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In-class encounter sessions

Another reason why Johny and Janie can't read

Group encounter sessions and intimate inquiry by adults seem to be commonplace throughout Aptos High School. Following are two questionnaires Advanced English students must complete as part of their course curriculum.

Advanced sophomore English students are required to complete this questionnaire, then made to publicly discuss their responses with the English teacher and other students.

Students are required to respond to each of these questions in a journal that is read and graded by their teacher. They are also made to discuss some of the responses in class.

As part of the "Do you know yourself?" exercise, one student was asked to stand before the class and answer the question: "Tell us the most embarrassing thing or the biggest secret you have that will make us never look at you the same again." When the student replied "No comment", as she had on all her written responses to the questions, the teacher reminded her that she was being graded on her participation. The student held firm.

In another English class, students were asked to write their biggest problem or biggest secret on the board so other students could discuss it and offer their experiences or solutions.