School of choice has been portrayed as this figurative monster whose sole purpose is to destroy our ever-declining community. I have heard stories upon stories about its damaging effects: how it will simply attract the "troublesome" children to our district, or even how it will drive down property values. Property values? Really? I find it humorous how we are currently trying to come up with methods to retain/take back "good" students who have taken advantage of the school of choice option in other districts, yet we're vehemently settled on the idea that only "bad" students will want to come to ours.
Fine. Let me entertain the idea that we've passed school of choice and a large influx of both "good" and bad" students has applied to join. The process is easy. We would review the students' behavioral and academic histories, and then give a Yea or Nay. If it were up to me personally, I would have the superintendent do an initial review, and if accepted, he would assign said student to a particular school (the choice depending on class numbers, capacity, etc.). It is then up to the chosen representatives from that specific school to give their okay, otherwise the student will have to a.) be directed to another school within the district, if any, or b.) go somewhere else altogether.
This straightforward process has been used by thousands of private schools and universities for hundreds of years. What is it then that is preventing us from making such a justifiable decision? I mean, we all know that by allowing more students into the district we aren't monetarily blighting ourselves. I remember reading somewhere that Lincoln Park students received over $7,000 each from the state and/or federal government in 2007. (I'll have to research again to find my source.) So have I neglected to provide useful information to the logic in my previous argument? Is it simply resistance to change on behalf of the current school board? Are there any other legitimate arguments that I have not already brought up?
I have my reasons as to why I think this issue is still being debated, although I shall keep them to myself for now. I am just enthralled with the fact that this is still being debated; that people in our community do use common sense. To the rest of you who don't agree, yet do not have any logical support, wake up.
My two cents.
-Mike Hall
Fine. Let me entertain the idea that we've passed school of choice and a large influx of both "good" and bad" students has applied to join. The process is easy. We would review the students' behavioral and academic histories, and then give a Yea or Nay. If it were up to me personally, I would have the superintendent do an initial review, and if accepted, he would assign said student to a particular school (the choice depending on class numbers, capacity, etc.). It is then up to the chosen representatives from that specific school to give their okay, otherwise the student will have to a.) be directed to another school within the district, if any, or b.) go somewhere else altogether.
This straightforward process has been used by thousands of private schools and universities for hundreds of years. What is it then that is preventing us from making such a justifiable decision? I mean, we all know that by allowing more students into the district we aren't monetarily blighting ourselves. I remember reading somewhere that Lincoln Park students received over $7,000 each from the state and/or federal government in 2007. (I'll have to research again to find my source.) So have I neglected to provide useful information to the logic in my previous argument? Is it simply resistance to change on behalf of the current school board? Are there any other legitimate arguments that I have not already brought up?
I have my reasons as to why I think this issue is still being debated, although I shall keep them to myself for now. I am just enthralled with the fact that this is still being debated; that people in our community do use common sense. To the rest of you who don't agree, yet do not have any logical support, wake up.
My two cents.
-Mike Hall
