[Speed Gibson,
Monday October 12, 2009 at 10:28pm]
Debate Question Two
Let me spare you the buildup before posing my second debate question for the eleven District 281 School Board candidates.
Point one is that it's an anachronism, innovative when first created, but America and the world have changed much since then. Spanish was the obvious choice back then, but with immigration and economic reality, Mandarin Chinese might be the better choice today.
Point two is that it's a mis-allocation of resources. An entire elementary building, a neighborhood school, is devoted to very specialized service. I personally would prefer 9 similar schools vs. 8 similar and 1 different. That difference also requires more management and centralized support, and complicates testing.
Point three is that it is the one major 281 program not open to everyone. Only the enrollment process is open to everyone, a process somewhat tainted with set-asides and other back doors. It creates some animus between those included and excluded, neither group really able to say why they're in or out. Advanced Placement is available to everyone, even if not equally convenient. So is International Baccalaureate. So is pre-Kindergarten, or even Alternative Learning (Highview) for that matter. But not RSI.
Point four is that many appear to be enrolling in RSI for the wrong reasons. One reason is that it provides a vicarious experience for stage door parents. Mostly, though, I think it's just to escape the other schools, into a sort of gated community. I'd like to think this isn't so much race or income, but a flight from a perceived general lack of excellence and/or discipline. RSI students inherently have more parent support, which pays dividends on many such fronts.
I would end RSI as gracefully as I could, trying to keep the commitments already made. But end it I would.
The Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI) program currently turns away dozens of applicants for lack of space. Would you expand capacity, keep the current system, or abolish it?I'll also give you my rather blunt answer, were I candidate #12: I'd abolish it.
Point one is that it's an anachronism, innovative when first created, but America and the world have changed much since then. Spanish was the obvious choice back then, but with immigration and economic reality, Mandarin Chinese might be the better choice today.
Point two is that it's a mis-allocation of resources. An entire elementary building, a neighborhood school, is devoted to very specialized service. I personally would prefer 9 similar schools vs. 8 similar and 1 different. That difference also requires more management and centralized support, and complicates testing.
Point three is that it is the one major 281 program not open to everyone. Only the enrollment process is open to everyone, a process somewhat tainted with set-asides and other back doors. It creates some animus between those included and excluded, neither group really able to say why they're in or out. Advanced Placement is available to everyone, even if not equally convenient. So is International Baccalaureate. So is pre-Kindergarten, or even Alternative Learning (Highview) for that matter. But not RSI.
Point four is that many appear to be enrolling in RSI for the wrong reasons. One reason is that it provides a vicarious experience for stage door parents. Mostly, though, I think it's just to escape the other schools, into a sort of gated community. I'd like to think this isn't so much race or income, but a flight from a perceived general lack of excellence and/or discipline. RSI students inherently have more parent support, which pays dividends on many such fronts.
I would end RSI as gracefully as I could, trying to keep the commitments already made. But end it I would.
It seems to me that you are arguing that a good and successful program should be closed because it isn't good or successful enough. My modest proposal is that instead of eliminating successful programs, we should find ways to expand them.
"Point four is that many appear to be enrolling in RSI for the wrong reasons."
I think the school district officials should concern themselves with providing schools that work, not questioning the motivations of the parents who through their taxes, pay their salaries.
Kids are learning Spanish.
RSI is passing AYP.
Parents are being placated, although the word I would choose is pleased. There is after all a waiting list to get in.
"How is a "graduate" of RSI truly better for the experience?"
He speaks Spanish. I would love to speak Spanish.
"And what are the Opportunity Costs lost to the student - and the District?"
Oh infinite, I suppose. The cost of all the things we could do, but don't do, will always be much higher than the cost of the things we actually get around to doing.
People complain that public education isn't innovative, and then they complain when public education innovates. RSI is one the ways innovation looks like, and incidentally it's one of the ways RAS competes with it's neighbors.
300 students X $12,000 = $3,600,000 in revenue
300 students X $ 8,500 = $2,550,000 in costs
Income lost to cover other programs = $1,050,000
The ability to choose does complicate things. Districts seem to need to be half salesmen now days. It is a wonder we keep as much emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic and science.
Simple Math
But RSI isn't a math/money question, it's a question of doing right by the kids, no more rolling dice.
Also, ZLE is brimming at ~640 students. ~25% being intradistrict transfers or open enrollees. So there really is no more room at that particular Inn... (side note: pick up and drop off is pretty crazy with all those cars)
In a world of educational choice, somehow we need to get people to want to attend the NE schools. Maybe we will need to find a way to get that new school built yet. Lord knows many people like Forest in part because it is a great facility. There is no denying curb appeal.
How can we get the cities in that area to pony up some land and cash as part of their city renewal?