Dist. 57's standards not high enough
The School District 57 homepage states that “District 57 provides over 2,000 prekindergarten through eighth graders in the area of Mount Prospect, Illinois with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to succeed.”
But succeed against what standard? My wife and I have had to supplement greatly and occasionally undo some of D57's provisions with our kids: Our definition of success goes beyond memorization of facts, standardized test scores and a percent of completed homework. My career has taken me around the world and I've seen what our kids will be up against in India and Pacific regions.
My daughter will not be competing against your child as much as she will be competing against someone half way across the world. Do you really think D57 will prepare your son or daughter with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to succeed against someone from Japan or China?
We're talking about eliminating an art program and possibly increasing class size — we should be discussing a complete overhaul. The truly distressing fact is that educated, motivated parents willing to volunteer their time teaching second languages, art, philosophy and music ... can't, because the inherent bureaucracy and protectionism in D57 drives us to a completely different place.
The kids and parents of D57 are being held hostage by an inept school board with limited ideas and the schools are supported by irresolute PTA's. The questionnaire sent out weeks ago should have been a packet of resignations.
Joseph Plata
Mount Prospect