Speech Analysis
The Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman addressed the Rotary Club in 2006 with a speech that addressed a plethora of issues. Gorman focused in particular on how schools and community organizations like the Rotary Club can work together to bring more ethics, fairness, and integrity into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. Opening with the emphatic statement, "Dramatic reform is going to happen," Gorman grabbed the audience's attention by pointing out areas of major concern like failing test scores. However, Gorman also raised questions about the gap between rich and poor students that impacts not only test scores but also community integrity. For example, Gorman notes that by the time a student reaches high school, parental involvement in the child's education and in the school system in general wanes or stops completely. Gorman points out how detrimental a parental lack of
Instead of viewing schools as a separate issue, Gorman urges Rotary Club members to become more involved in the quality of instruction, school finances, and school management. The superintendent remains keenly concerned about integrating school issues with broader social issues in the community. As customers, students and their families deserve to be treated with respect. Just as customers expect a high level of quality from the restaurants and stores they patronize, parents and students should also receive the highest quality education that the system can possibly deliver. Poorer students may not possess the social, cultural, or financial capital to follow suit. " Viewing students as customers is far from a mercenary approach, notes the superintendent. Bridging the gap between rich and poor is one of the nation's most challenging tasks, which becomes especially vivid in the arena of public schools. Parents must be willing to reciprocate that effort by learning about their children's curriculum, becoming familiar with their teachers and principals, and also being more aware of the managerial and political facets of the public school system. Nevertheless, his discussion exhibits ethical awareness and concern for redressing serious social issues through the school system. Similarly, Gorman does not list specific ways income disparity affects students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district in his brief speech. The superintendent notes, "Successful schools depend on reciprocal accountability between parents and educators. One of the most poignant sections of the Gorman speech is his referring to students as "customers. Gorman also hints that income disparity might in fact influence the relationship between parents and schools. Fairness is also a main theme of Gorman's speech to the Rotary Club and is also elucidated through the superintendent's discussion of income disparity.
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