Get Schooled

By KA

January 9, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

IMO the success of a school is best measured by student success at the next level. Standardized tests generally assess only short term memory learning and recitation. Long term learning is what the schools should be aiming for. Schools should focus on teaching students how to learn on their own; learn how to think critically; learn how to read, write, speak and research well and widely. Success should be measured by HS graduation rates, and beyond HS; college retention, performance, and graduation rates. Standardized tests are generally not used for indivuidual student remediation or school improvement. The results are just administrative stats used for publication and puffery, not for teaching and learning.

By wwww

January 9, 2007 09:39 AM | Link to this

A few years ago, I met this principal you’re referring to - I interviewed with him.

I left with the impression that I’d never want to work at a school where he was in a position of authority. I was not impressed with the dialogue he was giving, I felt sorry for the kids who were missing out on all of the fun of elementary school. Yes, the scores were high, but at what cost? I wish I’d asked him that

By Mic

January 9, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

I’m a former teacher in the Gainesville school system and a life-long resident of the community. Like you guys, I too cringed at the emphasis on standardized test scores not just at the one elementary school but at all the Gainesville Schools. Thankfully, that principal is no longer with the Gainesville system, but the superintendent who led the march towards quantitative-only data still reigns and has recently published a book on “The Gainesville Model”.

By Robin

January 9, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

So, how do parents determine what schools are really good for our kids? What should be red flags for us? What should we look for?

As a parent of a toddler, and new to my community, I have no idea what to look for or where to begin. Please help!

By Concerned Mom

January 9, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Seven years ago our family was searching for a larger home. Our current residence was in a fast growing area and was districted to 3 different elementary schools during the 7 years we lived there.

When looking for the home, the school district was very important as I had one child entering Kindergarten and another a year behind him. My educational criteria was:

-Not a fast growing area. I wanted to know that this was the school my children would attend.

-That we would be considered economically “middle-class” in the district.

-The school had a good reputation for education. Not just by test scores, but by knowing others who lived in the district and were happy with the schools.

-The school didn’t have a high turnover rate of children. I wanted to be able to get to know the parents of my kids friends. I also feel that a high turnover rate makes it more difficult for teaching and learning.

That Kindergartner is now in 7th grade. We’ve been very happy with our decision. I didn’t even look at test scores, but our schools do have high scores. I believe that some of my search criteria tends to lead to better test scores.

Unfortunately, until there’s a better method test scores will be a huge deciding factor in determining where we want our kids to attend school.

By Leia

January 9, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

How can you tell if a school is “good”? Ask the teacher(s) if their own children attend! If the teacher’s children attend a different school (public or private) heed the warning!

By oldparent

January 9, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Leia has it right. Ask teachers where they send their kids and where they would like to work if they could move. I’ve always believed there are no good schools—only good teachers. Good teachers tend to follow each other to the best schools and consequently, those schools become even better.

A year or so ago, I planned to enroll my daughter in a middle school that was in the middle of giant flux due to changes in districting. The school has won many awards in recent years. But the rumors at year end were that more than 20 of the longtime teaching staff were planning to leave. But everyone was being very secretive about it.

This was a big warning to me that something was amiss. I asked around and finally found a teacher who told me in confidence that she was leaving too as soon as she could and that her children would “never ever attend this school.” I asked her where she would send her kids and where everyone would like to go. The middle school she named is the one I chose. I’ve been very happy with it and I havent’ heard a good thing about the other school since.

By Dekalb Educator

January 9, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with Leia..my daughter would NEVER attend the school where I currently teach. She is barely 6 months old, but I am already in the process of looking for an area in which to raise her and to be a part of a school district/community that I feel will benefit her.

By decaturparent

January 9, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m biased a bit, but to me scores are only one ingredient in the mix, and probably not the most important one.

First use your intuition. Go visit the school, how do you feel when you walk around in the halls? Are the children happy and engaged? Is is too quiet? Do teachers, parents and staff greet you in the halls even if they don’t know you? Do you leave with a warm and fuzzy or do you leave feeling like you were in a sanitized factory? If test scores are posted on the bulletin board run from that place like the wind!!!

