Wk 1 EN 361_Luaces

READER ANALYSIS The problem I will be addressing is the discussion to move all the 6 th graders in the Lake Villa, Illinois (District 41) school district from the elementary school to the junior high. District 41 currently has three elementary schools that cater from Early Childhood education through 6 th grade. Once the students graduate from 6 th grade, they will move to the Palombi Middle School, which consists on 7 th and 8 th grade. Palombi is close to being at its capacity with the current population and bringing in 256 more students will more than likely cause overcrowding. The purpose to transfer the sixth grade to the middle school, is to free up three classrooms at each of the elementary schools to accommodate a bigger Early Childhood education program. If this change is voted in favor of, the transition would happen at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. There have been ongoing school board meetings where the public is welcome to attend and voice their concerns, as well as speaking to the 4 th graders (the grade which will be the first to experience this change). Many parents are concerned that students are not “mature” or ready to be in middle school with 7 th and 8 th graders, and much of their basis is directly correlated with “stories” they have heard that happens at the middle school. Reader Analysis Chart: list a specific audience for each row and then fill in each column as it relates to the problem you are addressing Audience Needs (What do they need in regards to this situation?) Role (What role will they play in solving the problem?) Attitudes (What is their attitude in regards to this situation and a potential solution?) (Primary) District 41 school board representatives They need all the facts, figures and data that pertain to the issue that is being presents (ie: how will the district benefit from the transition, will it be They will be the individuals who will vote and collectively decide whether the 6 th grade students will move to the middle school They must remain neutral and weigh out the pros and cons as to what will be the best outcome for the school district

cost efficient) (Secondary) The staff of the schools in District 41 They would need to know when this transition would take place, if they would continue to teach the same grade or if they would be moving along with the students, will the curriculum change, if teachers in 5 th grade will need to prepare the students differently so they can adapt to moving schools a year early The staff will not be included in the decision of the transition, but they are welcome and encouraged to voice their concerns Many teachers are indifferent and want what is best for the students. They want to make the transition as smoothly as possible (Tertiary) The parents of District 41 students They need to know when this transition will happen, how will it effect the start and end time of the school day, and what, if the curriculum will change Parents are not the deciding factor in this decision, but they are highly encouraged to voice their concerns and opinions. The district has mailed and included a link for parents and taxpayers of District 41 to answer a 5-question survey about their stance that the school board will take into consideration The parents that are in support of the idea think 6 th grade students need to be incorporated in the middle school, benefiting social skills, exposure to different extra-curricular activities. Parents not in favor are concerned with the over- crowding, exposing their children to the “disasters” of middle school, not receiving the necessary education to prepare them for high school (Gatekeepers) The students District representatives have visited each of the elementary schools and explained the change that could potentially happen. The students were allowed to ask questions as to how this would affect them and how they would have more opportunities being 6 th graders in middle school The students have no deciding factor in this decision, even though it affects them. They are encouraged to attend the board meetings and voice their concerns Most students are excited it this change were to take place. They would be exposed to the opportunity to choose a few of the classes they want to take, as well as saying they’re in “middle school”