In case you missed it this morning. Sharing a fantastic letter to the editor from our friend John Hamilton in the HT today: To the editor: You were spot on to lament the income segregation within the MCCSC among kids of poor and well-off families when commenting on challenges at Fairview Elementary School. The redistricting of 17 years ago has resulted in a system with some radical income disparities at elementary schools. And evidence shows better income integration boosts achievement. One response to consider is the always contentious redistricting, as you suggested. But another possible response is to attract more diversity through restructuring. When I served on the school board, I encouraged that we consider offering a bi-lingual magnet school curriculum for all students at Fairview, believing that numerous well-off families would choose to send their kids to such a program. Implementing an International Baccalaureate program, as is being considered, perhaps might accomplish a similar result if centered at schools with higher poverty rates. (It could worsen the situation if centered at already higher income schools.) All such changes are complex and deserve thoughtful consideration. But some just might offer a win-win of improving achievement and increasing diversity. You were right to point out this fundamental unfairness that pervades our school system. As a community committed to opportunity and justice, we need to tackle it head on. John Hamilton Bloomington
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 02:19:46 +0000
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