Sounding Off on Schools

For nearly a decade, the state of city public schools has stymied the social and economic progress of Anniston and Calhoun County, Alabama.

Earlier this year, when the City Council proposed that the state consider merging the two school systems, The Star wanted to know where local residents stood and what they were thinking.

So, the paper developed a civic journalism project that featured a public forum moderated by independent education experts, an interactive online component, and a poll by the University of Alabama. The poll sought to determine the nature of support for a merger and the public’s pulse on education issues in general.

The responses showed that people within Anniston’s city limits weren’t sure what – if any – impact a school merger would have. The people in the county school district, on the other hand, were decidedly against any merger. This didn’t surprise the newsroom. The survey did, however, allow the paper to present the views of divergent stakeholders.

In advance of a June forum, the paper published a Sunday commentary piece, “What do we expect from our schools?” that invited people to address 10 key school issues readers had regularly identified as problems – such as discipline, parent involvement, and the condition of school buildings.

The Star set up a web site where people could send in their ideas. Readers responded, not only via the Internet , but also with phone calls and letters. Their ideas were used to frame discussions for 10 groups at the forum.

The School Soundoff forum was moderated by the Dean of Education at Jacksonville State University. Other panelists included former superintendents of Alabama public school districts that had merged or had avoided mergers. They discussed the impact of consolidation and talked about what happens when public school systems start declining.

Next, the 100-member audience was divided into discussion groups and each tackled one issue, such as middle-class flight to private schools, deteriorating image problems and weakened academic programs. Each group reported its five best ideas. The suggestions were published in a follow-up commentary section.

After the forum, the web site was converted into a suggestion box and it is continuing as an education clearinghouse. Participants said parents and educators needed an outlet for their ideas; the forum offered it. www.annistonstar.comforum.