Watch Out, School Board; Here Comes the Mob

On Monday. the School Board almost passed a proposal to remove the 7th and 8th grades from MLK. They delayed the vote until tomorrow, when much of the student, parental, and faculty body will be involved with the Winter Band/Orchestra Concert. In addition, the board did not notify us of this potential change through any official channels. The only reason we are aware of it is due to a tip-off to one of our guidance counselors from one of the Board members. Our principal was not aware of this proposal until Ms. White informed her of it.

I’m posting the speech I plan to give to the MNPS Board of Education tomorrow. The purpose is to focus on the benefits of MLK’s 7th-12th grade education scheme. Anyone from the area who knows the value of an MLK middle and high school education is invited to attend the meeting tomorrow evening. I know so far that Al Cocke (PTSA President), Phillip (SGA President), Xue (recent winner of Siemens Westinghouse Regional Competition), Ms. Lee (amazing 7th grade science teacher), and I (boring, ordinary senior) plan to speak.

Hello. I am Evan Broder, a senior at MLK. After six years, I firmly believe in the merits of a 7-12th grade education, as students have far more opportunities, a few of which I would like to recognize here.

I should hope that our reputation in math and science needs no introduction. However, let me explain why our science program works. Our teachers instruct the seventh graders in the scientific method, complete with the hands-on help of a mandatory science fair project. At first glance, this may seem insignificant, but it really means that the scientific method never has to be taught again. Also, the project awakens a love of research in many students, which leads them later on to more advanced projects through our scientific research program.

Now, here’s something less obvious: foreign languages. Although we require only two years of a foreign language for graduation, nearly all colleges are expecting three or more. Starting in eighth grade allows the unusually devoted to even take four or five years of a language. The benefits can be seen easily: several of our programs are recognized annually at the state level.

Then, there’s our music program. With early training, our conductors develop a keen ear and unmatched talents in our band and orchestra musicians (which make up over 40% of the student body). Just last weekend, auditions for the All-State and Mid-State orchestras were held. No other Metro school came close to matching our selection numbers for these orchestras: 25 people for Mid-State and 11 for All-State. This only includes grades 10 and above – traditionally we have done equally well at the Junior High Mid-State auditions. Without the early beginning and consistency of instruction grades 7 through 12, our directors could not hope to focus our talents nearly as well.

If you were to ask the upperclassmen what they thought of eliminating the middle school, many might excitedly praise a plan to rid us of all the little munchkins. However, there is a better and far more revealing question: ask them if they feel their education would have been as good without MLK’s middle school program, and you’ll find that they did benefit greatly. I strongly hope that the Board will defeat this measure tonight, and if it arises again, that the Board will thoroughly consider the effects such a change could have in all areas of one of its best schools before rushing into action.

Thank you for your time.