Commenter:
Carolyn Micklem, African American Teaching Fellows of Charlottesville - Alb
Need to increase graduate rates
Dear Members of the Board of Education:
I am a Virginia resident and a strong supporter of our public schools. I appreciate the Board's efforts to make graduation rates a priority for Virginia high schools, but given the importance of producing graduates ready for college, work, and life, I'm writing to ask that you take a stronger stand.
This is an especially important issue here in Charlottesville and AlbemarleCounty where the graduation rate of white children is close to 85% - and of black children, closer to 67% in both school districts.Please increase the target for the graduation index to at least 90 points, OR adjust the graduation and completion index so that it gives schools more points for Standard and Advanced Diplomas and fewer points for all alternative diplomas and other credentials.
The African American Teaching Fellows program (AATF) is one approach to decreasing the achievement gap and increasing the graduation rate among African American students. By increasing the number of African American teachers, there are role models who “look like them” and who can inspire and challenge African American students to want to become professionals themselves. We need those role models at all levels in public education, and especially during the Pre-K to Third grade level.
Virginia's students need to receive appropriate funds and support to reach their potentials, and schools and the Commonwealth as a whole will benefit from incentives to provide the needed supports.
Thank you for your consideration. I hope you'll do all that you can to increase the number of students who successfully graduate ready to fulfill their greatest potential.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Micklem
Director
African American Teaching Fellows of Charlottesville – AlbemarleCounty
