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Education
Social
Problems Georgia's
Economy Governance-
How We Are Governed
Education as a Means to Eliminate Poverty
Before we talk about education as the solution. Let's talk about
poverty in general terms. Poverty is the #1 social issue. It is a
web of despair and hopelessness. Poverty is cyclical. For those born
into it, the odds are overwhelming that they will breed successive
generations perpetuating the cycle. Far too many Georgians are among
the class of the impoverished, or the working poor. And, their
numbers are the fastest growing segment of our population. For
Georgians who are not, you pay the bill. And, the bill is expensive.
Already large and unmanageable, it is growing. It is growing in
dollars. It is growing by producing more births to unwed mothers. It
is growing by producing more high school drop-outs. It is growing by
producing more juvenile criminals, swollen prison populations, drugs
and unsafe neighborhoods.
The cycles must be broken.
Education is a "mechanism" for solving poverty. But, it is not the
only "mechanism". Strengthened family environments in which children
are raised is another.
Solving poverty is going to cost us.
On the one hand, creating some new mechanisms to eliminate poverty
is going to cost us more than it presently does. But, these are
investments. There will be a return on the investment. On the other
hand, we have some social issues that we must deal with now: drugs,
gangs, crime, etc. These are going to cost, too. But, this is the
price we must pay for the error of our leaders' past mistakes. Had
they had as a goal the elimination of poverty, instead of "feed 'em
more", "feed 'em less", this cost would be behind us.
That's
the good news. The bad news is this. If we don't make any
significant dent in levels of poverty now, the future cost will be
greater, much greater than it is today.
The decision is
yours. Supporting my candidacy may cost us some money. If it does,
it will be an investment to reduce costs in the future. Supporting
one of the other candidates, or a party agenda that does not solve
the poverty issue is going to cost you, too. It will cost you more,
perhaps much more. And, it will be a greater cost that you pass on
to your children and our grandchildren. And, it will grow greater
and greater until Georgians resolve themselves to solve it, or are
forced to solve it.
There are a few sets of completely
different problems under the umbrella of "education" as a solution
to poverty. There are three specific areas of focus: adult literacy,
high school drop-outs and K-8 education in socio-economically
depressed communities. (Grades 9-12 are addressed in the
Stay-in-School Program.)
As you study my proposals, you may
undoubtedly conclude these are all good ideas "theoretically", but
ask yourself, "How realistically can they work?" If you read my bio
you will recall that I founded and led a community-wide initiative
in Dalton-Whitfield County for 5 years in the mid-80's. It was
hugely successful and served as a national model for solving adult
literacy and high school drop-out problems. The initiatives that
follow are a copy of that program. It works. It will achieve
intended results.
There is something else that you should
know as you study the elements of my initiatives. Many of the
mechanisms already exist in Georgia. The simple fact is, they simply
have not achieved their missions. Why? Absence of
impassioned leadership! They have become too bureaucratic.
I will change that. They will become the effective mechanisms they
were created to be under my leadership. And, the missing components
will be added making the effort complete.
Adult Literacy
We must make education important to the adults who are products
of generations of drop-outs. Once education becomes important to
them, education will become important in their families and the
cycle will be broken. Here is my vision for eliminating adult
literacy:
- Transfer the function for Adult Literacy from the Department
of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) to the State
Superintendent. And, involve local school systems in adult
literacy programs in communities throughout Georgia.
- Create and promote employer's in-plant adult basic education
programs to teach programs ranging from basic literacy through
attainment of GEDs. This effort already exists. Unfortunately,
participation is not anywhere near meeting the need. The problem?
Salesmanship. Leadership. I will personally lead this effort with
employers throughout the business community in Georgia. I know
their language. After all, I'm one of them.
- Establish chapters of the American Literacy Council in towns,
cities and communities throughout Georgia to assist with employer
in-plant literacy programs.
- Encourage local school systems to conduct annual cap and gown
graduation ceremonies for achievers of GEDs for employers within
their systems.
- Encourage retired educators involvement in employers' in-plant
adult basic education programs and membership in the local
chapters of the American Literacy Council.
- "Tough Love" legislation requiring all
recipients of government assistance programs (all levels and all
programs, except for the disabled, infirm and severely
handicapped), whether receiving it for themselves or their
children, who are unemployed, and who do not possess a high school
diploma or a GED, to test and enroll in a GED program. (Some will
be involved in our "Community
Schools".)
- Second Chance HOPE Scholarship. Many adults
who achieve their GEDs will qualify for the new Second Chance HOPE
Scholarships. It works like this. There will be three tiers based
on scores achieved. The lower tier will not qualify. The middle
tier will qualify for full HOPE benefits awarded to high school
graduates, but with a limitation. They will only qualify for
attendance in one of our DTAE vocational programs, or a two-year
certificated program in one of our University System of Georgia's
local institutions. Graduates of the two-year programs that meet
all eligibility criteria for the HOPE Scholarship, will be able to
continue their educations in a four-year diploma program. The
upper tier will automatically qualify for full benefits of the
HOPE Scholarship identical to graduating high school seniors who
completed the college preparatory curriculum.
