[Winona Online Democracy] http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/10228829.htm
This is a link to an article in the St. Paul paper about a magnet school where parents are willing to drive long distances to get kids there. I share this because I believe this is one aspect of the complex matter of increasing community support of our public schools. As a past WAPS parent (having lived in this great city for 26+ years) of five graduates, my personal opinion is that this magnet school idea (that is the quality and fit of the school with my child) is much more important than the proximity or the idea of a neighborhood school. My oldest children started school in the small town of Pine City, MN. When they were in about 2nd and 3rd grade we moved to the Midway area of St. Paul. There was a school a few blocks away but that one was for older kids so we had to go to one a few miles away. Other than them getting to meet Hubert H Humphrey one night at that school nothing was exciting or challenging them. We searched for alternatives. The private school cost was out of our reach. We found out about some exciting new magnet schools and tried to get into them. We couldn't. We got desperate feeling like the kids were going to get really far behind their potential. We got them into the St. Paul Open School and had to deal with complicated transportation arrangements. When we moved here we were more than happy with the public school available to us. Then, as the other three kids entered school we discovered that one of them needed something a little different. We appreciated being able to transfer her from Jefferson to Goodview in order to get the individualized progress allowed in that model. To do that, again we had to accommodate transportation issues, day care issue, etc. My point is that my personal experience is that the school's program was much more important to us than it's location (within reason of course). I suggest the word Magnet is a good one to consider -- we need to have ways to draw families to the schools. Our schools are good, (Very Good). Choice would make them better in terms of better meeting the diverse needs and interests of our diverse population. Our elementary schools are different anyway - in reality - they were 20 years ago when we moved our daughter from Jefferson to Goodview. Why not focus those differences and shape them around the needs and wishes of the customers. I also believe this concept can be done within a large building for the Middle School and High School. One size does not fit all. By the way -- I believe it is a serious mistake to shape the schools around "No Child Left Behind" arbitrary tests, criteria, etc. It will just drive public schools to failure (which may be the intent). The powers that be in Washington and St. Paul have good intentions but they do not know any better and they are spending the maximum amount of money to create the worst possible results. But I'll leave that topic for another time and place and for people much more expert at the analysis. Craig Brooks _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
