weissjm
Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 22
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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:42 am Post subject: 11-08-07 Stop education experiments and use what works |
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Stop education experiments and use what works
As a former teacher, I found the Nov. 5 article "Can Grade 6-12 Schools Solve City's Problems?" very interesting. This article states that "some districts implemented the 6-12 grouping to make the best use of building space."
Are we really thinking of the 11-year-old child entering a building where 16-to-18-year-olds are arriving at the same time? Are we worried only that the eighth-graders will have an easier transition to the ninth grade? An eighth-grader is more mature to handle this transition than an 11-year-old. Do board members realize the size difference between these age groups? Why traumatize such young children?
Education is what happens in a classroom. What is really needed are smaller class sizes, support systems for children who need help, support systems for staff who have difficult students, initiatives to work with parents whose children are disruptive or have learning disabilities, parent involvement and support. Why not also ask teachers for their input since they are the ones working in these environments?
Take a look at the outlying districts where students do well. Perhaps we can learn from them instead of just making change after change while not seeing any change in student performance. Let's stop experimenting with our children and do what is right for them for a change.
FERN S. MOSCOV
Squirrel Hil |
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