Last night, I attended a community forum sponsored by BHS Principal Jim Mitchem at Woodview Elementary. I was among a handful of parents and one former BHS student in attendance. Representatives from the Police department and Park district as well as teachers and administrators were also present. Principal Mitchem's next forum will be Dec. 15 at the BRAC, 200 Lindsey Lane.
Topics of discussion included safety, violence, curriculum, college preparedness, and community involvement.
I have many issues with the district and the philosophy behind the changes that have taken place at BHS over the past few years. But one area of agreement I have with Principal Mitchem is that this community will only get schools as good as they demand. If members of this community are unwilling to engage this district whether it be at community forums, school board meetings, or through some other process, then the district will continue to fail the most at-risk students.
But here is where I part ways with the district. Part of BHS's restructuring entailed going to a 90/10 grading system in which 90% of grades are based on assessments, leaving 10% for values instilled by doing homework, participating in class, showing up on time, completing assignments, etc. I agree that students need to master the material and their grades should reflect that mastery, however, if the other values based requirements are no longer important, as noted by a mere 10% grade weight, then what is the purpose of going to school?
The 90/10 grading system is the perfect argument for school choice via vouchers or other means.
Many current public school students would be better served by education alternatives, alternatives like taking classes on-line, correspondence classes, doing apprenticeships, working in the family business, or going to college or trade school during the time they would spend in public school. Needing only to complete an assessment to test their mastery of content, these students could be receiving education beyond that which can be offered in a high school. Every student will not be college material, necessitating other educational opportunities to learn a trade or skill. Vouchers could provide the necessary funds for these students.
Though well intentioned, public schools can't be all things to all students. Some students need an extended school day, some need multiple classes in the same subject, some need a more hands on approach, some need to learn visually, some need more rigor, some need more electives, etc.
If the current public school bureaucracy had real competition, competing schools would emerge which could serve the specific needs of a large student population. The fact that public high schools like BHS are scrambling to essentially implement differentiated instruction to every student proves that many of these students shouldn't be there in the first place.
