Editor, Townsman:
It's true parents will have no vote on Expanded Learning Time ("Parents have no vote on extended school day," Townsman letters, May 1). After attending both ELT meetings at Bancroft Elementary, that fact — although not much else — was clear.
Bancroft (among others) has already received the planning grant, and the next step is applying for the funding. Bancroft's decision to move forward will be made by Principal Scott Morrison this June.
What's frightening is the lack of specifics regarding ELT's implementation. At the ELT sessions there was no concrete plan, proposed schedule, nor clear vision of what we're hoping to accomplish. What was certain is that we would add at least 1.5 hours to each school day divided among: academics, enrichment and teacher development.
I tried to ascertain specifics:
What will this new schedule be? What will the enrichment be? Who will supervise students while teachers are professionally developed?
No answers were offered by Mr. Morrison, who admitted I would leave with more questions than answers. He suggested visiting MA2020.org. There I found that ELT has been implemented in under-performing schools with success. That is if you consider going from severely under-performing to under-performing a success.
Concerns were redirected to the ELT committee. While members weren't able to give specifics regarding Bancroft (no high-performing district has ELT) they offered how low performing schools implemented ELT. Some initiated breakfast programs, others MCAS remediation. These are not Bancroft's needs.
Can I decide if ELT would benefit my child if I don't know what ELT would be for my child? Is the plan to grab the grant money and then decide how to fill the 300 additional hours required of our children?
What the ELT sessions lacked in information, was supplemented by analogies: The MA2020 representative analogized "we would be like pioneers in covered wagons" to which someone retorted "pioneers or guinea pigs?" Mr. Morrison's analogy, "we'd be building this plane as we fly it," conjured up images of crashing and burning.
My analogy: If I had a terminal illness I might try experimental drugs. We are fortunate in Andover to have a healthy school system supported by dedicated families and quality teachers.
I'm unwilling to put my child on this plane as currently described. I might be more willing if there was a clear illustration of need, detailed description of this longer day, and means to measure the assumed benefits ELT might provide.
Dawn Malinowski
Avon Street
