Tulsa school superintendent says reading must be the number one priority

Wednesday, January 10th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

After five months on the job, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer has delivered his assessment of the district's strengths and weaknesses. Sawyer outlined his recommendations for improving schools at a school board meeting Monday night.

Sawyer says he sees several strengths in Tulsa Public Schools including students, staff, facilities as well as support from parents and the community.
"But all are being done without any clear understanding of purpose, direction, or destination," Sawyer said.

During his state of the schools address, Sawyer says the district's greatest need is a clear focus on academic achievement, and development of all students.

Among the needs he outlined:

Better planning
A means of reporting progress toward goals
Prioritization of academics
An office of accountability to monitor and manage goals

The last need is something board member Michael Pierce considers crucial.
"Programs that do not have statistical data to show that they are successful will be eliminated," he said.

Sawyer also announced plans for a Math and Science program at Tulsa's McLain Career Academy beginning next fall. "We think this is going to be a tremendous opportunity for McLain, for the community and for the students in our attendance zone, so we are truly excited," explained McLain Principal Cynthia Macarevich.

Pierce agrees. "I believe in the students here at McLain High School, and believe that if you put forth a program and offer the challenge, they will accept the challenge and be successful," he noted. McLain parent Hattye Lee likes the new curriculum for her son. "That will help him for college bound - help him even if he decides not to go to college - for a technical job," she said.

Sawyer named reading improvement as the number one instructional challenge, which the district hopes to meet through more teacher training, and community emphasis. "To parents and small groups, also at P-T-A meetings, and just encouraging everybody that they must focus on reading, â€œsaid assistant superintendent Dr. LaVerne Wimberly. â€œI think we eventually will all get the message."

Sawyer also announced a new effort to bring back families who've left the district. He says once word is out on the successes in the district, confidence will be restored, and more people will be singing the praises of Tulsa Public Schools. Sawyer also named attendance as another district priority, along with previously announced plans for elementary fine arts programs, and reinstating middle school athletics.