Name: ______Date: ______CORE: ______Page #: ______

Nonfiction – Argument/Counter-Argument

An argument is the reasoning and logic a writer uses to demonstrate that their position is reasonable (valid).

A counter argument is the contrasting or opposing argument. Providing the counter-argument helps the reader or listener not think you are one-sided or bias.

Pre-reading:

What are your opinions concerning the recent schedule change in the WCPSS (early dismissal Wednesday)? Why do you feel this way?

I.  Read the following passages and complete the accompanying questions.

Is Wake’s Wednesday early dismissal a good idea?

Published Thu, Sept 24, 2009 in The News and Observer-

Give teachers time to meet our kids’ needs

Today’s educators face more demands than any previous generation to provide a rigorous curriculum that prepares students not just to pass standardized tests, but more importantly, for the overwhelming societal and global challenges that await them.

These demands stretch teachers to continuously seek the skills and knowledge they need to reach all children.

The new early dismissal policy is a major step toward moving Wake County’s public schools to the next level.

The policy provides a common, consistent, structured time for educators to collaborate with their peers and for deep reflection about what is working and what is not working.

It provides time to ask the tough questions: How can we teach differently? How can we better serve our students? How can we raise achievement by providing relevant, meaningful lessons that challenge and engage learners

who are vastly different from any other generation before us, including the growing number who speak little or no English?

Structured time each week will allow educators to participate in the types of discussions that improve outcomes in the business world where collaboration is a given. No longer will educators have to ask; “How in the world will we find time to meet?”

In acknowledging that “more of the same” is unlikely to solve the challenges in 21st century schools, the need for educator collaboration becomes even more apparent.

Appropriately, students become the real beneficiaries of time dedicated to their teachers’ professional growth, and clearly, our students deserve nothing less than the best we have to offer!

Jennifer Lanane is president of Wake’s chapter of the N.C. Association of Educators

A needless hassle for families

Many Wake County families already feel put-upon by the public school system.

Thousands of children are assigned to mandatory year-round schools against their families’ wishes. Thousands more ride long bus routes, often starting before the sun is up, to attend far-flung schools. School assignments change often.

And now that schools are letting out an hour earlier each Wednesday to give teachers more meeting time to evaluate and plan their work, parents are left to juggle child-care arrangements. This is a big hassle for many dual-income households at all economic levels, which apparently doesn’t register with the school board.

Other scheduling upheaval is required to make up for the lost hour of learning on wacky Wednesday s. Schools must start 10 minutes earlier or last 10 minutes longer the other days of the week. Schools also have eliminated many after-school activities on Wednesday s. For those that continue, students idle for an hour in study hall, waiting until their coaches or academic team advisors become available.

School administrators tout the extra time as an educational advancement. We’ll see. But in the middle of the week? If we must have it, at least move it to friendly Fridays.

Besides, there are other factors to consider when setting school policies. And yet, as with mandatory year-round and reassignments, there’s too little recognition of the high costs of repeated disruptions of families’ lives.

For the Wake school system’s character-trait curriculum, may I suggest a virtue that’s sorely lacking: an appreciation of stability.

Meanwhile, let’s hope the post office doesn’t follow suit and close early. Or the police.

Matthew Eisley is editor and general manager of The N&O’s North Raleigh News and Midtown Raleigh News.

Jennifer Lanane / Matthew Eisley
Is the writer for or against early dismissal Wednesdays?
Why might the writer have this opinion?
What reasons does the writer provide to support his/her opinion?
Does the writer consider any possible counter-arguments? If yes, what is the counter-argument provided?
Does the writer make a strong argument? Explain. (not do you agree with the writer’s opinion, but does the writer do a good job creating an argument and supporting that argument?)