Nov. 11
November 11, 2009
Ms. Mae Ella Marie Carlos
November 13, 2009
Former Nicholls State University Dean of Education O. Cleveland Hill outlined methods to reform public education in Louisiana in his keynote address Saturday at the Lafourche Parish Chapter NAACP banquet.
The event was held at the St. Luke Community Center in Thibodaux, the first in 15 years for the organization.
Hill is principal of the MAX Charter School for students with dyslexia at Nicholls State University. He said that “sound knowledge from a good quality education will help restore young people to the right paths they need.”
“True to form, I’m a teacher,” he said. “And there are two things I know for sure, one is that an achievement gap exists in public schools across America, with Asian and white students making high scores and African, Latino and Hispanic students trailing behind. The other is the result of what I just said – far too many students will not possess the knowledge later in life to compete on global levels to take care of their families.”
Hill explained that some students work hard in school to achieve the minimum levels; some attend school to make others miserable; others attend despite their disdain for education; and some are just waiting for the opportunity to drop out.
He offered the following as methods to improve the public education system:
• Extending the school day to 5:30 p.m., with classes beginning at 8 a.m.;
• Extending the school year by 38 days, from 182 days to 220;
• Holding Saturday morning classes, not as a punishment, but rather as an opportunity for students to catch up work they missed or perhaps did not understand during the prior week;
• Require parents to sign a school contract making them responsible for their child’s attendance and education;
• Pay teachers a higher salary based on a merit-pay system;
• Give teachers a post-tenure review to make sure they’re reaching benchmarks; otherwise, they could face losing their job.
“I know that these suggestions won’t be popular,” Hill said. “They won’t be popular with kids, nor their parents, who will likely have to pay higher taxes to make this happen.”
Lafourche NAACP 2nd Vice President Ronnie Winston opened the evening by stating that the banquet was for all races. “Everybody is colored. We’re all a color – white and black. That’s why we call ourselves the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,” he said.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre also addressed the audience, saying, “Justice is not equal and injustice still exists.” He cited Keith Bardwell, the former Tangipahoa justice of the peace who made headlines after refusing to marry an interracial couple.
“How sad it is when someone won’t marry two people who are in love because of their skin color,” Webre said.
Nicholls State University NAACP Chapter President Willie Hughes, whose group volunteered to serve dinner at the banquet, spoke about a mentoring program he’s leading at East Thibodaux High School. Through the organization’s efforts, many of the school’s at-risk students are no longer in trouble, he said.
“It’s amazing what you can do when you spend time with someone and show them love – that you care,” Hughes said.
Lafourche Parish NAACP President Emeritus Eva Shanklin stirred the group in an attempt to increase membership. “Be a big dog and sign up tonight! Otherwise, you’ll just be a puppy, barking on the porch,” she said.
Lafourche NAACP President Burnell Tolbert agreed. “This evening is not about us. It’s about you. We need you. We need you so that we can work together in unity, building a village that truly maintains the motto, ‘I am my brother’s keeper.'”
The Lafourche NAACP also presented education stipends to five area 2009 graduates: Brandon Boyd, Cameron Carter, Asia Richard, Andrinika Franklin and Jene Robinson.
Officers for the coming year were also installed, including Tolbert, president; Winston, 2nd vice president; Brooks Dennis, 1st vice president; Amour Jenkins, secretary; Jacqueline Malcolm, treasurer; and Everlina Tolbert, assistant treasurer.
O. Cleveland Hill, principal of the MAX Charter School at Nicholls State University, reviews his suggested proposals for education reform at the Lafourche Parish NAACP banquet Saturday. * Photo by HOWARD J. CASTAY JR.
