Back in 2002, with an $84.5 million bond for school construction, many of us tried to get a "small schools" conversation started - all the research showed small schools outperforming the large comprehensive model of two thousand students.
When the superintendent told the school board that a "second high school" would cost an extra million dollars a year right off the bat, members decided not to "go there" and a public conversation about school models never happened, except in the Letters to the Editor pages. The public information campaign to get out the vote then assured voters that "small schools research didn't apply in communities like ours."
Fast forward five years -- community organizers today have created a very comprehensive proposal for a "small high school" (450 students) and will be engaged in the next few weeks in presenting their model to the Colorado Charter School Institute.
Browse the website of Animas High School. Read the Durango Herald's recent excellent editorial. Take a look at the educational philosophy and research behind this proposal and think about our options.
Those of us who believe in choices, flexibility, and innovation are excited by the positive energy being directed toward such a wonderful project. Read about their model - the original High Tech High in San Diego.
“Building strong school communities means fighting the social trend of bigger everything.”
--Ron Berger, An Ethic of Excellence
AND if you wish to show support, the best way is to attend a public forum sponsored by the Colorado Charter Institute Monday 9/24/07 at 6:30 to the Durango Rec Center. They need to hear what parents, students and community members think about the need for educational choices for our Durango students.
NOTE: The CCI forum had standing room only. See Herald 9/25/07 Parents turn out in force to support Animas High
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
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