Re curriculum, has the school caved to the NCLB cr__p by narrowing their curriculum and overemphasizing narrow, factoid based CRCT bubble testing?

Is there still art and music once or twice a week? Is there a strong foreign language program? Do children get recess every day? Do children do worksheets and grunt work all day or are they engaged in inquiry based, authentic learning than helps them see how their new skills fit into their lives and their world? Are children encouraged to ask questions and think critically? How is creativity encouraged? Does the school encourage an atmosphere where children learn to appreciate eachother’s differences? Is curriculum appropriately differentiated for gifted learners?

Are behavior problems handled decisively?

If a school can answer all of the above questions positively and still have good test scores, then it is an outstanding school.

At the elementary level, you can also spend a little time on the playground after school and chat with parents. You can learn a lot about school culture this way if you aren’t shy.

By Eric D

January 9, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Ask local teachers where they send their children.

By teach overseas

January 9, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

I’m with Leia- teachers know what is going on behind the smoke and mirror show put on by administrators. They know that schools are more than test scores, good football teams, overdecorated hallways and classrooms, and more than whatever new dog and pony show “inititive” that is being touted.

We are currently at a lovely little school with a good salary and benefits in a beautiful country. We are leaving next year because the early childhood program and teacher is not good enough for our daughter.

Want to know the best schools? Follow the teachers kids!

By TeachersWife

January 9, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

My sons remained at a large middle school that was in the middle of redistricting, and it was secretive too. I’m guessing it was the same school that “oldparent” refers to. Yes, a lot of teachers moved on, but the school hired a lot of new teachers with fresh ideas. Some of the best teachers remained, including the District Teacher of the Year. The local high school principal and most of his staff continue to send their children there, also. My boys love it and we couldn’t be happier, even though we now attend out of district and have to provide our own transportation. So my advice would be to talk to lots of high school teachers & administrators as they are at the “end of the line” and know which schools best prepare the kids for the next level. Teachers may be moving for their own political motives, not for their children’s education. Beware of schools that have become “Schools of Choice” for the “No Child Left Behind” program as they may become overcrowded with kids escaping their own local situations.

By Marie

January 9, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Asking teachers why they sends their children to a particular school is very pertinent. If they answer “because I teach there”, “because I teach at the school next door”, or “because they can ride the bus” then that isn’t helpful to you. Better yet: Ask the local high school teachers which schools prepare the kids the best and why. Look for smaller schools, too, where your child is less likely to get lost in the shuffle.

By MrLiberty

January 9, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

How can you spot the best school in the area? Its the one being held right there in your own house by one or both caring parents.

Homeschool. There is no equivalent or acceptable alternative when your child’s education is at stake.

Separating children by grade level and demeaning them constantly with performance grades is exactly at the heart and purpose of the government school system. Dividing the populace early, getting them away from the caring, loving and moral influence of their parents, and setting up a government employee as their new parent are all mechanisms by which the Prussian-modeled american government school system turns curious, independant thinking individuals into subservient slaves of the state. Successfully educating bright, independant thinkers has never been part of the plan. There is no reason to ever believe that it will be, or that such a goal will ever be achieved.

It is a parent’s responsibility to make sure their child gets a good education. This is not something to be turned over to the government failure system.

By MrLiberty

January 9, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

A quick search of the internet reveals that anywhere from 20-30% of government school teachers send their kids to private schools. In the general population it is only around 12% of parents.

All of you are right. Send your kids where the teachers do - somewhere other than the government brainwashing factories.

Its your children! Aren’t they worth the best?

By wwww

January 9, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Oh, come ON, Mr. Liberty. I am confused as to why you still post on here at all.

a “quick search of the internet” is a less than ideal way to gain factual information. True, some teachers do send their children to private, but I would imagine it would depend on the system.

