Education Matters: Leadership can help make the difference for kids

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Halftime has always been intriguing to me. I have watched the team go into the locker room several points down, feeling "low" with their eyes on the ground. No smile and no enthusiasm showing. |ret||ret||tab|

Twenty minutes later the same people emerged from the locker room, heads up with looks of determination on their faces, hardly containing their enthusiasm and eagerness to get back on the court or field. It was a different team! What happened?|ret||ret||tab|

The coach happened!|ret||ret||tab|

This scene is played out, not only in athletics but also in the work place. Business is off, sales are down, the product is not moving, and the entire work force is feeling low. The staff holds a meeting and magic seems to appear. What happened?|ret||ret||tab|

The leader happened!|ret||ret||tab|

What about school? Many of our children and youth are doing very well in school and most are doing OK. |ret||ret||tab|

Don't believe the reports that our nation's children, youth and their teachers are not thriving and that the schools are not healthy. That is not true. We do have some serious problems in some of our 16,000 public schools with our 45 million children and youth. But for the most part, things are pretty good. |ret||ret||tab|

Here in southwest Missouri our schools, teachers and students are on target.|ret||ret||tab|

Over the Thanksgiving weekend our immediate family 17 in number was together a few days. Nine of our family are in school, ranging from preschool to a freshman in college. |ret||ret||tab|

Throughout the family visit, education and school activities were constant topics of conversation. In this family, education is always a hot topic. |ret||ret||tab|

The kids hear it and know their parents value school and expect them to "get their books" and mind the teacher. Several are performing in an exceptional manner and for the one who must struggle to make mostly B's and some A's, special attention is given and improvement always takes place. |ret||ret||tab|

These nine kids are like most others. They love sports, go to church, engage in several group activities, have at least one meal a day with the family, watch some TV, and help with some household chores. |ret||ret||tab|

Actually, they are pretty ordinary kids but they perform in school in an extra-ordinary manner. What happened?|ret||ret||tab|

The parents happened!|ret||ret||tab|

So, what about the team, business or students who are not doing so well?|ret||ret||tab|

It is halftime. The first semester of the school year is nearly over. We will soon be in the locker room with plenty of opportunity to do better the second half and redeem the year. The coach, leader and parent must emerge. Without their intentional intervention the year could be lost.|ret||ret||tab|

Do we have some children whose parents are not "engaged" in their educational activities? Absolutely. These children will often do poorly in school and will be candidates for poor performance in other aspects of life.|ret||ret||tab|

Doing a good job in school is one of the key indicators we use to predict our future. The whole community must focus attention on our children and make every effort to see that successful schooling is the norm for each one. |ret||ret||tab|

How do we accomplish this important task? One child at a time. |ret||ret||tab|

With parents, teachers, grandparents, churches, businesses, service organizations and governmental groups being aware of how important the schooling process is to the individual and our nation.|ret||ret||tab|

What can you do? If you are a parent, work with your children on their home work every day and let them know that school is important. |ret||ret||tab|

Also, read to your children from birth. Research indicates that this is one of the most effective ways to enhance your child's opportunity for success. If you are a grandparent, let the family know how important you feel school is to the future of the family. If you have time, volunteer at the school. Churches can offer a program for the neighborhood children similar to my church's "After the Bell" where children can be together with tutors to study or engage in healthy activities until their parents can pick them up after their work day. |ret||ret||tab|

If you are a youth or family club, continue with your excellent work. If you are a business, have a conversation with your employees to see if there is some way you can help. |ret||ret||tab|

This is a task worthy of our best effort.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Arthur L. Mallory, EdD, is a former president of Southwest Missouri State University and former commissioner of education who resides in Springfield.)|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

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