EDUCATIONALLY SPEAKING

Gay Geiser-Sandoval

Currently, the Academic Performance Index scores for California schools

are based upon the school’s SAT-9 test scores and the number of teachers

without full credentials.

A lot of learning comes from the experience and background of the student

population; that isn’t reflected in the index. Before you flood the

district offices with requests for transfers to the schools with the

highest indexes, consider these excerpts from an essay of a district

student:

“Looking back at my great-grandfathers, the only things they all had in

common was the fact that none of them made it past the third grade, and

they were all wild men. One immigrated from Germany, where his first job

was riding shotgun on a stagecoach in Yellowstone. Another was a snake

man in his brother’s circus. A third built his house in the side of a

mountain and was a wagon freighter. The fourth one drove the school bus,

trucked sheep to the hills, and was a deputy sheriff in Lincoln County,

New Mexico. Among the four of them, they spoke three different languages,

had three different religions and celebrated different customs and

holidays.

“With these differing backgrounds, I can’t help but think I represent the

diversity of America. My school represents the same kind of diversity,

but in a greater group of people. We have most every kind of race,

language, religion, and culture represented in America. Skin color is no

longer even a distinguishing factor when I meet someone. I am fascinated

and inspired when I hear my classmates’ struggles to immigrate to the

United States.

“In Madrigal Choir, there is a plethora of skin colors and ethnicities.

Given our differences, we still come together as choir members to sing in

harmony. During the holiday season, when the choir performs at concerts,

society luncheons, schools and country clubs, the songs we sing represent

our cultures, religions and languages.

“Our Homecoming Royal Court represented a rainbow of colors, backgrounds

and beliefs. As I announced the halftime show over the PA, I saw my

schoolmates come together for the common purpose of having the best

Homecoming floats ever! This helped to introduce American high school

traditions to those who are new to America ...

“Although I have taken a diversity of subjects in school, one of my true

loves is math. It is logical, straightforward and deals with numbers.

When I participate in contests, it is just me and the numbers in a

showdown. I fiercely take on the challenge that is presented and try to

draw on my weapon of knowledge to have a clear and accurate shot at the

villainous problem. I always try to declare myself the victor, or at

least put up a fight. The people that grade the tests don’t know anything

about me. My sex, race and religion are unknown. They just see an answer,

and mark it as correct or incorrect.

“In this type of contest, math has no prejudices or stereotypes ...

“During my great-grandfather’s time, it wasn’t crucial to have a good

education. Now that it is, I want to go as far as I can, to have a clear

understanding of the world. I want to put my education to work, and

inspire others with my background to follow in my footsteps ...

“I bring an open mind about working with all kinds of people. If I did

look at people and judge them solely by the color of their skin or the

language they spoke, how could I possibly judge my great-grandfathers

today if they were to walk up to me on the street? More importantly, how

would they judge me?”