The introduction of the 'Build Your Own Grade' (BYOG) program in Mineola, NY, has left our children feeling undervalued and unsupported in their education. As a concerned parent, I've witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects this program is having on our eighth-grade students. Teachers, who once passionately engaged with and inspired students, are now reduced to instructing them to simply watch videos. This approach not only hinders their learning but also strips away any sense of accomplishment or success.

In the classrooms where BYOG is implemented, students are not experiencing the interactive and dynamic learning environments they deserve. Instead, they are met with passive learning, lacking hands-on activities and critical thinking opportunities. This is not what education should be, especially at such a crucial stage in their academic journey. Our children's futures are at stake, and their foundational knowledge should be built on active engagement and genuine instruction.

Parents within the community are growing increasingly unhappy with the loss of meaningful learning experiences in our eighth-grade classrooms. The current generation deserves an education that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and a passion for learning—not one that relies on passive observation.

According to the American Psychological Association, active learning approaches, which engage students directly, drastically improve academic performance and retention. Further research by the National Education Association suggests that interactive teaching techniques increase student motivation and success rates.

We urge the Mineola School District and educational policymakers to reconsider the 'Build Your Own Grade' program. A reevaluation and potential rebuilding of our educational strategies are necessary to ensure our children receive the quality education they deserve.

Let's demand the return of effective teaching methods that prioritize student-teacher interaction and foster genuine learning. Sign this petition to remove the 'Build Your Own Grade' program and advocate for our children's educational futures in Mineola, NY.