A Crisis of Competence How Our Education System is Failing Kids and What to Do About It

by Nixon, Clarence

• ISBN13: 9781958211588
• ISBN10: 1958211583
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2023-06-20
• Publisher: HigherLife Publishing

Summary

Trends in standardized test scores reveal an alarming truth: our educational system is failing our students, and America is falling behind other nations in producing competent students for a global economy. Author Dr Clarence Nixon Jr. is a professional educator and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. After seeing the trend and developing a highly successful educational non-profit to reverse it, he wrote both to challenge and inspire in business and civic arenas, together with educators and parents, to reverse the decline in student competence. The author’s proven track record with t.Lab can light the way for everyone engaged with the education of American youth. As measured by standardized tests, our students' core competencies have been trending down for decades. Simultaneously, other nations' students are outperforming those of America. Unless this changes, America will suffer greatly. The several influences producing this threatening juxtaposition must be identified. The needed paradigm shift must be laid bare for parents, educators, and administrators to implement. The threatening influences must be disarmed and made to support student excellence.

Author Biography

Dr. Nixon is the founder and Managing Partner of CNC Group, LLC. CNC Group, LLC is a management consulting firm specializing in “ business transformation” or turnaround management. Possessing a wide range of management and technology skills, Dr. Nixon is regarded for his general management skills including marketing, product development, engineering, manufacturing, sales, finance, human resources and information technology. His career has revolved around implementing leading-edge business solutions through thorough planning and execution. Strong executive leadership across a broad spectrum of management positions has allowed Dr. Nixon to consistently deliver results for employers, clients, business partners and stakeholders. Clarence Nixon, Jr., Ph.D. is Co-Chairman of Acquire One, LLC. Acquire One is a Michigan based company organized to realize capital gains through investments in the securities of companies offering opportunities for rapid growth or equity appreciation. The company provides capital and strategic resources while aligning goals through offering management direct equity investment opportunities. Dr. Nixon was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Real Times, Inc. Real Times, Inc is one of the largest African American Newspaper chains within the U.S. It consists of five branded newspapers including the Michigan Chronicle, the Michigan Front Page, the New Pittsburgh Courier, the Memphis Tri-State Defender and the Chicago Defender. After assuming leadership of America’ s oldest and only African American daily newspaper, the Chicago Defender, Dr. Nixon focused on meeting the needs of the community. His leadership of “ Team Defender” led to a new vision, improved product quality, content and profitability. As well, the Chicago Defender has implemented new products including an Internet presence, niche newspapers targeting healthcare and young readers, and a new television program; the Chicago Defender Headlines. Dr. Nixon has prepared the Chicago Defender to assume its role as advocate for the African American community. As well, Dr. Nixon’ s efforts propelled Real Times second oldest newspaper, The New Pittsburgh Courier, back to profitability. Dr. Nixon was the Chief Information Officer and Process Improvement Executive for Ball Park Brands (a division of Sara Lee); Chief Information Officer for the Worldwide Automotive Division of ALCOA; and the Director of Strategic Leadership at American Cyanamid Company. Prior to American Cyanamid, Dr. Nixon spent a total of 19 years developing business acumen within the automotive industry including Ford, General Motors and Chrysler Corporation. Building on a strong foundation of an accomplished career within several industries, demonstrating proactive leadership strengths and perfecting key technological solutions throughout his career, Dr. Nixon is a leading force in change management and the continued emergence of digital technologies. Dr. Nixon holds a Ph.D. in Management from Wayne State University, a M.S.A. in Management from Central Michigan University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University. Professional development includes: executive training from General Electric (Six-Sigma), IBM, Stanford University, Wharton School of Business, Harvard School of Business, and multiple corporate training courses and seminars. Additionally, he is actively involved on several Boards of Directors, including and Advocate Health Care, the Chief Executive Graduate Board, The Woodland Community Development Corporation, CEO’ s for Cities and the Hales Franciscan Board of Trustees. As well, he serves as Co-Chairperson for the ProQuest Multi-Cultural Content Advisory Board and the Middle Tennessee State Multi-Cultural Advisory Board. Dr. Nixon is an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank, lifelong member of the NAACP, Chairman, Mt. Olive Baptist Church Trustee Board in Detroit, and member of Antioch Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.