- Establish a "Racing for Literacy" program and
sponsor a team in USAR's Hooters ProCup Series. Work with other
governors and the Appalachian Regional Commissioin to promote the
program throughout the 11 state ARC region.
High School Drop-outs/ Stay-in-School Program
We must eliminate drop-outs. Period. One of the most effective
solutions to high school drop-outs is solving the adult literacy
problem. When education becomes important to adult members of
unbroken cycles of families of drop-outs, the cycle will be broken
and graduation rates will dramatically improve. The solution is less
than a generation of students away! Therefore, all of the actions
presented above in "Adult Literacy" are intended to be a significant
part of the solution to high school drop-outs.
- Establish the "Georgia Preparatory High
School". I envision this to be a 6-year 100% funded
boarding high school with a student population comprised of
children from the most socio-economically depressed inner-city
school systems. Criteria for participation will be based strictly
on staff and faculty recommendation and parental consent. The site
for the school could be the conversion of Ft. McPherson. The
school will be a fully self-contained facility complete with
cafeteria, intra-mural recreational programs, medical staff and
triage facility, psychologists, academic counselors, tutors, fully
computerized with assignment of personal computers, job placement
services, extra curricular activity programs and 24/7 security.
Graduates will be screened, directed and fully assisted in three
directions: job market, DTAE Vocational institutions, or 4 year
degree programs.
- Every community (school system) exceeding 15% drop-out rates
will be required to form a stay-in-school task force. (The
definition of a drop-out will be universal statewide and include
tracking mechanisms.) Representatives of local business, parents,
law enforcement, courts, child advocacy groups, civic
organizations, local chapters of the American Literacy Council and
local media will be invited to participate. The following
mechanisms will be component parts of the program:
- "Each one save one" program. At risk children are identified
in middle and high schools. Each member of faculty and staff are
assigned an at-risk child in a "big brother/big sister" type
"in-school" relationship.
- Every at-risk student will be encouraged to participate in
at least one extra-curricular activity.
- "Labels" are to be eliminated. Costs will not be a factor to
participate in any school activity or extra-curricular activity.
- Guest speaker bureaus will be established.
- Junior Achievement's "Project Business" programs are to be
implemented where chapters exist or where community leaders
establish chapters and provide volunteers.
- All high schools will create a new extra-curricular
organization that will be named by members of the organization
that is comprised of upper-classmen to provide tutors to
students that "fall behind".
- "Education is Essential" Pledge. Area employers will be
solicited to become members of the local stay-in-school effort
by signing a pledge and displaying a plaque identifying their
business as a supporter of education.
- Truancy problems will be referred to local superior courts
for prosecution of parents under existing Compulsory Education
Laws.
- Child Labor Laws. The following changes need
to be made:
- Time limit on latest hour worked by high school students on
a school night. (For example, no student is permitted to work
beyond 9 P.M, Sunday through Thursday.
- No high school student may be employed for more than "X"
hours weekly.
- No child under the age of 18 may be employed on a full-time
basis without the written permission of the school system
superintendent. (Authority may not be delegated to a subordinate
other than Assistant Superintendents.)
- Schools must submit school attendance and performance
information to employers. Employers must submit written
acknowledgement of receipt and comments to school.
- Establish the Georgia Association of Professional
Athletes (GAPA). Many professional athletes come from
modest backgrounds. They can be a tremendous asset in an effort to
solve poverty. But, the right "mechanism" must be created that
accommodates their specific needs and lifestyles and provides them
an opportunity to work together to "put something back" that
really makes a life-long impact on needy kids? It is my contention
that members of the Atlanta Braves would like to have a relaxed
venue to meet members of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks and
members of Atlanta's other professional teams. I also believe they
would like to meet, get to know and socialize with athletes of
individual sports, too. For example, what professional football,
baseball or basketball player who happens to be a golfer wouldn't
like to meet David Duval, Chip Beck, Larry Mize, or Davis Love?
What professional athlete that is a NASCAR fan wouldn't want to
meet Bill Elliott? I believe there is an opportunity here. And, I
will take the lead to make it happen. I will personally meet with
owners of Atlanta's professional athletic teams, leaders of player
organizations and athletes. I will also personally extend
invitations to non-team athletes (racing, golf, tennis, etc.) to
encourage formation of a fraternal organization. This will include
retired athletes that make their homes in Georgia. My vision is to
have them, as individuals and small groups, "adopt" specific
schools and communities and conduct frequent visits to encourage
and promote "hope" for Georgia's socio-economically depressed
citizens and their children. Of particular interest would be the
Georgia Preparatory High School and the many Community Schools I
hope to create. Who knows, perhaps we could include professional
entertainers and former UGA, Georgia Southern and Ga Tech
athletes, too. That will be up to them. But, this is an effort I
intend to pursue. It could be of great benefit in our effort to
stamp out poverty in Georgia.
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