Wendell News Outlet

This article is not a particularly comfortable subject to write about but it’s time for all of us to face up to the facts at hand and deal with them. The subject matter of this article is the preponderance of economically-disadvantaged students in the Wendell schools.

At the onset, let me state some facts taken directly from the website (www.ncreportcards.org/src) of the state sponsored NC Schools Report Card. During the 2006-2007 school year:

Wendell Elementary had 41% to 60% economically-disadvantaged students attending. The school “did not make adequate yearly progress”. The “school met 16 out of 21 adequate yearly progress targets” “At least 60% of students (were) at grade level”

Carver Elementary had 61% to 80% economically-disadvantaged students attending. The school “makes adequate yearly progress”. The “school met 19 out of 19 adequate yearly progress targets” “At least 60% of students (were) at grade level”

As I read these facts I said to myself if 60% of the students were at grade level, 40% were not. Then I thought about the pervasiveness of economically-disadvantaged students within the Wendell schools and wondered were they having a negative affect on the rest of the students. Finally I came to the realization that no matter what your families’ income, a child is still a child; all children need nurturing, education, acceptance by their peers and a good education. The education of all the children suffers, not one group more than the other. It is not fair to all the children in these two schools to have their educational lives begin with a built in disadvantage. We are all guilty of not stepping up and protesting this situation. Don’t you think it’s time to try and make amends by voicing our concern?

On February 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM the Wendell Town Board will make a decision that may add to the burden our schools already carry. A request for approval to build 45 town homes for low-income families will be presented for their consideration. This request was previously approved by the board of commissioners but due to the vigilance and persistence of the Wendell Community Coalition it must be re-heard and brought up for another vote. That’s where we can all make a difference! Come out and protest the addition of possibly another 90 to 100 economically-disadvantaged students to our schools. Why should these new children be made to suffer a lesser education and add to an existing problem? Remember, there are no winners, all the children will suffer!