Educator Stephen G. Peters rallies students for standard tests
By Meliqueica Meadows
Of the St. Louis American
There was once a public school where dropout rates were high and achievement scores far below average. It came as no surprise when the governor mandated a state takeover of the institution. No one could have imagined that in two years the school’s new principal would turn the failing institution into a model school.
The year was 1986, the principal was “Crazy” Joe Clark and the school was New Jersey’s East Side High. The inspiring story and fairy tale ending became the subject of the film, Lean on Me.
Now, officials from the Wellston School District are working on a sequel.
Last year’s Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores were so low in Wellston they prompted revocation of the district’s accreditation, a state takeover last summer and the appointment of a new superintendent, Charles R. Brown.
Since taking office, Brown and his energetic staff have created a bevy of new initiatives to improve academic achievement and raise MAP test scores. Officials created “MAP Attack,” a systemic plan to prepare students for the upcoming statewide exam.
Tuesday the district held a MAP Attack rally to motivate students for the exam, which measures student proficiency in several academic areas including math and communication arts. The state reports results in terms of five achievement levels: step 1, progressing, nearing proficiency, proficient, and advanced. Last year, most of Wellston’s 600 students scored at step 1 and progressing levels.
Joyce Roberts, chief academic officer of the Wellston district, was the first to address the crowd of students, teachers, parents and administrators Tuesday.
“We’re here to focus our energy and efforts on what we’ve come to know is a high-stakes MAP test,’” Roberts said.
“We’ve been preparing for success since school opened on August 27, and we’re ready. As the sign says on the door, ‘Bring it on.’”
Rams defensive end Leonard Little, who brought his L3 literacy initiative to the district last fall, was present for the rally.
“These goals are attainable, but it’s not gonna be easy,” Little said.
“There are going to be people in your life, friends and maybe family, that don’t want you to attain your goals, but you can attain your goals and be the people you want to be.”
Local rap star Chingy also volunteered to help the district this week.
Little said parents, not celebrities, should be the primary role models for children.
“Kids today look at me as a role model because I’m on TV, but you all should be the role models for these kids,” Little said. “You can speak to these kids every day.”
The district also brought in Stephen G. Peters, a noted author, educator and motivational speaker, to boost student morale for the exam. On Monday he spoke to a group of students about academic achievement, leadership and character. Peters also spoke at the rally Tuesday to encourage students.
“These test results will be your DNA, your fingerprints, and will follow you through elementary school, middle school and high school and will also follow you from high school to college,” Peters said.
“To the high school students, please be reminded that there are young people right now who are watching how you dress, how you talk and how you apply yourself in school. You need to be wonderful role models to these young people because they are like sponges. They are absorbing everything.”
Fifteen-year-old Eskridge High freshman Jason Small absorbed every word at Tuesday’s rally and Peters’ talk on Monday.
“I learned a lot yesterday from Mr. Peters. That seminar changed me on the inside,” Small said.
“Before, I didn’t want to go to college, but I learned that just because I come from Wellston that doesn’t mean that I have to live up to what others expect of me. I can be anything I want to be if I just put my mind to it and work hard.”
Peters shared his testimony of growing up poor and working hard to become a successful, engaged citizen, which resonated with Small.
“He grew up with nothing and said he never would have pictured himself on Oprah,” Small said.
“I want to be just like him, because he gives to others. When I get mine, I want to help others too. Now I want to go to college and study computers, maybe be a CEO just like he is.”
“The children here have such an amazing spirit, and you can just feel the energy of the new leadership in Wellston,” Peters said.
“It’s just wonderful to be a part of the process of changing a school culture where you know it’s possible.”