Both Sides Now; Or, It's showtime or no-showtime for academic excellence

(Ed. note. More audioblogger posts are coming featuring Mr. Cole and Parents. Stay tuned to the Observer. If it's not on the Observer, it probably did not happen.)

Many EHS parents know that having their kids challenged and excited in a healthy learning environment is what the goal of our schools is about. Over the past ten years, and in the science areas specifically there has been a focus on improving the "base" of instruction in science---K-8. The idea is that without the proper formation of study the kids will not be ready for the challenge of high school, much less the challenge of "capstone" courses--the highest level of challenge courses that Evansville High School offers.

College admission folks know that grades are relative. Specifically they discount grades for small school districts. However, when they look for whether a student has been challenged in high school they can see the AP class designation and know that there is a specific level of curriculum in that course. This fall, they will "trust but verify." They will be auditing high schools nationwide and if schools meet the audit they will be able to be listed as having approved AP courses.

In the past month, the issue has been about how the Evansville school district will be able to offer several AP courses given the budget constraints. One of the things that was painfully clear in the Evansville School District June meeting on Monday night-----no Wisconsin school that operates on the "block schedule" is competitive in the area of academic excellence. Period.

Parents, Teachers and Administrators now have a decision to make. It has been almost a decade coming. That decison needs to come BEFORE contracts are negotiated. It needs to come soon.

If the atmosphere at last night's meeting is any indication, a change has happened. It is no longer about personalities. All the folks who brought us the four period day are gone. The one math teacher who stood up along with the hundreds of parents in opposing the block schedule---Mrs. Johnson----could give the board some parting thoughts about the block. We hope she does.

The school district has made every effort to "differentiate" which is a big word for keeping all the students within the district as far as challenge courses to minimize the cost. Now it is time to decide whether we can even do this. To not be competitive would mean big trouble for students. Teachers want to be effective. Parents want the best for their kids.

There is a solution to the problem faced. Last night at the school board, the district staff and teachers and parents began the dialogue.

This is not about some parents wanting "elite" courses for their kids. It is really about whether we can be a school that can graduate kids that can go forth. And flourish.

That's how I see it. And you?

You make the call.