The Council supports the efforts of the citizens of Tallahassee and Leon County Florida to improve the quality of life of the community. This blog will serve to provide information for the public, news on activities and events, updates on initiatives, and general ideas to involve community members. The blog will reflect the views of…
At one time in our not too distant past, public schools were seen as a powerful force for literacy, democracy, equal opportunity, and economic growth. The benefits to society of an informed electorate and capable workers seemed clear to most communities willing to support their local schools with their taxes. Then came race, religion and…
In a typical recession, the lowest end of the wage scale is usually the most affected as people cut back on eating out, shopping, car repairs, etc. This is an unusual recession we face in that plenty of jobs are available but wages are no way keeping up with inflation. The war in Europe has…
The 21stCentury Council and the Florida State University College of Education, in conjunction with the United Partners for Human Services recently announced the 2022 winner of the combined Roger Kaufman-Jack Gant award. Recognition and a $1000 award was given to the Southside Redevelopment Advisory Council for the creative program, Soul of Southside Arts and Humanities…
A friend, Retired Professor Charles Howell, described the online information world in this way: Digital information is curated for the purpose of consumption, not communal interaction or a thoughtful interchange of ideas. The sad thing is that we have fewer and fewer opportunities these days to discuss issues in a way that seeks solutions rather…
Every parent and grandparent worries about the health and safety of their children. Past surveys reflected parents’ desire for their children to grow up to be happy or financially secure. But more and more caregivers hope their children stay safe during their school, and especially teen years. Safety takes many forms. Obviously, physical safety is…
In a thought for the day from Wordsmith came this quote from U.S. Grant: If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon’s but between patriotism and intelligence on one side and superstition, ambition and ignorance on…
Recent research (Chapman, et. al.) has highlighted the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and later negative mental health outcomes, substance abuse, domestic violence and antisocial behavior. It is true that not all children who experience negative events in the home or community develop serious problems as many find help to build resilience and coping strategies….
When seeking community input, often the question asked is “What services do you need?” Without a larger frame of reference, responses tend to be personal and short term. A better way is to provide a frame of reference related to a gap in outcomes identified from a systematic needs assessment. Community input should be solicited…
Ruby Payne stresses the importance of teaching cognitive strategies as essential to help students from poverty be successful in school and life. Her logic goes something like this: If an individual lives in a random, episodic and unpredictable environment, he or she has not developed the ability to PLAN. If and individual cannot plan, he/she…
As suggested by Roger Kaufman, the outcome for any educational system should be a graduate who is ready to be a contributing member of society not under the care, control or custody of any person, place or thing. Simply put, a person who gives back rather than takes from the community and is free to…