To the editor:

How convenient. The front page of the Journal (08-31-2023) headlines our local schools’ failure to educate our kids, and blames (of course) COVID-19. Truth be told, the MCA Data by year wasn’t all that impressive before the “pandemic” either. I encourage Journal readers to go to the ISD 88 website and check out the numbers for the last 6 years (2020 not included). The website celebrates the “95% Graduation Rate” for the district. Should we really celebrate sending 95% of our seniors into the world when only an average of 45% of them can perform to grade level?

The District lists “Goals” 1. Increase student growth in state/national assessments 3% each year. 2. Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in our schools. These goals have been in place for some time now. How are we doing? Our Board of Education sure has been working on DIE (Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity). The creation of PRISM is a shining example of the progress the District is making on DIE. The District hired Longview Education in the past, and has had numerous work studies on the number 2 goal of the District. Wonderful. Everybody now feels warm and fuzzy.

Where’s the effort on increasing test scores by 3% each year? Test scores are flat to declining. I would suggest continuing on the same educational path will simply result in more of the same (a loooong, sloooow decline). As long as Education Minnesota is running the system, it is doomed to failure. Somebody, somewhere, needs to start making noise. The current system rewards mediocrity. Once teachers are Tenured, there is no way to get rid of the bad apples. At the same time, there is no way to reward the good teachers either (and there are many good ones). Without accountability, the educational system will fail.

So, start holding your local school board accountable. Members of the board need to start talking at school board meetings (yes, gasp, in public), and asking questions. Simply stumbling along on the current path will change nothing, and most certainly will not increase test scores by 3% year over year. Stop making excuses. Start getting results.

Paul Platz

Lafayette