Five Steps for Superior Schools

The mission of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is to act to sustain stable and continuing integration in the towns of Maplewood and South Orange. We work in many different ways to increase robust demand for housing in our towns from all races and to increase participation in all our public institutions by whatever group is under-represented. As an organization, we do not have a policy on curriculum or other educational issues. Indeed our trustees and the larger membership of the Community Coalition have varying and sometimes even opposing views on education.

However, because of the powerful impact of our school system on the future of our children and stable integration in our towns, we would like to offer the following “Five Steps for Superior Schools” for public consideration. Many of these things have already been proposed, and the district has even begun, in some cases, to work on them. Some of the Steps will be embraced by everyone; others may be viewed as controversial. We acknowledge that they will not be implemented without significant public debate. We do, however, urge you to consider them as a unified package that would improve the quality, both real and perceived, of our school system.

1. There must be zero tolerance for racial bias by teachers, guidance, and administrators in their daily interaction with students. Objective indicators of bias should be identified, and a clear, unambiguous, and timely process should be implemented for fact finding, dispute and grievance resolution, and disciplinary action if necessary. Furthermore, teachers, guidance counselors and administrators should be educated to be highly aware of the damaging effects of inequality and low expectations. Adequate staff training must be provided, and management protocols should be adopted to ensure that all students are challenged to realize their full potential in our school system.

2. Students at the high school and the middle schools should have equal and open access to academic resources including course selection. That is to say, there should be well-defined levels for each course with clearly articulated and communicated prerequisites, syllabi, homework requirements, and test schedules. Grading standards for each course need to be objective, rigorous, well understood, and uniformly implemented. If the student has met the course prerequisites, then the parents and students should have the final decision about which course the student takes. The District, however, through teachers and guidance counselors, should be committed to offering students and parents the support they need to make sound decisions.

3. There should be an absolute and unconditional understanding that school is a special place where seriousness of mind, hard work, self-discipline, and respect for others are among the core values. In support of these core values, the District should implement an unambiguous code of student behavior including language and dress, accompanied by a commitment to strict and consistent enforcement. In dealing with behavior problems, the administration should use supportive, corrective approaches where appropriate, resorting to punitive action only when absolutely necessary. At all times, the goal should be to strike a balance between the needs and rights of the individual and the overall well-being of the school community.

4. Teachers, administrators, and other staff should assert their authority by setting an example for students. Therefore their language, dress, and behavior in classrooms and common areas should be consistent with the high expectations set for students.

5. District governance needs to focus on accountability: that is, the Board of Education to the Community, the Superintendent to the Board of Education, the Principals to the Superintendent, and Teachers to the Principals. Accountability should also go beyond the walls of the schools to include the responsibility of parents for their children’s success. Goals for outreach from the District to parents should be established and monitored, and student success needs to be defined in terms of objective and measurable benchmarks. The local community should also be encouraged to be involved in the success of our children.

The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race believes that these Five Steps are vital to achieving a superior school system, and that a superior school system is essential to stable integration in our communities. We stand ready to work with the school district and the community of Maplewood and South Orange to further these goals. There are many places in the United States where one can choose to live in a segregated community. The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race and, we believe, the majority of the citizens of Maplewood and South Orange, want a place where all of our children can thrive in a stable and integrated community.

We ask you to commit yourself to take action to support a school system that is excellent, equitable, and attractive to people of all races.