Jenny Langford of Davidson sent the following letter to school officials about changes at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, including a proposal to close Davidson IB Middle School and move the IB program to Alexander Middle School. She agreed to let DavidsonNews.net republish the letter.

To Dr. Peter Gorman and CMS Board Members,

I do thank you all for serving our children at this tough time for our NC, and general US, Public Schools. I am a product of public education, and a strong supporter of a healthy public system. I am writing about some of the proposed changes for the next school calendar year here in Mecklenburg County. Specifically I speak to you about Davidson IB Middle School, and the IB Magnet program in general. I hope that my note will reach you all and stimulate your thoughts.

As you are all well aware, Davidson IB Middle School is a small, diverse school with exceptional success. Repeatedly, Davidson IB has had proficiency in the high 90th percentile. Presently we are at 98.7%. While our yearly improvements may be smaller than those of other schools, there is not much farther up to go! I think the fact that the school keeps such a high rate of proficiency as the students change over the years demonstrates clearly that there is an environment of successful teaching and learning in the institution.

DIVERSE, NOT PRIVILEGED

Since Davidson IB pulls from about 23 different elementary schools across the county, it is also clear that the continued student success is not due to kids coming from one affluent or privileged neighborhood or background. DIB is NOT a Davidson school, but a school in Davidson. Both points of that sentence are important.

First, we have a varied racial, ethnic and socioeconomic profile in our student body. This has been the case for years, and speaks to the desire of our Mecklenburg families to find small, nurturing environments for learning. Second, the town and Davidson College also play a great role in our kids’ lives. There are not many schools in CMS with true “walkability” any more. While many of our kids are bused in, due to the wide draw from throughout the county, the kids still enjoy Davidson IB, Davidson the town and Davidson the College on foot. Science class, art classes and physical fitness often take to the streets. There is much to learn outside of a classroom, and not many schools that can take advantage of that safely. In addition, the proximity to the college allows a regular flow of human resources to our students. DIB kids are prepared for, and exposed to college at a key time in their lives. They see it as attainable and we want to encourage that interest in upper education.

What is the “secret” to DIB results? It is a smaller environment, committed teachers and the access and support of a college town. Study after study show that teacher student ratio is so important for learning. While we have increased our class sizes over the years, the relatively small student body allows rule enforcement and personal accountability. The teachers demand a lot of our students and make the students feel the responsibility of the work. It is cool to be smart at DIB. While the kids have fun, fooling around at the expense of learning is not tolerated by faculty or fellow students.

It is clear why CMS and the board should want to bring DIB to more students. What should not be lost in a short-sighted attempt at problem solving is that expanding the program size without caution and forethought will destroy exactly what brings the school’s success. Removing it from the town will lose much of the unique learning that is gained from the town and the college. Expanding the program to more kids when teacher hiring is at a freeze will destroy the value of class discussions and interactive learning at the crux of the IB program. The building needs work, but educational decisions should not be based on bricks and mortar.

Let us also not forget the concept of magnet programs. They provide a learning style or technique or class rigor not typically available, for a group of students for whom this would be a benefit. With political correctness we sometimes forget to celebrate differences. Magnet programs were designed to recognize learning style variances. Each magnet is focused on a group of kids, not all kids. Not every child can do science and technology magnet curricula, or language immersion curricula or IB curricula. Some kids need slower paced coursework giving more time to master mandatory concepts, some youth learn skills associated with a trade, but find esoteric concepts hard to master. The IB program is one of rigor, concepts, thought and discussion. It is not for the student that dislikes school and learning. It is not possible in a class of 40. It was designed for global thinking, discussion and for the mind that wants to go beyond what is required. It is not for all students, or even for all academically oriented kids. My 10th grade daughter chose to leave the program for the AP route (no, they are NOT the same) to fit her learning style and goals better. While we want all kids to succeed, putting kids in classes that are too hard or with the wrong teaching emphasis will only discourage. Are there more kids in the county that would benefit from the IB program, yes, absolutely. We must expand cautiously, however.

The IB program in general has taken many hits across the county in the last years. We need to use what money we do have to keep these programs staffed and strong. They have been some of our strongest learning centers and breed success in our students. Despite the successes, the programs have been targets of change. We need to remember that our youth commit to full programs of study. It can be disheartening to start a curriculum and have it altered or discontinued before graduation. Please do not continue to pull the rug out from our DIB magnet students across the county. I would suggest that we not fix what is not broken. It seems clear that that is the IB program, and especially Davidson IB Middle School our National Magnet Middle School of Excellence.

Thank you for your time.

Dr. Jenny Langford

Dr. Langford is the parent of Cameron Langford (senior IB student North Mecklenburg), Blair Langford (Sophmore at Hough High), Gaines Langford (8th grade IB student DIB)