All Kids Can Learn, and It Takes a Community to Educate Them

This is the fourth video of a five-part series of an interview with Racine Unified Superintendent Dr. Jim Shaw and Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant and Caledonia editors. 

Kids learn at different levels and at different speeds, but students today sometimes come from complex situations that force schools to intervene beyond the basics of the classroom.

Shaw says that isn't a good thing because while schools belong to the community, learning should begin at home. When it doesn't, teachers have to adjust their teaching to accommodate those children and districts expand programing to meet their needs.

"We have to believe all kids can learn," he said. "Some come to school without exposure to the library or books."

Expecting schools to do more without any support at home or in the community won't work because schools belong to the community and so does learning. Creating strong partnerships with parents and the community is key.

"Success doesn't happen just at school," Shaw continued. "It happens in the family and the community has a responsibility for student learning. I know people don't like the saying, 'it takes a village,' but it does take a community to educate children."