Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Student to suffer for staying in class

This morning's article in the Northwest Herald about Woodstock High School honors student Ryne Wiley reminded me of a comment by my stepson when he came home from 10th Grade one day.

He was telling me about a motivational poster at school. It read, "Stand up for what you believe, even if you are standing alone."

To which he added, "except at school, where you get in trouble."

Frankly, I can just picture the alleged disrespect of which Wiley was accused. Disrespect is a broad term that can be tossed around by school administrators to cover just about anything. Students are too often not allowed to disagree with a teacher, even politely, without being labeled as disrespectful. Students are not taught how to disagree or challenge a teacher on an issue. They aren't taught to "argue" issues. Teachers are too quick to take it personally and then accuse a student of being disrespectful. Should every student (and teacher) be required to participate in debate exercises?

Read the article on www.nwherald.com/ Just search for Wiley.

I agree with Asst. Superintendent George Oslovich, who is quoted as having said, "There is a heavy emphasis on career readiness." Right. And it looks like Wiley was getting ready. According to the article, he has a 3.92 GPA, is keeping up with his advanced placement classes and participates in theater. If he didn't want to blow a day of classes so that he, a top student, could help District 200 look good on its "High Schools That Work" testing, then District 200 ought to respect that!

If Wiley had been a failing student with a high truancy rate and disciplinary problems, would it have insisted on his taking the "test"?

From the article it looks to me like Wiley made a "good decision" based on academics and success. But, according to Principal Tafoya, a "bad decision" (the one that Tafoya didn't want Wiley to make) will have the unfair consequence of Wiley's losing the cum laude award.

Sorry, George. Missing a day of classes to take a test that would just make WHS look good is not "part of the school day."

And if District 200 uses that refusal to cut him out of the cum laude award on May 30, then Wiley's family ought to haul D200 right into court for an arbitrary and capricious action against a student's interests.

What can you do?

Contact Superintendent Ellyn Wrzeski today at ewrzeski@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us and send a copy to Corey Tafoya, Woodstock High School principal, at ctafoya@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us

6 comments:

Debra said...

What a crock this is. This young man deserves to claim his award that he worked so hard for! The principle is WRONG , WRONG, WRONG, on this! Maybe he should concentrate on cleaning up his school and overseeing the poor teaching at work instead of bullying top honors students to line the pension fund. Shame on him!

Bulldog said...

Shame on Dist. 200. They don't want you to challenge anything or even question anything. Basically just be a robot and listen to the king!!!!!!!

Bulldog said...

Oh and George Oslovich is a real hero. "It was his assignment" now the wording is being change. This is what happens in a liberal society!!!!

Debra said...

Hey Bulldog... What does liberal have to do with this anyway? This is a principle who is a little man throwing a tantrum because he didn't get his way. His pet student with the gpa to make a difference said NO! So he has to punish the bad boy. Has nothing whatsoever to do with liberal, repube, or dummycrap!

hadassah61953@comcast.net said...

This student's decision NOT to take the achievement test is entirely his to make. As a senior in good standing, this young man has every right to decline an optional test which does not further his post-secondary plans, but rather, makes his alma mater look good.

The administrative decision to withhold an academic award for a totally subjective reason, i.e., perceived “noncompliance” on the part of the student, flies in the face of all that educators have been taught with regard to fair and objective disciplinary measures. This would be akin to assigning a failing academic grade to a student based strictly on poor behavior or attitude, which, obviously, constitutes a totally separate evaluation.

Shame on the WHS for attempting to use this young man's exemplary work ethic to better their standing with the Illinois Department of Education. WHS receives an "F" in community relations on this decision."


Esther Hall Gordon, M.A., B.A.
Former Michigan secondary school instructor and counselor

Della said...

Thank you for posting this blog. I know this young man's parents and I know just how hard he has worked.

Thanks for the email information.

My email is on its way!