Maryville City Schools on the US Senate Floor (Memphis, Knoxville: best schools, living)

[Beretta]

This is an outstanding presentation from Sen Lamar Alexander on the floor of the US Senate on 12/6/11 regarding the Maryville City Schools.


Alexander: Lesson from Maryville City Schools' Success is "Work well together" - YouTube

[hiknapster]

I congratulate that school system! I know they have good schools there but I do want to quibble a bit. I know Lamar is proud of his alma mater, as well he should, but they were not named best school district in the state. They were recognized for dramatically improving student achievement in spite of the challenges they face. To that end, Fairview Elementary in Anderson County was also named, as well as Mt. Juliet High School, Wilson County and Power Center Academy, Memphis. The Loudon School district was also a finalist. They are known to not have the best schools so that is quite an achievement!

News Releases « State Collaborative on Reforming Education

Maryville City Schools wins top state reform award » Knoxville News Sentinel

[J&Em]

After listening to what the Senator had to say there was no mention of them being the best school district. He did bring up the fact that an already good school made an effort to work with everyone within the district (the whole "working well together" analogy he carried from the most winning-est football team to academic achievement) and overall the percentages of student reaching certain goals when compared to statewide and nationwide statistics and percentages. Not having kids in the district, and not living within in the city limits of Maryville, it isn't something I've had that much exposure to.

I had read that a great deal of the improvements had been made in a more intense effort to improve the scores and achievements of kids who came from more disadvantaged socioeconomic settings, which was as much as 33% of the student population and I think this, more than anything, was what won them the most improved district recognition. Though he is proud of his Alma Mater, I think his point wasn't that Maryville was the "best school" at all. Instead he pointed out that even greater achievements by the people who represent us in the government could be possible if everyone made the effort to "work well together" for the greater good as they had in Maryville.

Thanks Beretta for posting the link. I hadn't heard the entire speech before.

[hiknapster]

Here we go...

Around 1:48 he says "the Maryville City Schools were named the best overall school district in the state based on their academic performance by the State Collaborative On Reforming Education."

I use to quote people for a living.

As I said, only a "quibble." His point was about working well together.

However, this is a relocation forum and the quote is coming from a highly-respected senator. That one sentence wasn't correct and in this parameter it does matter.

[DaveC20853]

To bad the camera didn't pan the chamber. You probably would have seen nothing but empty seats. It's pretty much standard Washington practice for our legislative reps to give speeches on the floor "after hours" to give constituents the (false) impression that the entire chamber is present and listening. They all do it all the time.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by DaveC20853

To bad the camera didn't pan the chamber. You probably would have seen nothing but empty seats. It's pretty much standard Washington practice for our legislative reps to give speeches on the floor "after hours" to give constituents the (false) impression that the entire chamber is present and listening. They all do it all the time.

That was my first thought.

[Brian]

Congrats to the Maryville City Schools! Lamar sure has aged some.