By Staff
County classes begin Friday, support urged
Special to The Standard
Escambia County Superintendent Melvin F. "Buck" Powell, issued a call to arms Tuesday.
Powell, whose system will open the 2005-06 school year this Friday, kicked off the new school year by urging parents, community leaders, local business owners, faith-based groups and state and local officials to get involved in guaranteeing academic success for every student this year.
Powell said that the federal No Child Left Behind Act has shifted the focus from universal access to universal high achievement for all students. Powell also said that he is committed to raising academic achievement for every child in the Escambia County district, "and that our community must summon the will to provide the necessary resources to move every child toward high levels of achievement."
Leading the nationwide campaign to Stand Up for Public Education is the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the national organization for the majority of America's public school system leaders.
Powell, who is a member of AASA said, "Every child enters school at a different academic achievement level. That's why this community needs to summon the will to build a social infrastructure around getting every child ready for school through comprehensive programs, such as nutrition an d health, early childhood education and ongoing support for families."
Powell added that the Escambia County Board of Education will continue to redesign and transform the schools' organization, teaching and learning practices and leadership strategies to "meet the needs of each student who comes to us."
Powell said that public education is stronger when the public is on board.
Powell added that the "success of our students reflects the success of our community. Our children should expect nothing short of excellence from all of us. I am committing the public school system to do its part and I look forward to working with parents, business and community leaders and our elected officials in making our public education the best it can be."