Tag Archives: youth

PREPARING EVERY CHILD FOR COLLEGE, WORK AND LIFE

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An image of President Obama at the National Urban League Centennial
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As we work toward a world where every child has an equal opportunity for success, cheapest we cannot ignore the disparities that exist in our education system. While the national graduation rate has climbed to a still less than acceptable 71 percent, more about the average high school graduation rate in the nation’s 50 largest cities stands at a devastatingly low 53 percent – an 18 percent gap.  In some cities, including Indianapolis, Cleveland and Detroit, graduation rates are less than 40 percent. Urban students in some areas have graduation rates at least 35 percentage points lower than their suburban neighbors. Continue reading →

GET EMPOWERED Episode 1

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[fancy_header]Official Press Statement[/fancy_header]

[info_box] Originally Sent on Wednesday, viagra August 25, physician 2010

Toledo Public Schools sits at a crossroads of epic proportions.  It is a clear watershed moment.  Declining enrollment, store underperforming schools in the central city, a bloated infrastructure and dwindling State funding create a “perfect storm” for TPS and the entire community.

The community spoke loudly on May 4, 2010 and their message was clear – “We expect leadership and accountability for this District”.  Our students deserve it, the community demands it, and the leadership of this district (Board members, Superintendent, and Union Representation) must deliver it.

Without question, there are positive highlights within TPS and to ignore them would be completely irresponsible.  While acknowledging the many positives, it is also appropriate to consider the grievances and concerns. In doing so, one overarching issue is crystal clear – TRUST.

There is little or no trust between the Board and the Administration; there is no trust between management and labor; there are seeds of distrust within the ranks of labor; there is limited trust between parents and teachers and there is clear evidence of distrust between students and teachers.  The painstaking reality is that no one can effectively work with, teach to, learn from or share with a person with whom they do not have some level of trust.

Over the past decade or more this community has shown its trust through the support of new and continued levies – often by significant margins.  Our community now deserves a return on its investment and past trust.

We believe that now is the time for an in-depth and independent review of the Toledo Public Schools.  On several points we agree with Board President Vasquez specifically as it relates to the need for “transformational change within the district”. The independence and scope of this committee are areas we must have common agreement and are paramount in understanding the current state of education and operations with which to formulate recommendations needed to bring about “transformational change”.

Establishing trust is critical. This can only begin by assuring the committee’s review is objective, thorough and leads recommendations aimed at “transformational change”.

We believe the committee must be officially chartered by the Board of Education. It must be autonomous and have no members which are Board members or school employees. All operational, educational and financial practices including union contracts must be included in the scope of work. All employees and records must be made available to the committee for interview and inspection. All committee members must be free of financial or other relationships that pose a conflict of interest. The selection of members would be by a mutually agreed upon committee chair(s) with membership based upon experience and attributes that are compatible with the overall skill set needed by the committee.

We offer our assistance as a community on a continuous basis to address this mammoth task.  Our goal is to avoid another panel producing another report that gathers dust on a shelf. Rather, we seek a fully-engaged group that collaboratively confronts these issues with one goal – quality education for each child in the right environment.  Meeting this goal will produce engaged, educated and successful students that are prepared to meet the challenge of college, work and life.

[/info_box]

[download_box]http://www.gtul.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/TPS_Statement_final.doc[/download_box]
[fancy_header]Official Press Statement[/fancy_header]

[info_box] Originally Sent on Wednesday, viagra buy August 25, capsule 2010

Toledo Public Schools sits at a crossroads of epic proportions.  It is a clear watershed moment.  Declining enrollment, shop underperforming schools in the central city, a bloated infrastructure and dwindling State funding create a “perfect storm” for TPS and the entire community.

The community spoke loudly on May 4, 2010 and their message was clear – “We expect leadership and accountability for this District”.  Our students deserve it, the community demands it, and the leadership of this district (Board members, Superintendent, and Union Representation) must deliver it.

Without question, there are positive highlights within TPS and to ignore them would be completely irresponsible.  While acknowledging the many positives, it is also appropriate to consider the grievances and concerns. In doing so, one overarching issue is crystal clear – TRUST.

There is little or no trust between the Board and the Administration; there is no trust between management and labor; there are seeds of distrust within the ranks of labor; there is limited trust between parents and teachers and there is clear evidence of distrust between students and teachers.  The painstaking reality is that no one can effectively work with, teach to, learn from or share with a person with whom they do not have some level of trust.

Over the past decade or more this community has shown its trust through the support of new and continued levies – often by significant margins.  Our community now deserves a return on its investment and past trust.

We believe that now is the time for an in-depth and independent review of the Toledo Public Schools.  On several points we agree with Board President Vasquez specifically as it relates to the need for “transformational change within the district”. The independence and scope of this committee are areas we must have common agreement and are paramount in understanding the current state of education and operations with which to formulate recommendations needed to bring about “transformational change”.

