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May 15 -21, 2014
Volume 86 • Issue 40
New APS Superintendent Promises Change in the Making
On July 7, Meria Carstarphen will take the reigns of the much beleaguered Atlanta Public School System as its new superintendent, and as she says, “she plans to hit the ground running.” No doubt the popular educator from Austin, Texas will face a myriad of issues and challenges when she takes the office, including dealing with the aftermath of the worst school cheating scandal in U.S. history. Carstarphen, 44, said in a recent briefing that she looks forward to working with teachers, administrators, parents and all the resource opportunities available to the Atlanta Public Schools, to manage the budget, expectations and improve student learning. “My goals will be straight forward. I want to make sure we do our part to restore pride in Atlanta Public Schools, build trust and transparency with our school community, focus on academics and make sure that our students are graduating on time and getting rich opportunities in the district. I really want to build an amazing team of adults and leaders who will invest in our kids and make sure we get the job done.” Following what many have coined “The Dark Age” of
APS, when more than 50 teachers and administrators were accused and subsequently found guilty of changing test scores and providing answers to students in order to elevate APS test scores. The scandal thrust the debate over using high-stakes testing mandated by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, to hold educators accountable. “It is hard work, even when everything is going well in a school system, to address all of the issues facing students and teachers. My experience shows me that it still takes time to make sure that we’ve made all of the changes and adjustments we need to, and address some of the historic past wrongs in any uran school system.” Carstarphen’s strategy for improving the quality of education for APS students includes better and more effective budget management along with taking full advantage of available federal and state grants to bring opportunities and resources to the Atlanta school district. Austin educators who worked with Carstarphen prior to her move to Atlanta say she is committed to understanding what she called the “people” piece of managing. Part of her
APS plans involves develop a “citizens committee” designed to challenge the district to develop and manage more effectively. “That will result in better student outcomes and align with the Atlanta Public Schools Board vision,” said retired teacher Rollon Butler. Carstarphen, an empassioned advocate of STEM education, says the key to successfully introducing science and technology based opportunities to APS students is to recruit the right teachers and invest in the right tools. . “It’s about making sure that we teach kids embrace the diversity of our global economy. “We’ll do all that we can to educate the child and the family. … Parents and guardians are our first teachers for our students, and the work we do goes beyond academics. It’s about supporting the whole child. … We want them to be responsible social and emotional lifelong learners,” explains Carstarphen. A native of Selma, Ala. Carstarphen began her career as a teacher in the Selma middle school she attended. The handsstyle educator was the first African American and the first woman to serve as Austin’s superintendent.