Clayton.Talk

By TA

February 4, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

No, I do not want this program here and I would not allow my child to participate. I think this is a terrible idea and reinforces the wrong attitudes, behaviors, and sends the wrong message.

I have nothing against rewarding children for good grades, but I am against rewarding them just for showing up. This is no different than the welfare system and reinforces attitudes of entitlement.

This program completely disregards the essential foundation of success - ownership and accountability in personal performance. I agree with Kimberly in that I like the North Carolina program.

By Clayton Citizen

February 4, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

NO, I feel that a student should study on their own. Everyone says, they have no money. When I grew up, that was an accepted fact. We had no money, however, my parents expected good grades from me and demanded them. Therefore, I produced good grades. You cannot buy grades. It twist the entire education process. What about students who make good grades now. Is this a slap in the face. I think so.

Clayton Citizen

By posterchild

February 4, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

This reminds me of the Chris Rock bit where he talks about people wanting some sort of recognition/award for doing what they are SUPPOSED to be doing.

No, no, no, no, and NO.

By 2ndThought

February 4, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Earn & learn? Let’s start with an accredited reliable school system…

By WTF?

February 4, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Well they haven’t lost accreditation … yet. And let’s pray for the sake of innocent students who are working hard that they do not.

I wouldn’t allow my child to participate in this program. My son has a part time job AND is doing well at Mundy’s Mill h.s. so both can be done simultaneously and successfully, as it should be.

By Laverne

February 4, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

This is the most outrageous, backwards thing I’ve ever heard of. My child — absolutely not.

By A Woods

February 4, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

We need to be flexible and try whatever works to get children to learn and do well in school to prepare for a productive life.

As long as the program is fair, availalble to students who work hard, and doesn’t reward bad behavior, I say go for it.

We have everything to gain from giving this a shot.

By Danny

February 5, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if this is a good idea or not, but what I do know is that what’s being done now is outdated and ineffective. Of all the comments posted on this topic, not one gives an alternative to this idea. I don’t like the idea of giving money to students as an incentive to study, however, I hate the extremely high dropout rates that we have throughout the state. At this point, I open to all suggestions and ideas on this subject.

By Shenika

February 5, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

I am a concerned georgia resident that would like to voice some facts. There is a particular candidate who is looking to take the position as Chairman of Clayton County. This candidate is Reginald Lamar Wade. As I am not a Clayton County resident it took a while for me to find out that he was doing this. But nonetheless I am still concerned. Mr. Wade was convicted in 2001 of sexual assualt against two femaile minors at the high school that he was teaching at. Unfortuanately, his sentence was downgraded to a lesser offense of sexual battery. Which meant that he didn’t have to serve any jail time nor did he register as a sexual offender. I really don’t think that you want someone like Mr. Wade taking over the position as Chairman. I’m not sure if there is much that you can do about it yourself. But I wanted someone to know what kind of man he is. I am not making this up. If you want proof you can look up the case: State vs Wade 02-B-00941-4 (Gwinnett County). I hope that this information does not go on deaf ears. http://georgiaunfiltered.blogspot.com/2008/02/reginald-lamar-wade-to-run-for-clayco.html

By WTF?

February 5, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Shenika, thank you for taking the time. I have not heard of this person at all but personally will be paying attention for this name now. Thanks.

By Jim A.

February 5, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

If the SPLOST fails it will be directly the fault of Dexter Mathews and the NAACP, I will be leaving this county as soon as possible. Paying students our tax money to study is crazy, who is gonna sell the french fries?

By 4 Real

February 5, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

They don’t even sell the french fries well, Jim A.

By Folow th Money

February 5, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

If the SPLOST fails we can enrol in the “Victor HiLL School of Finance, Smoke and Mirors”

Is is true Victor that the City of Morrow is writting $30,000 checks to Clear Channel, passing them over to you (or a lackey that is expendable) then the money is passed through to Clear Channel for billboards for your re-election?

Is it true Victor that money seized from Drug Seizures are being credited to the City of Morrow as a form of payback for the Clear Channel convenience?

Is it true Victor that the US Dept. of Justice is asking the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office for an accounting of over $320,000 that can’t be accounted for?

Is it true Victor that the Barber cutting inmates hair is actually paid for heads that he didn’t even cut and in some cases being credited for cuting the hair of inmates that weren’t even in jail?

By PA

February 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

I think they need to try whatever it takes to keep these kids in school. Some kids complain they don’t do so good in school because they have a part-time job, and don’t study much, Well here is there answer. I don’t see anything wrong with it. Wish they had this program when i was in school years ago, I know i would of study harder.

By Concerned parent

February 5, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

As a retired teacher, I believe this is a bad idea. We all need to instill in our young people that you learn because it is what you do. You will be rewarded with a good job some day. The after school programs and Saturday schools help. But, those who disrupt should be remove!

By Dixiedarling

February 7, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I think this teaches that if there is no monetary reward then it’s not worth anything. We should all know that sometimes the accomplishment is worth more than any cash reward.

By Huh?

February 7, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Learn and earn ANYWHERE is ridiculous. I do agree something needs to be done, but kids also need to know that you aren’t always going to get paid to produce and even when you do get paid it may not be what you want, expect or think you deserve.

By zoe

February 7, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

We already have a learn and earn program like the NC program mentioned in Georgia- it is called the ACCEL program. It uses HOPE monies.

I think learning should be done for its own reward, but I am realistic. However, I don’t think paying kids to study is the way to go. Students will constantly ask “what’s in it for me?” when approached with a task. Maybe actually retaining kids when they can’t read instead of passing them along might provide enough incentive for kids to learn?

