Seattle Press on Line - What is School Good For?

Teacher Ted

What is School Good For?

By Ted Lockery

Jun 20, 2002 -- There is a very special place, deep in my gut, that twinges when students ask me the dreaded question, "Why do we need to know this?"

This tends to happen most often in math class, during my most vulnerable moments, when students aren't "getting it." I admit that finding the cube root of radicands that are non-perfect cubes is a bit esoteric. And I can't say exactly how a particular student will use the knowledge and skill of this sort of problem solving in "real life."

This is when I pause, acknowledge the irony of the inner pang I feel, and pursue a line of reasoning to the effect of, "Trust me. It will help to develop your logical, mathematical intelligence," though I (and my students) never feel quite satisfied with this answer.

A month ago I joined 25 Nathan Hale students and staff at a weekend retreat in Westport, Wash. There, in the group camp, we took up an even larger question--what is the purpose of school?

Before us, taped to the fireplace mantle, was the statement, "The purpose of school is to prepare students to be participants in a social and political democracy."

It wasn't the first time I had seen the phrase. Faculty and staff at Nathan Hale voted to make the enculturation of our students into a political and social democracy a major school focus. It was, however, the first time I had heard students respond to the idea. And it was amazing.

While the initial discussion centered on schools preparing students for college, a job--"making it in life"--it didn't take long before student discourse turned to the question of whether schools were about creating workers for a capitalist economy, or citizens in a democratic republic. The debate was lively and articulate.

When the conversation turned its attention toward personal high school experience, many of the students felt their voices weren't being communicated effectively, even though they elect student representatives to the Associated Student Body, Site Council, PTSA, and the Nathan Hale Senate, the school policy setting body, where students make up approximately one-fourth of the votes. Apparently, students feel the kind of representative government offered them does not adequately engage the student body to serve their common interests.

Nathan Hale junior, Bayla Canote, shared her frustration that she and fellow students feel powerless at school--that "people's opinions should be allowed to be heard."

Several students raised the issue that schools would best serve the aim of developing civic-minded citizens if students were allowed to engage in authentic, democratic debate and decision-making in a school culture that fosters free speech and open dialogue.

"Democracy is made up of different voices and opinions," argued Nick Myers, a Nathan Hale junior. "People need to deal with those different voices and schools should help prepare us for that."

Students then discussed the possibility of forming a Student Assembly, composed of either the entire student body, or a significant representation of it, as a means of giving greater voice to student concerns and broadening student involvement in school decision-making. Though still in the idea-hatching stage, this notion of students holding New England style town meetings to discuss issues, make proposals, and, perhaps, to enact decisions is very exciting and not an idea without existing models.

Students at NOVA high school take part in virtually all aspects of the running of the school, including the hiring of teachers. Students, staff, and parents affiliated with the Sudbury Valley model of democratic schools each have a single vote on policy proposals and amendments to the school charter brought before the entire community.

While students and staff at the retreat acknowledged that such a Student Assembly would require that participants shoulder the burden of Democracy's many responsibilities--maintaining an informed public; facilitating fair and respectful debate--the benefits would far outweigh the costs. Students would gain meaningful experience in the democratic process necessary to become successful, life-long participants in a political and social democracy.

Surely, they wouldn't need to ask why they needed to know about democracy--they'd understand, firsthand.

Ted Lockery teaches at Nathan Hale High School. He can be reached by e-mail at teacherted@seattlepress.com.

Reader Comments

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Tiffany Lynne Richman	Aug 18, 2003	16 years old	Minnie Lee Richman
My name is Tiffany Lynne Richman. I have CP and I can't help it all the time. I have two home aides their names are Kristin Grapes, and Rita. I went to Bark, and Easter Seals when I was a baby. Kristin takes me to Teen Clubs when it is very cold outside all the time. I go duPont Hospital for Children. I go to Bensalem High School to learn things like Math.


Adam	Apr 05, 2004	Olympia
If you want more information about students participating in a variety of school change activities, visit http://www.soundout.org - a website promoting meaningful student involvement in school change. You'll find examples like Hale, and much more, including research and publications.


Charles Lamar Roberts	Nov 06, 2005	Moreno Valley,Ca.	High School Student
My science teacher Mr. Coulombe is having us write a portfolio essay about the purpose of school. This website helped me a little bit.