Although I heard rumors about FCPS allowing seniors to opt out of up to two first periods so they could get more pillow time this summer, I never, ever thought that this academically detrimental idea would be adopted.
The Washington Post’s article by T. Rees Shapiro, “In Fairfax, getting more Grade A Z’s,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-fairfax-county-extra-sleep-is-a-privilege-for-some-students/2013/09/29/story.html brain-whopped me with another school board-related “Are You Kidding Me?” moment.
Seriously, the county is allowing seventeen to eighteen year-olds to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives? The vast majority of teens can’t even decide what to do after school today! I understand that students have to obtain their parents’ and principal’s approval, and must be on track for graduation. Those are excellent defining criteria.
Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I am afraid, though, that some adults will fold like a house of cards meeting a sigh when an avalanche of adolescent foot-stomping, eye-rolling, huffing and puffing combines with attitudes that run the gamut from whining to full-blown verbal bellows and shrieks. With all of the other conflicts adults and adolescents face in regard to school, who needs this?
When this opt-out proposal hit the media, I bet that the earth in Northern Virginia trembled as parents, principals and counselors imagined histrionic dialogues interspersed with comments such as, “You don’t support me,” and “You don’t understand me,” to, “Fine! I’ll just cut and fail the class. You would hate that.”
Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Oh, the needless drama! Oh, the needless emotional pain from the arguments! Oh the negative message to students and teachers!
Some students do not exhibit the responsibility, the respect for their minds and bodies and the understanding of how sleep affects their verbal and written classroom performances. How can they be expected to make sensible and mature choices about classes?
Aren’t we asking a bit much from them to understand that an elective class in writing-a creative, journalistic or a tutorial option- will give them confidence in what they think and say? Do they realize that math electives carry less stress than the required classes, yet enable their thinking and reasoning skills to thrive? Electives from culinary arts to pharmacy, to practical nursing, to IT, to music and fine arts, to languages, and so much more open doors to career options. How can they experience these incredible offerings if they drop the needed class periods?
Teens who choose not to opt-out probably never, ever considered these life-changing possibilities before they signed up for one of these courses. But now…now…after expanding the oh so many paths they can travel as adults, they don’t have to just dream of new worlds to conquer, but can turn them into reality.
The Home page of the Fairfax County Public Schools website exhibits four mission statements. Here are two of them: “Preparing students for college and careers through rigorous academic studies,” and “Providing students with essential life skills to lead responsible, respectful, fulfilling lives”. Considering scheduling logistics, many of these classes are offered during the two first periods-one on each even/odd day with block scheduling, or the one first period for those on regular scheduling. This opt-out policy hacks into the backbone of these mission statements by threatening the continued existence of some of the diverse courses that has helped FCPS to earn the nationwide reputation of academic excellence that it so rightly deserves.
T. Rees Shapiro’s Post article includes a quote from an editorial in the Robinson Secondary School student newspaper that agrees, “This kind of policy reinforces the idea of only needing to do the bare minimum to get by.”
It also diminishes the vital role of teachers, by sending the message, “Students’ education won’t suffer if they drop this course.” Teachers will plead to have first period as their Planning Time, fearing that a drop in enrollment will cause their classes to be cut, and them to lose their jobs.
With all of the responsibilities forced on teachers that have nothing to do with teaching and that suck away their energy, morale is already low. Fear of losing a course or two will launch their stress levels into the stratosphere. Many teachers are already haunted with thoughts of leaving a career that chooses not to value their professional standing. How does opting out show respect for these same staff members who are oh so crucial for turning a school house into an academic home?
It makes more sense to consider this opt-out strategy a stopgap measure and not a long-term answer.
Just this morning, October 2nd, The Washington Post reported that Superintendent, Joshua P. Starr (Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools) has proposed later start times for the next school year http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-schools-chief-pushes-for-later-high-school-start-times/2013/10/01/story.html.
Starr will present his proposal to the Montgomery County School Board on October 8th. A final vote will occur next spring. Maryland students, teachers, parents and principals must be whooping it up today.
Maybe, just maybe, those who desire a better choice than opting -out of a class will join their “Hurrahs!” next year.
Until next week,
Connie
