Pre-K to 8 model best approach to education

As a parent and volunteer for the elementary re-visioning committee, I find it an exciting time for the East Valley School District. Recently the board of directors approved a proposal to move to a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade configuration.

The pre-K to 8 model is more than just 10 grades as many first think when they hear about the configuration. It is so much more than that, as it is based on the concept of schools within a school. The two primary schools within the building are a pre-K-3 literacy school and a 4 to 8 academic achievement school.

Does a school that focuses on literacy where students from pre-K to 3 are taught at their level of mastery instead of age appeal to you? Research clearly shows literary mastery is a key to future success in education. How about a school that has smaller class sizes then we currently have?

In our district the majority of our elementary schools do not have a full-time librarian, counselor, music or gym teacher. Consider the child having an emotional problem on the day when a counselor is not available, or the child who needs a new book but must wait because the library is closed that day. Under the new configuration each school will be fully staffed at these positions.

Soon your children in fourth grade and fifth grade will be able to participate in selected sports. We know that sports improve the physical and mental well-being of our children. They will be able to play on an intramural basis in fourth and fifth grades and against other districts as they do now in sixth through eighth. Think of the positive impact on our high school teams down the road.

Shortly district children will attend a school that effectively reduces dropout rates in high school, reduces incidents of violence, delays early sexual activity, reduces early use of drugs and best of all results in higher academic achievement. Yes, this is what most peer-reviewed research shows the pre-K to 8 configuration will deliver.

There are many reasons for these benefits, but two major ones are the elimination of transitions for students and the sense of community that comes with a pre-K-8 configuration. Research shows that students have tremendous difficulty moving from elementary to middle school. Our own test scores clearly show this effect. If you have ever stepped into one of our elementary schools you will immediately recognize the sense of community within each building. This can and will be preserved through the middle years.

In a properly configured pre-K to 8 the older students essentially have their own wing, complete with lockers, bathrooms and facilities more geared for their age. As they move through grades they are given more responsibility like today’s middle school students. And when appropriate, the older students are encouraged to act as role models, mentors and tutors for the younger kids.

Consider a middle learning center where kids from all the pre-K-8 schools can go and get hands-on experience in areas like computers, art, science, woodworking and metal shop. This forward-looking concept is part of the new configuration.

Currently virtually none of our elementary or middle schools are being utilized anywhere near their capacity. For example Mountain View Middle School was designed for about 730 students. This year 335 students are being taught there. The new configuration takes into account and addresses the underutilization of our current facilities. Soon you will be asked to help support a bond to help make the new configuration the best that it can be. I urge you to support our kids and participate as this concept becomes a reality in the EVSD.