In life, there are no guarantees. However, people who have a vision and a faith act as if there are guarantees in life.

In my research regarding how to improve schools, I came across some interesting statistics. The unemployment rate of black males who drop out of school is 80 percent. Blacks and other children of color still lag behind their white counterparts two to four years in reading and math. In the richest country on Earth, 25 percent of Americans are functionally illiterate, which means they can barely read.

There is a growing recognition backed up by research that schools who develop effective outreach programs have a better chance of improving the quality of life for their students. In previous articles, I have written about ways to improve schools and the community. In that same spirit, here are some new suggestions.

1. Implement a Parent University program. Three times a year, the district would meet with parents to explain and answer questions about their child’s education. Most parents are not going to attend school board meetings. If they do have questions, or problems, their desire to go to the school district will be tempered by the fact that they will be entering the “spin zone,” where everything is not quite how it seems. During the Parent University Day, parents can have questions answered on their turf. That would help build confidence with the parents and make real a slogan for our school district: Parents as partners.

2. Implement a Care Team program. Existing social service agencies would meet with school counselors to identify and provide resources to at-risk youth. I presented this proposal one year ago to the school board. The program was picked up and is being run by Communities in Schools. They are developing a database. I hope we will move further along.

3. Since these schools are underfunded when helping at-risk students, I would urge that there would be a summit between the city council and the school board. This meeting would highlight a growing problem of our Federal Way students. I am aware that all politicians want to protect their turf, and that what I am advocating will ruffle some feathers. My response is: Good.

I believe in change not only in Washington, D.C., but also in Federal Way. It is not enough to write a check and say the job is done. The reality and the gravity of the situation will require more. It will require vision and commitment.

Dr. Martin Luther King said you do not need a cause to be of service. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.

No excuses.

Walter Backstrom is a Federal Way resident: wkbackstrom@aol.com.