So it isn't money that makes kids smarter?

This article in the Galesburg (IL) Register-Mail indicates that somebody in education, around here, has the right idea:


GALESBURG - Nielson and King elementary schools are in the spotlight for achieving high state test scores despite having a high percentage of poverty-level students.

The two elementary schools were listed as Spotlight Schools on the Illinois Honor Roll for the 2003-2004 school year by the Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University....

'Basically it means that at Nielson we're doing the right things, we're performing well despite our obvious challenges and that our kids are performing well,' LeClere said."



The article continues:

'LeClere said at high-poverty schools teachers are challenged to instill the value of education in students. That's because, he said, a lot of low-income families have to put survival above education.

"They're worried about things like how they're going to pay the rent; education may not be on the priority list," LeClere said. "So a lot of times the child needs to be reminded that school is important and is a way out of poverty."

LeClere attributes Nielson's success to the school's Reading Buddy program and an after-school reading program for students who need extra help. He also gave credit to the teachers.

"Our teachers have a lot to do with it, just in the way they teach and the dedication they have to our kids, that's huge," LeClere said.

Maaske said King's after-school tutoring program and teachers who spend time tutoring students after school in small groups are reasons for King's success.




I wonder if anybody has told the people who run the educational systems in money-rich, grade-poor Washington, DC about this attitude and these methods?