Establishing trust is critical. This can only begin by assuring the committee’s review is objective, thorough and leads recommendations aimed at “transformational change”.

We believe the committee must be officially chartered by the Board of Education. It must be autonomous and have no members which are Board members or school employees. All operational, educational and financial practices including union contracts must be included in the scope of work. All employees and records must be made available to the committee for interview and inspection. All committee members must be free of financial or other relationships that pose a conflict of interest. The selection of members would be by a mutually agreed upon committee chair(s) with membership based upon experience and attributes that are compatible with the overall skill set needed by the committee.

We offer our assistance as a community on a continuous basis to address this mammoth task.  Our goal is to avoid another panel producing another report that gathers dust on a shelf. Rather, we seek a fully-engaged group that collaboratively confronts these issues with one goal – quality education for each child in the right environment.  Meeting this goal will produce engaged, educated and successful students that are prepared to meet the challenge of college, work and life.

[/info_box]

[download_box]http://www.gtul.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/TPS_Statement_final.doc[/download_box]
[fancy_header]Official Press Statement[/fancy_header]

[info_box] Originally Sent on Wednesday, troche August 25, for sale 2010

Toledo Public Schools sits at a crossroads of epic proportions.  It is a clear watershed moment.  Declining enrollment, viagra buy underperforming schools in the central city, a bloated infrastructure and dwindling State funding create a “perfect storm” for TPS and the entire community.

The community spoke loudly on May 4, 2010 and their message was clear – “We expect leadership and accountability for this District”.  Our students deserve it, the community demands it, and the leadership of this district (Board members, Superintendent, and Union Representation) must deliver it.

Without question, there are positive highlights within TPS and to ignore them would be completely irresponsible.  While acknowledging the many positives, it is also appropriate to consider the grievances and concerns. In doing so, one overarching issue is crystal clear – TRUST.

There is little or no trust between the Board and the Administration; there is no trust between management and labor; there are seeds of distrust within the ranks of labor; there is limited trust between parents and teachers and there is clear evidence of distrust between students and teachers.  The painstaking reality is that no one can effectively work with, teach to, learn from or share with a person with whom they do not have some level of trust.

Over the past decade or more this community has shown its trust through the support of new and continued levies – often by significant margins.  Our community now deserves a return on its investment and past trust.

We believe that now is the time for an in-depth and independent review of the Toledo Public Schools.  On several points we agree with Board President Vasquez specifically as it relates to the need for “transformational change within the district”. The independence and scope of this committee are areas we must have common agreement and are paramount in understanding the current state of education and operations with which to formulate recommendations needed to bring about “transformational change”.

Establishing trust is critical. This can only begin by assuring the committee’s review is objective, thorough and leads recommendations aimed at “transformational change”.

We believe the committee must be officially chartered by the Board of Education. It must be autonomous and have no members which are Board members or school employees. All operational, educational and financial practices including union contracts must be included in the scope of work. All employees and records must be made available to the committee for interview and inspection. All committee members must be free of financial or other relationships that pose a conflict of interest. The selection of members would be by a mutually agreed upon committee chair(s) with membership based upon experience and attributes that are compatible with the overall skill set needed by the committee.

We offer our assistance as a community on a continuous basis to address this mammoth task.  Our goal is to avoid another panel producing another report that gathers dust on a shelf. Rather, we seek a fully-engaged group that collaboratively confronts these issues with one goal – quality education for each child in the right environment.  Meeting this goal will produce engaged, educated and successful students that are prepared to meet the challenge of college, work and life.

[/info_box]

[download_box]http://www.gtul.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/TPS_Statement_final.doc[/download_box]
[fancy_header]GET EMPOWERED episode 1-1, treat 1-2, and 1-3[/fancy_header]

[note_box]In this first episode of GET EMPOWERED, Greater Toledo Urban League president, Rev. John C. Jones, addresses the Toledo Public School’s transportation situation and lays out the issues we face because of the lack of community collaboration.[/note_box]

[pro-player width=’620′ height=’400′ autostart=’true’ type=’video’ image=’http://www.gtul.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Screen-shot-2010-08-26-at-3.36.00-PM.png’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80g4SWUUCG0,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U3qKwj60TQ,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeFuDJ-KM4c[/pro-player]

[info_box]Press the next button on the video player to view the next part in the episode. [/info_box]

Urban League position on Issue 3

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[toggle title=”Latest Update”]

Voters of Toledo clearly expressed their will as it relates to Toledo Public Schools and Issue 3.  With the failure of this levy an opportunity has been created to really begin a dialogue between Toledo Public Schools, rx its Board, Administration, Administration and Teacher Unions, parents, community and most importantly the students.

The Greater Toledo Urban League, while expressing opposition to the levy, take no pleasure in its failure.  We rather view this as a potential watershed moment from which we can choose to either continue the same confrontational and “pass the blame” rhetoric or we can forge a “new way forward” that will address the varied issues we now face.  A plan to effectively address the inequities in the offering of a quality education for all students and the creation of a culture that supports community-based schools is paramount to the success of this district.

