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96% of its students are eligible for free or reduced lunches. Put these numbers in front of any educational analyst and they will tell you this school should likely fail. And fail it did, until Principal Michael Sims tried something different.

Mr. Sims determined that what stood between students and success was neither skin color nor economic depravity. The biggest barrier for his students was low expectations. Mr. Sims developed a new school slogan "pushing Parks into its powerful potential, closing the gap, while raising the bar."

The new principal started by creating a clean, safe, respectful environment. Walk the halls of W.L. Parks today and you will see no trash or graffiti. When the bell rings, the children are in class and they are quiet. Secondly, Principal Sims created a personal relationship with the students, learning the names and faces of all 600 children. The makeup of the school's teachers is probably unlike any in Georgia. About half the teachers have less than two years experience. Two teachers are from the Teach-for-America program. Four more are from the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program. There are two from the Visiting International Faculty, and four more international teachers. Furthermore, every teacher is expected to know and teach technology. By the end of next year, Sims expects to have all teachers technology-certified. Finally, each member of the W. L. Parks staff is required to be professionally dressed, providing a role model for the students.

Mr. Sims commands respect, expects results and accepts no nonsense. W.L Parks has virtually no discipline problems or fighting. Confrontations among students have dropped to less than one a week. Special meetings were held with male students in the gym and female students in the cafeteria. They discussed hygiene and behavior. Sims wanted them to understand the differences between the sexes and wanted them to talk openly without the male-female peer pressure.

Reading and writing proficiency is demanded. A reading coordinator was hired last year. All teachers underwent intensive reading training and reading is now the first subject taught each day to every student.

The results have been remarkable:

- The 2003 Georgia State Writing Assessments shows a 23 percent increase over last year.

- The percentage of students meeting or exceeding in eighth grade CRCT math scores shows a gain of 24 percentage points over the 2001 scores.

- The percentage of students meeting or exceeding in eighth grade CRCT English scores shows a gain of 17 percentage points over the 2001 scores.

- School attendance has increased 10 percent.

W.L Parks is an example of what Georgia needs. Respect, personal involvement, safe learning environments and, most importantly, high expectations to accomplish what many thought couldn't be done. We in Cherokee County are blessed to already have this type of educational system.

Imagine what could be if the rest of Georgia caught on. Like the Atlanta Braves of 1991, Worst to First!

Education:
Thoughts
and Ideas
by Chip Rogers 

State Rep. for Dist. 15.
(770) 516-0543
(770) 936-1967 (fax)
chiprogers@attbi.com

There are few labels I wear with more satisfaction than "Georgian." I am fortunate to have a family history here that dates back to before the "War between the States." I take a lot of pride in almost all things Georgian, but there is one stigma I just cannot defend, Georgia Public Schools.

We in Cherokee County are insulated from what is happening across most of Georgia. Great parental involvement, the state's best collection of teachers, and good leadership have built a local education system of which we can be proud. Our local SAT scores surpass the national average. Meanwhile, the State of Georgia as a whole has become the poster child for poor public education.

Here are the facts:

- Georgia is currently 50th among 50 states in SAT scores. Yes, I have heard the argument that too many Georgia students take the test. The fact is Georgia ranks 17th in the percentage of students taking the exam. And despite how many take the test, 50th is 50th.

- Georgia is also 50th in the number of students who actually graduate. This means more Georgia school children drop out before graduation than any other state.

Put simply, too many Georgia students are quitting school and the ones that stay aren't doing well compared to the rest of America.

Why is this important to all of us? A recent poll of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce showed the number one reason why employers don't move to Georgia is Education. In 2002, and now again in 2003, Georgia led the nation in job loss. Certainly not all job loss is caused by poor education, but clearly it hinders us in attracting and maintaining employers. Unemployment hurts us all.

Think of it like this. Georgia public schools have difficulty in supplying an educated workforce. Therefore, employers move or look elsewhere. When employers move, jobs are lost. When jobs are lost, citizens rely on public assistance. When citizens rely on public assistance and social programs, somebody has to pay the bills. And when the government bills need to be paid, taxes go up. So whether you're an employee, employer, student or just a property owner, education affects you. Remember, the best social program ever can be spelled in three simple letters
J-O-B.

A problem exists statewide and we all know it. But how do we fix it? I certainly don't have all the answers, but I've got a good idea where to look. I once read the best way to become a millionaire is to hang around millionaires and "do what they do." Likewise, why don't we look at successful schools and "do what they do."

A recent report by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation looked at the success of W.L. Parks Middle School in southwest Atlanta. It serves a population that is 100% minority and