Russell Wayne Peterson wrote:
> Bravo to the Minneapolis Public Schools for foraging a head with creating
> smaller learning environments. Star Tribune Editorial at:
> http://www.startribune.com/viewers/qview/cgi/qview.cgi?template=opinion_a&sl
> ug=ED20A
>
> About a decade ago when I had my larger architectural firm, we were doing
> work for smaller programs and schools like the Arts School and the School
> for the Deaf and Blind. We started talking to the larger schools including
> MPS about creating smaller learning environments and even smaller schools.
> But at the time, most were focused on making existing schools physical
> structures and programs bigger. When we interviewed with the gatekeepers,
> our message wasn't heard because the vision from above had already been
> determined and access to the vision-keepers was denied. I am glad to see
> that the vision is finally moving in a better direction and hope that in
> future it will include the development of more, smaller community schools
> for Minneapolis. I hope the suburban schools will get a clue before they
> start to melt down from being too big.
>
Although I share Mr. Peterson's belief that smaller learning environments
*may* result in positive outcomes for students, I also believe that school
programs must have measurable criteria for success and should be
pilot tested before being implemented on a large scale. Given that we
have just funded smaller class sizes with no reliable evidence that it has
a positive influence on student achievement, we should evaluate the
benefit of smaller learning environments before extending large sums
of tax dollars.
Mike Atherton
Prospect Park
Ward 2
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~athe0007
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