I work in education, and am a product of public schools, and so far, I don’t think I’ve been brainwashed. I see problems with the current public education system, and I can understand why SOME parents would choose to homeschool, or to send them to private. However, to act as though the public institution of education is an evil brainwashing monster is getting a little bit old.

There is no blanket answer for every student, family and school. Believe me, I’ve met many parents who most definately should NOT be in charge of educating their children, and plenty of others who could do a fine job if they chose that option.
Please don’t insinuate that all parents can offer a better education than a traditional school.

By meme

January 9, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Where did you find your information, Mr. Liberty?

By Jim

January 9, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

I wonder why everyone focuses on those students that are taking standardized tests with the hopes of going to college and not the greater population. No matter what score you get on an SAT you still have to be able to live in an ever changing world where your test score may not necesarily save you. Not to mention some percentage of kids that go into the Armed Services, trade or otherwise lead successful lives w/o pursuing the “holy grail” of a college diploma.

By SET

January 9, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

How do you tell the quality of the local public schools?

Well, KA got it right by suggesting you look at the percentage of the students that move on and up to the next level. A Public High School with 95+% direct enrollment of graduates to 4 year colleges sounds pretty good. We had that in CA when I was in HS. My public school, for example.

Understand you are talking about the people in the school, not the dirt it sits on and not the buildings. Nice to have new buildings though.

So I say you identify a “good” school by it’s clients. Follow the upper class and you generally won’t wind up in Compton or Richmond.

For all you who say that “rich kids” are just as capable of being druggies and rapists…and their schools bad - I say, not in my experience. And it’s not the way the stats go.

This is what I refer to when I talk about groups of people, not individuals. As in the IQ discussions, an individual can be anything and can buck trends in doing so. Once you are dealing with larger numbers you can be more confident in predicting trends.

Good public schools do not generally have among other things a dominant percentage of welfare, female headed household, black or brown families as clients. Unless they’re military dominant in which case the families are already pre-screened for IQ.

I think this could be worked with if the government would ever start running public schools - especially black and brown public schools, with the iron hand that was used Pre-Brown v Board of Education (civil “rights” era generally). It won’t happen. It’s not the nature of government to fight with people to save them from themselves.

The current politically correct wisdom of how to run a black and brown school is to give everybody lots of rope and let them be happy. We see the results all around us.

The New York Times had a section in last Sunday’s paper about racial percentages in higher education post affirmative action. Facinating reading. Univ of CA and UC Berkeley was mentioned prominently. Now that the covert discrimination against Asians has been forcibly removed their numbers are moving towards majority status overall. (Not in the law school)

The whites could be (are being) forced out of state. And if you think that’s impossible, take a look at what’s going on in the city of Vancouver BC Canada which is transformed to 40+% Asian (the richer 40% at that) since I was in college - the local indigenous whites are being pushed out economically.

Evolution should be taught in the schools. The lessons might help the kids survive the process.

By MrLiberty

January 9, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

meme,

I went to www.dogpile.com and put “children of public school teachers at private schools” into the search box. Lots of links. Actually another source I came accross cited over 40% in some cities. Links are to major newspapers which are reporting on studies done using census data. Sorry folks, these are real facts - no denying it anymore.

An even better site for all of you with answers about how can I homeschool when I work, what about internet private schools, etc. is www.mykidsdeservebetter.com. A great book is reviewed on the site that sounds like it answers all your questions.

To all:

12 years passes so quickly. If they don’t get a good start in the first 2-3 they will be forever lost. Don’t lose your kids to the government. They are trying to take them away from you, you know. Just look at what the government schools have done to you. You admit they are failing, you admit that there are horrible ones that you don’t want your kids attending, you admit that you are at the mercy of the board of education if they decide to rezone, you admit that you are basically powerless against the administration and the teachers, yet you still praise the schools and won’t save your children from them.

Wow, the schools worked just as they intended.

By catlady

January 9, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

I am doubtful the “where the teacher sends her children” is really all that helpful in making school decisions. In most counties, the teacher can send her child to the school their home is zoned for or can bring the child with them to the school the parent teaches at, if the correct grade level. (Of course, if many of the teachers have their children in private school, that is a significant indicator, but getting that info is hard). A better clue would be who teaches the teacher’s child. In many systems the teacher can request a certain teacher for their child. All this is moot to the average parent, unless their school allows parents to request teachers.

