Seifert column: My dream is a School for Scholars

Education

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October 29, 2009

Ken Seifert

Note to my readers: This is not a true story. But it might create some discussion.

We are a national organization called Citizens for Prudent Investment. Our goal is to maximize taxpayer benefit for dollars spent. We have targeted education as a category to explore as it is one of the most expensive of our social institutions.

Here is our initial literature. We have a proposal and contend we can justify more return on the dollar than local communities can. It is a three-phase plan. We will address the high school, then the middle school and then the elementary school. Our proposal is flexible and open to modification.

The mission of the high school

Academic excellence whether becoming a plumber or a doctor

Increase personal responsibility and self reliance

Deciding career choices and establishing a plan to get there

Service to others

Learning to create products with your talents and education

Wise use of your leisure time

Involvement in sports and clubs

We have studied high school behaviors and devised a three house plan based on student ability, talents and motivation. Emphasis is on motivation. There is much research to substantiate the assumption.

Here are the three schools within the school.

1. School for Scholars: It emphasizes scholarship and motivation to excel for academic content. We will challenge your talents and motivation to help you realize personal potential. It might seem rigorous but doable. It will include goal orientation for your future, personal health and hygiene. Above all you will be required to show what you have learned. You will be directed to be an independent learner.

2. Social Club School: This emphasizes spending time with your friends, leisure time activities; how to pass tests so you can get into college and a few easy electives to fill your transcript. This school has course credits and not performance requirements. You will of course receive a diploma.

3. School to Meet Legal Requirements: This is for students who see no reason for going to school but must attend school until they can leave. We will provide activities to meet such motivation. In any of these schools, students who display disruptive behavior will be removed and placed in a comfortable room. The purpose of the room is to provide the student with the opportunity to decide which of the three schools he wishes to attend. Of course parental input is invaluable. Three offenses and suspension will occur. For extreme disruptive behavior the student will be turned over to the proper authorities. Wasting the time of conscientious students and faculty negatively impacts school climate and a waste of valuable education dollars. It is also the ultimate in showing a lack of respect for yourself and your school.

Our plan has a public option. It is mandatory. Parents and students decide the school they have mutually selected. Faculty should also be surveyed to show preference to the school of their choice.

We also have financial recommendations on how much money the taxpayers should allot to each school. Remember, the goal is return on the dollar for the benefits received.

We are a non profit organization. We have representatives willing to share our information with any community who wishes to do so. Our experience has shown that a combination of local and our program has been most effective. In the meantime we are working on the Middle School Plan. We can be reached at SchoolisforScholars.com.

Ken Seifert is a 40-year resident of Andover and former superintendent of Andover schools.