Powerhouse Principal Dr. Steve Perry Shares His Thoughts

Earl Martin Phalen
"Powerhouse Principal Dr. Steve Perry Shares His Thoughts"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-martin-phalen/dr-steve-perry-education_b_849264.html
The Huffington Post
April 15, 2011

This is a short interview of Dr. Steve Perry, principal for Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut that has a 100 percent of its graduating seniors attending four-year colleges.  Dr. Perry states that when kids come into his school in the sixth grade 40 percent of them are coming in at four grade levels below in their reading.  He states kids are being nurtured in schools and not taught basic skills.  Also, the communities in which many kids grow up in, 30 percent of the adults cannot read so it is difficult for the kids to learn or appreciate reading in their own homes.  Perry's school has teachers work directly with the kids as every teacher is an advisor and counselor.  Capital Prep does not have any guidance counselors as they are not needed due to how the teachers do the counselors jobs.  Also the teachers build relationships with colleges as Mr. Perry contends having counselors do that is a waste of money.

Perry's strategy is a "shout-out" to American communities and teachers that everyone needs to work together to help kids read and learn.  He calls on churches to help adults learn to read and for grandparents as well as parents to help each other raise their kids.  He states that if at least 50 percent of the churches in poor minority communities were to focus on literacy then illiteracy would vanish.  It is a bold strategy and some of his arguments are the same ones we have heard where schools are not doing their job, etc.  I would be interested to see how the community around Capital Prep. views the school to see if it is as idyllic as Dr. Perry makes it sound.  I do have to give him kudos for trying though.