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SLPS
Superintendent Creg Williams visits Carr Lane Middle School,
shown here with sixth grader Randi Byrd. |
VISION & ACTION
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Creg Williams’
Strategic Plan Will Change How, When & Where Students Learn
By Laurie Burstein
Creg Williams is a man with a mission. A little over a year ago,
he accepted the job as superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools
and has since moved ahead full force to reinvent and reinvigorate
the entire District. His new strategic plan includes far-reaching
reforms at every level and will be carried out over the next five
years.
“I feel like I’m the parent of the 36,000 students who attend our
schools,” Williams says. “The new strategic plan has 100 specific
initiatives—all focused on academic achievement. We have got to
build a movement towards excellence to make our schools among the
best, “ he adds.
Williams says he took the job knowing full well many of the problems
of St. Louis’ public schools, including the academic history and
poor state scores, but is up for the challenge. “I am not afraid
of a challenge and have been through two state takeovers of school
systems in Chicago and Philadelphia. I look at St. Louis as an opportunity
to use my experience to help the public school system here.”
The 45-year-old Williams is a Chicago native, a father of two, and
has spent his entire career in teaching and education. He came to
St. Louis from the School District of Philadelphia, where he was
Deputy Chief Academic Officer from 2002 through 2005. He oversaw
a student population of 59,000 in 58 high schools and managed a
$500 million budget. Under his leadership, the high schools saw
an increase in standardized scores, and significant academic achievement
took place across the board through a variety of reforms and programs
he implemented.
Prior to Philadelphia, Williams spent 18 years in the Chicago Public
Schools, beginning his career by teaching at his alma mater, Chicago
Vocational High School, then moving on to become principal of an
elementary school. He became the Chicago Public Schools’ Chief Officer
for Education-to-Careers and managed over 300 high school programs
for 50,000 students.
These posts earned Williams a national reputation as a top educational
reformer.
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Carr
Lane students anxiously gather in the visual arts
room with Williams. |
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“I felt very good about what we accomplished in Philadelphia. Our
ninth grade test scores increased by double-digits after all the
reforms that were put in place—including everything from creating
smaller schools, revamping the curriculum, introducing new text
books, creating a summer jobs program, expanding sports and after
school programs, to name just a few.”
“We can do many of the same things here. We have got to downsize
our schools to create smaller learning environments where children
can learn better and get more attention. We need more sports and
extra curricular activities, as well as driver’s education. We need
to restructure our high schools and update our curriculum for more
consistency,” he says.
Williams is eager to talk about Vashon High School as a prime example.
“Vashon was the first high school I visited when I came to St. Louis.
I knew from day one that there would have to be some major changes
there. I saw apathy, poor academics and disorder. I had to make
the public aware and get the entire community involved in making
these changes.”
Williams held a public forum where almost 1,000 people showed up.
Soon after the forum, three immediate actions took place: a crisis
plan was established, a response team was put in place, and parent
patrols were formed.
Williams says that for the first time in a long time parents became
engaged. “We have parents standing outside the school to welcome
students each morning, and parents inside the school to watch and
monitor students. We put together a response team that could get
to the school in 10 minutes. We also put a crisis plan in place
where there had been none.”
But Williams acknowledges that this was not enough. Major academic
improvements had to be made. In December, he developed a plan for
Vashon with the Board of Education. Part of the plan was to move
the ninth grade students and create a separate center just for freshman
so they could get the attention they needed. Statistics show that
ninth graders are more apt to drop out after their first year of
high school.
Another strategy was to move half of the senior class to the University
of Missouri-St. Louis campus for classes. Williams had used similar
strategies in Philadelphia and Chicago with much success. Now these
same strategies are working well in St. Louis, he says.
“I’m a strong believer in dual-college credit. Many of our students
are now earning both high school and college credits, and by attending
classes at UMSL, our students are exposed to a higher level of learning.
So far, it’s working beautifully,” Williams says.
On the creation of the learning centers for ninth graders, Williams
says there has been a huge improvement at Vashon. “The majority
of the incidents were caused by freshman. By moving them to their
own school, they now get the attention they need and incidents have
decreased by 75 percent.” But he adds, “I’m not throwing a party
yet! We still have a long way to go.”
Outgoing St. Louis Public School Board of Education President Darnetta
Clinkscale applauds Williams’ efforts. “Creg brings new energy,
enthusiasm and caring to the students in St. Louis Public Schools,”
says Clinkscale.
Clinkscale continued, “Creg was hired for his expertise and past
accomplishments, and we are already seeing many positive changes,
such as the ninth grade centers. The new strategic plan addresses
children at all levels and this is very important to the future
of our schools.”
