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Readers respond with range of opinions on story about big and small high schools
Readers are talking about Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to create more, smaller high schools.
In response to the last issue of the MEA Voice, which featured a cover story about big and small high schools, we received comments from readers with a range of opinions. Here’s a sampling of reader feedback:
Nancy Nielson, retired counselor, Edmore: The best our state can offer to our children is a quality education. The state of Michigan must provide funding for the best educators in a clean, healthy, fully equipped, and safe environment. The schools may be large, but the class size must be small. A maximum of 20 students in an individual classroom should be the standard. Each classroom in the elementary grades should have one support person along with the certified teacher.
Steven Hughes, Davenport University: I can appreciate the governor’s position on smaller schools. Smaller schools offer greater opportunity for behavioral control and as the Hillman student mentioned, “everybody knows one another.”
…Truthfully, smaller schools offer a greater opportunity for one-on-one attention and a greater “family” feel to the school, but until our education system chooses to educate our students on skill sets that will drastically affect their lives, the cycle will continue. After all, some people claim that children in school are the “leaders” of tomorrow, yet they are not taught formally any leadership competencies.
Thomas Kehoe, retired teacher, St. Clair: I believe Gov. Granholm is correct in her quest to make high schools no larger than 400 students. I don’t see it happening in my lifetime.
But, it’s a great idea. And I wish her good luck.
Sara A. Nettle, retired teacher, Merritt: As a product of a small rural high school of yesteryear who still lives in the yesteryear era, I would support smaller high schools. However, with society and the environment of today coupled with enormous expectations, it would be a difficult task to fund and support.
On the other hand, there is a ton of technology that would be a great support for smaller high schools. Academic goals aren’t the big concern – social issues are.
Scott Cordes, teacher, Hillman: On behalf of our entire school and community, I wanted to thank you for the excellent article. It was far above and beyond what we had expected, and the pictures were wonderful.
All of northern Michigan is so accustomed to being overlooked in a variety of ways, and for once, we feel represented… All of us here are overwhelmed with e-mails and calls from others in the education community, and especially our former students working in the educational field somewhere else in our state.
We really weren’t prepared for this moment in the sun… it’s been the talk of the town.
In case you missed the article in the last issue, it’s still here.
Alpena News spins positive piece on MEA Voice’s Hillman story
The MEA Voice’s March cover story featuring tiny Hillman Junior/Senior High School made headlines this spring when it was published. The Alpena News, a daily newspaper serving residents of northeastern Michigan, featured a positive article about our story.
Under the headline, “Taking pride in education,” the Alpena News article included interviews with students and staff.
