DP budget cuts: Final Article

Entering through the doors of every high school across the nation, one would find study groups, friends gossiping, and last minute homework being completed. Potential district budget cuts would most likely not cross their minds. Submerged in their daily routines, they do not realize that budget decisions will impact their high school experience and future opportunities there. District 196 is one among many in Minnesota facing tough budget choices for the 2010-2011 school year. Many programs would experience changes; Developmental Psychology seems to be taking the hardest blow.
“Developmental Psychology is a unique program that has been around for over 30 years in District 196. It is the only program like it in the state of Minnesota. It is a peer to peer prevention program that deals with issues, like chemical use, self-image, bullying, values, whole health and positive decision making for life. It is a program where selected senior students teach 6th grade students at the middle schools about the issues identified earlier. Research from the Minnesota student survey suggests that peer to peer prevention works the most effectively and efficiently in teaching this type of information to 6th grade students” says Eastview DP teacher Krista Pawlicki. Broad and unclear at this point, budget cuts will most likely be changing the face of this program and, when asked if the program’s overall future was in danger, Pawlicki answered with a firm “yes” saying “There will most likely be more, and deeper cuts next year, so DP will be one of the programs that is likely to be up for discussion again…”
Developmental Psychology has been a high demand program beginning with the application process. Synonymous with applying to exclusive majors in college, there is a written application and interviews with peers, and individually with teachers. Less than half of those who apply are actually admitted into the program. Those select few consider it a major honor and privilege achieved.
In talking to current DP member Caitlin Ochtera, she was explicit in how much Developmental Psychology has impacted her life, “Outside of school I would say it helped me to stay confident in my choice of refraining from chemical use. There are ten other people with the same commitment,” referring to the chemical commitment each member signs at the beginning of the year. Breaking it results in immediate removal. “Inside of school it allowed me to meet a lot of people that I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to talk to, that’s the cool part about it; many of us are from different social groups, so at the beginning of the year, some of these kids were perfect strangers and now they're all my best friends…”
With major structural changes possibly occurring next year, Ochtera stated a few pieces that she thinks are non-negotiables of the program, “One aspect that shouldn’t be changed are the teachers. They know what they’re doing and how to do it right. They’re the foundation of the system; changing that would probably weaken the efforts that the teachers have worked so hard for so long to achieve. They also shouldn’t cut back on the course length; keeping it going throughout the entire year makes a big enough impact on both the students' and the 6th grader's lives”. Future member Mara Bertlesen is looking forward to the strong bonds formed and awesome impact she will get to have on her students next year. In analyzing budget items, one hopes that school board members will realize the DP program not only effects personal lives of high school seniors but also every sixth grader touched by this great interactive opportunity.