Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW UPDATED: Trump, Sanders victorious in New Hampshire primaries ... Man jailed after allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Oregon man who killed officer had long criminal record ... UPDATED: Trump, Sanders victorious in New Hampshire primaries ... Man jailed after allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Oregon man who killed officer had long criminal record ... OUR VIEW Our View: Charter school offers enriched study — for a few Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News All that stands in the way of another charter school in Medford is $50,000, which must be raised by the end of the month to meet a deadline imposed by the Medford School District. If The Valley School clears that hurdle, it will be on track to become the first Montessori-style middle school in the state, and one that focuses on math, science and technology. The approach appears to be sound, and should be beneficial — at least to the 75 students who would be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis this fall. In subsequent years, students would be admitted by lottery, which is required under state law unless a school has not filled all its available slots. The school will combine a STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — curriculum with a Montessori-style approach. Montessori instruction stresses hands-on and self-styled learning and incorporates multi-age classrooms with less emphasis on testing and grades. Still, students will be expected to meet expectations under the Common Core Standards. The Valley School will enroll students in grades six, seven and eight, and organizers say their goal is to get students ready to succeed when they enter high school. STEM instruction is getting a great deal of attention these days, with educators and business leaders saying more students need to be imbued with with the skills and knowledge to take jobs in increasingly technical fields. It's good to see a new school emphasizing those subjects, and a district that appears supportive of the effort. It would be better if the Medford School District could provide the same opportunity to all of its middle school students rather than seeing this opportunity limited to just 75. In the long run, if public charter schools are successful in offering new approaches, school districts should respond by improving their own offerings, raising the level of instruction for all students, not just those fortunate enough to win a slot in the charter school of their choice. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501