We could spend a lot of space listing the important roles played by our public schools.
They are the largest governments in our community, with the biggest budgets and the longest payroll lists. They are the trainers of our next generation — of our future bankers and doctors, mayors and county commissioners. Their sports teams, bands, drama departments and other activities provide rallying points and strong senses of community. Their facilities are used by many for everything from swim lessons to Election Day voting.
We also could spend a lot of space listing the ways we learn about schools.
Those with children in school often meet with teachers, get into classrooms and read notes and newsletters. At grocery stores, basketball games and many other venues, we hear about the accomplishments and the disappointments of local students. The newspaper is filled with articles about everything from school plays to board meetings to scholarship winners.
This week, we’d like you to roll up your sleeves and look at some of the details.
On Monday, the Times-Mail published the annual report of the Mitchell Community Schools. On Tuesday, we did the same for the North Lawrence Community Schools.
Under Indiana law, public schools must publish those reports, which ran in our classified section. The law is clear — Hoosiers have a right to this information. We would argue that Hoosiers need this information.
Want to know how the graduation rate of your school compares to the state average? The figure is in that report. Want to know about the attendance rate at your kid’s school? The figure is in that report. Want to know how many children were suspended or expelled from your local school? The numbers are in those reports.
The reports provide much more information, too, from the range of teacher salaries to ISTEP+ scores.
In short, if you spend a few minutes with them, they provide a wealth of information about the schools.
We urge you to take full advantage of them.
© 2024 TMNews.com, Bedford, IN.