JACKSON SCHOOL COMMENTARY

In my last open letter, I suggested that spending time talking about what we expect students to know and be able to do is time well spent. I indicated that for generations school curriculums have been adjusted to fit the times and to ensure that schooling is relevant to life in the real world.

Our world is changing so rapidly in the 1990s that we must, more than ever before, look at the curriculum with the eyes of the prophet and attempt to project its appropriateness into a high-tech 21st century.

As I suggested in the last letter, we must hold fast to the central ideals that made us a great nation. At the same time, we must examine necessary changes.

One of the traditional views is that formal education will be more effective if patrons are actively involved in establishing goals and expectations for their schools. This is why we have elected boards of education establish policy, approve the budgets and review district progress in meeting system goals which they set.

In addition to the work of the board of education, every citizen's input is important. We ought to seize every chance we have to reinforce our expectations with our children or grandchildren or participate in a public forum about education.

Lost in the middle of days filled with basic problems such as who will pick up Bobby and Judy after basketball practice, did we remember to send lunch money and who is going to take off work today to take care of the feverish child is a parent's vision of a child who grows up to be successful and happy as an adult. What is your vision for your child or grandchild?

An educator also finds a day loaded down with details, such as lunch counts, attendance reports and requisition forms. The vision for the ideal education can get lost in the business of the school.

In June 1991, The U.S. Secretary of Labor's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills released a report titled "What Work Requires of Schools." This commission attempted to examine the changes in the world of work and determine the implications of those changes on learning.

As they focused on work as one aspect of education, they drew three major conclusions:

1. All American high school students must develop a new set of competencies and foundation skills if they are to enjoy a productive, full and satisfying life.

2. The qualities of high performance that today characterize our most competitive companies must become a standard for the vast majority of our companies, large and small, local and global.

3. The nation's schools must be transformed into high-performance organizations in their own right.

The commission identified five major compentencies and a three-part foundation of skills and personal qualities. All eight work together to produced effectiveness in the workplace. A summary of the report said effective workers are competent in using resources, interpersonal skills, information, systems and technology. Their competence requires basic skills, thinking skills and personal qualities.

Much of this seems pretty traditional. However, a few of the items typically are not found in the curriculum guides used in school. Teachers stress creative thinking, decision-making and reasoning, but we haven't made these items central to our lessons. The commission is telling us our children need to possess skills beyond basic reading, writing and arithmetic if they are going to be successful in the workplace.

The commission challenges parents to "insist that their sons and daughters master this know-how and that their local schools teach it." Employers are challenged to develop the know-how in their employees and educators are encouraged to instill the know-how in their students.

Once again, this is a national report with a national perspective. We may not buy into every element of the report. However, it is good food for thought.

I am pleased that the Jackson Chamber of Commerce currently is drafting a survey to solicit the opinion of local business leaders regarding expectations for the work force. If you are asked to respond, please take a few minutes to share your views with this committee. The feedback is important as we attempt to improve an excellent school system.

During this holiday season, we are mindful that one of the greatest gifts we can give you is a great school system. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dr. Howard Jones is in his first year as superintendent of Jackson Public Schools.