Poise Patience and Persistence

As we celebrate the graduation of the class of 2019, it is natural for the soon to be alums to think about the teachers and role models that have influenced their lives. It is also natural for we attendees to reflect on our own experiences and heroes. I have been blessed with several. Among them was one of my college coaches, Mr. B. Eugene Nicholson. He stressed to us his three prong philosophy of poise, patience, and persistence.

Poise. A coach prepares his team to be successful while meeting adversity. Coach Nicholson demanded that we play with poise. The game would not always go our way. A good opponent may be successful at different parts of the game. In order to be victorious, we must maintain our poise. I ask that you maintain your poise in the game of life. You too may face adversity and have to overcome obstacles in your life. Be graceful under pressure. Be poised.

Patience. It is hard to imagine that a coach would encourage patience. Often coaches encourage urgency. As I matured under Coach Nicholson’s tutillage, I came to understand what he meant by being patient as a competitive athlete. We would have our opportunities to be successful if only we were patient. He expected that we capitalize upon those opportunities, but understand that those opportunities may be few in number and we would have to work. You never know when those opportunities would come. I urge you to be patient. Know that life is a long journey and impatience may lead to frustration and disappointment. Know that life will present you with opportunities. Be patient. Take advantage when those opportunities present themselves.

Persistence. Coach Nicholson would not accept intermittent effort. It was not good enough to try. It was demanded that we sustain our efforts. It must be understood that we might stumble. Be firm. Be obstinate to the idea that you will fail. In your life you will not fail, unless you quit trying to succeed. Be persistent.

These three words (poise, patience, and persistence) were always a package. Never mentioned one without the other. It was understood that each worked with, complimented and enhanced the other two. As you leave here today, embrace the 3 P’s of poise, patience, and persistence. Embrace complimentary talents, attitudes, and strategies. Maintain grace under pressure. Understand that the success may not occur within your allotted time frame. Most importantly, refuse to lose. 

Poise. Patience. Persistence.

Reality Check

Pardon me, but I think this world needs a reality check. In an era of entitled expectations with a limited commitment to the work, young people need to understand that the journey makes the success all that more rewarding. Let us review what the “real world” may have in store for you.

Number one: you will not be rewarded for bad behavior. Excuses are not reasons. We have created a world in public education of second and third chances with little to no consequences and many safety nets to avoid failure. The “real world” will not be so kind. If you are disrespectful, if you are late, if you are an absentee problem, your economic opportunities will be minimal. If you are disobedient to the standards set by society, you may find your freedoms limited by probation, parole, or incarceration.

Number two: being told no is a part of life. Get over it. Deal with it. Maybe, overcome it. You may have wishes, wants, or desires that are rejected or disallowed. Such is life. You may be told no, you did not get the job. You may be told no, you can not miss work. You may be told no, you did not get the loan. All those no’s tell you to find another way. To set a plan to cope with the setback rather than blame the world around you.

Number three: you are part of a free society that values choice. Every choice may have a reward or consequence. Both belong to you. The better your choices the more you have a chance to succeed in your adult life. Poorer choices will lead to unwanted consequences. Perhaps it is most simply said that good or bad, you will reap what you sow.

Number four: life is not fair, get used to it. We all have to play the hand we are dealt. We all will have obstacles to overcome. We may have an easier path compared to some and a harder path compared to others. Either way, we cannot control the fairness, we can only control our actions and effort. Do not accept a lack of fairness, rather expect to out work and out perform others in order to get what you believe is deserved.

Number five: you are not the boss. We all have to answer to someone. We are not autonomous. You will face accountability for your entire adult life. Expect to work with others. Expect that at time things may not go your way. Expect to compromise. Expect to follow standards and expectations.

Number six: you are not the epicenter of the universe. This world requires you to interact with others. Expect to put others first in front of yourself. Practice servant-leadership. Know that your needs are no more or less important than the needs of the people around you.

Number seven: respect is earned, not given. Start by respecting yourself. No one else can respect you unless you respect yourself. Respect yourself by treating yourself appropriately. If you dress respectfully, act respectfully, you will gain the respect of others.

Number eight: the world owes you nothing, so work for it. My generation has given you a sense of entitlement. We need to apologize for that. In an attempt to provide you with more than we had, we have spoiled you, given you participation trophies, and allowed you to think that the world will hand you all that you need, want, and desire. Unfortunately, the world does not work like that. Life is in fact a competition with winners and losers. You will have to compete for jobs, for homes, and even for your spouse.If you are unwilling or unable to compete you may not have the job you want, live where you want, or have your soul mate end up with someone else.

