Join The Conversation
Here's your chance to tell us what's on your mind. We'll keep this section fresh with conversation starters on a few big issues. Then it's up to you to join the conversation and keep it lively. You can read the Community Rules for the fine print on how to behave here. Bottom line: be honest, be civil, but don’t be shy. Talk to us.
“Engage the community in constructive dialogue around the importance of creating stable and healthy families to develop environments that encourage learning. Partner with an organization that uses data to raise awareness, engages people in constructive dialogue, develops strategies to address community concerns, and implements action to reverse trends. Schools stay focused on educating. How are the local business, faith, civic and non-profit communities bringing their collective resources and leadership to bear to influence this issue? Does the COMMUNITY actively own this issue? If they do, the resources exist within the commuity to establish a new path for our childrens' future. If they don't, we'll continue to pour dollars into finding an "education fix,"...instead of establishing a new sustainable direction for our communities. ”
Jeff, Burnsville on August 12“I see little or no interaction between K-12 educators and higher education folks. I think that's the first step is for the K-12 system to understand what the students even need to be able to do to succeed either in higher ed or a career. Many high school students have not made the connection that what they are doing in high school is preparing for life as a functioning citizen. They get to their junior or senior year and find out that they haven't taken rigorous enough classes to even get into the field of their choice. They move on then to a liberal arts education and 4 years later still cannot get a job.”
Dee, Litchfield on August 12“Getting students engaged at an early age as to careers that are out in the real world. Help them understand what classes are important to achieve those careers. Having programs like "Project Lead The Way" (PLTW) as part of the curriculum that sparks their interest and allows them to be hands on in projects so they can directly relate the courses they are learning and applying that knowledge to real life jobs/experiences. PLTW gives students and excellent education in the math and sciences, not to mention problem solving, communication and team work. All the things that are needed in real life experiences. Key is starting students early in a program they have interest in and meaningful to their education. ”
Karlo, Pequot Lakes on August 12“Great question because unlike accelerated classes if you are behind in reading and math you are most likely behind in most of your other classes. With that said, I think we need a standard mandating if a child is 30% behind (you pick the number)they have to attend acceleration classes that are intended to bring these kids skills up to within 10% or less of standard. This would hopefully bring up all their grades and give them more interest in making up the difference in their skills and in school in general. And if they fall farther behind then 30%, they should be held back, we are helping no one by passing someone who is not capable of meeting the minimum standards no matter what issues they have. ”
Gary, Minnetrista on August 11Log in to post a comment.
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