101 - Educational Philosophy of the School District

The Bennett Community School’s philosophy of education is one which believes that the school ranks second only to the parents and the home as an institution which helps each individual child to develop their mental, emotional, social and physical abilities and capacities; and to help them develop wholesome attitudes, including tolerance toward themselves, their fellow students, their home and their country.  This child development is a continuous process, beginning at birth and continuing throughout life.  For this reason, the child can expect the school to help them to:  develop and maintain a healthy body and a well-balanced personality, help them develop the basic learning skills, develop an understanding and an appreciation of the natural and social work world, participate happily and helpfully in home and community life, work and play with others, and enjoy the use of music, art, literature, and handicrafts for a more wholesome life.

The Board believes that it is a responsibility of the school to provide maximum learning opportunities for all the educable children of school age in the community, and for adult members of the community when such opportunities are desired by reasonable number of persons.

The Board believes that, so far as is administratively and economically feasible, each student should be treated as an individual with their own particular capabilities, aptitudes, and personality.  The student should be an active participant in the learning process, and not simply a passive absorber of knowledge.  They should learn where to look for and how otherwise to acquire information in order that their informal education may continue.

It is the function of the educational process to provide each student with opportunities for obtaining the knowledge, experience, and skills which careful individual study indicates will best prepare them to assume a position in the competitive adult society which will permit them to make their greatest individual positive contribution to society and to themselves.  For some students, this will mean thorough preparation for further formal education.  For others, it will mean basic general information plus the attainment of certain vocational skills and experience.

The Board believes each student, regardless of whether they choose a vocation or further formal education, should have satisfactorily completed a basic course of study as outlined in the current Board policy before being awarded a high school diploma.

The Board further believes that these results can be accomplished through democratic cooperation in the broadest sense of the word.  To have this kind of cooperation, we believe that we should have teachers who will meet these standards:

              A.           We want teachers who regard their work as a real profession.

              B.           We want teachers who are willing to work.

              C.           We want teachers who are willing to grow by reading current professional literature, affiliating with professional organizations,
                             attending and contributing to teachers’ meetings.

              D.          We want teachers who will avail themselves of the local in-service training programs.

              E.           We want teachers who are interested in our school as a whole not merely one grade, subject, or activity.

              F.           We want teachers who understand that they must constantly be alive educationally to know which of the old to discard, and which of
                             the new to accept.

              G.          We want teachers who will become a part of the life of our community.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§256.11, 279.8, .12, 280.1-.17 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.5(5)

Cross Reference:  104        Equal Educational Opportunity
                                       200        Legal Status of the Board of Directors

Approved:  12-14-67            
Reviewed:  6-12-23              
Revised:  3-8-99