Patrick Henry High School's honors courses controversy fails to address issue of access [View all]

[dogknob]

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2022-04-12/column-patrick-henry-high-schools-honors-courses-controversy-fails-to-address-issue-of-access

San Diego’s largest high school caused a stir with its latest effort to address education equity, and its approach certainly prompts more than a few questions.

On Sunday the U-T’s Kristen Taketa reported that Patrick Henry High in San Carlos, a school that teaches 2,500 students, removed several honors, advanced and gifted education courses without informing parents or seeking their input. Some of the courses included classes for advanced English, advanced history and advanced biology.

*snip*

From the jump, the school could not have communicated this change more poorly. Even if you weren’t interested in incorporating feedback from parents, the school owed all its families the courtesy of transparent communication about what was occurring.

Instead it seems that the school chose to keep parents in the dark, and in turn parents are understandably confused, angry and concerned about what the implications will be for their children.

Putting that aside, the idea of trying to mix classes to lift all students has merit. Although, it’s fair to wonder if this is really the best approach the school could apply.

I graduated from Henry in 1988 and I am still in touch with many friends from that time. Many of them have kids currently attending Henry and they are PISSED OFF. They all hate the principal anyway, whose on-campus visibility is on-par with the Once-Ler's. Many suspect she is trying to cut operating costs—teachers who teach advanced classes get paid more —and using "equity" as a smoke-screen.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2022-04-12/column-patrick-henry-high-schools-honors-courses-controversy-fails-to-address-issue-of-access