Whaling City Information - - Dr. Portia Bonner must make substantive educational improvement

Aug 30 2008

Dr. Portia Bonner must make substantive educational improvement

Written by Eddie L. Johnson

Saturday, 30 August 2008

New Bedford, MA - As New Bedford's 2008/2009 school year will begin next week, and with the new Superintendent of public Dr. Portia Bonner at the helm, I wish her well and look forward to the tasks ahead being successful not only for Dr. Bonner, but the students, teachers and all those connected to the school administration for improvement in the quality of education, improvement in graduation rates and improvements in both MCAS scores, and that all requirements be met under "No Child Left Behind", as that is the Law of the land at this present time and date. Education is by far the most conventional means of opening doors of opportunity. A good education, however, goes beyond obtaining a college degree, or learning a vocational trade and landing a good job. The pursuit of education is an ever-changing world which requires us constantly to be prepared to adapt to new ideas, advance technology, different cultures and conflicting views.

In every political arena in New Bedford, the talking point word in political and educational circles is "COLLABORATION". The word collaboration for New Bedford should mark a historic moment and address inequities in education and the struggle to improve the quality of education our children receive, especially those in poverty, regardless of race, gender, sex or class.

Policy studies to document and analyze New Bedford's School achievement gaps and what is needed to improve and close achievement gaps, in my personal opinion should be both priority of both Superintendent Bonner, Chairman of the elected School Committee Honorable Mayor Scott Lang, the entire elected School Committee, federal and state legislators and our New Bedford City Council.

Increasing the number of high quality teachers in underserved schools like West Side High and improving the classroom experience for students should be at the top of the priority list for all those responsible for all political representatives and those directly responsible for the administration of Education in New Bedford.

It is very important that parents, businesses and citizens alike, send a message to the educational establishment and political representatives that they must undertake the work necessary to close all disadvantages and close achievements gaps, rather than bemoaning them. I and many others including parents believe that we need a new movement that makes educational excellence and equality, its central focus.

When I along with many other parents, grandparents, citizens, media and the business community review and research the data on graduation rates, test scores and other measures, for New Bedford's school children, we cannot say that we have met our obligations to all the children needs in our educational system. Our obligation to our children is much deeper than what has been produced in the past. What is at stake is the quality of the "ACTUAL" education children receive. If we in New Bedford can continue in this 21st century to make closing achievement gaps a local, state and national priority and succeed, then we may have met our obligations under both Brown V. Board of Education and "No Child Left Behind", but be haven't so far.

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