Renaissance school isn’t the only Montclair school worried about its magnet program. Northeast Elementary School’s PTA sent out on email last week stating that the BoE’s proposed cuts “threaten to decimate our global studies magnet and the quality of our childrens’ education”.
The threats include the cancellation of the Spanish program, the lay-off of the librarian and a reduction in over half of school aides. The Northeast PTA urges parents to attend the March 22 BoE meeting at George Inness Atrium at 7:30 pm to “stand up and be counted!”
With Governor Christie’s announcement of a $820 million school aid cut, the threat seems imminent.
Read the entire email on the PTA’s website here.
Why would the quality of education be impacted if the main purpose of primary school is (or should be) to teach basic skills. And why should some children at the elementary school level know more about global studies than other children in the district. If Montclair schools exhibited a pristine record in teaching the essentials, I might be concerned about the elimination of a magnet. However, their test records are, for the amount of money allocated to the schools, not up to par. Maybe it’s time to get rid of the magnet school concept. We can’t afford it. Every child in this country by law is entitled to a public education. But not the nonsense we call a school system in Montclair.
Um….
anniel, every kid is NOT ENTITLED to anything regarding education.
Education is a State and Local issue. NCLB notwithstanding, there is nothing in the US Constitution that compels education. So your statement should say, every kid living in a State is entitled to a public education. (A small detail, I recognize, but an important one nonetheless.)
And for the umpteenth I will write this: our school scores do not compare with those of other affluent towns exactly because of our diversity. Black kids score lower than white kids. So with Black kids making up a large percent of our student body, our scores are lower. (This is even true, perhaps to a lesser extent, for Black kids of higher socio-economic groups.)
I know for some this is a “shocking” statement, but it is true.
So comparing Montclair to say, Glen Ridge is no comparison because the town’s racial makeup is so different.
On top of that, our diversity extends to affluence, where once again, kids with more money score better than those with less. So in a town like Montclair with such diversity by money, it is not odd that our scores don’t compare favorably to those of others.
As for our Magnet system, do some research and find out why we have it before you go off on it.
To that, as a parent, I was thrilled that I got to choose the school my kid could attend. We now realize that kids have different learning styles and having schools that take this into account as they frame their theme is only beneficial to all of us.
I’m saddened by your post and hope that you understand that many of us believe a return to neighborhood schools will only re-segregate the town and leave parents with NO choice.
Choice is good.
Public education is mandated by each state, I never suggested it was constitutional. And it is very sad that you would have to comment that because we have black children in our school system the scores will not compare. So isn’t it even more important for our school system to address basic skills. I moved to Montclair over thirty years ago to raise a family in the manner I hoped our country would be built on. Yes I know magnet schools were an answer to bussing for integration. But when so many of our children do not have the resources at home to prepare them to enter Kindergarten, shouldn’t we be reinforcing what they will need to function in adult society. I don’t know why it is imperative for a primary aged child to be so concerned with global studies more than any other child in the district, and I don’t know why if every child isn’t up to par on basics why it matters so much. It isn’t even a black/white thing. In todays society there are so many single parent homes and with the economy so questionable I think many children have been affected. As you feel the elimination of magnet schools would foster resegregation, I feel it has eliminated the commaderie of neighborhoods. No more walking home together, no more Moms and Dads knowing each other from school. I think the monies being spent on magnet primary schools could be better invested in vocational programs at the secondary level for any child that has dreams of an alternative career, not all children are inclined to go to college. I don’t know why you were so thrilled to pick your child’s school. Each school in this district should be providing the same standard of excellence in education and if that isn’t being achieved, maybe our monies should be invested in fostering parenting skills so each child can start the system on an equal footing.
And Prof,
There are so many people in Montclair that could work with children to improve basic skills at no cost. Why don’t we form an initative? We just need a place. I’m in, how about you?