[Mpls] class size - student achievement number of cops - crime

[Anderson & Turpin]

David Tilsen wrote:
> I agree totally.  One thing we know is that students
> who manage to come back 
> from difficult periods in their life, state over 74%
> of the time that it was 
> an adult mentor that played a major positive role in
> their life.  they 
> mention, in - order
> 
> teachers
> coaches
> parents
> clergy
> other -neighbors, friends, shopkeepers etc.
> 
> One thing that the Minneapolis School district does,
> if a student falls 
> below a "C" average (one sign of trouble) is not
> allow them to participate 
> in extra curricular sports.  This takes away their
> coach as a possible 
> person of positive influence.  Yea good idea, If
> someone needs help, lets 
> make it harder for them.
> 
> (I would like to point out that I was the only vote
> on the School Board 
> against the "C" average being a prerequisite for
> sports).  this terrible 
> (but very popular) decision has contributed to the
> drop out rate. 


Mark Renner responded:
What David Tilsen just pointed out (a good point) is
another reason I would love to see more support for
community ed programs. More opportunities for students
to connect meaningfully with an adult and other
students who are probably not feeling as motivated in
school (which are appropriately worried about test
scores and achievement).

Mark Anderson chimes in:
Absolutely!  Why are our sports programs tied to our schools?  Schools are
supposed to be where kids do academic stuff.  Sports are incredibly
distracting and cause the sorts of problems that David Tilsen referred to.
What's wrong with our sports programs being part of park programs and
private clubs?  I think most people agree that sports are over-emphasized in
the schools.  Why should the schools have teams at all?  It's fine to have
intramural sports (that anyone can join), but the school should not endorse
any team as representing them.  I know sports teams are very important to
some people, so it would be hard to dis-engage them from the schools.  But
we should definitely start down that road.

Mark V Anderson
Bancroft