We All Have a Role to Play

As parents and educators prepare for the new 2008-09 school year, we must be mindful of the profound impact of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), on the landscape of public education. This law demands accountability for public schools and highly qualified teachers. Many educators were looking forward to a new and improved version of this law. While there is broad consensus that the current law is flawed and needs to be reauthorized, Congress has not come to consensus about what needs to be done. Therefore, Chesterfield County Public Schools will continue to comply with the increasing standards of NCLB, building toward the 2013-14 school year when 100 percent of students are required to achieve at a high level on the state standardized tests.

Our school board envisions every Chesterfield school as a thriving, dynamic and inspiring educational environment that produces self-directed learners and stimulates citizens of all ages to trust in, invest in and benefit from public education. Our school system’s No. 1 goal is to help every student meet high expectations and reach his/her full potential. It is essential we keep that goal at the forefront of our work with students this year. Our Design for Excellence six-year strategic plan for continual improvement identifies four goals to support student achievement: safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments; a competent and knowledgeable workforce; community investment in schools; and effective and efficient operations.

Our greatest challenge is preparing students for the future. We don’t know what the world will look like when today’s students enter the workforce. Just imagine, today’s kindergarteners will graduate in 2021. We need to prepare them with life skills that will aid them throughout their lives. And we cannot do it alone. Involved parents can make a substantial difference in the academic life of their children and in our school and community. The entire school community has a role in play in supporting parental engagement in our schools. Please do all you can to maintain positive, regular and open communication with school officials throughout the year.