Dear Mr. Rathert and Mr. Lipp,
I understand that you are currently working to finalize the course offerings for next year's incoming ninth graders and trying to decide whether to retain or eliminate the accelerated biology class. As the parent of a current eighth grader at Hamilton, I want to strongly encourage you to retain this class.
I know that in years past the somewhat arbitrary nature of selection for this class raised issues of fairness. I would encourage you to offer more sections of this class if there is indeed such demand for it. These children need appropriate levels of challenge, as Vgotsky (1962) noted intellectual development requires difficult tasks. Furthermore, attempting to meet the needs of these students in the regular classroom does not work. Students who are already performing above grade level are rarely served in inclusive settings because teachers make no or few modifications on instruction to assist them and almost never incorporate differentiated or individualized instruction (Archambault et al., 1993). As to the argument that the presence of academically advanced children in the classroom serve as role models for students who are struggling, I share with you this quote from a recent paper by Bernal (2003): "We now know that the belief that the presence of GT students in the regular classroom enhances the performance of the other students is pure fantasy; regular students attempt to achieve more when they see their intellectual peers try things and succeed, not when they see the smart kids do them." (emphasis added).
Please keep this valuable course option available.
Dear Principal Rathert and Mr. Lipp,
This is a message in support of maintaining the 9th grade accelerated biology
class at West High School. Although my children are in the Madison Memorial
attendence area, as a parent of a gifted student, I am concerned that the school
district continues to move toward a heterogeneous curriculum. No matter the
grade level, each child should receive an education that meets their needs and
abilities. Freshmen are not the same nor should their class choices be the same.
Please keep the accelerated biology class. I received my high school education
in the Philadelphia area over 20 years ago and I am so thankful that our school
district offered coursework from the remedial level to advanced placement. I
expect that my children would have the same or better education than I did,
not less.
Dear Mr. Rathert and Mr.Lipp.
I am the parent of an eighth grader at Hamilton Middle School. My son is academically advanced in science (as well as in other academic areas). I am writing because I understand there is a possibility you will no longer be offering an "accelerated" section in biology next fall.
I strongly urge you to retain the accelerated biology option for those students who are capable of and interested in a more challenging science experience in ninth grade. Research clearly shows that bright, high performing kids need appropriately challenging curriculum and large chunks of their school day spent with their academic peers. To the extent that bright students do not have access to these things at school, they are at increased risk for intellectual disengagement, under-achievement (including nongraduation), and a host of emotional difficulties (for example, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, etc.).
Given the student population at West, I imagine it would be easy to fill a section of accelerated biology in each of the four small learning communities. If there are not four teachers who are interested in teaching an accelerated section, then let the one teacher travel across the four SLC's (or two teachers travel across two). Though I understand that would not be consistent with your intention of having the students within each SLC be taught by the same group of teachers, I also know that the rationale for that structure is to be able to identify struggling students early. Clearly, that is much less of a concern for high end students.
Thanks for your consideration. I hope to hear soon that you have decided to at least retain the course, if not expand its availability.
I am writing today to ask that the
ninth grade Accelerated Biology course be retained at West High School. It is
clear that increased emphasis on health care and increased attention to problems
ranging from the prevention of disease to the protection of our environment
will require that in coming years a larger number of people develop a better
understanding of the biological sciences. Given this trend, the elimination
of the ninth grade Accelerated Biology course will deprive those students with
the greatest interest in (and aptitude for) the biological sciences of the opportunity
to learn as much as they are capable of learning. It is true that budget constraints
force difficult choices upon administrators and teachers. However, the research
being conducted at the University of Wisconsin and at other universities throughout
the country demonstrates the potential benefit to our city and to our entire
society if we can encourage our most talented young people to use their abilities
in the biological sciences. The first step in this process of encouragement
is to give these students the opportunity to learn to the best of their ability.
Such opportunities exist in the mathematics program, and it is very important
that comparable opportunities exist in the science program. In that sense, the
ninth grade Accelerated Biology course is a component of the West High School
science program that we cannot afford to give up.
I am writing to strongly urge you
to retain an accelerated science (e.g. Accelerated Biology) course offering
for freshmen at West High School. Continuing to provide appropriate levels of
challenge to all students is consistent and required by the stated mission,
vision, priorities and beliefs of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD).
In Superintendent Rainwater's "Welcome" to MMSD that can be viewed
on the district's web site, he writes: "Our goals are to see that every
child has the necessary skills and knowledge to be a successful adult and provide
opportunities in learning that stretch them to their maximum potential."
[emphasis added]
Dear Mr. Rathert and Mr. Lipp,
I write to urge you to continue to offer Accelerated Biology at West High School.
I know that you are concerned with providing the opportunity for each and every
student at West High School to work to their next level of challenge, and to
challenge them to work to the best of their abilities.
I understand that one of the intentions of the SLC initiative is to increase
the success of traditionally underserved student populations. In my experience
in MMSD, talented and gifted students are underserved. I don't have to tell
you that these kids have their own special needs, and are also at risk for failure
if these needs are not addressed.
Please take a concrete step to help achieve success for each student, and keep
Accelerated Biology at West High School. Thank you.
To whom it concerns,
I feel very strongly about West retaining the accelerated biology curriculum. I would even hope you would find the means to expand the number of sections. I have been very involved with students in the Franklin-Randall-Hamilton schools. There are a large number of very high academic students in this year's 8th grade class at Hamilton. My son is one of them. I have been looking forward to a high school curriculum that could match his abilities.
I understand the rational in younger
age groups to have all ability levels in each class. It does have social merit.
I do not think it is appropriate at the high school level. A student that grasps
things easily should not have to be bored in class, waiting for the other to
"get" it. I am disappointed that West doesn't offer accelerated English
courses. It is very clear by 9th grade if a child reads easily, has a firm grasp
of the six traits and researches well on their own.
While I am grateful for my son's
opportunity to have accelerated math, I do think other courses need to provide
the same opportunities.