I understand that you have many decisions to make throughout your job, and you believe that you are making these choices in the best interest of the school district. I believe, however, that one of your decisions is not in the best interest of this school district. At this point, I understand that the decision has been made, but I still feel that it is important for you to hear the consequences of your decision.
I am a teacher at __________. Yesterday afternoon, we had to tell our juniors and seniors that next year they would not be allowed to return to this school. The graduating class of 2011 would be our last graduating class. They had a variety of reactions. Some of our students (male and female alike) began to silently cry. Others got angry and expressed feelings of betrayal. Most feel as though the school district is setting them up for failure. The last period of the day required teachers to try and keep students focused on the lesson, and not on their feelings of helplessness.
Our school is rare. It is not like large high schools, such as _________ and _________, and that is exactly its purpose. Our students left those large schools for various reasons. Although some were expelled for behavior issues, others were falling through the cracks at their other schools. They felt as though no one could see them in their classrooms of 30+ students. Some require special attention, either because of low skill set, or because of special needs. At __________, we are more than capable, and in fact, very successful at addressing these needs for students. Many of our students have expressed that this is the first school they have felt successful. Other students feel as though, once they cannot return here, they will have no place else to go. Sure, there are other alternative schools in __________, but transportation is a huge issue. Many need our bus system, or walk to school. City buses may not be an option because of costs.
According to your new plan, you are expecting to force change in this community. You are demanding that parents take responsibility for their students, and I can respect that. The changes in our school, however, will hinder many of these students in our community. It is one more time that they are being told they are not good enough. It is as though we are saying they are not good enough for us to keep a school open to them, a school in which they feel at home.
As teachers, we spend more time with these students than their parents. Unlike at big high schools, we have smaller classes, which allow to truly get to know our students, work with them one-on-one, and watch them grow into success stories. For many of these students, because they do not get much support at home, we are the ones attempting to teach them how to make wise decisions and weigh the consequences of their actions. Sending them back to a place they have been unsuccessful is participating in the cycle of insanity: hoping for a different outcome from the same action.
I may not be entirely clear on what your philosophy is on alternative education, but I can say that our school is not a school where we simply take in strays and babysit students until they are old enough to drop out or have enough credits to graduate. We work under the idea that not every person on this planet fits into a box. We all think and act differently, and every person can be successful. There have plenty of studies done on different learning styles, including Howard Garnder, brain-based research, differentiation research, etc. The list goes on. In large classrooms, it is nearly impossible for teachers to differentiate for all learners. The solution is not to close schools and force more students into classes. One solution, which I strongly believe in, is alternative education. It is NOT about simplifying the curriculum so students can succeed. It IS about teaching curriculum in a manner that works for students’ individual needs. With smaller class sizes, teachers have a better ability to differentiate and assist students in the learning process.
I believe that the idea for having better remediation for students in order to meet proficiency standards is an excellent idea. Remediation, however, does not have to be at the expense of the rest of the alternative school. We are all in education. It is not for the money or the glory. We all know the acts of educators are often unsung. Instead, we got into this career because we love students. We want to see them grow; all of them grow. Education is not about the students who everyone expects to succeed. There are those who love school, who find it easy, and will easily become one of those people who goes on to become a lawyer, doctor, or even president. The world, however, is not solely made up of these students. There are students who struggle with reading, who have a hard time working in large groups, who find math nearly impossible. In the outside world, there are jobs that suit these people’s needs and desires. Why should there not be an educational program that suits these needs as well? It is not logical to believe that all students will be successful in the same environments.
When we left the meeting yesterday, a fellow teacher asked one of my students who had started to cry, how he was doing. He told her he wasn’t going to drop out. His exact comment was, “That’s what they want us to do.” What kind of education system have we created when our students think our district is hoping they give up and fail? I found it hopeful that he would stand against obstacles, but I do not think that bravery came from the district. It came from his teachers who have worked with him for two years, reminding him that nothing can get in his way but himself. This is an example of one instance where the teachers have made a difference, not because they had high test scores, or because the student had perfect attendance, but because some students are not naturally born with bravery, they have to be taught.
Eliminating the juniors and seniors from __________ is a mistake. Closing __________ is a mistake. I stand by these students, and I am heart-broken to have informed them of their fate for next year. It has been the only time that I have been ashamed to be a representative of this district, a district that believes my students do not deserve the best and most suited education. I hope that you will consider my story when you have to make decisions about __________ in the future.
Thank you for taking a few moments to read this letter.
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