U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined Rev. Al Sharpton and Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
as they visited Baltimore City Schools on Friday, November 13, 2009 on their national Education Reform Tour.
KIPP Ujima Village Academy, Holabird Elementary/Middle School and Hampstead Hill Academy all were chosen for their achievement results, with more than 80 percent of students scoring advanced or proficient on state tests.
“Today was very touching to be with the students,” said Rev. Sharpton. “It is one thing to talk to those who are policy makers. It is another when [I talk to] kids [who] tell me ‘when people talk to me, I feel that I matter.’”
Rev. Sharpton and his organization, National Action Network created the tour to address the disparities in urban school systems, as well as to support President Barack Obama’s efforts to reform public education.
“We are investing unprecedented discretionary funds of $10 billion,” said Duncan, who articulated Pres. Obama’s education reform initiatives to reverse 5,000 failing schools in five years. “We are raising the bar.”
They reached out to an unlikely partner to collaborate on the tour. Gingrich, a republican, who according to Sharpton is equally a staunch advocate for education reform.
“Al Sharpton was exactly right,” said Gingrich. “The number one civil right of the 21st century is education. If we mean it, we have to change.”
When asked about school safety, Duncan said, “I’m not convinced guards are the answer.”
He asserted there needed to be more social workers and longer school hours, to help students who deal with crime in violence in their communities. “Schools are becoming a safe haven,” said Duncan.
Also included in the site visits were meetings with school, business and community stakeholders who sat in with the three national leaders in closed sessions to discuss critical matters relating to education.
“It is so great for people from communities to contribute ideas, and to put a positive spotlight in urban centers,” said Maryland State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick, who toured with the three national leaders.
Issues community leaders addressed included greater flexibility for charter schools, more facility resources, continuation of teacher preparatory programs, and acknowledgement and incentives for teachers who are making progress in challenging schools.
Apparently there will be no follow-through from the community visits – one city official articulated that community groups are already doing the work – many felt satisfied in the closed door sessions with the three national leaders.
“It is important to have dialogue with people who want to make things happen for kids,” said Carol Reckling, executive director of Child First Authority. “A lot of people in the room were involved with the changes in the school. I’m impressed they are seeing and recognizing the changes.”
as they visited Baltimore City Schools on Friday, November 13, 2009 on their national Education Reform Tour.
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