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Dear Editor;
I first apologize that before the last referendum, my letter to The Chronical was lost in cyberspace and I didn't get to check as I was involved in a major project out of town. I simply ask that you look at the proposed Dodgeville High School project, the reasons behind it and whether this is what we need.
The regular business model for any business or organization is to 1) look at its Mission Statement, 2) consider what the stakeholders need (in this case the students, parents, area businesses, and the community in general) and 3) evaluate the best means of satisfying that need. Let's start the first element by looking at the Dodgeville School Board Mission Statement:
"The Dodgeville School District, a catalyst for excellence, will ensure our children are caring, responsible, capable, self-assured world citizens, by creating a child-centered environment that is inclusive, integrated, individualized and inspiring."
I guess I'm too old school (literally) but I'd prefer that, instead of being a catalyst for creating an environment, they focus on education in those things that: 1) will give the students the skills they'll need to contribute to their future employers or help them start their own companies, 2) gain the greatest amount of knowledge in the greatest number of fields possible and 3) be responsible citizens.
I'm middle class, Irish heritage working kid from the Chicago suburbs. My Dad was out of work about every 5-6 years as companies changed drastically post WWII and he often worked 2 jobs to keep us housed and fed. I decided I wanted a better life and busted my backside to make it happen. In my high school, there were 7 periods a day to allow the mandatory classes and electives. Requirements were 2 Algebra and one geometry minimum with another math optional, English / Communications every semester, PE/Gym every semester, Science, Government and Civics, and more.
Let's look at my points above as I see them as a former local employer:
1) Let's look for the 4 Rs - Readin', 'Ritin, 'Rithmatic and Responsibility. My son went through the Dodgeville System after having been home schooled before a custody change. When he "graduated" I found he didn't have a diploma as the school counselor said two classes were too hard so she dropped them, I wasn't consulted. He now had to take them from (ironically) the same home schooling organization he had been with when living with his mother. His English assignment was to read one book and answer questions (open book) and his Math book was about 4th grade level. We discussed civic responsibility once and he had no concept of the structure of government. While I made the mistake of accepting the brief summaries in parent teacher conferences, I told my son he needed much more education to make it in this world.
2) While my son had been taught to write in cursive in 4th grade, he was printing again in high school. (Recently I mentioned this and a friend had taught her daughter cursive and was told not to continue as the other children couldn't read it.) I transferred from a public school to a parochial school halfway through second grade and I was printing. I was given to the end of the year to be writing in cursive (in ink) or I'd stay in second grade. Spelling and grammar counted so I re-wrote a lot of papers.
3) It's a simple observation: How many kids can give you the right change without the answer being given to them by the cash register? I had a young man stop by for an estimate on lawn treatment and he measured the basic rectangle of my yard but couldn't tell me how big it was because he couldn't find his calculator.
4) A lot falls under responsibility - We tell young people they should vote but I constantly hear, "Why? The President will just write a new law." or 'The Governor will throw out any lawsuit like that." Asked what branch of government wrote laws and two high school aged kids answered, "The Government". I may have missed it but looking at the Dodgeville School District web site I didn't see requirements for government and civics classes (both of which are required in Illinois before graduation as well as a Constitution exam).
Well folks, there's Part One of the process, examine the school district mission statement and how we're doing and how we can improve. Looks like we have inclusive, integrated, individualized and inspired" students who just can't read, write, do math, or understand their social responsibility. So why do we concentrate on sports...
John Curran
Dodgeville