EdAction
Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116 
Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931
http://www.EdAction.org
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February 5, 2000

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Parents Blind-Sided in Caledonia

Without warning, the parents of students in the Caledonia, MN area saw an article appear this week in their local paper.  A new system was in place:

"Doty [the H.S. Principal] emphasized that parents are now an important part of the process." The Caledonia Argus

But parents were confused, because they always considered themselves in charge.  Now they are being told they get to be an important part of the process.

"The system has gone from teacher-centered and time-based to student-centered and outcome-based.  Students plan for their four year high school career beginning with registration in the eighth grade." The Caledonia Argus

How bizarre that this appears one day in the paper.  No one told parents the Profile of Learning would do this.  There were no parent meetings to discover if this is what parents want, or even to give them so much as a heads up.

And why will their children suddenly plan an entire 4-year secondary curriculum in February of their 8th grade?  Who's making these decisions, and why weren't parents involved?

The next day, a letter to the parents of all 8th graders arrived in the mail, explaining a little further:

"...there will be no changes made once the final schedule is in place.  This will ensure the achievement of required standards.  Each student will be making (or continuing) a four year plan to complete their standards with an eye to interests and careers."

For the first time, parents were getting a glimpse of the new scheduling system.  The 8th graders would be choosing career paths that would determine their curriculum for the next four years. And parents get to be involved? No, parents get to be blind-sided.

In another surprise, parents were told that this week the students will be career testing in preparation for registration for their four year curriculum. Aren't there some career paths missing here, asked one parent, taken aback by the sudden turn of events?  Do you suppose my child is making important life decisions here prematurely?

Minnesota's School-to-Work 2000 Conference in January featured workshops like this one:

"Seamless Career Guidance Program for K-6.  Come join others as we introduce you to COIN Educational Products innovative career guidance materials for K-6.  We start by introducing you to our elementary program COIN CLIMB! This interactive CD-ROM program introduces students to career cluster, real time videos of occupations, and applies curriculum by connecting school subjects to occupational tasks. Our next elementary program, COIN CLUE workbooks, focus on interest assessment, career exploration, and curriculum related career cluster activities." [Emphasis ours]

When bureaucrats and legislators tell us that School-to-Work is optional, where is our option for a knowledge-based education for our children?  The core curriculum in the new system is careers. No one asked permission of parents to test these 8th graders for careers. All 8th grade students are required to make their choices to chart their career paths by 8th grade. This is the meaning of "optional" in the new federal STW system.  This is their meaning of "parental involvement."

Look for these events coming your way in a school near you.  And have a heart-to-heart with your legislators.

The letter from 
Caledonia High School officials to
parents and students

Caledonia High School
511 West Main St.
Caledonia, MN 55921
(507) 724-3316 Next.260

Jan 31, 2000

Dear Parents and Students:

It's Registration time again! At this exciting time, students and their parents look to the future and begin the planning process. This year's Registration brings new changes and expectations, as well as increased freedom for students to choose how they meet the new MN Graduation Standards. Because of the complexity involved we are needing parent involvement with students through the process of registration, particularly because there will be no changes made once the final schedule is in place. This will ensure the achievement of required standards. Each student will be making (or continuing) a four year plan to complete their standards with an eye to interests and careers. After pre-registration we will build the master schedule, then have students do a final registration to the Master Schedule. In this way we hope to safeguard the planning process and the completion of necessary standards.

We will be holding informative sessions to aid parents and students with the process. Following is the schedule: 

8th graders - Monday 2/14 at 5:00 Library or 7:30 Lunchroom
9th graders - Tuesday 2/15 at 7:30 Lunchroom
10th graders - Thursday 2/17 at 7:30 Lunchroom

11th graders are not required to meet the Grad Standards so Registration materials will be handed out at school. 7th graders will also receive registration materials and instructions during school hours.

We are looking forward to working closely with parents and students to achieve positive results.

(no formal signature, just typed names)

Brian Doty         Judith Flaten       Kay Dahle         Glenda Miller
H.S. Principal    G. Counselor      Counselor          Adm. Assistant

EdAction - 105 Peavey Rd, Ste 116, Chaska, MN  55318 
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