Choosing the right partners. Making the most of money and other resources. Setting clear goals and measurements of progress. Knowing how to collaborate to reach solutions. Communicating effectively. Celebrating accomplishments.
To my way of thinking, the kind of skills and decisions that serve us well in our personal and business lives also are exactly the sort of resource management and "people power" required to significantly accelerate academic progress in Greater Cincinnati's urban school systems.
Since its formation in 2006, when supporters filled the Purple People Bridge spanning the Ohio River from Cincinnati and Newport and boldly announced the vision of creating a world-class educational system in our region, Strive has served an advocate, networker and facilitator of resources precisely targeted to meet the educational needs of our urban students.
In Cincinnati Public Schools, Strive's "Cradle to Career" mission has led to strong advocacy for strategies designed to ensure success of students who enter kindergarten lacking crucial readiness skills and must "catch up" by graduation if they are to master 21st century skills.
For example, Strive has championed CPS' early learning programs, turning around our 16 lowest performing elementary schools through our Elementary Initiative, and our national recognized Community Learning Centers, which assemble partners to keep schools open beyond traditional hours to support student academic achievement and thriving neighborhoods.
By convening leaders with a variety of perspectives and a common goal of improving our educational system -elected officials, business executives, university presidents, foundation representatives, urban superintendents and many more - Strive also has facilitated the opportunity for frank conversations about issues and a collaborative approach to reaching solutions. Moreover, Strive's partners network serves as a means of channeling the energy of volunteers into kinds of programs that can most benefit student progress.
So, if you don't live in Cincinnati, Newport or Covington, if you don't have children who attend urban public or parochial schools, why should you care about all of this?
Because the quality of life or our entire region increasingly is dependent about how well we prepare these students to compete in a global economy.
Certainly urban school superintendents like me bear a lot of responsibility for achieving this, and I embrace accountability for progress. At the same time, the challenge is too urgent and complex to expect to accomplish effectively alone.
To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, be the change that you want to see in our region. Become
involved with Strive today.
Mary Ronan is the Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools.