PAVELISH ON EDUCATION (again)

It must be election time again and every politician comes out of the woodwork with new government controls and programs. And the politicians know what's"" best"" for your child and his education. It all sounds good to the voter. And many voters will vote in that direction. It sounds like we care. But politicians really care about getting elected. After November 6, all the candidates will go silent again untill 2009, and then "here we go again". I have learned in this race that WE are politicians first and thinkers second. And now some believe that City Council should be involved in and/or control public education.

I personally like Cincinnati Public Schools. My experience with teachers, administration, and staff was great. My four children graduated with a fine education and were prepared for the next step. We have good memories of Walnut Hills , School for Creative and Performing Arts, and Hughes. My granddaughter attends Fairview German School in Clifton Heights and that is the finest elementary that I have (perhaps) ever seen... There are other good schools in Cincinnati but I will not include them because I had no experiences there.

But then again there are dozens of underperforming Cincinnati Schools. So many that our public school system get a "black eye". What goes on here??

We have excellent schools and we have troubled schools all in the same district. How can that be?? All schools have the same school board and school administration. All schools have the same regulations. . All schools have transportation. What goes on here??

It is as simple as this: the good schools have students whose families teach the importance of education. The good schools have students who are serious about learning. And the good schools have parents who get involved with PTA, as room mothers, and teachers' aids. The lesser schools lack this parental involvement. Idealistic, maybe, but that is the difference.


So our politicians can call for studies, reforms, and new testing (to score political points) but more of this will make things only worse. More family and less politicians is the tonic...The answer is just that simple. And it is the job of the school board to bring back the parent. To City Council: you can be there to assist, but worry about about your own mess first.


And let's encourage City Council to focus on traditional neighborhood redevelopment. This will create stronger traditional neighborhoods, add to neighborhood population growth, and this growth will bring back the neighborhood school.

P.S. Cincinnati School Board, Please teach more consumer math and develop more tech training (towards the jobs in need) so when our students do graduate they will be skilled and ready for the workforce. And be responsible with the peoples' money.


Steve Pavelish for Cincinnati City Council

http://www.pavelish.com/