January 2009

Taking Action That's Good for the Kids

By Gene R. Carter, Executive Director, ASCD

"Is It Good for the Kids?" is far more than a catchy column name. It's a critical question for anyone whose work involves young people. At ASCD, we ask it as we serve our educator members, develop new programs and products, and evaluate our existing efforts. Over the next four years, we'll also relentlessly ask this question of President Obama, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Congress as they work to improve our country's education system.

Yesterday, we witnessed the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. This change in leadership represents a great opportunity to shape the No Child Left Behind Act, one of the most significant pieces of federal education policy, into a blueprint for education policy and practice that puts children first.

Unfortunately, the recession contributed to a noticeable de-emphasis on education during the presidential campaign and transition period. For the first time in years, education fell off the public's list of top priority issues, taking a back seat to the economy and health care.

This waning attention on education is short-sighted. Because the strength of our nation's economy is inextricably tied to the strength of our education system, education is a sound investment in our future. President Obama conveyed the important link between education and the economy when he announced his appointment of Arne Duncan, saying, "Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced key members of our economic team, and they are working as we speak to craft a recovery program that will save and create millions of new jobs and grow our struggling economy. But we know that in the long run, the path to jobs and growth begins right here—in America's schools, in America's classrooms."

ASCD is committed to ensuring that President Obama and his administration translate this rhetoric into action that recognizes education's importance and puts kids first.

ASCD's Whole Child Initiative is grounded in the belief that efforts to improve education need to shift from reforming structures created by adults to transforming learning conditions so that each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This model works during both flush and lean times. Now, when school systems across the country are taking cost-saving measures such as cutting bus routes and increasing class sizes, the whole child framework makes sense because it encourages the alignment and coordination of services. Efficiency increases and money is saved when schools, families, community organizations, health organizations, and businesses come together to provide a comprehensive array of services to children and their families.

Deirdra Grode, ASCD's 2008 Outstanding Young Educator Award winner, recently asked her middle school students in Hoboken, N.J., what President Obama should do to help them and other students succeed in school. Here’s a sample of their comments:

"Barack Obama's plan for education should focus on learning programs. The other government money is going to places like building jails. If schools were better funded, we wouldn't need as many jails."
—William C.

"Barack Obama should focus on high school dropouts and college dropouts."
—Jacinto

"I think all schools should have healthier lunches so students can concentrate better."
—Dante

"I think President Obama should get more teachers in the schools, so there is more attention on students, especially for special needs students who need even more help."
—Carly

William, Jacinto, Dante, and Carly understand the challenges. It's time for policymakers to listen and take action on their behalf. ASCD asks President Obama to hold a White House Summit on Educating the Whole Child, bringing together education, health, social services, business, community engagement, and parent involvement experts to determine how we can provide all of our children with the education and life supports necessary for success. Let's work together to make education a top priority during these first few months of the Obama administration and to find actionable answers to the question, "Is It Good for the Kids?"

To learn how you can help shape the new administration's education policy, join ASCD's Educator Advocates.

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