First, apologies to David for further commenting on
this thread, but I've got something to say and I'll
keep this local.
I've only skimmed this thread, but I've noticed that
this started out as a critique of a program that
Whittier elementary offers. (Criticism: too much art
and music, not enough math and science in the public
schools)
I'll point out that North High School has a Science
and Technology magnet, and that Washburn has an
Aviation program, and that there are numerous
programs in the MPS system that DO emphasize Math,
Science Reading and the other "concrete" studies. The
various magnet programs and different approaches to
learning(the Montessori and open schools for example)
are pretty rare across the country and may be unique
to
Minneapolis.
The other thing that Minneapolis does better than any
other system in the state (I don't really know about
nationwide, but my son's experience has been so
positive, I doubt any others would compare) is the
mainstreaming of special ed students in to the regular
curriculum.
It sort of drives me nuts that every time we have a
school board election, or any other kind of election,
candidates and various armchair politicians decide
that "based on tests scored and alarming graduation
rates, inner city schools are a problem and need to be
fixed!"
Can we be honest? If your political bias is
conservative, your NOT going to like inner city public
schools, no matter how good they are, because they
won't reflect your values. If your political bias is
somewhat more liberal, you'll want a more alternative
approach, but you'll support public schools in
principle.
I think that MPS is a really good system! It has minor
problems that need tweaking, some of those are
precisely because conservative legislators (Dick Day
for example) don't like inner city public schools and
therefore try to adversely affect our funding. And
sure MPS needs to focus more on underachieving
students....but what it does well, it does REALLY
WELL.
The problems associated with MPS exist in every major
city with large populations, and usually more so. My
fear is that, in the attempt by the School Board,
Legislature and the Federal Government to fix what is
essentially working, they will make education a worse
experience for those who are happy with the education
they are receiving.
One more thing, a response specifically to Michael
Atherton. I DO make my living as a professional
musician, both performing and teaching. So does my
partner, my mother and my stepfather. It doesn't
make us rich, but it DOES pay the bills.
I went to school in the St. Paul system, going to high
school at St. Paul Central. I graduated in 1989. At
the time, Central had a program where musicians could
learn studio recording, and live performance...yes, an
ART AND MUSIC EDUCATION!!
Everyone I know who went through that program and
decided to continue with music, or art, went on to
college and is now employed, yes employed in that
field.
So, before you advocate policies that try to put me
out of work, consider that children learn differently.
My son (diagnosed with Asberger's Syndrome) is really
good at math, science and apparently reads in the 97th
percentile.
In the Duluth school that my son attended (the one
that won the "No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon award)
they were dead set against letting him learn and
compete with the children in the mainstream classroom.
(Guess which kids didn't take the NCLB tests in
Duluth)
In MPS, he is near the top of his class academically
and is in their Gifted and Talented program (which may
be cut in order to "improve the school" because of
problems associated with phase 2 of NCLB....NCLB is
soooo logical), and it's NOT because it's easier. (the
5th grade curriculum at Cityview (incidentally, a
Performing Arts Magnet) is actually more difficult
that the one at Duluth's Congdon Park (mainstream),
and he gets a good hour and a half of homework every
day.
As for me, I was never good at math or science, but
I'm a competent musician and a good teacher. Thank
goodness there was a music program in which I thrived.
Everyone has skills that serve them well later in
life. For some, it's math, science or information
technology. For others, it's art, music or creative
writing.
A lot of people with backgrounds in Mathematics sought
employment in the IT fields in the 1990's, but after
that tech bubble burst, it was easier for the artists
and the musicians to find work. Art, Music, Math
Science, Reading etc., Fortunately, MPS teaches it
all, often in very innovative ways.
Let's appreciate the treasure we have!
Tamir Nolley
Holland
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
before continuing it on the list.
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
