Mr. Rohlfing, I took my description of the IB program directly from their web-site and from the written materials I recieved. I don't think I stated anywhere in my post it was an international studies program.
My research of the IB program is being done in an effort to improve the lives of children who live in my neighborhood of Whittier and attend the Whittier Community School for the Arts. Our neighborhood has a large diversity of incomes and ethnicity. I think we will be a healthier community school if we can offer parents a variety of educational options for choosing Whittier as opposed to busing the children around the city to other schools. Our Arts and Music curriculum is having a positive affect on the test scores for kids enrolled in the program. We have data to prove it. Implementing an IB program at Whittier is another way we can diverify the educational mission at the school. The arts and music model that was developed by neighborhood folks in partnership with our rich arts organizations is a great example of exploring local control of school curriculum. However, it's not the only way. As a member of the Community Leadership Council for Whittier I take my job very seriously. I am not whipping the schools, I am working with school staff to bring positive changes the environment at one school. It has become painfully obvious that we are not going to receive the assistance we need to improve the lives of kids in Whittier from 807 Broadway or from the School Board itself. This is a mission that we as a community must embrace and work on independently with our school and organizational partners. I am just a resident. I am not a professional educator and I don't claim to know the best way to educate a child. I have to rely on other sources for that. I am smart enough to know a good thing when I see it and I think and IB program at Whittier will be a good thing. In the end my goal is to have a positive educational affect on at least 552 children. That's the best I can do for now. Barb Lickness Whittier I think the discussion of IB and it's value is very much a pertinent Minneapolis issue. ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead 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
