Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Jen, Spokane, Washington — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:26:41 GMT

I am thrilled for this series! The general public will get a true sense for what happens within a classroom...Everyone will see how it is not all about testing and politics...wonderful moments of joy and new learning happen everyday!

They will see how teachers do their very best to meet the needs of ALL their students. All the while, meeting the state standards set for the children.

As well, all will know how each child learns differently, comes to the classroom with a diverse knowledge base, and a variety of skills and limitations, to which the teacher accomodates. This series will also allow for a new perspective to see where pitfalls do occur and where they do not.

Children are amazing; this segment will be a showcase for just that!!

Thank you for bringing a new light to the system!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Marvin, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:56:31 GMT

I will definitely join you for the next 13 years. This is one of the most amazing story ideas I've ever heard of. I can't wait to see the progress, and being in Los Angeles and having been educated here for 8 a few years in my childhood, I can see the challenges and rewards ahead. I am fighting to keep Today at number 1 for years to come!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Denise Hoffman, Chatsworth, CA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:26:21 GMT

Being a Kindergarten teacher myself, I am very excited about this program. Teaching is such an amazing job. I often wish my friends and family could come to my classroom for just one day to see what it's all about--and now they will be able to do that!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Maria Resinski, Warrington, PA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:31:42 GMT

I cannot wait to see this story! I think this is an excellent undertaking that will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Jaime F., Bedford VA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:29:58 GMT

Awesome idea! I'm especially excited about the series because my daughter will be a member of the class of 2020! Being a teacher myself, I see first hand the ongoing needs of students and parents and that relationship they share!
Way to go Today show, I'll be there with you for the next 13 and more!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Alice S. Texas — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:47:19 GMT

What a GREAT idea! I will definitely be watching, as I have a 5 year old who started Kindergarten this year. He will be in the class of 2020. :)

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Heather Wood, Blythewood, South Carolina — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:27:21 GMT

This is a great segment.I'm excited to watch and see what's happening in other areas and comparing to my daughter's class. She'll be in the class of 2020 as well!!Great job.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Pamela Mitchell NY, NY — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:46:52 GMT

i just watched the first installement in this series...I have a Kindergarten child who attends private school in NYC and while i aggree that this philosophy of pushing our kindergarten kids exists, it is not the only view. There are quite a few schools whose philosophy is strongly based in letting our littelest students hold on to the care free, playlike attitude they so need.
There is plenty of time for facts and figures. Through play children learn important skills about socialization and group collaboration.
It would be nice if you presented the other, more "progressive" view of education especially in Manhattan where the pressure on our children is out of control.
PS: I love the show...

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Nancy Sebok, Eagleville, PA — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:47:04 GMT

I believe that it is an innovative idea to follow a class from kindergarten through high school graduation. Yes, our country is fortunate to have so many wonderful teachers and schools, which our family has personally experienced. My only concern about this project is whether it will report the negatives that they might discover, i.e. increased stress from increased standards, less family time, less down time, and increased pressure on parents.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

mary white, ny ny — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:39:53 GMT

I think the premise of your story line is a good one.
However, your specific group of kids will not be like any other group of school kids in that they will have to all stay together for the duration of their k-12 experience. Isn't making new friends and forging new relationships an integral part of schooling that these kids will miss out on?
We as a country can certainly learn from your reports in watching the children learn and grow, but will they really be "growing" when they are forced to stick with the same group for 13 years? The children are actually the guinea pigs for this assignment. Where is the lesson in that?

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Christina Hunt, Mobile, AL — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:49:13 GMT

I am very excited about this project. My first born son is now in Kindergarten. He is learning so much and growing so fast evry day. I am amazed at the things he is able to do and the work the school send home. His school and teachers are wonderful. To think that in 2020 he will be graduating high school. That is a little scarey. Watching this series will help me understand a little of what he is going through in the upcoming 13 years. Thanks for doing this and good luck!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Cynthia Law, San Antonio, TX — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:29:14 GMT

This is a wonderful story. I am a mother of three children, and am in the process of becoming a teacher. I am doing a research paper on the No Child Left Behind Program and the pros and cons. I plan on using this information there.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Peggy Robertson, Denver, Colorado — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:43:56 GMT

I have some real concerns about today's episode (Friday, October 12th). As the woman discussed kindergarten she talked about no snacks, no nap, and so on, as though this was perfectly acceptable. Also, the pressure to read and write at this age, is honestly part of the reason so many children have learning disabilities to overcome later in life. The NCLB act has indeed created pressure to push kids faster and further, but to what cost? Will this series demonstrate or mention this conflict?

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Curtis Vogel, Burbank, CA — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:17:49 GMT

This is Curtis Vogel, the producer of the series, and I wanted to comment on Mary White's concerns in the comment above this one.
We started with one class of students at this particular school to show the parents and teachers how we wanted to do this series without shooting in every single classroom this year. While we will be following this group of students along the way, they will disperse into other classrooms and go through the school system just like any other children would.
As they move into other grades and other classrooms, we will be expanding our focus to the whole school and other kids will become the subjects of the stories if their parents are willing to let us into those classrooms.
The parents of every child in this current classroom were asked for approval before the school year to be a part of our series, and as we go along, every other parent will be asked for permission as well.
We are doing everything we can to make this process as normal as possible for the children as we go along. We never interfere with what is happening in the classroom, and the only time we talk to or interview the teacher is before or after class.
We have a standing agreement with the teacher, the principal and the school district that if this project appears to be having a detrimental effect on the children's education, we will shut it down.
I hope this addresses Mary's concerns.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Elaine Seder Gainesville, Ga. — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:46:29 GMT

I am Mackenzie's grandmother and I am very excited about this wonderful project. I think it will emphasize the importance of education and give the children the motivation they need. It should be a wonderful experience for my granddaughter and the other students. Keep up the good work.

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Yisel Meza, Valley Village, California — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:38:44 GMT

I am so excited about the Today story. I have been a kindergarten teacher for ten years and it's wonderful to be able to let the public in on the magical experience that the kindergarten classroom is! Although the standards have been "beefed up" in recent years, it's important to acknowledge and respect the 5 year-old mind and I think this series will show how it can be done. Great topic!!!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Kathy Lepp, Burlington, CT — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:55:37 GMT

Hi Curtis,
Jack's grandma here. Any chance we could get new pictures of the kids when they start 2nd grade? It would be fun to see how they've grown every couple of years.

Great job on the series!

Class of 2020: TODAY to follow students for 13 years

Laurie Atlanta, Ga — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:32:24 GMT

I watched the today show story about McKenzie. Please let her mother know about Orton-Gillingham tutoring. Her daughter sounds just like my daughter (who is now 16 years old who also loves drama and music). My daughter has a superior memory (after being professionally tested was found to be dyslexic). She is also VERY good in math. But she had an EXTREMELY hard time reading. After going through 1 1/2 years of this tutoring she really enjoys reading and is able to sound out new words through the tools she learned with this method!! She became a much more confident person!