• Many times, when students are not achieving to their full potential in the classroom, everyone is looking for someone to blame.  Instead of blaming one another, teachers, students and parents should be working together towards one common goal:  assisting the children in succeeding in school, achieving their goals and pursuing future endeavors.
• The school board should have a means to contact all parents to inform them of important issues that would affect their children and school happenings.  During the board meetings, parents should be given an opportunity to express concerns about anything occurring at their child’s school.  Monthly reports written in the district newspaper should be sent to the parents to keep them abreast of school district issues.  A School Advisory Council should be instituted so that a parent representative, teacher representative, school board representative, student representative, and classified employee representative can open communication and discuss concerns within the school district.

2. Support Teachers and Their Needs

• In order for teachers to properly educate students, they need to have the most up-to-date resources.  Because of technological advancements, information around the world has become more accessible to students, but if the teachers and students do not have the proper equipment in the classroom and in the schools to access this information, then students are educationally stifled and cannot compete globally. 
• The school board should make sure that every school is equipped with computers and other updated audio/visual equipment so that teachers can present new and innovative ideas to students in order to keep their attention focused on learning and progressing.

3.  Inform Students and Parents about Post-Graduation Options

• When students begin preparing for life after high school, many times the options that
  students have are not very clear.  Teachers and counselors work hard educating students about many colleges and universities, but the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and vocational education are sometimes left out of the equation.  Some students may want to experience life outside of California, and some students will not attend a college or university, so students should be given information as to other options.
• The school board should have in place vocational education programs, such as the Construction Academy in which I am currently involved with the Inglewood Unified School District, and more information should be distributed to students about HBCUs and how they provide students an excellent education.

4.  Support Classified Staff

• The classified employees are very important to the success of every student and school.  They are the first line of contact when parents and students enter a school.  They keep the schools safe.  They make sure the students, faculty, and staff are able to work in a clean environment.
• The school board should ensure that the classified employees are properly represented so that their concerns and needs are met.

5.  Support and Recognize Student Achievement

• When students work hard in academics and extracurricular activities, they should be recognized for their achievements.
• The school board should not only recognize the students in the school newspaper, but they should be recognized at the school board meetings and in the local media outlets.  Let people know how wonderful Inglewood students are, and that they are strong achievers.

6.  Promote the Fine Arts

• Students need creative outlets within education.  Budget cuts make it difficult for some fine arts programs to continue in schools, and some believe that they are not as important as academics.  The arts are just as important as academics and should be incorporated into the curriculum, especially since Visual and Performing Arts are a part of the A-G requirements.
• The school board should continue to fund fine arts in the schools in addition to bringing outside arts programs into the schools through college and community partnerships. 

7.  Educate Students about Laws that Affect Them (keeping them out of trouble and off the streets)

• Knowledge is power, and when students misbehave or make bad decisions, they should know the consequences.
• The school board should adopt a program that educates students about local laws and legal consequences so that they know what may happen when they engage in different activities.