Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Parents' Rights to Information on Algebra I Placement Process for 6th Grade Students
Final supporters
In the last academic year, the school district held many parent meetings to explain the math tracks under Common Core. Not one meeting mentioned the intention to identify 6th Grade students for additional Algebra I classes. Yet, six weeks after school started, parents were surprised to find, through word of mouth, that a few 6th Grade students were identified for the Algebra 1 class, "quietly."
A small Algebra I class with only fourteen 6th Grade students was created at Miller Middle School with extra funding from the district. Students were surreptitiously invited to join the class. No students and parents outside of the fourteen families were notified. The school district made no attempt to announce this decision to the parent community. When parents started to ask questions about the class, the school simply answered "It is NOT an open process.”
When more and more parents became aware of the existence of such a small Algebra I class, the school still would not provide a single satisfactory explanation. The school still attempts to keep the class under wraps. This lack of communication triggered more questions and doubts by parents on the original intention of such a class.
The overwhelming questions raised from the parent community are:
1. What is the real intent of this math class?
2. Why was the class created after school started?
3. Why were the parents not informed in advance?
4. What criteria were used to select 6th Grade students for the Algebra 1 class?
5. Are our school resources properly used?
In this information age, news travels fast; rumors travel even faster. Any attempt to keep an important event quiet only leads to more suspicions, misunderstanding and doubts. We urge the school and the district to step up and clarify the whole process of creating the 6th Grade Algebra 1 class to all the parents. We, as concerned parents, PTA contributors and taxpayers, have the right to know the truth.
Thank you for your attention and support of this important matter!
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Updates
October 13, 2014
I have been hearing from so many of you who feel the same frustration about being kept in the dark regarding these placement decisions. It is clear that we are not the only ones left wondering why transparency was abandoned by the district. I am currently working to organize our questions into a formal request for a meeting with the administration.
October 13, 2014
Seeing the momentum behind this really proves that I am not the only parent feeling pushed aside by the district. It has been exhausting to chase answers about my child's education while being told the process is not open to us. We are finally forcing them to acknowledge that transparency is a requirement rather than a suggestion.
7 Comments
JUSTICE FOR ALL STUDENTS! FIX THE MATH TRACKS NOW.
totally agree. my son was never even told this was an option. this needs to be transparent for everyone.
Ridiculous that they keep this secret. If it's a district class it should be open to all who qualify. Stop playing favorites.
This is completely unfair. Why are some kids getting special treatment while the rest of us are left in the dark? We deserve some honesty from the administration.
I think the district should've done a better job communicating with parents on opportunities available to their children, whether or not the process is open or closed. However, I believe that Miller's principal Mr. Burrell made decisions on what he thought is best for all students involved under the circumstances. During one-on-one meeting with him, I found him to be open and straightforward. It is unfortunately that a series of events led to frustrations from parents. Nevertheless, let's focus on the improving the overall process.
every student should have equal rights and opportunities
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Parents' Rights to Information on Algebra I Placement Process for 6th Grade Students
Final supporters
In the last academic year, the school district held many parent meetings to explain the math tracks under Common Core. Not one meeting mentioned the intention to identify 6th Grade students for additional Algebra I classes. Yet, six weeks after school started, parents were surprised to find, through word of mouth, that a few 6th Grade students were identified for the Algebra 1 class, "quietly."
A small Algebra I class with only fourteen 6th Grade students was created at Miller Middle School with extra funding from the district. Students were surreptitiously invited to join the class. No students and parents outside of the fourteen families were notified. The school district made no attempt to announce this decision to the parent community. When parents started to ask questions about the class, the school simply answered "It is NOT an open process.”
When more and more parents became aware of the existence of such a small Algebra I class, the school still would not provide a single satisfactory explanation. The school still attempts to keep the class under wraps. This lack of communication triggered more questions and doubts by parents on the original intention of such a class.
The overwhelming questions raised from the parent community are:
1. What is the real intent of this math class?
2. Why was the class created after school started?
3. Why were the parents not informed in advance?
4. What criteria were used to select 6th Grade students for the Algebra 1 class?
5. Are our school resources properly used?
In this information age, news travels fast; rumors travel even faster. Any attempt to keep an important event quiet only leads to more suspicions, misunderstanding and doubts. We urge the school and the district to step up and clarify the whole process of creating the 6th Grade Algebra 1 class to all the parents. We, as concerned parents, PTA contributors and taxpayers, have the right to know the truth.
Thank you for your attention and support of this important matter!
Updates
October 13, 2014
I have been hearing from so many of you who feel the same frustration about being kept in the dark regarding these placement decisions. It is clear that we are not the only ones left wondering why transparency was abandoned by the district. I am currently working to organize our questions into a formal request for a meeting with the administration.
October 13, 2014
Seeing the momentum behind this really proves that I am not the only parent feeling pushed aside by the district. It has been exhausting to chase answers about my child's education while being told the process is not open to us. We are finally forcing them to acknowledge that transparency is a requirement rather than a suggestion.
7 Comments
Equal right! All students should have a chance to attend any classes paid by our tax payers
JUSTICE FOR ALL STUDENTS! FIX THE MATH TRACKS NOW.
totally agree. my son was never even told this was an option. this needs to be transparent for everyone.
Ridiculous that they keep this secret. If it's a district class it should be open to all who qualify. Stop playing favorites.
This is completely unfair. Why are some kids getting special treatment while the rest of us are left in the dark? We deserve some honesty from the administration.
I think the district should've done a better job communicating with parents on opportunities available to their children, whether or not the process is open or closed. However, I believe that Miller's principal Mr. Burrell made decisions on what he thought is best for all students involved under the circumstances. During one-on-one meeting with him, I found him to be open and straightforward. It is unfortunately that a series of events led to frustrations from parents. Nevertheless, let's focus on the improving the overall process.
every student should have equal rights and opportunities
Share Petition
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Equal right! All students should have a chance to attend any classes paid by our tax payers