Opinion: Patrick Henry High School should have had a full debate before dropping advanced classes [Opinion]
. It’s an equity issue because Latino and Black families are significantly more likely than other large groups to live at or near the poverty level. And it’s a vicious cycle if not broken.
So when Patrick Henry High School Principal Michelle Irwin began contemplating the equity concerns inherent in having students divvied up by ability into classes covering the same material — classes with somewhat different levels of rigor and very different levels of prestige — it was no surprise that she concluded
. The question, of course, was what — and how. Irwin thought canceling several honors, advanced and gifted education courses — while leaving other honors, advanced and Advanced Placement classes in place — was the right way to go.
The strong backlash that resulted was completely predictable and entirely appropriate — and prompted the raising of equity concerns that seem not to have been sufficiently considered.
The last thing San Diego Unified or any school district should want to do is commit unforced errors that alienate significant numbers of parents and students whose help they need at a time when student enrollment is declining. San Diego Unified School District’s enrollment is down 6.9 percent from before the pandemic, a higher rate of decline than the 4.3 percent reduction across all San Diego County public schools.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Patrick Henry High School cuts honors courses in the name of 'equity' -SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – San Diego’s largest high school, Patrick Henry High School, has cut some honors courses without informing the student’s parents. As expected, parents are outraged and worries the lack of honors courses will hurt students chances of getting accepted to prestigious universities. The principal, Michelle Irwin, claims she made the decision in the name of “equity.” Irwin...
Read more »
Mountain View High School students nationally recognized for performanceThe NCWIT has recognized two students at MonteLionVHS. Its data shows women filled 26% of professional computing jobs in 2021. Those same statistics also reveals Hispanic of Latina women only made up 2% of America's computing workforce in 2021.
Read more »
2 students stabbed following incident at Austin High School, Austin ISD saysAustin High School officials said two students were injured by a classmate with a pocket knife. Both students were helped and their families were notified.
Read more »
Paterson high school senior reaches goal she set a decade ago -- gets accepted into HarvardIsabela Gonzalez applied to 22 colleges -- and got into 15 -- but was waiting for one letter in particular.
Read more »
Former Baylor, Travis High School star Queen Egbo selected by Indiana 10th overall in WNBA draftThe Indiana Fever picked Queen Egbo, a former star at both Travis High School and then at Baylor University, 10th overall during Monday's WNBA Draft.
Read more »
'Would be amazing': Taft High School robotics team raising funds for Texas competition'This competition means so much for all of us.'
Read more »