In response to "No Cartoon Controversy," Gadfly asks whether Higher Ground (HG), a St. Paul charter public school is challenging the common school ideal. The school adapted art lessons so that Muslim parents and students are more comfortable with them. HG is meeting Minnesota state standards in art.
This charter serves more than 80 percent low-income students, many of whom do not speak English. Yet in many grades and key areas, a higher percentage of these students pass state tests than students in comparable St. Paul district schools. Does the common school ideal require that students draw pictures of people or animals? HG satisfied state requirements by developing an art curriculum focusing on form, line and other designs, leaving out people and animals.
Former city council chair, now HG executive director Bill Wilson and others at the school should be praised for the academic accomplishments of their students, and praised for their creativity.
Joe Nathan
Director, Center for School Change