I agree! I truly believe that the change can start with the administration at local schools. There is so much that they can choose to do...or not do. Your would be surprised.

Straight to the question, I feel both the cause and solution reside with the collective lot of all the groups you mentioned in the article. Albeit I believe that the parental community is the largest stakeholder in this matter, and should shoulder much of the "blame", I believe many of the pieces which make up "the system" are unprepared to deal with the overwhelming rate at which students in the area fail to exceed the standard. I feel the former standard, currently being replaced by the new Common Core Standard, was both weak and perfunctory in it's spirit and execution. Unfortunately, it (CCS) may further compound the problem of the gap in achievement due to it's anticipated rigor. At least the proverbial bar has seemingly been raised... I just hope our kids don't get left hanging from it.

It boils down to an accountability matter. One of the biggest steps in problem solving (in this matter) is the creation of opportunities for successful, quantifiable, sustainable change. This is most difficult as people are creatures of habit and systems created by people are the worst example of that. Additionally, in a system where 2-3% is significant increase in performance, what do you do? Take it as a great accomplishment? I feel the bar slipping again already. But I digress...

As a community, there needs to be a fundamental shift in our approach to education as a whole. Hopefully this topic gets as many (or more) comments as the recent debate on citizenship! Yeah... Right!

Many thanks to all for a much needed call to arms. My wife and I, as well as, other parents in the South Cobb community have articulated this same messaging to our local school leadership, Area Supt’s (we’ve had 3 in 4 yrs), District Title I, and the GaDoE Title I. The consistent messaging from all these leaders was "compliance".

If the schools are compliant (in terms of Title I expenditures, quantity of “highly qualified” teachers, and the minimum of 1% spent on Parental Involvement) then they have done all they are supposed to. Never mind, that the children are 2 grades behind in reading and math with “highly qualified" teachers, or that the culture within the 4 walls of the schools are so toxic you run out of breath trying to escape the ignorance and visible lack of value for our children and their parents. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few good teachers but not enough to make a sizeable difference.
I thank the Lord we were able to successfully exercise School Choice thru HB 251 and remove our child from the Title I “brand” to give her an uninhibited opportunity to explore the true value of a “student-centric” educational environment. Don’t be confused, my child was a Target student, and achieved your typical above average academic buzz in a Title I school. But was she really competitive? Could she really compete with students on a global scale? Our children are being held hostage by a demoralizing system that we call “Title I”.

I have a coworker that lives in East Cobb and I hear about the differences in educational opportunities. But we also have a lot of underutilized resources here in South Cobb. I see it every year at Career Day at my local elementary. The parents and community members have a wealth of knowledge that can support our teachers. We can help with good citizenship, arts, computer literacy, business ownership, etc.

I agree with you that we all need to step it up and stop focusing on the superficial. One correction though is that the Career Day is at a Title I school.

Mr. Young, I too agree that parents are the real accountability backstop for the educational system. But, I don't collectiovely hear their voices on any issues here in South Cobb.

Ms. Jones, I know administrators have power and control over so much within their schools, but you are right, they may not always choose to use it wisely for the benefit of serving the children with whom they have been charged with educating.
We must demand excellence, and be prepared to give it as well. The schools in South Cobb have been overlooked for far too long by the system.

ADT, Title I overhaul?? Now that may be an idea. Afterall, most if not all the schools in South Cobb are Title I. There is a commitee the CCSD can create, "Title I Improvement Committee" because I am so over the "Calendar Committee".
By the way, I think there needs to be more education on what it means to be a Title I school and how much money comes to the CCSD annually to help improve Title I schools.

Change is difficult and can be painfull. So I guess the easier path is more dialouge. If we continue to do what we have always done, how can we expect change?

Parents are involved in the South Cobb area, also the community is involved. I agree that educating are children is a partnership. If you are interested in attending a parent leadership brunch hosted by we thrive on the drive please contact me at monica@wethriveonthedrive.com. At the brunch our School Board Representative David Morgan will deliver greetings and State Representative will give updates from legislation. Ms. Kiddada Grey will do a presentation on parental involvement. The brunch is scheduled on September 15, 2012 10 am-12pm. Please email me if you would like to attend. The time is now to be proactive, and not reactive we get one shot with educating our children.

How about recruiting South Cobb seniors (like me) who want to be involved in their community? David Morgan, would you give a presentation at the new senior center on Powder Springs Road or at Freeman Poole to give our seniors some specific information on how we can get involved? Cobb County Senior Services, where are you on this opportunity?

Or are you unemployed? Use some of that time to network through the school system by volunteering.

Less talk, more walk.

We have a lot of talkers and No Walkers... Let's support the empowerment of the parents and the communities independent involvement in our communities schools.

We have a lot of runners and no one willing to take a stand. Focus on what's right for the kids and the community. Not on what's easy or expedient.

See you at Mableton Rocks!!! We got to raise money for the mission to take back our community and take responsibilty for it's success. Who are we waiting on? Hopefully not the Government or East Cobb.

Oh!!! Yeah.. See you at the Parent Involvement Brunch. Hosted by Monica DeLancy. It for the whole community not just Parents. If you don't have kids in school, understand that your propert value is effected by the success of the schools in our area. You have a stake in the school systems success.

I'm not sure what your definition of an involved parent is but, I am yet to see a good turnout for school functions that do not involve a child singing or dancing. And
yes .... everyone wants to see their child on stage but, I would like to see more support and praise for good no outstanding academics. For so long we have just been satisfied and working with what we have, not wanting to step on toes or hurt feelings. The bar is set very low for children in this area and if the schools in South Cobb are doing the best they can, then their best is not good enough for my children.

Related to this topic is what's going on in Chicago. The whole country is watching this! CNN has reported:

"The primary disagreement appears to be teacher job security after a new evaluation program based on standardized test scores. Chicago Teachers Union board member Jay Rehak called the idea "data-driven madness."
As many as 6,000 teachers could lose their jobs under the evaluation system, according to Lewis, who called the system "unacceptable."

"This is no way to measure the effectiveness of an educator," she said Sunday. "Further, there are too many factors beyond our control which impact how well some students perform on standardized tests such as poverty, exposure to violence, homelessness, hunger and other social issues beyond our control."

There's NO WAY to measure the effectiveness of an educator?! From the Teacher's Union board member?! Significant tax revenue is spent on data systems and she's essentially disregarding it's effectiveness. Once again, transiency, hunger and poverty are the culprits. What a mess... Keep an eye on this.

There is a way to measure everything. These so called culprits may have an effect on some of the children's ability to learn, but is it the exception or the rule? If you are taught to value education, then you will govern yourself accordingly, inspite of how much money you have.