Alysia Stewart gave permission for us to share this letter she sent to the 622 board on 20 January 2008.
One point that may be small, but has continued to resonate with me since last Tuesday's meeting is regarding Marc's question about why EMID's test scores are not considerably higher than the scores of district 622. Mr. Howley stated what I consider an important first part of the answer to that question. He explained how at the time of the state tests, EMID students have received 6 weeks less classroom instruction due to the year-round schedule and when the breaks of that schedule occur. That is true and in the world of learning - 6 weeks matters!
I also feel it is equally important to mention the 2nd half of the answer to Marc's question and that would be the cultural side of the answer as to why test scores aren't considerably higher than district 622. Were you aware that in EMID there are over 17 languages spoken by the EMID families? And might I add that I don't mean one family here and one family there speaks one of the 17 different languages. I mean that groups of families, and therefore students, come to EMID from 17 different language speaking cultures and all the differences that come with it. That monumental piece of true diversity cannot be overlooked when one is looking at standardized test results in an integrated year round school versus that of district 622.
It is not therefore surprising that a primarily homogeneous, albeit "racially isolated", district would appear to have higher test scores. It is a known fact that Caucasian students of particular socioeconomic standards naturally fare better on our "standardized tests"!
Please, slow down your decision to withdraw from EMID! It has been a positive partnership that works well for many! Come visit and tour the buildings and programs - See the benefits of the years of labor and collaborating to create an operational and successful integrated school district! As Superindentent Patty Phillips so proudly displayed her photograph of "integration" at an elementary school, you would have an eye-opening experience of diversity and collaboration strongly at work if you were to spend even a short time in EMID's schools! You would not leave Harambee or Crosswinds with a picture of only same race students in it - unless you staged it!
It is not enough to simply HAVE students of color and therefore, call yourselves diverse or "racially isolated" - those students of color must be appreciated and embraced for who they are and for their differences!