Crisis unfolds at Thomas Jefferson High School | Letters
August 18, 2011 · Updated 7:52 PM
There is a crisis unfolding at Thomas Jefferson High School in the Federal Way School District.
The district has implemented three new policies that are compromising the integrity of the International Baccalaureate program.
The district has stonewalled parent and student attempts to work through some of the problems associated with these programs, but what disturbs me the most is the position of the teachers.
Quite simply, the teachers aren’t allowed to have an opinion. Under the mask of budget cuts and a new administration, the most vocally opposed to the changes at TJ have been transferred to other schools.
These teachers have been replaced by young teachers too afraid to speak up because they can be laid off easily. Seeing the dangers of speaking out against the changes, teachers have swallowed complaints, knowing that their jobs could be in jeopardy.
The result is a system where the one group that can answer the crucial questions about the changes that have occurred to the IB classes has been silenced.
Questions about the rigor of classes, preparation for college and tests, and student development remain. There is a lack of accountability.
Jason Allmaras, Auburn
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