I appreciated Diane Hirshberg’s discussion on economic sustainability. If, as she suggested, education sustains our economy, it should be a priority in all Alaskan communities. A task force is recommending sweeping changes: more parent involvement, teacher pay raises, and longer school years, to name just a few.
The challenges in our urban schools are difficult. The challenges in our Bush schools (high staff turnover, poor attendance, cultural barriers, apathy) seem even more overwhelming, as shown in the article about the Yupiit School district near Bethel. Having taught in Bush Alaska for several years in the 70’s and 80’s at a successful, positive “boarding school” (please don’t think stereo-type here….it really was a good place), makes me wonder if another recommendation the task force should consider is regional schools. I’m not suggesting a return to the past system, but perhaps there are ways to get more Bush students engaged in learning with a variation of this model. Mt. Edgecome, the boarding school in Sitka, seems to be a successful school. The article on the Yupiit School District was dated July 2010. Does anyone know what changes have been successful there? Any feedback and discussion about the concept of regional schools (more class offerings, more students, more teachers, costs, etc.) would be appreciated (both pros and cons). Would this make a difference for our Bush students, communities, and economies? Should high school age students even be given more options to leave their villages and families to pursue education?
If education really does sustain our economy, what can be done to boost opportunities and interest in Bush education? If education thrives in the Bush, will economies thrive also?
And I should add…I have no idea how any of this would be affordable considering the uncertainties in our current economy!
Nancy Hjelm
After teaching in the Bush (Lake and Peninsula School District) for five years in the 1990's, I also questioned whether there was a better way to help the students as they matured. I know boarding schools had their downfalls, but I do believe they would be a viable option for kids looking to expand their horizons beyond the village.
ReplyDeleteMaybe pouring more money down the toilet will help. My Grandpa used to say, "You cannot legislate morality." What this means is you can't change a person's moral compass, or "force" them to do what's right for their children by making it a law. Some parents/adults are still going to drink, smoke, do drugs, have fetal alcohol babies, physically, sexually, emotionally, and/or mentally abuse the children. Why is this still an epidemic problem in the Bush communities, and in many other places? We have plenty of laws on the books but the problems are not going away. Hmm, let me think. Some parents/adults understand that providing a nourishing, non-abusive home environment, as well as instilling in their children, the priceless value of a good education is priority #1. If one child can make it and become a successful, productive citizen, then why can't 5 children, or 50, or 500? How long has this been a problem? How long will it continue? The problem starts in the hearts and minds of the people and can only be fixed by those people having a change of heart.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's me, the outspoken jerk, Tom Taake
Whether it's urban or rural, educating students isn't easy. It shouldn't be easy! If it was, we would all be clones! My parents attended boarding schools in Alaska. My grandmother send her 13 yr old son away on a plane and did not see him until 9 months later. As you can imagine, it had it's advantages and disadvantages. It wasn't easy and there was a cost, in more ways than one. The question is...did the benefits out weigh the drawbacks? In my parents case, yes. It instilled a love of learning, the importance of education, which they passed on to their children, thus starting the cycle. Provide the opportunities and success may or may not follow. But the opportunity must exist first!
ReplyDeleteDebbie Winkelman
I would think that Native Corporations would be vitally interested in the challenge of serving native students regionally with some sort of boarding school model. Many of the strongest current and former native leaders attended boarding schools themselves. As Debbie asked above, can the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
ReplyDeleteHow about regional boarding schools that are open to native, non-native, rural, urban and non-Alaskan students too? One year or one semester of being an exchange student in Alaska at a school that is staffed with great teachers and includes work/study, service projects, hands-on science, cultural diversity and so much more that Bush Alaska has to offer, could be the experience of a lifetime for many teenagers.
The University of Alaska system has some satellite campuses & facilities that might be good pilot project locations to start.
Jeanne Larsen
I like your idea, Jeanne. A regional school that was open to all Alaskan students as an "exchange student program" could be a positive educational experience. UA locations could be a good place to start. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNancy Hjelm
No, pouring money down the toilet is not going to help solve problems with Bush education and yes, a change of heart can. Putting money into good educational and counseling programs, and time and effort into children and young adults who have lived with abuse will and does help. An example is a small private college in Soldotna that is open to all students, but geared towards Native students. It is making a huge positive impact in the lives of young adults.
ReplyDeleteNancy Hjelm