It seems as if the old fashioned idea of "one room school houses" is taking on a new image and resurfacing in the 21st century. Across the country, many districts are changing the face of their school structure. As young teens are reaching the "middle school" years, many are re-thinking the choice to send them off to their own secluded campuses. It seems as if a number of districts are re-structuring, changing the school model to include K-8th grades all on one campus. This is reminiscent of a one room school house, although with a very different flavor. The ages are not mixed together in one room, but sectioned out through the school in grade level groupings. There are often co-principals to help divide up responsibilities and meet the differing needs of the groups.
These transitions are being made in hopes that the teens will realize themselves as role models for the younger children, will "tone down" their behavior so as to make better decisions. It is also hoped that by staying on one campus for their entire career before High School, there will be a closer bond with the teachers and neighborhood, all in hopes of increasing awareness of responsibility.
4 comments:
I think it's a great idea. I subbed and tutored at the middle school level a few times and I had so many kids who missed elementary school!
I can see both sides of it. I think there is something to be said for it. It will be interesting how these work out.
thanks for stopping by
Back in the days when I rode my dinosaur to school, that's all we had; K-8. It's interesting to see it come around full cycle.
that really is interesting. It is funny to find the pendulum swinging back in that direction.
I talked with my daughter today about this, telling her about it. Her first response: "eeeewwww, no!!" I asked her why. She said that is the age where you really start "growing up" and you don't want to be w/ the little kids all the time. We went on to discuss some of the reasons folks are wanting to try this, encouraging role modeling and responsibility. She also offered there would likely be less of a drug problem in this type of school set up...
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