Many resources to help improve C.R. schools

It seems that within the Cedar Rapids Community School system, the same group of elementary schools have poor performances on their standardized test scores. This is not a case where a school may drop in scoring and then you find improvements. There can always be excuses for the results of test scores.

I'm asking the community to open themselves to opportunities that could bring equalization within all the schools' standardized testing results.

This can be done using the vast resources within our community. The use of high school students as tutors, before and/or after school enrichment programs and moving of staff to different buildings offering them new experiences, as well as opportunities for civic and community groups in assisting students.

Also, remember the importance of leaving all the children in the classroom so they can learn. When you start removing a child from the core learning time to be tutored or use the teacher's time to tutor in small groups (so the entire class misses out on learning), you see how learning gaps begin to form. The importance of our school system is to educate all of our children. All children are able to learn.

Lynn Brown

Palo