Fear can't be factor in merger of schools

By focusing on teacher development and support for enhanced preparation, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to meet and exceed academic standards.

The ghosts of the past are emerging as we sort out what the consolidation of the Memphis and Shelby County schools means for the future of this community.

Some predict that some parents, fearing a downward spiral in the quality of their children's education, will simply leave the public schools, while entire communities will be left marginalized and powerless to give their children meaningful access to a quality education.

But we cannot let fear keep our children from achieving their full potential.

Our students are depending on us to prepare them to become the engine that drives our community's future prosperity. That won't happen if we don't leverage sweeping education policy changes on the local and state level to implement significant reforms right now. It is within our power to provide every student with a stellar education, but we must work together: no infighting and no abstentions allowed.

The eyes of the nation are on Memphis because its school district merger will be the largest in U.S. history, and the resulting district itself will also be one of the largest in the country.

While Washington wrestles with the long-awaited reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind, Tennessee's Department of Education applied for a waiver from certain portions of ESEA.

But we cannot simply wave away the state's responsibility to provide a high-quality education for all students regardless of race, income or ZIP code. Parents and communities must get involved and hold Tennessee public school systems accountable, making certain that they are transparent and that they provide specific academic and graduation data that will ensure the schools are serving all of our children well.

It is up to us to make sure that all communities are engaged in that effort.

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