Indiana

IPS? Year-Round Problem

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I know when you see a blog post by me regarding the state’s largest public school district, you know it probably isn’t going to be flattering.   Well, you’re right.  The good news is though at the rate Indianapolis Public Schools keep losing students they won’t be the largest school district for very long.

The latest scheme the district is launching in an effort to save the sinking education ship is to adopt a year-round model as opposed to the traditional 9-month calender.   IPS is trying to sell the concept of 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off,  to its parents and the public, although virtually no one showed up for the first meeting at Arlington.

This may surprise you but I actually support the year-round school concept.  No offense to summer vacation supporters, but the 9-month calender is based on a time when we were primarily and agrarian society and kids need to be home to work on the farm.  In addition, most nations spend more time in schools than their American counterparts.  I think you could make adjustments for summer work study programs, but a year-round calender is a pretty good idea.

The problem with mixing a year-round calender with IPS is the equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  First of all, the school district is losing students (950 this year), therefore state dollars.  Secondly, and more importantly, the basic assumption of  a year-round calender is that students get a better education.   Remember these stats from IPS’ 2010 State of the District report?

• 49% graduation rate.
• Decreasing ISTEP+ passing rates as students go from grades 3 to 8.
• Black students in grades 3,4, 7 and 8 performing near the bottom when it comes to English and Language Arts.
• Less than half of  3rd graders pass the math and science portion of of the ISTEP test and that number drops to 28% by the 8th grade.

Now the school district does have some redeemable qualities, five of  of IPS’ magnet schools received nationwide recognition as Outstanding Magnet Schools, but you have to ask does that outweigh the districts other problems?  I don’t think so.

IPS is on the verge of virtual takeover by the State of  Indiana next year for failing to meet state mandated standards and instead of addressing serious internal issues, the school district is making questionable hires during a time of fiscal uncertainty.  It faced a $26 million shortfall this year and the only thing that saved the District was stimulus dollars that won’t be there next year.

So you tell me, should going year-round be IPS’ main priority right now?  There’s like nothing putting more water in a bucket with a hole in the bottom to make it look full.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on October 08, 2010 (boomark / email).