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Michelle Turner
President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
Friday, Sept. 7, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT
Michelle Turner is president of the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations, an umbrella group for 190 PTAs in the county. The group works with local PTAs to disseminate educational information and with the public school system to develop policies, guidelines and curriculum.
A mother of six children, Turner has lived in the Einstein Cluster for 15 years and has been heavily involved in the PTA for 12 years. A past cluster coordinator and PTA president, she began her one-year MCCPTA term in May.
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washingtonpost.com:
Thanks for joining us today, Michelle turner. Can you tell us about the Montgomery County Council of PTAs? What is your role in the school system?
Michelle Turner: The mission of the PTA is threefold:
To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in our schools, in our community, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children
To assist parents in develoing theskills they need t raise and protect heir children; and
To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation(county)
As President of the Montgomery County Council of PTA's, I have the opprtunity to meet with MCPS officials and local communities to discuss issues affecting our children throughout th county.
MD:
What's the difference between PTA and PTO? Ideology?
Michelle Turner: I am not familiar enough with PTO's and their mission to answer this question. There is only one PTO in Montgomery County that I am aware of.
The PTA idology is to promote the welfare of children and youth in the home,school, community, and place of worship
To raise the standards of home life
To secure adequate laws for he care and protection of children and youth
To bring into closer relaton the home and the school. That parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth
To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social,and spiritual education.
Wheaton:
What do you think about the charter schools movement that seems to be gaining ground in the county?
Michelle Turner: I think the charter schools come from frustration with overcrowded schools and poor test scores, especially for our minority students. I disagree with the use of public funds and facilities for these schools and feel that more parental involvement and responibility are key factors in addressng the test scores at least. Our schools are great places to learn and there is alot of that going on. However, parents have, for many reasons, taken a back seat in their children's education and this needs to change.
Silver Spring:
What's your opinion of the resolution of the SSIMS cheating situation?
Michelle Turner: This was a very unfortunate incident that has caused great anguish for parents, teachers, and most importantly, children,at that school. It is,however, time to move forward and learn from mistakes that this not happen again.
Rockville:
What do you think about the recent Post articles that related income to class success?
Michelle Turner: Was this really a surprise?? How can a parent working at minimum wage provide additional opportunities to their child? Where does the money come from for a computer in the home? Camps? Prvate tutoring? etc, etc,.
We live in a very competitive society- he one with the most wins!
Bethesda:
How do you think the MSPAPs affect teaching?
Michelle Turner: Unfortunately there has been considerable pressure on our teachers to improve scores on this monster leaving them no option but to teach to the test. I remember walking into my child's class one day, early in the year, and hearing the teacher announce "this wil be on the MSPAP- you have to learn it."
Needless to say, I was sick. I think that this approach is changing. At least I hope it is.
Silver Spring, Maryland:
How strongly do you feel that raising teachers salaries leads to improvements in the quality of learning?
Why are private schools in many cases able to educate students for much less than public schools?
Michelle Turner: We need to attract the best teachers because Montgomery County won't accept anything but the best. The classroom environment has changed drastically. The expectations put on a teacher are tremendous.
The better a teacher's background, the more that is brought into the classroom.
I would rather pass on the private school issue. They are too selective in choosing their stuents.
Silver Spring Md:
The new high school constortium planned for the lower southeast section of the county combines the three lowest-performing schools in the county with Blair, and Blair would be a low-performing school if it did not have the magnet. How will the constortium overcome the low performing problems? Why wasnt wheaton combined with WJ, and Einstein or Blair combined with BCC.
Michelle Turner: The purpose of the consortium was to relieve overcrowdng at Blair, Einstein and Kennedy. It was also planned as a way for students to play a more active role in their education. Itis believed that if a child has a choice in their academics, they will be more motivated to succeed. Also, with the individualized programs at each school, it was felt that this would be a lure to draw back parents and families that had left for private schools or were moving out of the district.
To putit bluntly, WJ and B-CC were not interested in combining with this group of schools.
Cabin John MD:
I've been thoroughly disgusted with our elementary school level 5th-grade health class curriculum. Not to mention the fact it elaborates further than the set county curriculum, can you comment on any PTA involvement or influence on the issue?
Michelle Turner: At this point there has not been any MCCPTA involvement. I would suggest you contact your PTA president and request a discussion within your own PTA. If warranted, your president could then bring it to the Council. Vocal parents can make aworld of differnce!
Bethesda, MD:
It has been the perception of many parents of children with disabilities that in dealing with Montgomery County, the county has become much more hostile towards their needs and less willing to work with these parents. In the past, Montgomery County had a reputation for being very progressive and willing to work with these parents (as opposed to Fairfax County which is the evil empire with their nasty, hit below the belt attorneys).
Do you have any understanding why there has been this change?
Michelle Turner: I know how frustrating it can be dealing with the Spec Ed folks in MCPS. I've had personal experience there!
I think perhaps the whole Spec Ed issue isssue is a gorilla the system has yet to learn to handle. I feel sorry for those parents tht don't have the know how or the stamina to advocate for their special needs child.
There is also the money issue- We need more and we need support from our local and state leaders.
Silver Spring:
Does the PTA offer resources for parents or kids who aren't primary English speakers?
Michelle Turner: Each PTA should have the resources to assist it's families in locating services for those wanting to learn English. If not, there is a PTA directory that should point them in the right direction.
washingtonpost.com:
Thanks for joining us, Michelle Turner. What can we expect from the PTA in the upcoming year?
Michelle Turner: Better communication with local PTA's and their communities so that MCCPTA can become more user friendly and better able to assist and support our most vulnerable children!
washingtonpost.com:
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