Failed students a greater cost than the Early Learning Act
I, too, agree with comments by Michael Sheehan and Leslie Jordan regarding the need for the Early Learning Act [“Washington needs to pass an Early Learning Act,” Opinion, Dec. 28].
The core of both comments states that if we don’t fix the early learning gap we will continue to fail students. This is where class size is so important at the early level.
As far back as 1989, we had research to show that smaller class size at grades K-1-2 successfully enhanced the achievement of low-income and minority students. This shrank the achievement gap and led to reduced grade retentions, disciplinary actions, less dropouts, and got more college entrance-exams attempts.
Isn’t this exactly what we keep hearing about how education needs to improve in Washington state? More teachers and classrooms will cost a lot of money. But if we don’t take action at this end, increased school interventions, crime, incarceration, lower standards, poorer productivity and more failed students will cost us more.
— Jim Thompson, Kent
An answer to school boundaries
Perhaps it’s too late in the game, but the real solution to our boundary problem is to have no boundaries [“Seattle schools return to neighborhood-based system,” News, Nov. 19]. Journey with me back in time to, what was it, 2006? There is massive public outrage about school closures — such as the elementary school Sacajawea. Now fast-forward to 2010, where the school district is madly drawing boundaries and threatening to separate families to handle an overcapacity problem.
The fact is, neighborhoods and demographics change — one street has a bunch of newborns, another neighborhood has a bunch of graduating high-schoolers. We need to de-emphasize boundaries, turn them into big overlapping circles, insist that they’re indicative rather than prescriptive of where a student might attend, and promise all families that no matter where they’re assigned, their children won’t be wedged into different schools to handle a capacity issue.
Voilà! You have a system that’s flexible, gentle to families and communities, and fairly predictable. Those who still have a bone to pick when their mandatory assignment shows up, can do so on a personal level with the district.
— Courtenay Gebhardt, Seattle