Word: crumley
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Edward H. Fitler Elementary School, an old building of dirty granite in working-class Philadelphia, teachers insist that boys and girls form orderly, separate lines when entering or leaving class. "Sure, it's old-fashioned and sexist," says School Principal William R. Crumley Jr., 47, "but our parents did it, and we do it." In fact, teachers, parents and pupils are trying to turn back the educational clock at Fitler, with strict student dress codes, tough grading and plenty of attention to individual students. One result: though Fitler is an urban public school with 35% white students, 45% black...
Substitute teachers sometimes ask, "What are you doing here? This is the first place I've been able to teach." One reason, says Crumley, who helped recruit a staff of volunteer teachers when the experiment began four years ago, is quick follow-up in rule enforcement. "If a child talks back or has problems," he explains, "we're very quick to say something, do something. The kids pick it up. They say, 'Hey, there's a no-nonsense thing going on here...
...Crumley is a former Air Force staff sergeant. He sends mimeographed copies of the school's rules to each child's parents and firmly believes there is a connection between establishing order and the possibility of learning. He has demonstrated that a system of discipline applied with justice and love need not be repressive but can be educationally liberating. The school's rule: two or three lapses can bring a threat of suspension; two threats of suspension may bring expulsion. But there have been only 21 expulsions, most of them in the first year over refusal...
Fitler emphasizes basics-reading, math, science, spelling and writing, including 15 minutes daily of penmanship for all pupils. Handwriting is of great concern to Crumley: "What good is it if you can't read what they wrote?" The 24 other Academics Plus elementary schools in Philadelphia have a similar academic plan. But Fitler follows through. Students are not promoted unless they receive at least a C in math and reading. Parents must come in person to pick up report cards. Parents and teachers must sign the one-hour homework lessons assigned to pupils four times a week. Says...