, I acknowledge that there are a lot of positive things and people within our schools. Unfortunately the bad is outweighing the good--at least in statistics, and most certainly in reputation.
It would be good to hear from our principals on what they have assessed the issues to be. It would also be good to know how they are addressing those issues, and further, what specific help they need from the school board, parents, and the community.
I have two toddlers and don't want to be having this conversation--about our schools’ poor performance--when they are of age to attend.
Ivory Dorsey, Speaker, Facilitator, and Author
7:47 am on Saturday, October 1, 2011
Valerie Testman & Lisa Cupid: A Powerful combination of Mothers generating community collaboration. Right motive, right mission, and a great plan of action. Touche'
Roz Bell
11:54 pm on Monday, October 10, 2011
This is an intelligent, informed response. I commend Ms. Testman on her commitment to improving public education. Ms. Testman I appauld your willingness to advocate for all children.