Please don’t break
what isn’t broken.
I’m Sylvia Schultz. Parent of two students in the Northshore
School District. Based on the positive experience of our now 10th grade
daughter in Timbercrest Jr High’s Challenge Program, we strongly recommend the middle
school reconfiguration preserve the option for students to select Challenge
classes.
The Challenge Program at Timbercrest launched our older
daughter into a science-focused schedule at Woodinville High School. Her peer
group of achievers support one another and prioritize academics. They are
confident and well-prepared to flourish in high school and beyond. For the
first time ever, Woodinville High School has two AP Chemistry sections. For the
second year, incoming sophomores are taking AP Biology. The Challenge option
allows students (with support from their families) to customize their learning
experience to their own needs, build supportive peer relationships, and have a
chance to outperform.
Our younger daughter, now in 6th grade, wants to go to Timbercrest
next year. Middle school is a trying time, especially for girls, and a
dangerous time when girls fall away from interests in science, technology,
engineering, and math. I want our younger daughter to have support to try hard,
the support that comes from peers who have chosen to challenge themselves.
Middle school is a time to explore new ideas, knowing her friends have her back
because they’re all in the same boat. I want her to be able to choose her
workload and learn that her choices impact her future. I want students who aren’t
ready for challenge pace to be respected also. Heterogeneous classes are a
recipe for unhealthy competition and reduced peer support at a developmentally
critical time.
In 2nd grade our younger daughter was put in a table group
where her job was to teach the weakest student. Her learning didn’t advance. We
moved out of that school district and intentionally selected the Northshore
School District that prioritizes student learning. Please don’t break what isn’t broken. The Challenge choice should
remain an option for every middle school student. Girls especially need the
bedrock social support of their peers to navigate the trying middle school
years.
Thank you.
Testimony
Sept. 22, 2015
Sylvia
Schultz
For more information on the dumbing down of girls that often happens in middle school, please see this link: http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10852.aspx
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