Crisis in Clayton...Again?
What Losing Accreditation Means to Me

Illustration by Reuben Buchanan| VOX Stafff

By Marjon Wolfe
VOX Staff

Every morning when I wake up, millions of things boggle my mind: what am I going to wear, did I finish my history packet, did I sign up for the SAT lock-in, did I call Howard University to schedule a visit, and oh yeah, is the Board of Education going to grown up and get it together so that Clayton County Schools won’t loose their accreditation and all of my high school work will actually get me into the college of my choice?

I never thought the board’s behavior would get this bad. Clayton County Public Schools were first put on probation in 2003 for unethical behavior like abusing power (the exact same reason the school system is now under a microscope again). Back then I thought, Oh my God! I hope those kids get to graduate. Luckily everything will be fixed when it’s my turn to graduate. Yet I was wrong. In recent weeks, the Clayton County School system has been hit with another blow. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has given the county until September 1 to fix all its problems, or my 12 years of work may not matter in the real world.

How It All Began
Five years ago, Clayton County Schools were put on probation for one year because of governance issues. In other words, the school board was running my school system improperly. During the long and stressful process, the superintendent resigned, and board members were replaced.

Everything cleared up for the class of 2003 just in time for them to pick up their diplomas, so my friends and I assumed everything would be peachy keen when May 2009 (our turn to cross the stage) rolled around. But look how times and things have changed – or not changed.

Today, several members of the Clayton County School Board stand accused of abusing their power to have people loose their jobs, using county funds and property for their own personal use and more.

We, the citizens of Clayton County, were not aware of the allegations until the Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced them to the world last December. Of course, most county residents were pissed. We, the students, never thought we would have to relive this nightmare. This time, the whole school district may lose its accreditation.

Back to Reality
Accreditation is a formal seal of approval, showing that students are getting the quality of education they’re supposed to get. In other words, an outside party like SACS comes in and decides if the district or school system is giving students proper educational tools, facilities and the best possible experience. According to Jennifer Oliver, the vice-president of SACS’ communication department, “Before a district is even given accreditation, the district must abide by the seven standards set by SACS.” One of their top standards is Governance and Leadership, which measures how well the system is run. Last month, SACS recommended that Clayton County Schools lose accreditation if they don’t get back on track by September. On March 15, the National Accreditation Commission, which gets the final say, will decide if SACS’ decision will stand.

If the 52,800-student district loses its accreditation, more than 3,200 juniors and I will lose eligibility for the HOPE scholarship and possibly acceptance into most colleges. In a recent junior class meeting, one of our counselors told us how colleges would receive Clayton County students if accreditation is lost: colleges would accept us, but we may have to take extra standardized tests and the rigor of our classes would have to catch an admissions officer’s eye.

SACS’ Oliver confirmed that. “Some colleges accept students from non-accredited high schools,” she said. “Yet those students are not prioritized.”

The class of 2008 will leave scotch-free because the effects of losing accreditation would not kick in until after this school year. The irony is this whole situation has been brought upon us by the people who supposedly care about each and every student and control our system as a whole —the Board of Education.

Clayton County’s Board of Education consists of nine members who are each elected to serve for a four-year term. Just like students, the board has to follow rules in order for the daily operations of our school system to run smoothly.

In a statement released to the press after SACS officially decided to investigate the board as a whole, the board said: “We have agreed as a board to try to work together for the benefit of the children. We apologize for the disruption and distress this has caused to our parents, students, staff and citizens of Clayton County.” Honestly, I see this as a cop out to make the students feel a little better, but it brings no comfort or happiness to me – or the hundreds of students rallying to bring about change.

Student Input
At the January school board meeting, the audience was so large it carried over into the balcony area. Any observer could plainly see anger on the flustered faces that filled the room. Dozens of students approached the board with their stories: honor students, athletes and average Janes all gave the board a piece of their minds.

Caitlin Baker, a Lovejoy sophomore, asked the board, “How will you – the board – repay these students the lost opportunities for a better life, for a better future by the loss of accreditation?” “It’s sad when they say they won’t resign,” said Montez Flenoury, a junior at Mundy’s Mill High School. “I think they should want to go on their own.” The board has not responded to any student’s remarks.

My friends and I have all weighed in on the situation numerous times during the past few months, and it makes us all angry and frustrated.

Hien Nguyen, a junior at Riverdale High, said: “We’re not dumb; this isn’t a stupid school. Honestly, I don’t want to have to carry a bad label with me as I apply for college. Colleges will take one look at my school district and have made their decision based on the actions of individuals I have never met in life."

“We have had a successful year academically, and I don’t believe it’s fair that our success should be defined by someone else’s ignorance,” said Riverdale High junior Jamesha Foote.

It Really Hits Home
Even my teachers have become stressed about the drama with our school board. Losing accreditation would not only affect their employment, but all the time and energy they have invested into us students. Many of my teachers have even cried. Some have begun taking the long green mile out of Clayton County Public Schools, worrying that if they stick around after the investigation, the high achieving students and parents who care will transfer or move, and they’ll be stuck teaching the students who do not care about their education.

My mother takes my education very seriously and is very concerned. She is contemplating giving my grandmother custody of me so that I can legally move to another district. That would be like a taking away a part of me. My friends’ laughter and advice and my teacher’s tough love have helped me succeed in high school thus far. If it came down to the point where I had to leave them and my comfort zone during my senior year, I would be completely lost. The board’s actions have caused my family as a whole to look at the bigger picture—my future is in the hands of people who know nothing about my struggles and triumphs and my educational career.

Since SACS first threatened to pull the county’s accreditation, our parents have received phone calls from the board, a fact sheet on SACS’s purpose and what losing our accreditation would mean, and a school evaluation survey. Yet, parents have really just been in the dark until now. They’ve had to rely on the news for real information.

Right now, everyone is bonding together to boot our system leaders out of the Board. Protests and rallies are in the making for the beginning of March, and we students are trying to keep our spirits high. We’ve cried our rivers, thrown temper tantrums and yelled through the halls. Now we’ve stepped our game up. We will not continue to blindly believe that others are doing their best for our education. This time we’re taking charge of our learning!

Marjon is a junior at Riverdale High. She hopes she can graduate with her friends.