An award for everyone
Press-Telegram 4/5/07
Here's who: Students. Parents. Teachers. Taxpayers. Property owners. Public officials.
Here's why: The teachers in this school district, with strong support from parents and leaders of community organizations, are showing that even when demographics predict failure, schools can succeed.
This has enormous implications for the students, of course, but also for the community. A city reaches its potential only if all its parts function well. If schools fail, the pain spreads. If schools are vibrantly healthy, the flourishing spreads.
Being named a finalist means Long Beach schools are the best in comparable urban areas in California, and among the five best in the nation in academic performance, college readiness and closing the gap between income and ethnic groups.
This was the first year the rules allowed Long Beach to compete for the prize since winning it in 2003, and Long Beach is the first winner to become a finalist again in the prize's five-year history. Pretty impressive. And some impressive districts are among the finalists: Bridgeport, Conn.; Miami-Dade; New York City, and Northside in San Antonio, Texas.
Past winners besides Long Beach include school districts in Boston; Norfolk, Va.; Houston, and another district close to home, Garden Grove Unified.
Still ahead during the next two months is a deeper look by the Broad judges, including site visits and interviews by researchers and educators to get the full flavor of what's happening in these schools. In Long Beach, there still are a few bruises healing after a rough school board election, but most teachers, for better or worse, don't much involve themselves in such things. Their work, as well as that of students, parents and supporting organizations, is bound to shine through.
Students already are winners. Finalists get $125,000 for scholarships for both the college-bound and those headed for vocational training. The winner will get $500,000.
Just a word or two more about what seems to be working in Long Beach Unified. Those close to the classrooms will tell you it is two things: teamwork and a relentless focus on continuous improvement. Those on the outside who see what's going on in the classroom will tell you it is two more things: the remarkable enthusiasm of teachers, principals and administrators, coupled with uniquely broad support from community groups.
One example. The district's after-school program is a remarkable success in which at-risk kids plunge into sometimes highly technical projects that lead to real academic results. It started as a pilot project at one middle school and has spread to more than 50. A lineup of at least eight nonschool organizations, such as Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Campfire Boys and Girls, the city's Parks and Recreation Department and others, help run the programs.
However you see it, this is a formula that works. For everyone.