Editor’s Note: We received the following letter to the Editor.
“Earlier this year my son’s math teacher told him if he scored over 90 in math, he would qualify for Algebra 1 (advanced math). He scored over the required mark. When we approached the principal, he said the policy had been changed and my son no longer qualified. My son says this is another example of school administrators lying to students. The principal said this is the new policy and it doesn’t matter that my son met the requirements, the answer is no.
“This is Unacceptable, Demotivating, and an insult. Why should our children follow the rules, only to be told that there are now new rules. Why were the goalposts moved? Eastchester Middle School should stand by its word. If they don’t, students will lose faith in the system, it’s teachers, and administrators. I call upon the principal to play by the rules and reverse his unfair and arbitrary decision,” writes Mark Young, the father of student Jackson Westerner, who was so disaapointed in the decision that he protested outside of Eastchester Middle School, where he is pictured above.
Here’s our two cents on this issue. As we all sit through another day, week and month of our COVID pandemic, to see a student who is so enthusiastic about taking a difficult course, and is willing to go to extreme lengths just to have the opportunity to take an advanced Math class is encouraging, and why we put Jakcson on our front page.
What would the harm be in allowing Jackson to take Alg-1, Advanced Math? If he were unable to achieve in that clasee, couldn’t they just move him down into another class?
Jackson seems very determined to take this class, and during COVID, the school district should be encouraging this type of enthusiasm. Why does Jackson want to take this class?
“He is anxious to get into Algebra, because if he doesn’t, he can’t do calculus in 12th grade and that is a prerequisite for many science classes.
I suggested to the principal that they give my son a month or two in algebra to see how he does—and drop him back if he doesn’t get the marks.
No go. Not interested said the principal. Said his original decision stands,” said Mark Young.
Mr. Young received the following email from the Eastchester School District. “Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Glass with your concern regarding your son’s math placement for this upcoming school year. I am sorry that you are disappointed with our decision to make this change in placement criteria for students. Throughout the second half of the school year, Mr. Elder and Mr. Blair (K-12 Supervisor of STEM) discussed the appropriate placement of students based on the extreme circumstances of the COVID closure and the best means by which students would be served during the 2020-2021 school year. The decision to place students accordingly was made with the best interest of students at heart and with sound educational backing. Mr. Elder made the decision clear in his April 22nd correspondence with parents. I do not believe that he has lied or misled any students or parents in this matter. As a former math teacher and department chairperson, I fully support his decision in the placement of students in this manner given the current circumstances,” wrote Scott Wynne, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction.
We will keep our readers updated on this case. Perhaps one of our readers can help the Young family. Email me at dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com if you can.
