Visiting the "Imagine Beloit" website earlier today, it was disappointing to read the claim that there are studies showing that a grades 4 - 8 configuration is more successful than what we currently have. In their words, "Research points to the success of 4-8 schools". Their site claimed that sources showing this were listed at the bottom of their page -- but there were none. This is quite likely because the research showing this will work for Beloit simply does not exist.
We discussed this very topic in an earlier post. Grade configuration is not what makes a school successful. What goes on in the school is what makes the school successful. We see this reconfiguration as a 70 million dollar experiment. It may work, it may not, but it is an experiment we cannot afford.
Keep in mind, with 4 middle schools rather than 2, we will have half as many upper grade students in each building. That means less opportunities for differentiated instruction, fewer elective classes such as foreign language, fewer students for theater, orchestra, band, and even sports. It is quite likely that these things which engage our students and give them a sense of belonging and control in their education may become quite a challenge to offer. With less state funding and future budget cuts being the only things we can count on, we can be sure that any increase in funding that these programs may require will only result in the cutting of the programs. In the case of theater, jazz band, etc, there simply will not be enough students at one school to offer the programs.
As we have stated before, this referendum did not get the input, planning, and consideration it deserved. And what ever flaws or deficiencies there are will not be easily reversed. It will be another 20 years before we can do it again. Beloit deserves better.
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