A series of important news stories have highlighted that policies and leadership can have a big impact in local government and in particular in Decatur's public schools. A vigorous discussion of policies that work and don't work can enable our community to support efforts that will make a genuine difference to Decatur and its competitive appeal to families and businesses that may want to be located here.
From today's Herald & Review -
"Shortly, students will be back to kick off the first day of what Decatur Superintendent Gloria Davis has dubbed "school after school," tutoring, a meal and recreation for students in Thomas Jefferson and Stephen Decatur middle schools and Eisenhower and MacArthur high schools. The program is paid for by a federal 21st Century grant."
"The Decatur School Board on Tuesday approved the district's continued participation in the Midstate Students Support for Teaching partnership agreement sponsored by the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program is a "grow your own" effort to encourage and assist students in Decatur schools who are interested in becoming teachers.
Under the agreement, said Priscilla Palmer, director of human resources, high school students with grade point averages of at least 2.75 on a 4-point scale who have good attendance, good character and two letters of reference will receive $2,000 per semester to attend first Richland Community College and then the University of Illinois at Springfield. Those students ideally will perform their student teaching in Decatur schools, and if they pass with an A or a B and a position is open, will be hired to work in Decatur schools."
Both of these articles demonstrate important new initiatives that will likely have a demonstrative and favorable impact on educational achievement in our schools. It is important that these ideas have been tested and proved in locales throughout the US and if carried out effectively, they will have an impact here along with may others that Superintendent Gloria Davis is implementing.
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