In February, Williams and the School Board presented an ambitious
five-year strategic plan—Building Towards 2011. Among the new initiatives
are: extended-year seventh and eighth grade, single-gender schools,
school uniforms, expanded programs for gifted and talented students,
and stronger college preparation programs. The plan outlines a major
restructuring of high school and middle school that includes more
ninth grade academies, alternative schools, small high schools,
and new high school programs specializing in architecture, business,
law and technology.
In putting the new strategic plan together, Williams says he met
with hundreds and hundreds of parents to get their input. Among
the things they wanted were things like school uniforms, smaller
classes and more college preparation.
Williams says many of the changes will be tough, with one of the
more controversial being year-round high school. “This year I am
going to mandate that high school students attend school year-round.
Our children have to know that attending school on a part-time basis
is not okay. Reading and math skills must be brought up to an acceptable
standard. Our students will no longer be passed to the next grade
unless they meet the required levels. We have to raise the level
of expectation.”
The new strategic plan also addresses professional development for
teachers. Williams says a key challenge involves finding ways to
reinvigorate teachers. “A lot of our teachers want change too, and
many are enthusiastic about the new plan.”
Parent involvement is also critical and “parent universities” and
mandatory orientations are included. Nurturing gifted and talented
students is another important piece of the strategic plan. Williams
says he wants to expand programs for these students and see more
students enrolled in dual college credit programs at local universities.
Part of Williams’ vision for the future includes establishing an
international baccalaureate school with a high level of course work.
He is also putting together a committee to go after funding from
the federal government and national foundations which St. Louis
has yet to tap into.
Williams says there are bright spots in the St. Louis public schools.
“Many of our elementary schools are doing well and Metro High School
is a model school with national recognition.”
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The
new plan addresses children at all levels, William
shown here (from left to right) with Carr Lane
eighth graders Glen Purtty and Charles Hendricks.
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Another bright spot is the new School of Future announced in March.
A new partnership with AT&T, Dell and UMSL will create the District’s
first technologically advanced “School of the Future” for 250 eighth
and ninth graders opening in September 2006. The school will be
located in the Carnahan School in South St. Louis and will give
teachers and students access to some of the most advanced classroom
technology available.
Williams says the involvement of local business in projects like
the School of the Future is critical. Two business leaders who have
been involved with St. Louis Public Schools are both very upbeat
about the new reforms being put into place.
As co-chair for the RBC’s education committee, Anthony Thompson,
president and CEO of KWAME Building Group, has worked with St. Louis
Public Schools for the past five years. Thompson says he firmly
believes that the new strategic plan put in place by Williams is
what is needed.
“I have walked with Creg through several of our schools. He goes
into every classroom and talks with all of the students and teachers
to get their input. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate.
He is the right person for the job!”
Thompson says he visited one of the new ninth grade centers and
spoke with students there who agreed it was a very positive environment.
Thompson says, “I know that the new ninth grade centers, school
uniforms and year-round school might seem like radical measures
to some, these are the radical things we have to do now to get our
schools on track.”
“I went to Chicago and visited two career academy schools started
by Creg Williams. They were phenomenal, and the new plan includes
having those same kinds of schools and programs here,” Thompson
says.
Thompson adds, “If Creg Williams was able to turn around the Chicago
Public Schools with 50,000 students, then he can do it here with
our 36,000 students,” Thompson says.
Cynthia Brinkley, President of AT&T Missouri and chair of the Civic
Progress education committee, has also been involved in St. Louis
Public Schools and was instrumental in the recent School of Future
initiative. She believes the strategic planning process included
all the important parties such as parents, teachers, business leaders,
elected officials and students, which will help the plan succeed
since all the key stakeholders were involved.
“It takes this entire community to support the strategic plan and
student learning,” Brinkley says. “There is no easy answer, but
with the right plan and execution we can make a difference.”
Brinkley continues, “I think Creg Williams brings many positive
things to St. Louis and the public schools. I appreciate his collaborative
style, as it will take all of us in this community to improve the
St. Louis Public Schools. The Board, administration, teachers, parents
and students can’t do it alone. Dr. Williams has reached out and
asked for help in critical areas and formed some positive partnerships.”
Williams says the best part of his job is having a positive impact
on children’s education and their futures. He admits that the toughest
part of his job is juggling all the other outside factors. “I’m
a straight shooter and I don’t like the internal politics of the
job. But my commitment and dedication to children has always been
there and I am highly motivated to make our schools better.”
“I see a strong desire throughout the St. Louis community to fix
our public schools. I have met many people on all levels who want
better schools for our children.”
The new initiatives are all part of the plan to transform St. Louis
Public Schools, but Williams knows that much work is ahead over
the next five years to implement the strategic plan. “Excellence
doesn’t just fall in your lap, you have to make it happen. I believe
we are building towards excellence in our schools—one child at a
time.” |
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