Comments on: A Visit to Cherokee Elementary School

By: Arthur Ross, Jr.

Arthur Ross, Jr. — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:11:44 +0000

Dr. Jackson:

It goes without saying that I am very proud of your acheivements. Your leadership is second to none. Keep up the good work. Just
remember to keep God on your side and everything will be alright.

By: Mrs. Bari Geeslin

Mrs. Bari Geeslin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:38:25 +0000

Dr. Jackson has high expectations for all CES stakeholders. Cherokee Elementary students demonstrate on a daily basis that ‘disadvantaged’ children can achieve at high levels given necessary support. I am proud CES’ students, staff, and leadership.

Mrs. Bari Geeslin, Assistant Superintendent, Sumter County

By: Dr. Wanda Jackson

Dr. Wanda Jackson — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:19:25 +0000

Thank you for the visit and the support. Cherokee Elementary is such a strong learning institution with awesome teachers and great students. It was a pleasure to have your support in Americus. Our goal at Cherokee is to build a village of culturally literate youth who will engage in life long learning. We simply care about children, thanks again. Dr. Jackson and Faculty

By: vital core

vital core — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:18:47 +0000

Gerald L Terrell, from disadvantaged backgrounds enter school, they are met with low expectations [and not taught] challenging knowledge

So…if I understand you, those who desire more focus on the basics (at the expense of knowledge curriculum) are pushing an “unfair” education?

I find this view quite interesting, and I think I’m beginning to understand the ideology of the Core Knowledge movement better; it’s a moral position as much as an educational one. White Hats and Black Hats and all that.

I guess I’m kind of a Black Hat guy…even worse, I personally choose and use this sort of “unfair” education for my own children. Now that’s twisted !

I do agree somewhat, however, that my educational methods are sort of unfair…if only because I expect my children to blow the academic doors off students who are flying past the basics to seek this impressive “sequenced and shared” knowledge curriculum.

But only time and metrics will complete this tale.

By: Gerald L.Terrell

Gerald L.Terrell — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:36:48 +0000

All too often, when children from disadvantaged backgrounds enter school, they are met with low expectations and unchallenging curricula. At Cherokee Elementary and other Core Knowledge schools, ALL children are taught relevant and challenging knowledge that provides the foundation for successful learning in the future regardless of their socio-economic background. The Core Knowledge Foundation believes that America’s schools can create a fairer and more literate society by offering all students a solid, specific, sequenced and shared curriculum.

By: vital core

vital core — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:11:24 +0000

Cherokee is clearly committed to excellence and fairness in early education…

What exactly does “fairness” here mean? Or, to put it another way, what would be an “unfair” education?

Sounds like quite a unified community (regardless of educational methods). It will be interesting to see the educational metrics in a decade or so.