[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E52-E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GOOD SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, December 10, 1997, into the Congressional Record:

                       What Makes A Good School?

       There are few more important questions facing a society 
     than how to best educate its young people. Imparting 
     knowledge from one generation to the next, conveying the 
     historical, scientific, cultural, and moral ideals to those 
     that follow, this process of teaching and educating is 
     critical to the strength and stability of any civil society. 
     It has been our schools that have largely shouldered this 
     awesome responsibility. Good schools are building blocks for 
     a good society.
       What then makes a good school? Hoosiers have consistently 
     made it clear that a quality educational system is a high 
     priority. They understand how important schools are to their 
     children and their communities. In meeting with constituents 
     over the years, I have been impressed to see that many 
     parents agree on some basic attributes of a good school.
       Good schools must have good teachers. No other factor can 
     make as much difference in the making of a good school as the 
     influence of good teachers. The classroom is the front line 
     of our educational mission and it is where ultimately we can 
     gauge if children will or will not receive a quality 
     education. Many parents agree that good schools begin in the 
     classroom. Good teachers motivate, inspire, open new doors 
     for students, and play a key role in the learning process. 
     The quality of instruction goes a long way in determining the 
     quality of an education. Good schools develop good teachers 
     by strong efforts to raise the quality of teaching and 
     respect for the profession of teaching. They can also help 
     by providing opportunities for teachers to continue their 
     education, and by providing teachers with small classes 
     and the opportunity to plan.
       A good school has a high level of parental and community 
     involvement. Good teachers alone do not make a good school. 
     The involvement of the family and community is also a 
     necessary ingredient in any enriching educational program. In 
     the many schools I have visited in the Ninth District, two 
     attributes the best schools shared were the active role of 
     parents in the educational process and the strong hands-on 
     involvement of community leaders.
       When learning is reinforced at home and when parents take 
     an active interest in their child's education, then schools 
     can truly flourish. Family and community support is important 
     in bringing energy and new ideas to the school system. Local 
     support helps to hold schools accountable for the quality 
     education of their students.
       The local school is the traditional focal point of many 
     Hoosier communities. It is of course, the place where our 
     children are educated, but it also is a place where we can 
     gather as a community to watch basketball games and attend 
     school plays and other student activities. The strong bond 
     that American families have with their local schools goes a 
     long way in determining the success of their public school 
     systems and their communities as a whole.
       A good school has adequate resources. Even though a good 
     school is more than just bricks and mortar, these physical 
     resources certainly help. The availability of adequate 
     funding, current textbooks, and a building with plenty of 
     space and no leaky roofs contributes to an effective learning 
     environment. Nowadays, this emphasis on resources means 
     access to computers, to the Internet, and general 
     technological know-how. Children today must grow up with a 
     mouse in their hand. In such a technological and information-
     driven economy, having these resources in the school can mean 
     the difference between adequately preparing or not 
     preparing tomorrow's competitive workforce. Good schools 
     also must have the resources to provide challenging after-
     school activities that engage the interests of both 
     students and staff and improve upon classroom learning.
       A good school is a safe school. Parents often emphasize the 
     importance of a safe and orderly environment in schools. 
     Students must be comfortable and not feel threatened or feel 
     they are in a hostile environment. There has been increased 
     concern across the country about drugs and weapons in 
     schools. Concern about gangs, fighting, and other 
     disciplinary problems is common among most parents. Parents 
     recognize that providing a safe and orderly environment is 
     conducive to learning.
       A good school sets high standards. Excellence in education 
     will not be achieved without high standards. These standards 
     should not be mandated from above, but rather self-imposed by 
     state and local schools that expect the best from their 
     programs. Rigorous standards challenge students to reach 
     their potential. Such standards help in attaining high levels 
     of scholastic achievement. If the school doesn't expect the 
     best from its students, then the students won't expect the 
     best from themselves. I agree with many parents who believe 
     that the schools and students should be held accountable for 
     doing their best.
       We should have clear expectations that students learn the 
     essential basics of math, science, English, and social 
     studies. Learning these basic skills will help kids in 
     school, in the future workplace, and in life. I also like 
     schools which spend time promoting ethics and core values 
     such as compassion, honesty, and respect for others.
       Conclusion. Not a single one of these factors alone can 
     determine if a school is ultimately good or not. All of these 
     factors are interrelated. For example, good teachers without 
     parental involvement, or good teachers in an unsafe school 
     can lead to frustrating, and many times unsuccessful, 
     results.
       I share the high priority Hoosiers give to education. I 
     support local leaders in their efforts to improve the quality 
     of education. I believe that state and local governments

[[Page E53]]

     ought to take the lead and take primary responsibility in our 
     local schools. The federal role in local education is limited 
     to providing resources to educate disadvantaged students, and 
     this limited role should be maintained.
       By encouraging good teachers, applauding a high level of 
     parental involvement, and providing a safe learning 
     environment while upholding rigorous standards, local 
     communities play the most important role in providing quality 
     education. The future of our schools, our nation, and our 
     society is all the better for it.

     

                          ____________________