Re: [Mpls] Is Reading Taught? Attendance counts.

[ABerget]

Friends, I weigh in on this one reluctantly, but feel I must share a thought or two gained from experience:

When the "8th Grade Test" results first came in documenting how poorly many Mpls. kids were doeing against these basic reading and math measures, the BOE soon instituted  very focused summer school programs to provide the help these students needed to succeed. The programs were in dozens of schools in dozens of neighborhoods, transportation was provided, as was breakfast and lunch. The hours were convenient. At least four messages went out to the families of the children who evidently needed serious help. And ya know what? (As BOE member Ross Taylor remarked) They stayed away in droves. Not just the first year, but the second, the third...I don't think they ever reached 50% attendance!  

During my BOE years, I never shyed away from criticizing bad teaching practices, but folks, children and their families are at least half of the solution to improving public education.

I think it is pretty sad when a kindergarten or first grade teacher is held more accountable for the success of a child than the parent or guardian of that child.

Ann Berget
Kingfield