My recommendation: visit, visit, visit. Listen to hallway conversations. Watch children’s faces as they arrive and go through their day. Ask questions of staff and teachers (make an appointment rather than wander in). Go to pta meetings (you don’t have to be a member). Ask to see the school behavior code. Ask to see county- or school-wide teacher procedures. Go to awards assemblies. All these can be signifant clues about what is really the focus in that school.

By luvs2teach

January 9, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

For our area, I would also suggest looking at the AJC’s education guide - it is very thorough and looks at many factors beyond test scores from teacher turnover and advanced degrees to PTA membership and Free/reduced lunch rates.

I would also look at the district map and see what neighborhoods feed into the school - is it overwhelmingly apartments? That would be a major red-flag in my book (nothing against apartment kids - many are terrific, but apartments do bring a higher transiency rate).

There are some interesting (though not scientifically accurate or completely objective) sites that give another view:

www.greatschools.net

www.ratemyteacher.com

By carol

January 9, 2007 01:16 PM | Link to this

the school is only as good as the administrator AND the teachers. the teachers are the main thing that decide the overall expertise that your child will receive. i agree that if the teachers allow their own kids to go to the school where they teach it does make a statement, but not necessarily the one you are hoping. do your research - my girls and i recently relocated and in preparation of doing so, i checked out several things - real estate values, demographics, test scores, tenant occupied vs owner occupied residences within area, etc. each of these items affects the overall educational value within the area. each school has its own “specialities” and is not equally suited for every student. for instance, my neighbor has a daughter with special needs (medical, mostly) and she needs a school that has a full-time nurse - not just a volunteer parent who calls parents to say, “come get your child; he/she is sick.” everyone’s definition of good is individually defined. my good school that i picked for our new home is not going to be the best choice for everyone. (there is no class offering for students where english is second language and another language is primary.) at the time i looked into the school i did not realize this fact, and fortunately i do not need those specialized services. do your own research; ask specific questions related to your child’s needs; make an informed decision based upon your own child’s specific needs. be your own decison maker. good luck!

By holdingAJCaccountable

January 9, 2007 01:22 PM | Link to this

To meme and any other teacher who has joined PAGE and/or GAE “for the insurance” I urge you to go to www.theteachersadvocate.com and educate yourself on why the “insurance” is a scam…and then consider why you want to be part of an organization that is not honestly acting in your best interest.

By Blind Homer

January 9, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

Actually outside of 6th through 9th grade at St. Andrews Episcopal the Bush twins did go to public school. There isn’t any way to pick a good public school because the term ‘good public school’ is an oxymoron.

By big al

January 9, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

Bridget Gutierrez, doll, one of the key things one must do when attempting to be sarcastic about another individual (which we, “His campus was considered a model by no less than the president. But I guess I’ll always wonder: Given the choice, would Bush have sent his own kids there?”) is to confirm to the mores of proper literary style. When one refers to our President IT IS ALWAYS WITH A CAPITAL P and it is inappropriate to use a “surname only” reference rather than President Bush. So, doll, your views on education, by virtue of your ignorance of the penned word, hold little more value that a Hee Haw rerun.

By LivingRight

January 9, 2007 02:37 PM | Link to this

Mr. Liberty,

You seem so intelligent, I can only assume you MUST have been home schooled yourself.

By TeachersWife

January 9, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this

Carol made a good point. A full-time English As a Second Language (ESOL) teacher at an elementary school indicates a population that is probably transient and needs additional resources. That school might not be the best for an average or gifted English-speaking child, but would be good for children whose primary language is not English.

By Truth Filter

January 9, 2007 02:57 PM | Link to this

A “great school” for one kid may not be a “great school” for another. It often depends on the kid.

