On struggling schools

In response to your editorial “Achievement places” last Wednesday, I want to share my recent experience visiting the Little Rock School District school that you choose to deliberately denigrate in comparison to the ScholarMade Achievement Place charter school (which just opened in the renovated Mitchell School).

Stephens Elementary is a clean, modern school, built in 2000. I was there on Aug. 3 with other volunteers, delivering school supplies collected by the Junior League of Little Rock to make sure the students at Stephens have fresh new supplies to start their school year. The school was sparkling clean and the staff members we encountered were friendly and helpful. This school is connected to a neighborhood recreation center run by Little Rock Parks and Recreation. There is a community garden across the street that is well cared for, and it is five blocks south of the new 12th Street Police Station. The neighborhood north of the school has a number of new and/or nicely refurbished homes, mainly due to the efforts of Better Community Developers.

Yes, most of Stephens’ students are low income and minority, and their achievement levels are lower than those of schools in more affluent areas. Personally, I have great respect for the teachers who accept the challenge of teaching those students; they should be encouraged rather than slammed in a statewide newspaper the week before the new school year starts. I suggest that citizens of Little Rock (including your editorial staff) who want to make a positive impact on struggling schools commit to volunteering one hour per week with a program like AR Kids Read, spending one-on-one time with students reading below grade level.

GINNY KURRUS

Little Rock