Let’s Help Our Students Achieve More in this New Year
Thousands of students have returned to school after the holidays. However, we have important problems as teachers, parents, and students in this new year. One of the problems that teachers, parents, and the community now face is the fact that many of our students are behind in reading and math. The Pandemic and the last two years of virtual learning have played a major part in many of our children falling behind in the academics. It will take everyone making an effort to help our students get back on track. The statistics show that students of color continue to fall behind others in achievement in reading and math. Along with the new holiday gifts this Columnist would like to suggest some books that might help our students make additional progress in school. There is much work that we can all do. Teachers, parents, and students must work harder. The community must stress education and success in academics, especially in reading and math. We must all be involved in this goal of making education matter. This columnist would like to suggest some very good books that would help to achieve this goal.
The first one is entitled: The Dream Keepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children written by Gloria Ladson-Billings. The next book is entitled: Achievement Matters by Hugh B. Price. All educators and parents should have these books on their reading list. They should be discussed in our churches and community centers because they provide some excellent ideas on how to improve achievement among our students. Virtual discussions would be appropriate. Gloria Ladson-Billings stated the following in her book: “Today African Americans find themselves in a downward spiral.” African American students lag far behind their white counterparts on standard academic achievement measures. At the same time, the very society that experienced a civil rights revolution finds itself locked in the grips of racism and discrimination. The Dream Keepers is about keeping the dream alive.
In his book Achievement Matters, Hugh B. Price formerly of the Urban League, concentrates on how to get our children the best education possible. He cites the problems in the school system. The good news is that he also gives parents a number of suggestions on how to improve the education of their children. He stated the following in the introduction of the book: “Education is the great equalizer in American society. It is the key to accepting opportunity and getting ahead in this country. Statistics show that beyond a shadow of a doubt that the better educated you are, the better off you will be economically.
Print books are still one of the best ways for children to enjoy reading. Researchers recently concluded this when comparing the computer and tablets that children love. Although tablets are popular, these educators emphasized that there are many benefits from having children read a book. This is an opportunity for parents to connect with their children. It is also an opportunity to help children use their imagination when hearing a story read to them. I remember that my favorite books as a child included fairy tales. I could imagine the characters in the stories. They always ended with the words: “They lived happily ever after.” Trips to the library were a weekly part of my life. I lived close to the Central Library in the old Talbert Mall Projects located on Jefferson and Clinton Streets.
Every Saturday I would walk to the library and borrow books. I had a favorite place to read in one corner of our living room. As I got older, I liked to read mysteries and the old Stanley Gardner Perry Mason books that I also borrowed from the library. These experiences led to a lifetime of enjoying reading and spending time at the local library. Check with your nearest library for a schedule of the hours. Hopefully, parents and the general community will stress reading for all students that will lead to higher achievement in school!! Let’s work together to make the year of 2026 a year of achievement!!