Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to counter the comments made at last night's meeting by Donna Zariczny regarding her assertion that dual enrollment courses through Saint Bonaventure are more rigorous than Advanced Placement courses offered in our local high schools.
This statement is completely unfounded and factually inaccurate according to the national standard which has been set by many prestigious universities and College Board. By offering these courses in our local district, we are providing the access to a standardized assessment similar to the SAT and ACT that many higher institutions of learning and employers look to when reviewing candidate's credentials.
I have a first-hand experience with the opportunities that Advanced Placement courses have given me with regards to pursuing the higher education path of my choice. This past December, I was accepted into The Pennsylvania State University to major in secondary education concentrating in social studies education. This program has been ranked twelfth in the nation for this field, and my ability to take AP Psychology, AP History, AP European History, and AP Government during my tenure at Warren Area High School played a significant factor in my acceptance. As a future educator I would be heart broken to watch my alma mater strip the opportunities that allowed me to achieve my dreams away from those who have yet to pass.
However there is a second component to this statement that honestly disheartens me even more. The fact that a sitting board member would have the audacity to undermine our system of public education in such a fashion is absolutely despicable to me. Comments such as the ones made by Mrs. Zariczny are the blatant cause of the hostilities among the board, administration, and the professional educators of our district. Making unfounded statements that ruin the credibility of our educators such as the ones made last evening are dangerous to the morale and dedication level from our educators that our Board of School Directors is supposed to be actively supporting.
In conclusion, next year I will not be around to help defend the merits and success of public education for the many students yet to go through our school district. With four siblings coming behind me, it scares me to the core that they will receive less than what I was given, when in reality our goal should be just the opposite. Protecting the Advanced Placement program along with the morale and dignity of our educators is crucial, to implementing a system of education that will allow the continuation of our many students' young dreams.
Sincerely,
Former Student Representative
John G. Wortman