22 September 2008

Educational Rants

Last week, in an act of sheer desperation, the school board for Milwaukee Public Schools voted in favor of inquiring what it would take to dissolve the district. Yes, you heard me right, dissolve, close the doors. Shut. I am still in shock over this one.

Let me be clear. I don't live in the district, nor would I send my kids there if we did. It is pretty bad. A majority of the schools are failing, many of the students come from impoverished, single parent households. I know that the teachers are frustrated. I know the district is asking for more money from the state (because $12,000 per student isn't enough). To say "let's dissolve the district," though, is tantamount to saying, "We give up. We're through. There isn't any reason to try." These kids hear they are failures from the get-go. They don't need to hear that the schools-the one place that some of these kids feel safe-are giving up on them as well.

So, what would happen? Some are calling for the mayor to take over, while some say the state should do it. I am not sure what I think should happen, but I will tell you that this has been the most unbelievable story coming from a school district in a while.

4 comments:

Outnumbered2to1 said...

I was totally floored by this when I heard it on the news. Can you really just dissolve a school district? Who takes over? What happens to all thsoe children? I mean, can't they turn it around? Sheesh. Just shocked!

Gramma 2 Many said...

I have never heard of such a thing.
Where will the kids go. I think this would give the voucher debate just a little more of a boost. Then the parents of these "failing" children could put them into schools that care.
Did you come to see me today? I left you an award.

Susie said...

How can they just give up? I mean...it's a school district not a soccer game that you can just surrender. Maybe they are doing this to get attention. Maybe that attention will give them the help that they need. It still seems a bit extreme.

Amy said...

That is totally sad! HOw can they give up on the kids and expect them to succeed in life? I hope that all works out for the best.