Integrity, schmintegrity!

I guess I can't do two positive posts in a row right now because there are several things I need to get off my chest today, the primary one being the complete and utter lack of regard that Congressmen seem to have for the people they "represent."  

WTF is going on?!? Polls, which politicians seem to only pay attention to when they support them, show overwhelming support for expanding background checks on gun purchases to include guns bought at gun shows and on line. This makes sense, particularly given that the Aurora shooter bought his supplies on line.  But, apparently, what we, the people, want is irrelevant. Clearly, it's much more important to our Congressmen that they retain their own power and money, which the NRA has been able to guarantee for them in the past. When I first became principal in my small town in North Carolina, I was given the advice, "Don't upset the DAR." I guess Congressmen must be given the advice, "Don't upset the NRA." But, when you have been hired to do something as important as directing the education of a town's young people, you cannot be swayed by special interest groups whose desires are contrary to what is educationally sound and in the best interests of the students. The same principle ought to apply to Congressmen. Where is their integrity?

Another thing that's been bothering me is the cheating on state tests that has happened since NCLB and Race to the Top were implemented. Earlier this month, dozens of employees and former employees of the Atlanta Public Schools were indicted under the RICO Act because they cheated on the state tests. The cheating was widespread and the system of rewards and punishments tied to students' test scores that the Superintendent implemented contributed to it. There have been documented incidents of cheating in schools in other states and there have been suspicions and allegations of cheating in even more. This will continue as long as teachers, principals, and superintendents are evaluated based on students' test scores. You could say that these educators don't have any integrity, and I wouldn't argue with you. But, let's not ignore the fact that the entire system of evaluating our schools lacks integrity, too. 

If you follow Diane Ravitch, you know her opinion as to why our schools are being subject to these senseless "accountability systems." Regardless of whether it's due to money, power, or prejudice, the pressure on educators for their students to score well on tests is insanely high and has done significant damage to our students and to our schools. We have only begun to reveal the ugliness that these laws have created. One of the most famous supporters of using test scores to reward and punish educators is Michelle Rhee, the former Chancellor of the D.C. Public Schools. Some people have been saying for several years that there was cheating  going on during her reign, but, to date, no one has been charged with any crimes. However, you should read this report if you want to know more about it.

When I've been frustrated by the attitudes and actions of the school board of my district, I have been heard to say, "We reap what we sow.  These people are graduates of our schools." I'm worried that we will all be forced to reap what our Congressmen and the Department of Education have sown. I am far from perfect, and I have made my share of mistakes, both personally and professionally. At times, I have lost my focus on what was best for students. But - and this is what I think is lacking in our Congressmen - I listened when someone told me that I needed to step back and re-think my position.

There's Beauty Everywhere!

If you ever have cause to visit Charlotte, I strongly recommend that you take the time to go to Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. Although it covers only 3.5 acres of land, Wing Haven manages to have a rose garden, a children's garden, an herb garden, 3 pools, 3 ponds, a fireplace, a woodland area, multiple fountains, and too many plants for me to list here. The designers of Wing Haven, Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson, wanted to attract songbirds when they built their house, in the 1920s. Over time, they attracted a variety of wildlife and did everything they could to nurture their little biome, including taking injured animals into their home until they were well enough to live outdoors.

The entirety of Wing Haven is still attached to the Clarksons' home. What began as their private garden eventually became a place for bird lovers to visit and for elementary-school students to learn about the relationship between plants and birds. This is what is most charming about Wing Haven: it is still located in a residential neighborhood in the middle of Charlotte. On our recent trip, we had to pay close attention because there aren't big signs or billboards leading you there. It sneaks up on you quietly, looking like any other house on the street. To enter the gardens, we had to first enter the Clarksons' home (preserved as it was when they lived there) where a volunteer greeted us, asked us to share our name and address and to pay the $6 entrance fee, and gave us a brief history of Wing Haven. We were then led to the Education Building where a 20-minute video about the Clarksons and Wing Haven was showing in a perpetual loop. After the video, we went outside and entered the gardens through a gate. 

What I saw from the outside did not prepare me for the beauty and serenity of the gardens, themselves. I could hear very little of Charlotte inside the gardens and I forgot where I was, until the path led me up to one of the brick walls over which I could see a neighbor's house. All throughout the gardens, there are marble blocks with quotations carved into them placed among the brick paving stones. There are also several statues of religious figures and some plaques with quotes from the Bible. I loved the scents and the colors, but my favorite part was the sounds of the birds.

My daughter, who had been protesting this outing, became more interested as we walked along the paths and eventually said that it was, "sort of cool." She particularly enjoyed the chipmunks, one of whom let us get very close as it filled its cheeks with seeds from a platter on the ground. This is another unique thing about Wing Haven -- the wildlife is fed. Apparently, the birds eventually became so accustomed to the Clarksons that they would perch on their fingers and eat from cups they held in their hands.

When we lived in Illinois, we visited the Chicago Botanic Garden regularly and I spent some very happy days there with our older daughter, during our summer vacations. But after having visited Wing Haven, I think I prefer something smaller, more intimate. Or, maybe I'm just getting old and thinking how nice it would be to have a lush garden in my own backyard, where I could become familiar with the birds and chipmunks. The whole experience has made me wistful.