| From the Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader - June 29, 1998
© Port Townsend Leader |
Wisdom Council Will1. The class sizes need to be smaller. Class sizes need to be smaller so people with higher skills. won't be held back and so those with lesser skills can keep up 2. We need to learn creatively. The classroom needs a relaxed, creative environment where the students have fun while they are learning. Teachers should provide more independent study, outdoor learning and community involvement. We need to be graded on our effort ... not on what we get wrong. 3. We need to change the requirements. Students should be able to choose classes that best help them in their future and that contribute toward graduation. There are problems with required classes such as occupational education which is unnecessary for some and difficult to schedule. 4. We should change the scheduling. We have more freedom to choose our schedules. That means the ability to choose when you want classes during the day and to have longer periods for study. 5. We need open minds. Teachers and students should have a relationship built on mutual respect and treat all students equally, and at least give students a chance to prove themselves before branding them 6. We need higher levels of student interest. Students need motivation to keep going. Everything matters . . . from how we take attendance to how we generate school spirit. Particularly, students can take on more responsibility for their own learning. |
Although students were invited to comment during the process, most of the work was done by adults. The student body government was not active on the issue. When the options were debated in April, students made it clear they wanted more of a voice. That concern led to the creation of a student Wisdom Council.
PTHS senior Dan Rough proposed the Wisdom Council as a project in his Contemporary World Problems class. The council was created by a random computer list drawing of 16 students, with the name of a representative from each school program in the drawing. Thirteen of the students agreed to participate as a microcosm of the student body. By !uck of the draw, none were seniors.
The council met three times at the new City Dock meeting room May 22-25. The students spoke for themselves and combined their views into a unanimous framework [See related story]. They also had time to present their ideas to school officials who attended the May 25 session.
"Certain students have different directions and a lot of them feel they get stuck in a certain pattern," Rough said of Wisdom Council discussions. "We talked about how some classes and things are great, while some requirements don't seem necessary."
Jim Rough of Port Townsend, a professional teacher of meeting facilitation skills, guided the sessions. He also paid the building rental. Waterfront Pizza provided lunch.
The Wisdom Council concept is that each year, a new group of students will be randomly chosen to air their views. The council would have no governing authority. But it appears their voices will be heard. The process needs refinements, Jim Rough reported, but it can be an effective tool. School officials agree.
"Their concerns were not only appropriate, but also essential for the improvement of public secondary education," [district superintendent, Gene] Medina said of the Wisdom Council members.
The council should be created early next school year and be ready to join the district's revamped decision-making process, Medina said.
PTHS Principal Arcella Hall has more ideas on how to gather student input from non-traditional sources. A vice principal to be hired for the 1994-95 school year will be responsible for student activities and can devote energy to expanded communication.
"It becomes real clear to me the Wisdom Council has shown us that given time and the opportunity, students are able to make some really solid recommendations about the direction they'd like to see their education take," Hall said. "I hope we can capitalize on that interest."
(© Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader - June 29, 1998)