A letter to the editor of the Pasadena Star-News says that students at one local middle school will soon be taking virtually nothing except math and English:
Students at Eliot Middle School in Altadena have just been informed by the Pasadena Unified School District that every student will have two math classes (yes, even if they are at or above grade level) most will have two English classes (apparently, even if they are performing at optimum level) and some will have three English classes next year.
Ostensibly, the reason for this is to improve test scores, and at first blush giving kids immersion in major subject areas might seem like a good idea. On further examination, however, this decision is a disaster.
First, understand that there are only six classes in a day, though these will now be divided into a block schedule. If five of them are English and math, what happens to foreign language, science, physical education, arts, history?
I don't think it's even good idea at first blush. Three English classes? Just how inefficent are the teachers at that school? Immersion and tutoring is one thing, but if it takes the teachers three hours a day to bring kids up to speed on the English language, something's not right. The letter writer points out that the kid will be tested in high school on classes they're supposed to be starting in middle school, like history. While I'm all for focusing on the core skills, I have to wonder why Eliot Middle School needs this much time to teach the basics.
Posted by kswygert at July 21, 2004 01:01 PM