Editorial: Teaching is what matters most

ONE OF the biggest challenges for schools these days is reaching minority and low-income students and helping them to keep up — even excel.

Apparently, the right formula can be found here in the Mobile County Public School System, which is getting some well-deserved recognition for its efforts.

Mobile’s system is one of 30 selected by The Eli and Edyth Broad Foundation as being in the running for its urban education prize and $1 million. Four runner-ups will get $250,000.

To qualify, districts have to be large urban systems and have to show academic performances above the state average among black, Hispanic or low-income students.

Mobile is one of 17 that have an above-average showing in two out of three student categories — black and low-income. Only four school systems in the U.S. — one in Georgia, one in Texas and two in California — had above-average performances in all three.

Here’s hoping that the Mobile County district will be named one of the five prize-winners later this year.

Mobile’s work in helping disadvantaged students has already been praised by the Birmingham-based Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. The think tank’s executive director, Jim Williams, often points out in community presentations that in 144 different comparisons between Mobile and the state — in math and reading, in grades 3-5, for white and black students, and differing income levels — Mobile students beat the state average every single time.

How did they do it?

Apparently, it’s the teachers. According to Superintendent Roy Nichols, the teachers reach students the old-fashioned way — by taking the time to get to know and understand the kids in their classrooms, particularly at the elementary level. They examine test scores and other data, and meet to talk about which students are achieving and which aren’t.

When there’s a problem, they re-teach the subject matter to students who didn’t get it the first time, says Dr. Nichols. And they work together in teams to come up with ways to best reach all students.

It’s common sense, sure. But in today’s schools, common sense often falls to the wayside as teachers are faced with more work to do but less time in which to do it. Yet, teachers here have found ways to help disadvantaged students succeed, despite the fact that some come from fractured homes and shoulder adult responsibilities, such as caring for younger siblings.

The recognition of Mobile County’s school system by the Broad Foundation should serve as confirmation that low-tech, back-to-basics instruction can pay off. Now it’s up to the district to replicate the effort at all grade levels, and even build on it.

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