Test scores, talking to teachers, walking the halls of the school, interviewing the principals are all good if you know what you’re looking for. Some kids thrive in public school environments. Others might do better and smaller, more structured private school. Some might do best at an arts academy while others might be better off at a career academy.

There is no one answer to the question — you have to make the decisions based on the needs of your kid.

But then again, I’m just a brain-washed government school graduate.

By JB

January 9, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

big al, seriously, this is a blog and by definition, informal. Obviously you have no ounce of creativity at all if you can’t think of anything else to say about education other than criticizing Bridget’s use of capitalization. If you’re such a stickler for the rules, then please be aware that you inappropriately used capitalization in your post by using all capital letters within one of your dull and boring sentences.

By Sparky

January 9, 2007 03:59 PM | Link to this

We sacrifice to have ours in a private school. Our Government school is so special and great, it provides day care to middle school students. That’s a fact!

By bush

January 9, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

“So, doll, your views on education, by virtue of your ignorance of the penned word, hold little more value that a Hee Haw rerun.”

Big Al, you sound like a massive tool.

By catlady

January 9, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

THE ESOL population COULD be a red herring, however. Our ESOL population, about 18% of 630, is extremely stable. Over three quarters of our ESOL kids were born in the US so their mothers have been in the US at least 9, 10, or 11 years (their daddies have been here longer), and most of them at our school were born in Georgia. About 2/3 of the ESOL kids at our school have been in the county since preK. Now, they are usually qualified for federal free lunch, and at least half have very poorly or non-educated parents, but the students also put to shame at least a third of our “native” kids in terms of work ethic, behavior, and grades.

IMHO, I would ask about Title I eligibility for the school. Having that designation can mean some pretty stupid programs are in place to “help” the students, things most middle class parents should avoid at all costs.

By Jeff

January 9, 2007 05:19 PM | Link to this

Define a “good school?

Let’s see:

One where Discipline is KEY and ALL students are held accountable for THEIR deicsions, good or bad.

One where Teachers are treated by ALL (students, parents, and administration alike) as the professionals they are.

One that properly uses technology to the highest degree available.

One in which administration and teachers are open to parents that treat them as professionals and ignore the ones that are not.

May think of more later….

By Jeff

January 9, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

Catlady:

AMEN to the Title I comment!

By thomas

January 9, 2007 05:58 PM | Link to this

What is a good school?

Quite frankly, in our community, a “good school” is one with a homogeneous or near homogeneous (90% or more) middle class population. Case closed. No more discussion needed.

These are not my opinions, but the opinions of the middle class parents who move to areas in order to select their child’s peers. School has nothing to do with it.

By MrLiberty

January 9, 2007 06:13 PM | Link to this

Living Right,

Actually homeschooling was pretty much unheard of when I went to school.

Not wanting me to be behind (my birthday is in Feb.) my parents enrolled me in a Montessori school. From there I went to a wonderful school for gifted children and from there on to a Catholic high school (my choice actually - though I was an atheist at the time - no, didn’t become a catholic).

Dad was out of the picture when I was 10 but I managed to get scholarships to the gifted school which my mom paid back after I left. I always worked hard in school because my parents made sure I knew that was important. It was obvious to me from the sacrifices they made. If they had been able to homeschool they might have, but they needed two incomes to pay for all the wasteful government programs like schools that their high taxes were going towards.

Today there is really no excuse. The resources are far too abundant and the internet closes any gap and answers any excuse almost anyone could come up with.

Its high time parents started paying for the real cost of their child’s education. If they were, we would not be having this discussion because everyone would already know where the great schools were. They would be the ones they freely chose to send their kids to with their own money and as a result of their own choices, not what they were forced into as a result of their ability to pay a high mortgage.

By catlady

January 9, 2007 06:53 PM | Link to this

One thing that is funny about looking for a “good school”: When folks complain about their child’s experience at the high school or middle school, I have to say,”We didn’t have that experience/problem”. Same school, but very different perceptions. So, SOMETIMES a bad school experience has little to do with the school, and more to do with the student/parents.

