Neal J. Blanchett stated, in part, >Whether you believe the perception or not, a tremendous number of parents >move to the suburbs for the schools. When we lose these kids and their >parents, the schools become a little more segregated and a little more >impoverished. It's a problem that must be addressed. What do other list >members think?
I agree 100% with Mr. Blanchett. Too often, perception is reality. The MPS simply cannot afford to loose middle-class families to private and suburban public schools-- it will destroy the MPS system. I also agree with Michael Atherton when he states, in part, that "...I believe that quality education itself (that is education which provides literacy, marketable jobs skills, and college preparedness)is the most effective means of lessening social injustice." MPS should not become an experimental lab for untested curriculum and social policy. The schools only have access to students for 5-7 hours a day, five days a week for about nine months a year if they are lucky-- barely enough time to teach fundamental subjects like reading, language, math and science adequately. Students need these 'basics' to succeed in life. They must be able to think critically, evaluate concepts and situations, and make responsible and reasoned decisions in life to be successful. This is the role of K-12 education, and both high and low achieving students must be addressed programmatically. We should be talking measurable educational outcomes-- how to improve and maintain them relative to those being attained in the world around us. The MPS should not become some social policy think-tank at our children's expense- the costs are simply too high! Provide a good, solid, basic K-12 education, and the kids will take care of themselves while improving our overall community! Now, who are the MPS Board candidates? Michael Hohmann 13th > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > Blanchett, Neal J. > Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 11:38 AM > To: 'Brandon Lacy Campos'; 'M Smith'; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: RE: [Mpls] oppression and the schools > > > I'm concerned about emphasis on anti-oppression education. A lot > of people > believe Minneapolis already expends too much time and resources on these > sorts of programs. Many of them are voting with their feet, either > open-enrolling, moving to the suburbs, or opting for private > schools. These > programs run the risk of preaching to the choir - oppressors > probably don't > choose to live in the city. Some of the research indicates that > one of the > very best things we can do for kids in poverty and kids facing > social issues > is make sure their school environment is mixed, so they have > high-achieving > peers and friends from different income levels. Do you have any ideas to > keep upper- and middle-class kids in MPS? Do you view this as a relevant > issue? > I think you raise important issues, but I also want my kids to be > challenged > academically. If MPS is consumed with social issues and under-performing > kids, there will be few resources for average and especially gifted kids. > Some people think that's already the case. This has the > potential to drive > more of these kids out of MPS. I think it is vitally important to keep > these kids challenged and emphasize academics so they are not at a > disadvantage compared to school alternatives. Whether you believe the > perception or not, .... snip > > Neal Blanchett > Lynnhurst _______________________________________ 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