By TC

February 7, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Victor! Tell us about all that money thats missing! Kind of like old times back in Charleston, SC huh? The empire is crumbling!

By victors-nightmare

February 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

If you don’t like voting blind, check out the real truth on whats going on in Clayton County. Its not a pretty thing! Vote informed! http://www.give-em-the-boot.com/

By Stacey

February 7, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

How about we pay the teachers more?? …Provide them more incentive to want to motivate these kids. I would not let my child participate. A child should not be getting paid to do what they are supposed to be doing anyway. Why reward a child who wont try unless money is involved? I find it hard to believe that people think that parents can’t afford to reward their kids for good grades & behavior, when these kids are wearing $200 tennis shoes, have cell phones and Ipods but are also getting free lunch. We are looking at this picture wrong people. Reward the kids that are making the grades, and reward the teachers whose students are doing well. Offer more programs for the kids that arent succeeding or even maintaining, and hold the PARENTS accountable!! WE CARE IN CLAYTON COUNTY!! too bad the MEDIA only highlights the few of us that dont!!

By Attn: Clayton Parents

February 8, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

Isn’t sad that adults have reduced themselves to actually using the word “bribe” to get kids to do what adults should require of them to do naturally?

One thing, and one thing only will fix this: DISCILPLINE One board member was willing to address this, and that’s why Clayton is in the mess it’s in, because the others knew how weak, spineless, and ineffectual they looked compared to him, and they had to do something, anything, to discredit him, including throwing the ENTIRE system under the bus by getting SACS involved.

By the way Kimberly, do you have any idea why the AJC reporters won’t report on State Rep. Celeste Johnson’s (wife of board member Rod Johnson) illegal double dipping even when an Open Records request has CONFIRMED it happened?

By Kimberly Allen

February 8, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Attn: Clayton Parents - I do not know why it hasn’t been reported. Have you tried to speak with any reporters directly, or emailed them on this? I believe if you click on the reporter’s name in any article you will get their email address.

By TC

February 8, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

There are allot of things in Clayton County that people get away with. Its almost like no one cares. State government, newspapers, federal government, no one! Guess they think Clayton County is beyond help. Help us fight back! We care!

http://www.give-em-the-boot.com/

By carla

February 8, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Stacey, I totally agree with you. Why don’t you run for office?

By Face

February 8, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Earn & learn is a no, no! There is no simple answer.
Some parents pay their children to do chores. They live there for free! Hello!!! What about parents who can’t afford to or won’t pay their children to do chores. The children simply do what’s required of them. I was one of those (single) parents that couldn’t give my children an allowance. They had the bare necessities. My children both graduated on time, (one ) in the top 10 of her class and both are in college now.
It all starts at home with discipline and respect. Do students respect teachers, the grading system & the system of learning? Paying students to learn is ridiculous. Next we’ll be paying them to use condoms. In the long run they’ll be putting a price on everything.
What’s the price for good hygiene? You keep your teeth longer & you don’t offend others with your smell. Do we pay them to bathe & brush too? We are definitely teaching the wrong values here. In the real world we are paid by your worth. What are they worth if their brains are empty? Some of these students are smart enough to get the money without learning the basics. They need stimulation. We are losing a lot of bright students to boredom. We all don’t learn in the same capacity.
The money needs to be positioned into training our teachers & increasing their pay. In turn they are better equipped & motivated to motivate & teach students. We need teachers with creative mind, creative thinking. Whether teaching the core classes through the arts, nature, or something else, Lord knows an intervention is needed. If they do decide to go through with this, parents need to charge them for room & board, utilities etc.
Something’s you simply do. I believe learning is one of them.

By Whatever

February 8, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Ok that’s cute, yes the kids are suppose to do what they are suppose to do, but it’s not working….. no matter how much you try to instill in them that it’s for there own good,it’s not working, we see more drop outs now than ever. Kids like having money , while they are getting a good education they could earn money, It will teach them , if they want to keep money in there pockets they have to work hard at it…. As they grow they will understand that in order to get money you must have a good education… It’s not like these are little babies and would never understand.. They are old enough to know…..this is a one shot deal, learn and earn, and get a good education, or be a bum and dont get crap….

By Attn: Clayton Parents

February 8, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Kimberly,

Thank you for responding to my question about the AJC’s lack of coverage of State Rep. Celeste Johnson’s illegal double dipping from Clayton County schools. To answer your question, yes AJC reporters have been questioned about this REPEATEDLY by multiple people.

Yet still, even though the AJC has written close to a dozen stories on Clayton schools and the SACS investigation and even though an Open Records request of Celeste Johnson’s paystubs from the Clayton County school system has CONFIRMED the double dipping, not only has the AJC been silent on the story, they refuse to address why they have been silent on the story.

Hopefully pressure can be brought on them through the blogsphere, as it was on editor Lyle Harris, who tried to write editorials blaming only MACE members on the board, until he realized he would have ZERO credibility if he continued to ignore the misdeeds of GAE affliated board member Rod Johnson (wife of the double dipping Celeste Johnson, and himself being investigated for KNOWINGLY hiring an accused child molester to work in the school system)

In the same way that Harris was forced to write a more balanced editorial about the SACS controversy (somewhat more balanced, in that he stopped blaming John Trotter and instead blamed “the school board” but still gave political cover to Johnson by refusing to mention him by name) one can only hope that the reporters in Clayton will eventually report the ENTIRE story of the SACS investigation.