Charles Terrett: Text

Charles Terrett, superintendent of Fulton County Schools in Hickman, Kentucky, notes that by focusing on the needs of families, school-linked services can improve the academic and personal outcomes of each child. Excerpted from the video seriesSchools That Work: The Research Advantage, videoconference #8, Integrating Community Services (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1992).

"And I want to emphasize that our focus is on the family. We want that family unit to survive, and we want to help that family--we want to strengthen that family unit. That's what's critical. And our contention is--and the philosophy of kids is--if that family is strengthened, and if we can help eliminate the problems that they have at home, when they come to school with a little bit better sleep the night before and a little bit better feeling about themselves, includes self-esteem, you're not worried about a problem at home, that mom and dad had an argument, that dad or mom was drinking too much. If we can help families get around those reactionary problems, that kid is going to do better in school. If that kid does better in school, he's less likely to drop out."

This Critical Issue summary was written by Robin Fleming and Stephanie Lubin, program specialists with the Center for School and Community Development at North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.

Date posted: 1998