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Lessons learned in naming schools
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Location: Blogs Now We're Talking |
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| Posted by: Joe Byrnes |
7/11/2007 4:43 PM |
Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary stands out as a recent exception when it comes to naming schools.
The School Board named it after a person, a Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life to save others in Vietnam. But nationwide the trend is to name public schools after things in nature, not heroes or presidents. That's according to a study by the conservative Manhattan Institute.
Its authors, led by University of Arkansas professor Jay P. Greene, looked at seven states, including Florida. Here are some of their findings:
- Among 2,998 Florida schools, only five are named for George Washington while 11 are named after the manatee.
- In Florida during the past 50 years, schools with nature-related names have increased from 18.7 percent to 36.8 percent. Meanwhile, schools named for people have decreased from 43.9 percent to 25.7 percent.
- The majority of districts around the country have no schools named after a president.
"This shift from naming schools after people worthy of emulation to naming schools after hills, trees, or animals raises questions about the civic mission of public education," the authors wrote. They concluded that local boards aren't willing to make the sometimes controversial decision to name schools after a person, which "may indicate a reluctance to take the stands necessary to teach civics effectively."
Their conclusion - that public schools lack the courage to teach civics - doesn't add up. The authors simply circled around to confirm their curmudgeonly assumptions.
In Marion, we have new schools coming online one after another: Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, Liberty Middle School, a new elementary in the northwest and another school planned for Silver Springs Shores. So the study is food for thought.
The Marion school district naming policy calls for getting public suggestions, possibly through an ad hoc committee. The board then must consider the following criteria: neighborhood or geographic identification, natural features, historical or cultural significance and the preference of people within school boundaries. Under current policy, schools can be named for people who have been dead at least 10 years.
The board has named some schools for worthy citizens and historical figures. These include Ward-Highlands, Dr. N.H. Jones and Fessenden elementary schools and Osceola Middle School.
Our political leaders have sometimes provided a poor example for our kids - even the great ones have had flaws. And many people are disillusioned with politicians of all stripes and pessimistic about the federal government. Naming schools after Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln could indeed provide an opportunity to encourage patriotism and teach American history.
On the other hand, the real civics lesson in school names is citizen involvement. Local residents have participated in committees and told the School Board what names they want. Even the Sunrise Elementary students got involved in naming Horizon Academy.
So if we end up with Liberty or HAMO - instead of Lincoln Middle - we have schools for the people named by the people, and that, I think, is what Abraham Lincoln would want.
The next step is for more parents to get more involved in school district governance and all types of school activities. Then the kids will learn - by example - what it means to live in a democracy.
Joe Byrnes can be reached at joe@ocala.com or (352) 867-4112.
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