Alternative educators hear child advocacy artist, writer
Artist George E. Miller II and education writer Robert Rothman spoke to educators Monday during the first day of the 14th annual Conference of the Arkansas Administration of Alternative Educators at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Nearly 600 educators are attending the conference in Hot Springs this week. Many of them gathered in Horner Hall on Monday to hear the two keynote speakers.
“I am an artist. I am a child advocacy artist,” Miller said.
The Beach Institute/ AfricanAmerican Museum and Cultural Center in Savannah, Ga., currently hosts the “The Heart and Soul of Child Welfare” exhibit of Miller’s work.
Miller, who is from Florida, says most of his artwork advocates for the education, health and well- being of young people and children. Many of his works is constructed specifically for organizations that request it.
He said the inspiration for his work comes from his childhood experiences. He said he also finds inspiration from people, and especially children, all around him. He spoke of experiences with his printer and her son.
“When she tells a story about her son, who has autism, her face lights up,” Miller said.
Many younger children declare themselves as artists when asked, according to Miller. He said he has found that students identify themselves less and less as artists as the grow older.
Miller appealed to the Alternative Learning Environment teachers and administrators Monday to help students continue to believe in themselves as artists.
“Help our children stay artists,” he said. “Our society will not survive with all left- brain thinkers.”
Rothman, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Excellent Education, discussed graduation rates, Common Core and the changing educational system
in America.
Rothman earned his degree in political science from Yale University in New Haven, Conn. His book, “Something in Common: The Common Core Standards and the Next Chapter in American Education,” is available from the Harvard Education Publishing Group.
Rothman’s presentation was titled, “College and Career Readiness: An Economic and Equity Imperative.” He said the mission of educators was for students to graduate, go to college and enter into careers.
Data collected by Rothman’s organization shows that a quarter of all high school students in America do not graduate, but that number is closer to 50 percent for minority students.
Graduation rates have improved, according to Rothman, but the US now lags behind its international peers. He said that American students are starting from behind in the global market.
He said that if Arkansas had reached the 90 percent graduation rate goal of Grad Nation, a movement against “America’s dropout crisis,” that an additional 17,200 workers would be available from the Class of 2011 alone. He said the economic impact would be huge.
Rothman also discussed the new Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted in 46 states and Washington, D. C. He said the new standards and assessments reflect what employers now regularly seek: written and oral communication skills, problem- solving and learning how to learn.
The Hot Springs Convention Center will host the conference through Wednesday.