While walking on the beach during my vacation, a lamp washed ashore. I picked it up, took it home to clean it and find its value. During the cleaning, a magical genie appeared and granted me the traditional three wishes.
My first wish was for the educational system in America to be “fixed”. After a bit of hemming and hawing, the genie said “Well, I can do that but it will take all your wishes. Just to clarify, you will get only one wish.”
I agreed and the genie crossed his arms, blinked and then disappeared along with my polished beach lamp.
I assumed I’d been duped, but the next day at school with my son, I discovered what my wish for educational reform had produced:
Language – all students must speak the national language of English to attend educational facilities of any kind (public or private). Incoming students will be tested on their English knowledge (appropriate for their age) and placed in the appropriate grade level for their skills. Students that do not meet their grade level for English speaking will be transferred to a “Naturalization” school until they meet the criteria (valid for non- or partial-English speaking students only. English speaking students will be held at grade level until proficiency is reached).
The Naturalization school will host all students that do not meet English Language requirements for their grade level. Classes will be taught using teachers fluent in both the students “home” language and English. Classes may have students of varying ages due to learning abilities and levels. When students attending the Naturalization School reach the proficiency level for their grade, they may opt to be transferred to the “Traditional” School, if desired.
Curriculum – Curriculum will involve core subjects such as Math, Phonics/Reading/Spelling, History and Geography. A student may be enrolled in varying levels of subjects, depending on their abilities and meeting criteria (for instance a 4th grade student may have 2nd grade math classes, 6th grade reading classes, etc.). Students must test out of grade levels based on proficiency, not age or grade requirements. To graduate from school completely, students must pass all proficiency tests and a final comprehensive exam.
Electives – Students will have Required and Voluntary Electives. Required Electives will be Science, Music and Arts. Voluntary electives will be Athletics, Alternative Languages, Technical Specialties and Life Skills. Voluntary Electives will be held after regular school hours; students must carry “B” or 80% in all Core Subjects and Required Electives to continue participation in Voluntary Electives.
Dress Code – Students will wear clothing appropriate for learning. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts or other clothing that would be considered inappropriate business attire will not be allowed at school. Male students will wear polo-type or dress shirts and Khaki pants; female students will wear collared shirts with skirts that cover their knees or Khaki pants.
Funding – Parents will be issued a voucher in March of each year to be used towards their student tuition. Parents may use the vouchers towards the private or public school of their choice, regardless of location (must be in county of residence). Parents may withdraw their student from school at any point in the school year with one month’s notice; funds will be transferred to new school upon student arrival. Cost per student per school will remain the same across the board; however will be adjusted for inflation and tax income fluctuations. All class supplies will be provided by parents or through donations.
Transportation – parents are responsible for all transportation to and from school premises and for all school activities.
Attendance – Students must attend school a minimum of 200 days in a school year and pass proficiency level tests for each class and abilities. Students that cannot pass proficiency level tests will be required to repeat levels until proficiency is earned.
Employment (Older Students Only) – Students who desire to work will be required to carry “B” or 80% in all Core Subjects and Required Electives to continue participation in employment.
Well I suppose I should have been a bit more specific in my request to the Genie, but it’s a good start…
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