Maggie Walker's lack of diversity raises questions
By Donna C. Gregory NEWS EDITOR

Newsome

Stroll through Maggie L. Walker Governor's School's halls and you'll see some of greater Richmond's best and brightest students, but does "best and brightest" actually translate into "best and whitest?"

The statistics seem to say so, and now school officials at Maggie Walker are wondering why more minority students aren't attending classes there.

Doug Hunt, the school's director, briefed Chesterfield School Board members last week on efforts to close the minority gap at Maggie Walker. According to enrollment numbers, more than 76 percent of Chesterfield students who attend the governor's school are white, about 10 percent are Asian, nine percent are black and two percent are Hispanic.

Overall, minorities account for only about 25 percent of the school's population.

The school is currently considering two new controversial strategies to diversify its student population. One involves seeking a corporate sponsor to fund tuition for the top five most qualified minority students - regardless of their school division - who previously didn't gain admission to the school. The sponsorship program would occur over a four-year period, increasing the school's minority population by 20 students.

The second strategy calls for "weighing socioeconomic status differently in the selection process," essentially giving students bonus points if they come from disadvantaged homes.

Both strategies are currently being reviewed by attorneys for possible legal issues.

At the school's next regional board meeting, board members also plan to discuss hiring a consultant to look at Maggie Walker's selection process. The consultant would be expected to recommend strategies for encouraging more minority students to attend the school.

The school also wants to follow up with minority students who have decided not to attend Maggie Walker and find out why. Additionally, there are efforts to increase early outreach among upper elementary minority students to educate them about what Maggie Walker has to offer.

About 222 Chesterfield students currently attend Maggie Walker. Students from 10 other school divisions go to Maggie Walker, as well.

Located in Richmond, the school offers a college preparatory program that emphasizes government, international studies, science, math, languages and fine arts.

Curriculum audit

Phi Delta Kappa International will conduct an audit on the school system's curriculum this spring. The audit will cost $105,975 plus an estimated $18,000 in expenses for food, travel and lodging.

According to the school system, the audit will "equip the school system to target high leverage activities that will effectively move the curriculum and supporting management structures from mission to vision…"

Superintendent Marcus Newsome went through a similar audit by Phi Delta while serving as superintendent in Newport News. During the audit, Newsome said Phi Delta representatives visit schools and meet with teachers, administrators, School Board members and others to discuss the curriculum. Auditors made more than 100 recommendations for improvements in Newport News. "As a result, we made some significant progress," reported Newsome.

Improvements there included reorganizing the central office and implementing strategies to help teachers work smarter.

Newsome said auditors will "only report on that which needs improvement." School officials hope to release audit findings in early fall.

Security cameras

The School Board voted unanimously last week to install security cameras at Manchester, Salem Church, Robious and Falling Creek middle schools at a total cost of $373,000.

No Child Left Behind

Members also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that asks the federal government to revisit inadequacies in the No Child Left Behind legislation, which is set for reauthorization in the near future.