Middle Schools

One imperative is to transform Escambia County’s middle schools into havens that attract both students and their families. One current effort is extending elementary schooling to include sixth grade. However, we must also revitalize existing institutions. The proficiency rates in reading and math for middle schools speak to a need for change and I am passionate about enhancing our middle schools, focusing on innovative strategies to uplift student achievements and supporting our dedicated educators to give them the tools to be successful.

The proficiency rates in reading and math paint a stark picture: 45% in elementary schools, dipping to 35% in middle school, and marginally improving to 43% in high school. This decline during middle school years is largely attributed to high-performing students, and their families, opting for private education, only to return for high school.

Teacher Retention

Reading Proficiency and Effort

Despite increasing graduation rates both nationally and in Escambia County, a concerning drop in ACT/SAT scores signals a deeper issue. This decline cannot simply be attributed to the tests’ supposed unfairness or the stress of being evaluated, as some narratives suggest. 

One root cause is the pressure placed on high school principals by the state to have high graduation rates, and thus, admin teams find ‘creative’ ways to have a student pass courses for on-time graduation. Students then see their older siblings/classmates being passed and realize they will not be held accountable for a lack of work ethic, so they follow suit, which requires admin to be even MORE creative, and here we are with a broken system and students who can barely read, have no work ethic, and are receiving a diploma anyway.

Engagement with Literature

Furthermore, there’s a noticeable trend of decreased reading among students, transcending even those with high academic abilities. Escambia County, in particular, has become infamous for its stance on book bans, sparking widespread debate. While it’s crucial to respect parents’ rights to influence their children’s reading material, the outright removal of books from educational settings is not a viable solution. It’s deeply concerning when an unknown group restricts access to literature, thereby limiting my child’s freedom to explore diverse perspectives and ideas.

Safety

The base need in Maslow’s hierarchy is safety.  Our schools must be safe in order to be effective. A school board needs to provide schools (administrators, teachers, and students) the necessary support to maintain safety in each school. Once students feel safe, they can then focus on things like reading and math.  If they do not feel safe, the other things cannot happen. 

One simple thing that can help is maintaining the Navigator Programs in schools. These programs are proven to be effective. In a classroom setting, the best way to maintain behavior is with a good lesson plan.  We need to make sure that each teacher has the resources he or she needs in order to actually teach and hold students accountable for lessons.  This goes hand and hand with retaining and attracting the top teaching talent.    

For a community to flourish, promoting education and equality for all, regardless of background, is essential. The focus must be on early intervention for struggling students. I am a champion for all students who will work tirelessly to close achievement and opportunity gaps so every student can thrive, making our community better for all.