>I am not opposed to arts courses. In my lifetime I've taken >courses in modern dance, theater, music, ceramics, textiles, >woodworking, jewelry, stained glass, and metal working. I am >a strong proponent of the view that students should have a >wide breadth of experiences. However, my point was that our >FIRST priority should be to insure that ALL students have the >basic skills necessary to succeed academically. My second >point is that it seems that many parents are satisfied with >the status quo as long as THEIR children make it though the >public schools. I'm saying that status quo is NOT acceptable. >We cannot and should not tolerate a public school system in >which 50% of students fail to graduate. People take to the >streets when one individual is killed at the hands of the police, >and yet they remain silent while the educational system is killing >children slowly with their song and dance.
I agree we shouldn't be satisfied with a 50% graduation rate. There are things the schools can do to reduce truancy. One thing I have found irritating is that teenagers are sent home from school when they don't have their ID. If you have a questionably motivated kid, the kid will then use the excuse to play hooky the rest of the day. Most parents work -- and can't monitor this. Isn't there a better way of monitoring this? Could the kid be asked some questions to show their identity -- or call the parents -- a parent is going to recognise their kid's voice over the phone. School attendance is part of graduation. Eva Eva Young Central _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
