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Education
MAGIC believes a quality education is key to
juvenile justice reform. School-age
children spend nearly one out of every four waking hours of their time in school
or in school-related activities. Therefore schools and educators have a unique
opportunity – and bear a special responsibility – to expand and improve the
lives of a community’s youth, in cooperation with their families and
neighbors. MAGIC strongly supports efforts to improve the quality of education
for young people in Bayview Hunters Point.
Our children deserve the
opportunity to attend quality, high-achieving schools in the communities where
they reside. Among the benefits of quality neighborhood schools are:
·
Increased
parent/family involvement;
·
A more direct
community connection and support base for the school and its students;
·
Less truancy
because it’s easier for children to get to and from school on their own and/or
for parents to do pickups, dropoffs and respond to emergencies.
·
Less graffiti
and vandalism when youth feel invested in their school and see a clear
connection to family and community.
·
Greater
commitment to coming to and staying in school, because of shorter distances,
friends living nearby, and more accessible school-based activities and clubs;
·
Support
services that are community-based and readily available to address family,
cultural, education and special issues in a supportive wrap-around model for
children; and
Education: Quality schools must provide safe, well-maintained,
structured learning environments, with the best teachers, curriculum, textbooks,
resources and materials for every student. They must offer individualized
academic support to eliminate gaps in performance and, when warranted,
specialized learning programs (such as Individual Education Plans) to reflect
children’s special learning needs, interests and strengths. School districts
and local communities must adequately fund after-school activities such as
sports and clubs, along with extracurricular support services – health clinics
and counseling services for the entire school population, and alternative
support services to address the needs and strengths of students in high-risk
environments.
Educators: It is critical that all children have
high quality, motivated, credentialed teachers and supportive school staff who
are engaged and effective in their work, inspired by the children they teach,
and accountable for their performance. When these factors are in place, teachers
can model and expect respect and dignity, hold students to high expectations and
inspire youth to achieve their full potential and succeed. Educators must
understand the special needs of young people in their teaching communities and,
without lowering expectations, develop creative approaches to curriculum which
engage and support students, and expand opportunities for learning.
Community Support Systems:
Schools must also build community support systems as part of the educational
process, that can offer mentoring and group counseling to help identify and
overcome impediments to success; forums to encourage team building and
leadership among young people; community networks to expand career and
alternative learning opportunities; and programs and events that strengthen
family and neighborhood connections by bringing people together and opening and
maintaining lines of communication.
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