What if every child had a right to a free education that guaranteed quality teaching by certified, highly qualified professionals? What if school buildings within communities were new, state-of-the-art structures that housed high tech equipment allowing students limitless options for exploratory learning? What if principals led their schools so effectively that parents and students never found a thing to complain about? What if children who began pre-school remained in school through grade twelve without having been retained and graduated from high school prepared for higher education without needing remedial courses? What if…..?        

        So, what are the guarantees for children being educated in the Springfield Public Schools? I tread lightly in this arena because there is one thing for certain that life teaches us and that is there are no guarantees. I thought about this statement after seeing an advertisement on television for an insurance company. I said to myself, “How dare they insult our intelligence and think we would buy in to some makeshift guarantee they have proposed just to get us to purchase their product?” After replaying this statement in my head, I realized that is exactly what people want to hear. We want to believe in guarantees. We want to know that our children are safe in school, that teachers are caring, nurturing people who teach children to their highest potential, that students are learning and loving to learn, that every student is the honor student so proudly displayed on some car bumper stickers, and that everybody’s needs are being met. We want to believe that education will create the panacea that will lift us into possibilities of greatness and secure a bright future for every child. Well, even if life holds no guarantees, we can have the audacity to keep hope alive and put our trust in that hope.

       Three months into the school year finds the work of the Springfield Public Schools in high gear. We have analyzed the results of the 2008 MCAS tests, and we are moving forward with plans of improving in 2009. We proudly boast that many of our students scored extremely high in their assessments, and several schools in Springfield— Talmadge, Washington, Glenwood, and Dryden—saw scores higher than state averages. We’re proud to inform you that two of our middle schools—-Kiley and Duggan—have demonstrated admirable growth in students’ test results. We continue to support all of our administrators, teachers, staffs, and students as they prioritize standards-based, rigorous teaching and learning in every classroom in every school. 

       If students go to school every day prepared to work and learn, they will learn. If parents develop strong relationships with the schools their children attend, home-school compacts will be a reality. If teachers continue to receive professional development and coaching, they will be well prepared to teach students to proficiency. If all of you who care about the future of our students continue to support the schools in a positive way, the community will get the schools they deserve. If we all pledged to give our best effort and energy every day, we would create a culture of excellence and that is one guarantee you can believe in!  n