This article illustrates what I was just saying about Lynn VoTech. Instead of failing, it should be leading our schools into the future. I would hope the superintendent and the school committee come up to bolster this school and allow it to take its place at the forefront of modern education. We are lucky to have this school.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/02/02/20career.h30.html?tkn=OWMFU1bwfubQOCZnehX6AobqxQVe5xc%2BUyQG&cmp=clp-edweek
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LVTI is about the only vocation high school in the state that is not a regional school. It would be far less expensive to operate and more programs could be offered if Lynn students were part of a regional network. Has it been considered that joining or combining with another one might be financially to Lynn's advantage?
ReplyDeleteI know it just became a Title 1 school to a lot of people's surprise. Money is not the only issue. Enrollment is also down. That indicates part of the problem is marketing or perception. Hopefully the proposed summer program there will help. But we need to look at several different ideas. Failing is not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteStan, as you know, I am a Lynn Tech guy through and through. I am a LVTI grad, opened my own business 28 years ago at the age of 19, had the privilege to teach there for 14 years, most of my staff are former students and I ran for school committee because I felt that there was no LVTI representation or understanding either in LPS administration or on the LSC. I can't begin to tell you how much the success of that school means to me personally. I have rewritten this post 4 times in the last hour as every time that I get rolling, my true opinions come out and printing them wouldn’t be the best thing. I will however personally fill you in anytime you would like.
ReplyDeleteEnrollment is the major problem at LVTI. The biggest reason for this is perception. There is a perception that a vo-tech education is inferior or that graduates cannot go to college. I also do not think that the school is out working in the community as much as it should. This is something that we are working on changing. I was disappointed when the open house that was originally scheduled for the night of a LSC meeting was cancelled as I thought that this would be a great opportunity for members of the Highland Coalition and ELCA that attend the LSC meeting to see what the real LVTI is all about. Perhaps we could get a day set up so that members of community groups and community leaders could tour the school during the day as these are the people that could truly help in changing the perception of LVTI.
I believe your analysis of the situation is right on target. I would love the opportunity to tour this fine facility. Our future economy is going to be dependent on the kind of education LVTI provides.
ReplyDelete