I, too, would like to congratulate Independent School District 181 for being nationally recognized and awarding our elementary schools this high honor. But while this news is wonderful, the districts MCA scores from last year have also been out and with no mention. These scores indicate the state of our district and the quality of education the students in them have.
Now each school has their own scores. I will talk about those scores from our senior high school, the students who will be sent out onto the world to live, raise a family and have a good job. Starting in 2010 through 2014 here are the proficiency rates of our students: Math 52.4, 59.2, 47.3, 55.3, 56.4; Reading: 80.6, 84.3, 84.6, 69.8, 58.2; Science: 54.1, 64.0, 60.4, 55.3, 57.5. Using the standards of grading that our own children are subject to, these are all failing grades. Graduation rates are also troublesome and unacceptable. The school board just voted to increase all our property rates citing the new lower sports facility, but also money to compete with programs such as private and charter schools. You want to know why the district is losing children to those programs? We all share some responsibility on how we have come to this reality of inadequately preparing our kids for the world. We also have the opportunity to make a real commitment to improving it. Without change there is no change. Let's change this system for the better. Look into your schools scores, you would be surprised at what you see.
Bill Cruz
Nisswa
BILL CRUZ is a candidate for the Brainerd School Board.
