Guest commentaryGordon’s absence has hurt Lynn students
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Posted: Monday, April 20, 2015 3:00 am
Last fall, Gordon students and faculty were set to launch “Places You’ll Go,” an event to bring 600 Lynn public school students to the Gordon campus for a college access day.
As a 29-year Lynn resident and a professor of education, I was particularly excited to raise our work with Lynn schoolchildren to another level. The PROGRAM
was themed around Dr. Seuss’ famous “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” book, and would ENABLE Lynn third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to participate in college classes for a day in subjects such as theater arts, philosophy, science and math.
was themed around Dr. Seuss’ famous “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” book, and would ENABLE Lynn third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to participate in college classes for a day in subjects such as theater arts, philosophy, science and math.
The event, which took weeks of planning, was a model college access program — designed to get students knowledgeable and excited about college at a young age.
“It’s going to be absolutely huge,” said one Lynn public school PRINCIPAL.
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Unfortunately the event never happened. It, like many other PROGRAMS and initiatives between Gordon COLLEGE AND Lynn public schools, was cancelled when the Lynn School Committee voted to end the district’s partnership with the college.
and initiatives between Gordon COLLEGE AND Lynn public schools, was cancelled when the Lynn School Committee voted to end the district’s partnership with the college.
There has been much debate about the decision and the events leading up to it. As a professional educator with many years experience with Lynn and other districts, I would argue not nearly as much has been discussed about the individual impact on Lynn public schoolchildren and Gordon students.
The partnership first began in 2003, with the goal of providing a range of resources and support to underperforming schools in Lynn. This includes Gordon student tutors, who provide academic assistance in subjects such as reading, MATH and science.
and science.
Gordon students also serve as mentors to Lynn elementary school children. In many cases, these experiences have created lasting bonds.
During the past 11 years, Gordon students have become widely known in Lynn for their dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism. It should come as no surprise, since Gordon College has been a respected liberal arts institution since its founding 125 years ago.
The college has shaped some of the nation’s top performers, scientists, doctors, authors and journalists. We also have a strong EDUCATION PROGRAM.
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Out of 2,400 teacher preparation programs examined by the National Council on Teacher Quality, Gordon College undergraduate teacher preparation programs have been ranked #14 (elementary) and #32 (secondary).
It is a place rooted in faith, academic excellence and community service, and its mission is to prepare Gordon students intellectually and spiritually for a life of growth and service.
That philosophy was exemplified in the Lynn-Gordon College partnership. On the college side, it is part of Gordon’s commitment to community service and academic excellence. Just as important for Lynn, it is a way to address at an early age the very real disparities that exist in college ENROLLMENT and graduation among low-income, minority and first-generation college students.
and graduation among low-income, minority and first-generation college students.
Gordon College is an important resource for Lynn, and the partnership has been a mutually beneficial one. It’s no exaggeration to say that Gordon students have positively impacted thousands of Lynn children over the past 11 years. Isn’t that where the focus should be?
While the debate around Gordon will likely CONTINUE, the fact remains that Gordon students and faculty have done nothing wrong. These individuals are dedicated to academic achievement and community service. And there is no good reason Lynn students should not have the opportunity to benefit from all that Gordon students have to offer. It is my hope that this issue is revisited by the School Committee in the name of student learning.
, the fact remains that Gordon students and faculty have done nothing wrong. These individuals are dedicated to academic achievement and community service. And there is no good reason Lynn students should not have the opportunity to benefit from all that Gordon students have to offer. It is my hope that this issue is revisited by the School Committee in the name of student learning.
Gordon College contributes more community service per capita than any institution of its size — more than 14,000 volunteer hours were LOGGED by last year. This is a testament to the heart of the campus and students and faculty who want to make a positive difference, with a desire to benefit the students and community of Lynn. That desire remains as strong as ever.
by last year. This is a testament to the heart of the campus and students and faculty who want to make a positive difference, with a desire to benefit the students and community of Lynn. That desire remains as strong as ever.
Priscilla Nelson is an associate professor of education and chair of early childhood, elementary and SPECIAL education at Gordon College. She is also a resident of Lynn.
education at Gordon College. She is also a resident of Lynn.
Had to read twice - so the Dr. Suess program is a ONE DAY program at college for a day? Long article to justify one day which I would think they can advertise as open to students that want to go without ties to Lynn schools.
ReplyDeleteHow many tutors were in schools and what schools were they in? Seems article doesn't really give concrete facts to justify need.
I believe the purpose of the commentary was to point out the fact that Gordon students have positively impacted thousands of Lynn students over the past 11 years. It also points out the fact that Gordon students and faculty have done nothing wrong and are dedicated to academic achievement and community service. The program mentioned was not a "Dr. Suess program." It was a college access program designed to get students knowledgeable and excited about college at a young age. Also, if it's concrete facts you are looking for, here are just a few for you:
DeleteFact #1: LPS is a level 3 school district. Lynn has 11 schools out of 23 with a level 3 status. Schools are classified into Level 3 if they are among the lowest 20 percent relative to other schools in the same school type category statewide, if one or more subgroups in the school are among the lowest performing 20% of subgroups relative to all subgroups statewide, if they have persistently low graduation rates (less than 60% for any subgroup over a four-year period), or if they have very low MCAS participation rates for any group (less than 90%).
Fact #2: LPS is significantly overcrowded and underfunded.
Fact #3: The time and service that Gordon students and faculty volunteered to LPS students did not cost the school department or the city money.