Stapleton mom Kaylynn Miller’s daughter Madelyn began kindergarten last week at Swigert Elementary, and so far, Kaylynn has not been impressed. “I feel like there is way too much downtime,” said Kaylynn. “I mean, reading, then recess, then more reading, and specials, and recess. That’s not necessarily the curriculum that will put my daughter on the path to becoming a computer engineer.” Kaylynn has already contacted the other elementary schools in Stapleton to see if they have a more challenging Kindergarten curriculum. “I sent emails to the principals of the other schools as well as the office administrators and even to Tom Boasberg (DPS Superintendent). I’m kind of in a wait and see mode.”
Miller’s big issue with the current curriculum is whether or not Madelyn will be challenged. “We always want our children to be challenged,” said Miller. “I’m just not sure what is going on in there right now will put my child in a position for success later in life. And that’s really what it’s about to us.” Education experts say that children need to build a base first, including getting comfortable at school, then begin working to challenge the kids. “For most of these kids, it is their first time being somewhere besides home for more than six hours,” says Erin Klunder, who has been in education for over 30 years. “You don’t want to immediately challenge them and make them uncomfortable. Let them relax, get excited about learning, then begin to push them. Believe it or not, these teachers and administrators have a lot of experience teaching and learning what is best for the kids.”
For Miller, she simply wants to see more progress more quickly. “When I ask my daughter what she did at school, and she doesn’t mention anything about fractions, integers, infinite numbers, or algebra, I have a problem with the direction things are going,” said Miller. “So, we want to see if there is a school out there that is willing to push five year old children looking to learn.” Miller says if she is unable to find a kindergarten curriculum that is in line with her expectations, she will home school her child. “If I have to begin home schooling, I certainly will. Of course, I hope it doesn’t come to that. Seems like teaching would be a lot of work.”]]>