On top of that , too often , students who start behind stay behind . State data tell us that less than three percent of students at the lowest reading performance level in third grade catch up by grade five . Over the long term , national research shows that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school by age 19 . Dropping out of high school severely damages earnings and job market appeal , and it impacts chances of leading a healthy and productive life , in addition to increasing odds of incarceration , poverty , and single parenting . This cripples not just our students ’ future , but our state ’ s as well .” Classroom instruction is just one component , but perhaps the even more needed element is getting parents , businesses and communities engaged to improve literacy in Tennessee for the success for all students . Tennessee is also one of the states that has started to address Dyslexia . One in five students may have some form of dyslexia according to research . Much more training is needed for educators in identifying and teaching dyslexic children . Along those lines , is social promotion , the practice of moving kids along each year even if they are not ready , must truly come to an end in Tennessee . Literacy must remain a priority in Tennessee .
Make Our Schools Safe
Schools must be safe zones for students and teachers . That means the first step in school safety is securing the perimeter of a school . It seems like simple logic that we should keep intruders out and also make sure the area inside those boundaries is safe for children and adults . The last line of defense that we can have for our kids is an armed person willing and ready to defend them if the unspeakable should happen . That is why it is critical that we look at expanding the School Resource Officer ( SRO ) program . This is a highly effective program that serves many purposes during the school year and is invaluable where it now exists . It is important that the program be directed by a local law-enforcement agency , working in conjunction with the local education agency . The school can employ and utilize additional security , but the primary responsibility should fall to local law enforcement . In a 2018 Professional Educators of Tennessee survey , educator responses showed strong support for increased focus on student mental health , and lower school-counselor ratios , as support for increased SRO presence and improved school safety infrastructure ( eg . bulletproof glass , door locks , intercoms , panic buttons , use of retired military and law enforcement , and cameras ). There was both strong opposition to and support for allowing educators to carry firearms in schools . It is critical that Tennessee address institutional safety from an evidence based best practice approach focusing on the social , emotional , mental and physical factors .
Get Political Donations Out of Education Policy
Teachers ’ unions consistently rank among the top spenders on politics . Their goal is not improved public education , but rather power , money , and influence . Leo Doran wrote in How Liberal Politics and Teachers ’ Unions Got So Entangled : “ Experts long active in the upper echelons of education research and policy-making say that the politicization of the teachers ’ unions has gotten more intense in recent years .” Doran then adds about the teacher unions that the structure of the unions “ make their lobbying platforms susceptible to mission creep . The end result , however , is a Gordian knot of politics and labor battles that have ensconced the teachers ’ unions …” For groups like Professional Educators of Tennessee , it is simple , we must advance public education without the divisive tribalism of partisan politics , and we will only get involved in education related issues . ( Note : In Tennessee , the teacher union endorsed Craig Fitzhugh and Beth Harwell in each respective primary . Both candidates finished at the bottom ).
Collaboration at all levels is critical , and we must work together for public education to improve and deliver on its promise of a better future for all . We must get our education