Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 | 8:29 a.m.
Editor's Note: Editor's note: About 1,000 students from high schools throughout Southern Nevada participated in the 50th annual Sun Youth Forum on Nov. 22. The students were divided into groups to discuss a variety of topics. A spokesperson was chosen from each group to write a column about the students' findings. Michael Rucinski of Silverado High School writes about issues covered in "School Days."
I had the opportunity, with about 40 to 50 other students, to talk about education issues that affect almost all of us.
For instance, one student wondered if standardized tests are accurate measures of what students had learned and if they are precise readings of students' aptitude. Some felt that in school you live and die by test scores, whereas others believe that school is for learning and what they have learned cannot be measured by any one test.
Then I brought forth the question: Why is the Clark County School District continuously ranked at the bottom of nearly every educational aspect?
Students had the notion that the district did not have enough funding for teachers' salaries, implementation of new academic programs and upkeep for current academic programs. Finally, students felt that funding was being redirected toward nonessential avenues. The collective opinion was that the School District needs to better allocate or increase the amount of funding toward school curriculum and other academic measures.
Despite the great significance of these topics, the issues that really interest us students are those that impact us on a daily basis.
One such topic is block scheduling and its usefulness and its effectiveness. Many students felt that block scheduling, in which students take half of their classes on one day and then take the other half the next day, is useful and a good way to provide ample time to complete homework. It gives students the ability to acquire the necessary credits to graduate.
These arguments were countered by the fact that teachers take advantage of the system and assign more homework than is necessary or possible to complete. Another downfall is that some students may lose interest in the subject because the class periods are so long. Time is what it really came down to during this discussion.
The group also discussed the School District's "healthy" lunch plan. The response was overwhelmingly against it. Some reasons include that the school is overall losing money, and students, should they choose to buy the healthier alternatives, are spending more.
Fewer students are buying food at school, resulting in a decline in school income. The objective that the School District is trying to accomplish is failing because they are not changing students' eating habits; they're only scratching the surface because the menus at school only cause them to eat more at home.
The topic of school uniforms was brought forth, and whether or not they should become a district standard or be eliminated altogether was emphasized. There was argument from all points of view, but the strongest arguments were from students who had uniforms and didn't like them and from those who didn't have them but wanted them.
Those who didn't like uniforms described them as uncomfortable and as a confinement of one's individuality. Those who wanted uniforms contrasted by stating that it promotes a better learning environment, and some schools offered many options/enhancements for the standard.
And finally we discussed the topic we are most passionate about, the teaching of creationism. Many felt that creationism (intelligent design) should be taught alongside evolution, considering they are both theories of the origins of Earth.
However, many strong contentions were made that teaching creationism would be a violation of the separation of church and state. The solution that was widely accepted was allowing the teaching of a religion class as an elective course.
To sum it all up, my Sun Youth Forum experience was one not to be forgotten, as students had the opportunity to express their opinions and have their ideas respected as well.
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