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hides the underachievement of while we’re good at helping “low” kids (Collins, 2001). Then we must act. A
their educationally disadvantaged rise, we’re not good at keeping “high” genuine belief in social justice would
minorities. It may prove that the poor kids high. necessitate educational activism —
performance of classified students To change the future, we must know a relentless effort to deliberately,
is due more to “dispedagogia” than the facts that shape the present. continuously, systematically and
disabilities. It may indicate that the The first step is to embrace the data. systemically act in ways that eradicate
performance of ELL students is We must amass the courage to ask obstacles and ensure equitable access
affected more by limited instruction and answer questions that bring us to equal opportunities for all children.
than limited English. It may show that face to face with our “brutal facts”

References

Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t. New York: Harper Business.
McIntyre.J. (2008, September 3). The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations. Daily Kos. Accessed at www.dailykos.com/
story/2008/09/03/584487/-The Soft-Bigotry-of-Low-Expectations#pm September 3, 2008.

About the Author

Dr. Tracey Severns is currently the Director of Student Performance in Mount Olive and owner of
Teach4Results, a company dedicated to helping others improve student outcomes. Previously, she was
a special education teacher, vice principal, principal, superintendent, adjunct professor, and the Chief
Academic Officer for the New Jersey Department of Education. In 2011, she received the Middle Level
Leadership Award and was New Jersey’s Visionary Principal of the Year and a National Distinguished
Principal. In 2014, Dr. Severns was named Educator of the Year by the Peace Islands Institute and was
awarded an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Georgian Court University.

LEGAL ONE is a comprehensive, standards-
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law, ethics and governance required by
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For further information, call
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Educational Viewpoints -44- Spring 2018