This is an excellent question for the school
district's Middle School Grade Reconfiguration Task Force. We really don't
know why they are considering eliminating Challenge, and we're not sure the
Task Force does either. Is there data that shows that the self-Challenge
Program isn't serving students well? If so, they haven't shared it.
What we do know, is that this Task Force
has been meeting for 2+ years, and until Monday there were no plans to
study any model other than mixed-ability or "heterogeneous"
classrooms advocated by The Association for Middle Level Educators (AMLE). When
we asked the question why, the best answer we were given was that they wanted
to provide an "equitable" experience for all students.
On Monday, the MSTF moved it's deadline for a
recommendation to the school board from January to the end of this school year
for the purpose of exploring other models and surveying all stakeholders
(parents, teachers, students). We fully attribute this to concerns voiced
by parents in our community.
Moving forward, rather than simply identifying alternative
models, we need to keep pressure on district and Task Force to 1) clearly
define the problem they are trying to fix, 2) show us compelling data
indicating that the problem exists, 3) propose solutions with solid research
behind them, 4) identify metrics for evaluating success in resolving the problem,
5) sign themselves up to be accountable for its success.
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