Melting Pots vs Ala Carte

Interesting themes I heard last night from some of the participants went something like this:

• Teaching standard curriculum that prepares students to pass a standard test is bad. Their belief seemed to be that preparing students to meet the accepted common expectations prevented the teachers from holding the kids to high standards of performance.
• Unique programs should be encouraged and provided to meet the unique needs of each child. This could be based on their culture, capability, family needs, etc. One individual even mentioned that the 3 schools should have been left open so that space would have been available for these unique programs.
• RAS teaches too much to the middle, and does not focus enough on both ends of student capability, needs, etc. They ought to focus on the ends and the middles will be okay. (something to this effect...)

In the past, citizens melted into the American culture slowly. Many kept their own communities, schools, churches, etc. The reality is though that they did melt to some extent and that flavored our very unique American culture.

My concerns regarding these themes:

• "Special", "unique", "tailored", "custom", "culturally friendly", etc are all synonymous with "more money". This is because more programs mean more overhead, more training, less efficiencies of scale, more quality variation, etc. They are great if you can afford them, however Priority 1 through 3 must be met first. (and we are not)
• The district serves too many students from too many unique cultures, family situations, religions, etc to do this effectively. If it is important to the family, let them go to a charter school that meets their unique interests. (ie charters serve niches well)
• The students will graduate and need to fit into the American educational and business culture. Why would we delay helping the kids adjust to this ? They are much more flexible when they are younger.
• The students will graduate and need to pass standard tests, interviews, etc. Better to get used to this when they are younger, rather than when they can not get that job or pass that school entrance exam...

So my view:
Be sensitive to where the kids are starting out, however mainstream/melt and adjust their perspective / expectations as soon as possible. They will thank you later when they are ready and well prepared to pursue their "American dreams" in America.

They can honor and keep their culture outside of the public schools, by maintaining their ties to their chuches, communities, customs, etc. Just as most of us do. (ie lefse and lutefisk anyone...)

Thoughts? And if you made one of the comments, please correct my paraphrase if necessary.