State education leaders on the right path

As a parent and a public schoolteacher, I believe that all students in Tennessee should receive a world-class education that prepares them for success in life.

Unfortunately, that is not currently the case. Nearly half of thirdthrough eighth- graders failed the 2013 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program in both math and reading. Furthermore, the results showed startling racial and economic achievement gaps.

But we’re moving in the right direction. This past year there were statewide gains in 22 of 24 tested subjects. More than 73,000 more students are on grade level in math and 24,000 in reading than were in 2010.

We owe much of that progress to the leadership of Gov. Bill Haslam and state Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman. Their push for smart, data-driven reforms has been paying dividends for our students.

Yet a group of superintendents recently signed a petition expressing their dissatisfaction with Huffman’s work. The letter claims that the commissioner has “no interest in dialogue with” district leaders and teachers. Moreover, they accuse him of viewing teachers, principals and superintendents as “impediments” to improving schools in Tennessee.

I thank the superintendents for making their voice heard in this discussion. We need their voice in this conversation but we all must recognize that Tennessee’s schools are still in dire need of reforms, and we owe it to students across the state to continue working to build on what we’ve already accomplished.

Now, I’m not saying that the superintendents’ concerns are invalid. On the contrary, it is crucial that education reforms include all stakeholders. Teachers, principals, and district administrators — the people on the ground implementing these reforms — absolutely deserve a voice.

The presence of opposition to these reforms isn’t surprising. After all, our education system has basically operated the same way for more than a century. But that old way is not serving all of our students. Looking at the data, it is clear that we need to do more to give all students in Tennessee the quality education they deserve.

Haslam’s and Huffman’s reforms are seeking to do just that. They want to prioritize the interests of students and their families by making sure that there is an excellent teacher in every classroom and that parents are empowered to make the best decisions for their children. Huffman’s focus on data demonstrates that he is singularly focused on what matters most in education: student achievement.

I have seen firsthand how parents are coming together in support of these reforms; as someone who has been in front of a classroom, I can tell you that many teachers feel the same way.

Despite the controversy, more and more stakeholders are realizing that, when common-sense reforms are put in to place, kids are the real winners.

Shelby County Schools Supt. Dorsey Hopson understands this. His decision to not sign the petition bodes well for students in Shelby County. I encourage him and our school board to continue working with Huffman to do what is necessary to drive student achievement and empower parents to be informed advocates for their kids.

We should absolutely recognize and celebrate the progress we’ve made for students in Tennessee in recent years. But there is still much work to be done.

With the continued leadership of the governor and commissioner, Tennessee is well-positioned to make the necessary reforms to ensure that every child in Tennessee has the skills and knowledge to be successful in life.

Though it won’t be easy, our kids deserve nothing less. Yolanda Stewart is a mother of five and educator at Treadwell Middle School. She also is a member of studentsfirst, an education reform advocacy organization.