Peer pressure: Pressure from one's peers to behave in a manner similar or acceptable to them
We all agree that peer pressure is usually a bad thing right? I mean we teach our kids to think for themselves and not just go along with the crowd because it’s easy. We’re disappointed when they succumb, proud when they resist and stand by their principles.
So why doesn’t that apply when we become adults? Why is it that some people are so intolerant of any opinion that isn’t in lockstep with their own?1 Why is it that the school board and educational establishment in Jefferson County fall into that category?
Is there really no room for public debate? Is it reasonable to send them millions of dollars to teach our children and not ask for a say in how it’s done or accountability from our educators?2 I don’t want insanity in the process any more than they do. (Yes, I’m referring to the questionable behavior of Laura Boggs.) However, I think the insanity stems from the sheer magnitude of the task at hand: namely to slow down the entrenched bureaucracy long enough to get a handle on what’s really going on and shed some light for the rest of us to see.
The Jeffco school district is in financial straits and it’s going to take more than a team of best buddy educators who think exactly alike to fix it. Many schools’ test scores are horrible and the voters need to fire the person in charge of the math program, not give her a promotion.3 The Jeffco school board has to make some tough choices that the entrenched aren’t likely to make.4 Pay attention to your vote this October and ask yourself, “Is it maybe time for some outsiders with a fresh perspective or do I want to elect more cheerleaders to the squad who just smile and yell "Yea Team!"?”
Sources:
1.a) School Board Candidate Dahlkemper quits when her boss disagrees with her: http://www.westword.com/1998-10-08/news/off-limits/
… former [Colorado Public Radio] reporter Lesley Dahlkemper resigned after [her boss] Griffin balked at her plan to report statehouse news while simultaneously being married to …[state] legislator… Mike Feeley.
2. Superintendent Stevenson tires of questions from Jeffco residents: http://trsbaudit.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/notes-from-the-arvada-school-budget-forum/
Dr. Stevenson showed impatience with the question and stated she does not favor open negotiations [between the board and the union] … She closed the discussion saying it was time we “quit worrying about the adults and focus instead on the children”.
3. Fellman was in charge of the failing math program for years:
Fellman has an extensive background in Jefferson County Schools, ... She was a Director for Learning and Educational Achievement for Jeffco Public Schools, with responsibilities in the areas of math, electives, middle school and staff development.
4. Leslie Dahlkemper admits the education arena is her “client base” <http://www.coloradopresswomen.org/dream.shtml>
Lesley Dahlkemper's journalism background led to an interview and subsequent marriage proposal from a leading Colorado politician. After relocating to Denver, she got involved on a several educational commissions. "I didn't know it at the time, but I was building my client base," she said.
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