The Myth of The Average Student
Jenna Mancini Rufo
The recent cover of Ed Magazine piqued my interest. It questioned, “Where do you find an average student?” The reply in the bi-line plainly answered: “You don’t.” Here in North Penn, we see increasing diversity in our classrooms related to ability, race, culture, and socioeconomic background. Did you know that according to our October 2015 enrollment data…
- Nearly 30% of students in the district are considered economically disadvantaged ?
- 16% of students in North Penn have an IEP ?
- Three of our elementary schools have greater than 50% diverse students?
- Five schools have mobility rates greater than 5%?
- More than 100 new students with IEPs moved in to the district during the summer of 2015?
There is no such thing as the “average” student anymore, but was there ever? We have always had students on the margins of what we may have once considered “average” or “the norm” in North Penn. Diversity is the new norm. So when we ask why students who don’t speak English, students with disabilities, or students with interrupted educations are in our classrooms now, the answer is simple. They live here.
This issue of the Special EDition focuses on how to meet the needs of our students who are “Beyond Average.” These exceptional students need exceptional educators. Are you up to the task?