Number nine: You have 2 eyes, 2 ears, and one mouth. Use them proportionately. Be a great observer. Be a good listener. Use your mouth once you have seen and heard. The world is full of untruths based on conjecture and assumptions. Use your eyes, ears, and mouth to promote the good that you see and hear.

Now that you understand the reality that you face, I want to let you in on a secret. You have the tools and talents to be successful if you want. If you make the choices, if you put in the work, if you demonstrate respect the world may very well reward you and fulfill all your hopes and dreams. You have an obligation to use your talents and fulfill your greatest potential.

PA Ranks #1 in Student Debt

A recent survey of 2017 college graduates from Pennsylvania found they were carrying the highest average student debt load in the nation.

The annual survey , conducted by LendEDU, found that 67 percent of the state's new college grads left school last year with an average debt load of $36,193. That's about twice as much as the $18,425 new college grads in Utah — the state with the lowest student debt level — incurred.

To put it in perspective, the average Pennsylvania graduate's debt load last year was about $10,000 more than the cost of a new 2018 Chevy Impala.

The Project on Student Debt, another national survey published by the Institute for College Access and Success, also ranks Pennsylvania graduates near the top for student debt. Its last national survey — for the class of 2016 — showed Pennsylvania graduates with the second highest level of student debt, an average of $35,759. About 68 percent of new Pennsylvania graduates in that survey were loaded up with debt.

They are part of a growing group of 44 million Americans who owe about $1.3 trillion in student loans. And some of them are carrying well more than the average. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency reported that 1 million Americans are carrying $100,000 or more in student debt.

Some worry that student debt is forcing new graduates to delay buying homes and starting families and may foreshadow changes in the classic American Dream.

Robert Strauss, an economist and professor of public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, said the numbers reflect economic realities in the Keystone State.

"What it says to me is that we are a below average income state with above average tuition," Strauss said.

He said the debt rate reflects high tuition rates at the state's public universities where state support lags well behind the levels in many other states.

"We've been seeing prices rise because state aid has not been very generous. So the kids are getting admitted and they're rolling up the debt. The next question is: are they getting well enough educated so they can pay it back? Research shows higher education generally has a higher pay off than a high school degree, but that doesn't mean it's a clear win for everyone," Strauss said.

The students of Lawrence County need to do a cost benefit analysis when it comes to life after high school graduation. Should they go to college, trade school, military, or enter the workforce? What type of return will they realize on the investment of a post-secondary education? What are other alternative pathways outside of a traditional college or university that can lead to financial security?

According to Forbes.com the lowest paying college majors are:

1.      Early Childhood Education    $39,000

2.      Human Services                      $41,000

3.      Studio Arts                              $42,000

4.      Social Work                            $42,000

5.      Teacher Education                  $42,000

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the highest paying skilled trades are:

1.      Construction Manager            $101,000

2.      Pile Driver Operator               $63,987

3.      Avionics Technician               $63,862

4.      Aircraft Mechanic                   $63,590

5.      Boiler Maker                           $63,236

According to Forbes.com the highest paying college majors are:

1.      Petroleum Engineer          $136,000

2.      Pharmaceutical Sciences   $136,000

3.      Metallurical Engineer       $98,000

4.      Mining/Mineral Engineer $97,000

5.      Chemical Engineer            $96,000

As another senior class is half-way home and can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I encourage them to plan their future and choose a career that they love so as to never have to work a day in your life. Our future workforce needs to realize that there is a path for all, but each path may be different. College is not for everyone. The trades are not for everyone. The military is not for everyone. Be discerning in your decision. Be purposeful in your path. Be the best YOU, that YOU can be.

PSBA State of Education 2019; A reflection

     PSBA recently released their annual report, the State of Education 2019. A link to the report can be found at the following link; 
https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/StateofEducation-2019.pdf

A summary:

• ·         According to chief school administrators the single greatest challenge remains funding.
• ·         Principals expect safety and security to be a top challenge.
• ·         Achievement on the keystone exams exceed achievement on the PSSA’s.
• ·         Graduation rates are over 85% and continue to slowly rise.
• ·         Of the 1.7 million public school students, over 1.5 (88%) are educated in one of the Commonwealth’s 500 school districts.
• ·         Most of the Commonwealth (as defined by geography) remains rural.
• ·         Most of the public school students (as defined by population) are educated in the suburbs.
• ·         Only 67,300 (3.7%) of public school students are engaged in CTE.
• ·         PA remains predominantly white (65.7%), with multiracial (14%) and Hispanic (11.5%) comprising significant minority populations.
• ·         Public school students are 51% male. CTE students are 59% male. Females make up a slim majority of 50%+ in brick and mortar charter schools and cyber charter schools.
• ·         16% of the state has an IEP. With 42.7% of those students having a specific learning disability.
• ·         Fewer than ½ of the public school students in the Commonwealth are proficient as measured by 4^th grade PSSAs.
• ·         Around 1/3 of the public school students in the Commonwealth are proficient as measured by the 8^th grade PSSAs.
• ·         Students experience greater rates of proficiency on the Keystone exams as compared to the PSSAs.
• ·         Budget pressures result in increased taxes, reduction in programs, and/or reductions in personnel.
• ·         Suburban districts have greater local sources of revenue than urban or rural districts.

