I wanted to reply to Mr. O'Neal's post to identify some false derisive statements because they were made in response to my post. I would also like to make clear that my major point is that we need to step forward and admit that there are huge differences in educational outcomes for students based on race.
John M O'Neal wrote: > Our first problem in Minneapolis Public Schools is that we > apparently do not agree on whether they should exist let > alone what to do if they do exist. I agree that Public Schools should exist in Minneapolis. I even believe that traditional public schools should exist (note that charter schools are also public schools). I suppose it is possible that we may disagree on what the schools should do, but at a minimum they should teach children how to read proficiently. > The clear visions that I have seen expressed are: > 1. We don't want to pay taxes for anything. Not me. I believe in taxation, but I also believe that taxes should be spent effectively. 2. We don't like public education. I am a strong believer in public education. I just don't believe that the schools currently do a very good job of educating. > 3. Unions are the devil's playground. Unions have their place in capitalism economies, but they don't always promote the General Welfare or in some instances, even the welfare of their own members. > Fortunately, I hope, most of us are not in those groups. Can't we agree to disagree? > I hope that most of us think that public education is > necessary for a valid working democracy. I believe that public education is necessary for a valid working democracy. > I hope that most of us want public education to be a basis > for preparing our children for future learning, building > communities, and entering avocations and vocations. I do. > While successful education faces problems all over the > world, we are in Minneapolis. We can make it work here. We are not currently making it work for everyone. > The Govenor's Task Force reported on Almanac (Ch. 2) > Friday night that they feel we need to determine the > educational programs and then fund those programs. I'd like to know what educational programs they are thinking of. > Those of us who are in touch realize that we live in a global > economy. Those of us who are in touch realize that, in Minneapolis, > we have, at least, significant communities of Lebanese, Mexican, > Southwest Asian, Somali, and Vietnamese immigrants as well as > established African-American, European, and Native American communities. So what does this imply? We had an international city in 1910, maybe just not quite as diverse. > We already have an International city in fact. We need to build > on that strength. Minneapolis Public Schools has had difficulty > educating students in one language because of lack of vision for > why the children are being educated and because the schools are > burdened with non school tasks. The MPS have had difficulty educating students in one language because they do not have effective administrative or instructional methods. > The community tasks of Arts, Athletics, Health Clinics, > Libraries, Music, and more need to be centered around the > schools but supported as part of the fabric of the community. Might be nice, but is not essential for providing students with a quality education. > Currently we are concentrating on reducing all aspects of > Minneapolis public education.while negotiating a probable > contract with a new administrator. We are cutting schools > and teachers to a certain budget level but have not decided > on why we are educating the kids at all. I thought that was what the former Educational Commissioner was trying to do...before she got fired. Michael Atherton Prospect Park 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
