RespectEducation

=EDUCATION BASED ON RESPECT=

Problems of NCLB
NCLB is based on the theory of "Blame Us, Name Us, Shame Us." The underlying theory is that poor schools will improve once they are identified and punished. It totally ignores the devastating roles played by communities and families in crisis. Although these conditions cannot be seen as excuses, there must be a national commitment to help every child succeed.

Respect for Schools and Teachers
In communities plagued by economic and social stress, the label of "failing school" only exacerbates the problem. Students and parents are told that their schools and teachers are "failing." Such a label discounts and ridicules the often heroic efforts of teachers and administrators.

HOPE asserts that a new paradigm for education must be built on the notion of respect. Simply put, students need to develop respect for their teachers and schools. The corollary is equally important: teachers and schools must respect students, families, and the community. This reciprocity will provide the foundation for a new type of education.

Efforts need to be made in the following areas to promote respectful relationships between schools and parents, parents and teachers, teachers and students, students and schools:


 * Professional Development for school administrators in effectively working with parents in creating a collaborative relationship
 * Using a vehicle, such as a blog or wikispace, to foster ongoing conversations between parents and their children's schools
 * Instituting "Town Hall" Meetings (of sorts) for students to voice their concerns and solutions to problems in a safe, non-combative environment
 * Professional Development for educators as the liasons between the school and students (and their parents)
 * Creating a cabinet of students, parents, teachers, and adminstrators to sort through the information and ideas presented at Town Hall Meetings, on the internet, through collaborative models of school governance and management which engage all stakeholders
 * A broader range of accountability and yearly project measures along with resources to aid schools and communities