Commentary: Dover: Oh My, How You Have Changed!

By Anne Foster

Dallas, TX –

Dover Elementary was once part of a emerging suburban scene in the Richardson ISD as families with Texas Instruments came, looking for good schools. Things changed for Dover in the 1980s, as federal law was passed prohibiting discrimination of families with children. Nearby aging apartments filled up with other families looking for good schools, eventually bringing more minority and immigrant families - poor and without English skills. Close to 30 native languages were present among the students. Dover, like many other schools, struggled to meet the needs of its new students. Many other families, notably from the homeowner portion of the school, began to flee to other schools: private schools, magnet schools, and home schools.

Dover improved in the 1990s, as the district came to terms with its increasingly diverse student population and began to articulate the belief that all students could succeed. As the 21st century came, so did a young principal named Fernando Medina. The new principal could identify with children growing up in poverty and the need for a quality education. He set the school on a new path, bringing determination, hard work, dignity and respect. Academic expectations began to rise, and there followed also many raised eyebrows and amazed looks from many who had written the school off.

This year, Dover Elementary received the state's highest ranking, exemplary, making it a top performer in this district of 34,000 students. Success came just in time for the school's 50th anniversary, complete with many former students and a 50s style sock hop.

So how did Principal Medina lead Dover to turn around? He'll tell you it's all about how a school changes. He says having the right team in place, who share the same philosophy, was the key. He hired teachers who welcomed feedback and who developed similar philosophies towards educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Staff development was embedded throughout the school each day, with teachers working as teams and reflecting on progress. Specific instructional approaches were required from teachers, and there was consistency from classroom to classroom, as well as across grade levels. Approaches were innovative. Progress was monitored at every stage. Every decision was based on what was best for children.

While this was happening, a young couple named Larry and Karen Breazeale stepped up from the neighborhood of single family homes, where practically no one sent their kids to the public school. They declared that their daughter could get a quality education at Dover, and they pitched in - working with other parents, serving as PTA presidents, and increasing support from the community. They told their neighbors that they too should consider the school. Now some of their neighbors are joining them, as the full community has begun to once again embrace the school. Their courage and vision cannot be overstated.

Dover, the little campus that could, stands today as an example of how a struggling school can turn around and be successful with a diverse mix of students. It clearly gives the recipe for a school turnaround - high standards, belief that all children can achieve, the right leadership and staff development, and community and parent support. Dover, may your example be an inspiration to many other schools and may you excel for the next 50 years and beyond!

Anne Foster is a former president of the Richardson Board of Trustees and is currently Executive Director of Parents for Public Schools.

If you have opinions or rebuttals about this commentary, call (214) 740-9338 or email us.