Good schools

I'm amazed to see, on the Traveler Web poll, how many people say Ark City schools are doing average to poor. 63 percent.

This isn't a scientific poll, and the 174 votes are kind of low compared to other questions. But this questions was posted just after news of the district winning many awards of excellence on state tests in math and reading in all grade levels. Just 38 percent rate schools as good or great.

Like other people, I'm concerned that our schools have become slaves to tests and not actually learning — problem solving, grasping concepts, harnessing creativity. Hopefully lawmakers see the need to adapt the policy.

But, overall, I'm frankly amazed at how well schools have done under the current guidelines and standards that have been foisted on them by No Child Left Behind. The district, as far as I can tell, has said OK, if that's what we have to do, we'll do it and do it well. The blue ribbon awards for IXL and Frances Willard, two schools with large number of at-risk kids, are real feathers in the district's cap, and show that educators are not using poverty and language barriers as an excuse to not teach kids. The district's high efficiency rating — doing a lot at low cost— is another reason for compliment.

We complain about a lot of things in Ark City, but it seems like one area of general agreement should be that our schools are excelling ....I wonder if the feelings on the Web poll are influenced by the bond issue coming up and the fear that taxes will be raised if school's are heralded and supported ....