ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 27, 1996 TAG: 9608270097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Roanoke schools must work harder to improve student attendance, reduce dropouts and increase the graduation rate, Superintendent Wayne Harris said Monday.
"Some of our students encounter obstacles that make it difficult for them to attend school and be successful," Harris told teachers and other school system employees at the convocation for the new school year.
"We must intensify our efforts to reconnect these students to schools," the superintendent said.
The school system will try to help keep children in school through guidance and counseling, alternative programs, community alliances and career development opportunities, he said.
But he said the "key to it all is increasing parent involvement" and the School Board has made that a priority in the next year.
City schools open next Tuesday. The convocation is held each year to kick off the school year and to recognize all school employees, including teachers, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers.
Harris told more than 1,000 teachers and other employees that the schools will continue to be held accountable for demonstrating improvement in test scores, attendance, physical fitness and graduation rates.
"We must be accountable as individuals; we must be accountable as a profession," he said, but he didn't identify the consequences for schools or teachers that do not show improvement.
As they begin a new year, Harris urged the teachers to be professional with a strong work ethic.
"Part of being professional is being truthful," he said. "Telling the truth requires that we talk to each other - that we honestly step outside of ourselves and take a critical, candid look at our work and make changes in places where change is needed."
But Harris reminded the teachers to keep their sense of humor.
"Ours is a demanding profession physically and emotionally," he said. "We must take our work seriously, but we must not take ourselves too seriously. Laughter is probably the best medicine."
Harris asked the teachers to give attention to the human side of teaching and show interest in their students.
In meetings with high school students last spring, Harris said students noted they were especially grateful to teachers who listened, attended school functions and remained after school to help with class work or answer questions.
The school system remains committed to providing the staff training to help improve the instructional opportunities for all students, he said.
Teachers must set high expectations for themselves and students, he said. "Our students depend on you to lift them up by inspiring self-confidence, self direction and expecting a superior achievement."
During the coming year, he said, the school system also will provide training for full implementation of the state's new standards of learning, begin a program to improve mathematics education and use technology to improve academic achievement.
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