In this section you will be introduced to a concept
called the “Smaller Learning Centers”
that is being introduced into the five Indianapolis
Public School high schools and perhaps into other
school systems around the state. Justified on the
basis that children learn better in smaller schools,
each of the Indianapolis high schools, with an average
enrollment of 2,000 students, are to be broken down
into smaller “Learning Centers” where
only certain subjects will be taught. A student is
required to select his route of studies at the beginning
of the eighth grade and is then required to remain
in that course of study throughout his high school
years. Even though the student should display absolutely
no talent for his chosen course he is expected or
even required to stay in that course.
Smaller Learning Center School Names:
1. The Center for Performing and Visual Arts and
the Center for Humanities.
2. The Center for Art, Media and Communications.
3. The Center for Engineering, Science and Technology.
4. The Center for Business, Marketing and Finance.
5. The Center for Legal, Social and Recreational Services.
This approach chosen by the IPS has created a school
system that is different from all the other school
systems in the state. The State Constitution requires
(Article VIII, Section I) that the General Assembly
provide for a system of Common schools that are “general
and uniform”. Over 150 years ago the citizens
of Indiana recognized that children are mobile and
will move from place to place. Therefore, the schools
must all teach the same curriculum throughout the
state to ensure educational continuity when a child
is forced to move. Even Abraham Lincoln, as a child,
lived in both Indiana and Illinois.
When I learned what the IPS system was doing I wrote
a letter to the president pro tempore of the Indiana
Senate, Senator Robert D. Garton in which I stated
my objection to this type educational system and called
his attention to the unconstitutional nature of these
new Indianapolis schools. So that you can see his
exact reply I have included our communications (two
letters each) in this section. As you can see he rejected
my argument.
It is my contention that the Smaller Learning Centers
are illegal as prescribed by the state Constitution.
Under that document the state school systems are required
to be general and uniform. We, the citizens of Indiana
through our writing of the Indiana Constitution, over
a hundred and fifty years ago, have told the General
Assembly how we want the schools to be set up and
operated. Through it, we have also told the state
school systems how we want them to operate. Each is
not following our instructions.
Therefore, I am giving you the opportunity to judge
for yourself the constitutional legality of this type
(the SLC) educational system. You are the jury and
you alone have the right to tell the General Assembly
how it must act in this instance. Your children’s
and the nations future lies in your hands. The information
is here for you to see, it is now up to you.
A Response To: Indiana Commission on Mental Healt