Take-away:

            School districts continue to adjust to the new normal set by the budget cuts of 2011 and the pension assessments of greater than 33%. Most districts rely on the state for the majority of their revenues. Therefore, district programming is greatly affected by the ability of a school district to raise local revenues.

            In today’s climate, safety and security is at the forefront of our decisions. Although our primary goal remains educating the youth of the Commonwealth, Maslow taught us long ago that on the hierarchy of needs, safety comes first.

            Pennsylvania is a rural state as defined by geography and a suburban state as defined by population. These two categories constitute approximately 80% of the Commonwealth’s public school populations. Urban districts tend to be larger on average (over 11,000 each) than suburban or rural schools.

            Achievement remains predictable. Proficiency rates on PSSA exams decline as students progress through their elementary and middle school experiences. The same students who are approximately 1/3 proficient of the grade level PSSA math test are nearly 70% proficient on the Algebra Keystone exam. The natural question becomes fairness. Are the standards expected to be mastered by the grade level PSSAs exceed the rigor and relevance of the learner? This trend of decreasing PSSA scores and a rebound of achievement on the Keystone Exam has held true since the Commonwealth switched to the PA Core in 2015.

            16% of the public school students in Pennsylvania are special needs and have an IEP. Approximately 42.7% of IEP students have a specific learning disability in reading or math but are expected to take grade level tests without accommodation.

            Only 3.7% of public school students are involved in any type of career and technical education. The largest hurdle remains student and parent perception. CTE remains a “lesser” choice as compared to college. As the American skilled workforce ages and retires, fewer potential workers are entering the trades. For the aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued trade workers, the opportunity is ripe to take advantage of CTE programs. The demand is massive. Between 3-4 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant, including over a half million in manufacturing. Job security is strong. Life sustaining wages can be expected including the ability to save for retirement and receive competitive health benefits. Society will always need electricians, mechanics, and other skilled tradesmen. Employers are looking for skilled, educated employees who can get jobs done quicker, better, and with fewer mistakes.

            Pennsylvania’s public schools continue to produce college and career ready citizens. The system has strengths as well as challenges. Financial concerns will not disappear overnight. Mixed achievement results may very well be due to the fairness of the test. More students need to take advantage of CTE, but parents have to remove the stigma of that choice.

Safe2Say in Pennsylvania

Safe 2 Say is a reporting system established by Act 44 of 2018. This school safety tool is to be used by students, staff, and the community to anonymously report unsafe activities. This program provide students with an opportunity to report social media posts or other information that they think could pose a threat to another student or the school.

Tips will be accepted via a mobile app, website, or 24/7 phone line. All information received will be triaged by a central crisis center and then provided to schools and 911 dispatch as necessary.  

A tip will be identified by the reporting service as either life safety, non-life safety criminal, or non-life safety behavioral. Examples of life safety include but are not limited to: active shooter, dating violence, harm to self, other, or property, sexual assault or terrorism. Non life safety criminal includes but is not limited to:  alcohol possession/use, animal cruelty, drugs and paraphernalia, sexting, theft, or vandalism. Non-life safety behavioral may include but is not limited to: anger issues, violations of the student code of conduct, cruelty towards others, planned parties, sexual harassment, or verbal abuse.

            Upon receiving the tip, the Safe 2 Say center will triage. If it is life safety school personnel and local law enforcement will be notified immediately at any hour and on any day. If the tip is triaged as non-life safety, the school will be notified between the hours of 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.

The triage center keeps track of all reports and the school must respond on an electronic database. Each school entity and 911 dispatch must identify a S2SS lead to be the administrative point of contact for the program. Each lead is asked to coordinate a 3-5 member team to receive and act upon tips. There is only one team per school entity and one team per 911 dispatch, however, additional team members may be added based on individual organization’s needs.

As of January 14th, this program is live. In news reports across the state, school officials say they aren't entirely prepared for how to respond.