We further understand that the responsibility is not solely on TPS, but it is a collective responsibility that must be borne by all beginning with parents, citizens, the religious leaders, and business professionals.  NOW is the time for leadership! It is the desire of the Greater Toledo Urban League to work with TPS and this community to ensure that each child in Toledo receives a quality education that prepares them for college, careers and productive citizenship.  We ask that you join us in this effort!

[download_box]Issue 3 Follow up statement[/download_box]

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[info_box]A press conference was held on Friday April, 23, 2010 to address the Greater Toledo Urban League’s official Toledo Public School’s issue 3. Read the official statement by the Greater Toledo Urban League president John Jones below.[/info_box]
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GTUL’s Position Statement on Issue 3 – Toledo Public Schools Levy

We face a crucial time in the life and history of our city.  Job growth in some sectors remains dismal, unemployment continues to hover around 12% for the City, and overall the economic rebound we desire to see is slow at best.  The City of Toledo in order to close a $48 million deficit has had to call on employees to take cuts in pay and do more with less, Unions to agree to concessions and everyday citizens to bear a larger percentage of the load.

At the same time, within the City our school system is facing an enormous budget crisis as well.  As it attempts to close a $30 million deficit, there has been much discussion about where to generate revenue and make cuts.  Unfortunately the Board and Administration of our District has engaged in little dialogue to collectively come up with a solution that creates the needed change and reform to provide ALL students with a quality, first-class education.

Over the past ten years we have seen a sharp decline in the number of students in the district (per Ohio Department of Education enrollment declined 27%, from approximately 35,000 to approximately 26,000).  While the enrollment has declined, revenues and expenditures per pupil not only have increased disproportionately, but have also seen an increase that has far outpaced inflationary rates.  This rough analysis supports our belief that this community has supported levies almost without question and in some instances blindly.  More specifically, the precincts that comprise the Central City (which is primarily minority) has staunchly supported each levy while receiving the majority of school cuts and the lowest amount of resources necessary to prepare students for college, work and life.  Additionally, through the “Building for Success” program we have seen a disproportionate share of contracts being awarded to minority contractors and new or renovated schools have seen a very apparent delay of and even exclusion from the plan altogether.  The levy, if passed on the backs of the community, will have a devastating impact on poor and working families, as many of them have little disposable income to bear an additional tax at this time.

The Greater Toledo Urban League, as an affiliate of the National Urban League, has adopted as one of its long range goals, “ensuring each child receives a quality education that prepares them for college, work and life by 2025”.  We are 100% committed to this goal, however locally we find it difficult to achieve within a District that is begging for reform and lacking in transparency and accountability.  It is disingenuous at best and blatantly hypocritical at its worst for Toledo Public Schools to ask the community to support a levy and trust their judgment when resources have been squandered and decisions made that will have a negative impact on success and progress in the future.

We support our students wholeheartedly and we support quality teachers within our District.   However we recognize that to continue providing funds without a clear strategic focus and vision; without a massive reform of administration; without a review and revision of union contracts; and without a concentrated effort to work collaboratively with the entire community, will be the greatest disservice we could do to our community’s most precious assets – OUR YOUTH.  Therefore the Greater Toledo Urban League, at this time cannot support Issue 3.

Now is the time for this community to step up and hold our elected officials and public institutions accountable!

Now is the time for this community to step up and volunteer to assist students in their quest to not only secure a quality education, but also to become productive contributors to our community!

Now is the time for this community to step up and contribute to the success of each youth in a way that is commensurate with one’s ability!

GTUL’s Recommendations
  1. Develop a Strategic Plan: There is a “plan” that is more than five years old.  This could be revisited, but the landscape is different and our students, teachers and community should know that there is a plan and that it is being followed and implemented
  2. Review and “right-size” the administration: Based on what is present today within the District are the levels and layers of administration still applicable and more importantly appropriate.
  3. Review and revise union contracts: This must be done in collective and collaborative so as to make student education and learning the best it can be.  We must be “ahead of the curve” on many issues and realize that what worked even five years ago is different today given our current situation.
  4. Develop and foster an environment that welcomes continuous collaboration and innovation, while valuing human capital: This is critical in bringing about transformational change to this community.  TPS cannot be seen as “the problem” alone, as it will take an entire village to ensure that children are prepared for post-secondary education, work and life

[note_box]NOTE:  Some of this discussion and corresponding support for focusing on these areas can be found in the report entitled, “Restoring Prosperity: The State Role in Revitalizing Ohio’s Core Communities” prepared by the Brookings Institution in conjunction with Greater Ohio.  The link to this document is below.

[download_box]restoring_prosperity[/download_box]

[/note_box]

[download_box]Official Greater Toledo Urban League Statement on Issue 3[/download_box]

[download_box]TPS Issue 3 recomendations[/download_box]

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