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In 1978-79 I worked as an Editorial Staff Intern for the Kansas City Star. Yep, that's my senior year in high school. It's probably one of the things of which I'm most proud in life. On February 20, 1979, I was the guest columnist for "On the Other Hand..."
Lincoln Academy is a success story.
On the Other Hand... is written by invitation about a subject chosen by the writer. Melinda White is a senior at Lincoln Academy.
While educators across the country are still complaining that "Johnny can't read," one school system is doing something about it.
As a student at Lincoln Academy, I have been able to gain a firsthand look at the Kansas City, Mo, School District's latest effort to improve the quality of education. Many people are sick and tired of all the fuss made by the so-called "experts" about their children's educations. Now the time has come for a student to step forward and speak her mind.
Although I am not speaking on behalf of all the students of America, or the district, for that matter, I do think that both educators and parents need to listen to one student's opinion. If the truth be known, I am probably an "exception to the rule" because I have worked closely with teachers and administrators in the school, with the public relations staff in the district and with reports in the metropolitan area, in addition to being a full-time student.
Working on all these different levels has given me a broader view of what actually occurs during the daily school operation. Keeping this in mind, I can honestly tell you that Lincoln Academy is working!
The key ingredient in all this is the innovation that went into the design of the "magnet schools." Students who choose to attend Lincoln or West are provided with incentives to learn, either by the teachers at the schools or by the unique courses that are offered.
Teacher - a very important word in the education vocabulary. The teachers at Lincoln Academy say "I care" through their actions, the attitudes and even their words. This makes students feel that their individuality will not be lost somewhere in a bureaucratic jumble and gives them a reason to attempt things they never would have attempted before.
The curriculum at Lincoln is designed to give students a wide variety of choices with which to achieve the basic skills. The full name of the school is "Lincoln Academy for Accelerated Studies."
Lincoln is not designed for the gifted and talented student alone, but for any student who wishes to speed up his or her learning process. There are programs in the school to help students raise their reading level, and many teachers are willing to work one-on-one with students who are having learning difficulties. In addition to the in-school programs, students have the opportunity to work with individuals and businesses in the community to enrich their learning experiences.
Security and student safety have been no problem at Lincoln this year. In fact, there were more discipline problems in the suburban high school I attended last year. There is no reason for parents or students to be apprehensive about going to school at Lincoln.
I would be lying if I said that everything is perfect at my school. There are a few students who are disruptive, some of the staff is incompetent, and not all the classes are innovative, but this is true of any school.
The thing to remember is that Lincoln Academy provides everything one needs to get a good education.
That is, everything except the student. If Johnny can't read, maybe it's his own fault. No amount of teaching or incentives can force a child to learn.
Kansas City has done its part to give students the proper environment for learning. In the future, Johnny must ask himself why he can't read.
Lincoln Academy is a success story.
On the Other Hand... is written by invitation about a subject chosen by the writer. Melinda White is a senior at Lincoln Academy.
While educators across the country are still complaining that "Johnny can't read," one school system is doing something about it.
As a student at Lincoln Academy, I have been able to gain a firsthand look at the Kansas City, Mo, School District's latest effort to improve the quality of education. Many people are sick and tired of all the fuss made by the so-called "experts" about their children's educations. Now the time has come for a student to step forward and speak her mind.
Although I am not speaking on behalf of all the students of America, or the district, for that matter, I do think that both educators and parents need to listen to one student's opinion. If the truth be known, I am probably an "exception to the rule" because I have worked closely with teachers and administrators in the school, with the public relations staff in the district and with reports in the metropolitan area, in addition to being a full-time student.
Working on all these different levels has given me a broader view of what actually occurs during the daily school operation. Keeping this in mind, I can honestly tell you that Lincoln Academy is working!
The key ingredient in all this is the innovation that went into the design of the "magnet schools." Students who choose to attend Lincoln or West are provided with incentives to learn, either by the teachers at the schools or by the unique courses that are offered.
Teacher - a very important word in the education vocabulary. The teachers at Lincoln Academy say "I care" through their actions, the attitudes and even their words. This makes students feel that their individuality will not be lost somewhere in a bureaucratic jumble and gives them a reason to attempt things they never would have attempted before.
The curriculum at Lincoln is designed to give students a wide variety of choices with which to achieve the basic skills. The full name of the school is "Lincoln Academy for Accelerated Studies."
Lincoln is not designed for the gifted and talented student alone, but for any student who wishes to speed up his or her learning process. There are programs in the school to help students raise their reading level, and many teachers are willing to work one-on-one with students who are having learning difficulties. In addition to the in-school programs, students have the opportunity to work with individuals and businesses in the community to enrich their learning experiences.
Security and student safety have been no problem at Lincoln this year. In fact, there were more discipline problems in the suburban high school I attended last year. There is no reason for parents or students to be apprehensive about going to school at Lincoln.
I would be lying if I said that everything is perfect at my school. There are a few students who are disruptive, some of the staff is incompetent, and not all the classes are innovative, but this is true of any school.
The thing to remember is that Lincoln Academy provides everything one needs to get a good education.
That is, everything except the student. If Johnny can't read, maybe it's his own fault. No amount of teaching or incentives can force a child to learn.
Kansas City has done its part to give students the proper environment for learning. In the future, Johnny must ask himself why he can't read.
