The question seems to be how much change is coming to the magnet program and how soon.
As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, the new board majority says it will keep the magnet program but will likely make changes as part of a review. One potential change would be the easing of rules that now say that only magnet schools can offer certain courses and electives.
Changes that, for instance, would let schools in western Wake or North Raleigh offer more magnet-like programs would be welcomed by some parents.
"We don't want the whipped cream — give us the crumbs," said school board member Ron Margiotta.
Some parents have argued over the years that they live too far away to easily reach the magnet schools. They say they shouldn't be penalized by not getting the things magnet schools offer.
That's the kind of argument that initially led in 1982 to the creation of "equity" magnet schools in outlying parts of the county. These were all base schools with no application students.
But over time Wake either eliminated the equity magnets, such as at Apex and Wake Forest elementary schools, or made them application magnets, such as at Wendell and Zebulon elementary schools.
But school board member Keith Sutton brings up the concern frequently voiced by those who are against allowing non-magnets to get more of the specialized courses.
"The magnet program was created to put specific programs in these schools," Sutton said of the schools in his Southeast Raleigh district. "If they put the same magnet program out in Cary or Apex, there's no incentive to come here."
Similar concerns were raised right after the election by the NAACP, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children and the Wake Voter Coalition.
Meanwhile, magnet parents and students are mobilizing now to minimize any changes to the program. They fear the new board will either take away their specialized programs or water down what they now have.
Dhruv Jain, 14, an Enloe High freshman, has more than 800 members on a Facebook page he created to "keep Enloe as a magnet" and to "keep busing and diversity."
According to Jain's Facebook page, Enloe's Black Student Union Group and Peace Club "will be meeting [today] to start discussing which board meeting to attend, write letters, and start petitions. We will also prepare for debate and learn more about the issue."
Jain is encouraging students to attend the first meeting of the new school board on Dec. 1 wearing something that instantly identifies themselves as Enloe students.
Comments
You are mistaken Mr. Sutton
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 10:35 — red_balloon"The magnet program was created to put specific programs in these schools," Sutton said of the schools in his Southeast Raleigh district. "If they put the same magnet program out in Cary or Apex, there's no incentive to come here."
It appears students like Dhruv Jain love busing. Hence I see no basis for Mr. Sutton's fears. For the rest of the kids denied quality education... we are eager and ready to devor whatever crumbs come our way.
http://www.newsobserver.com/n
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 10:26 — red_balloonhttp://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/story/172272.html
"Possible grounds for action, Barber said, could include federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination by agencies that receive federal funding."
Since WCPSS' magnet program is discriminatory, I wonder if Barber would take up the "crumbs" cause and help prevent discrimination with the farcical magnet application process.
Part of my objection to magnets are gone
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:56 — Voice_of_Reason_One of my major problem with magnets was that it was redundant with the use of diversity busing. The second would be the way the program became "free private school" for some areas of the metro (i.e. ITB), while leaving most areas with little chance of sharing the benefits. Most people are forgetting the NCLB mandates when we keep talking about how the poor will be hurt. NCLB requires busing be offered (not manditory, the parents decide) if the school is failing. BTW, I expect a lot more Title I schools to fail, since the "problem nodes (i.e. lower performing)" aren't going to be bused out to other schools. WCPSS can't hide their failures anymore; they will be forced to change.
I think it is interesting
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:36 — KnightdaleParentI think it is interesting that when parents wanted to stay and protect their school before this election it was a bad thing and now, the fact that they want to protect their school is a good thing.
It seems that the magnet "public private school" has strong feelings of protectionism. The one gentleman who is quoted as saying that he moved to make sure that his child would attend Enloe has nothing to worry about, His child will still most likely attend Enloe as a base school. It just may not be the "public private school" it is now.
Stirring the pot
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:00 — Bob_SconceIs this just the N&O trying to stir the pot? There's just not much news in that article.
That article was basically "there are a bunch of people worried that the magnet program will disappear." The only hard facts are that RM wants to improve some course offerings in outlying schools and incoming board members have talked about changing the lottery process for magnet schools. To my knowledge, none of the candidates have proposed terminating a single magnet program or class.
This is one reason why none
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:57 — CaryCurmudgeonThis is one reason why none of us will waste our time with Thomas Goldsmith.