Thank God, the baby is a senior in college now, and I fully expect any future grandchildren will be home/private-schooled. Because it is a REAL crap-shoot (literally) sometimes, and mostly those with the green are the only ones who can avoid getting it on themselves.

By SET

January 9, 2007 06:58 PM | Link to this

Catlady: It’s true that immigrant children tend to do better in public schools than the US lower class kids.

It’s also true according to the stats I’ve seen that the 2nd generation Mexican (Mexican-American) kids to significantly worse than the immigrant Mexicans. There’s something about the water here perhaps - but when the mexican immigrants settle in and produce anchor babies, those children tank the school stats. We in CA are seeing similar problems with the poorer southeast asians such as the Hmongs. Those born here of immigrant parents have downward mobility for some reason. Discipline problems are usually given as the reason in both cases.

It seems our brave new world has the effect of destroying the indigenous discipline and family structure the immigrants bring. Maybe it’s when the public schools teach the kids that thier parents’ can’t spank them and train the kids to dial 911…

Mr. Liberty: What was your school experiences? Were you homeschooled at any point, etc??

By KA

January 9, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this

Mr. Liberty, You talk constantly about HOW MUCH YOU PAY in taxes toward public schools! Please tell us the dollar amount. I consider my property taxes a bargain!

By decatuparent

January 9, 2007 07:29 PM | Link to this

OK, I’ve had it.

Mr. Liberty - you make homeschoolers look bad. My homeschooling friends (I have several) would never be so judgemental and idiotic.

Your tendency to generalize and your inability to judge each situation on its own merits indicates to me that you in fact must have been “brainwashed” by some school along the way. Maybe you were teased or abused by your classmates in school so you have some sort of baggage?

My kids outscore 96% of the U.S. population on nationally normed tests (the same ones the homeschoolers in GA take), and they go to public schools. That means that they are performing better than the vast majority of homeschooled kids who typically score in the 70th to 80th percentile on nationally normed tests.

I have a post graduate degree, but I know that I am not trained to be a teacher and I don’t have the temperment to do it either. I also do not have even a fraction of the resources and technology that school has to enhance my kids’ learning.

My kids have had a couple of fairly benign interactions with some antisocial kids. They were unpleasant, but they are learning how to handle themselves around bullies and queen bees and the occasional feral child. At work, I have run into lots of bullies and queen bees and have a feral client or two, so the skills I learned in school about handling difficult people (like you, Mr. Liberty) have served me well.

I have no problem at all with homeschooling, and in many cases it is the best choice for a family. I seriously considered it before my oldest entered school. I would also seriously consider it again if our school ever adopted some NCLB/Reading First garbage like Direct Instruction.

You hurt the homeschooling cause when you make stupid generalizations…. particulary when they are repeated incessantly over months.

By catlady

January 9, 2007 07:44 PM | Link to this

Excellent points, SET. Generalization from our small sample: we can tell who has “been here” the longest by their better command of English, increased inappropriate behavior, sense of entitlement, and willingness to adopt a “thug” mentality. Sorta like our native kids. In our system, frequently the kids from Mexico have more problems with this than the kids from Guatemala. (More Machismo?) The Mexican kids come in with more going for them (more previous education, better schools, more sophistication socially and practically, more highly educated/skilled parents, smaller families) The Guatemalan students’ parents have little or no education. Sometimes the going is kinda rocky at first, as we are teaching both, sometimes 3 generations about American expectations. I am hopeful that we can keep that, and nurture it. At our school or ELLs are over half the honor students (for grades, behavior, etc) although they represent 18% of the stuents. And our anglo parents should be furious and ashamed!

The folks I see are good family folks who expect to work hard, their kids work hard, the kids behave and bring honor to the family. Most of them love to communicate with me about their child on a personal level. They overwhelmingly come to meetings to discuss their children,even though the parent may have had a poor school experience “back home”. I ache with the changes we have not been able to effect in parent behavior, especially the “giving” of a newly mature girl to a man as wife and mother when they are just old enough for middle school. I talk a lot to my kids hoping to keep them from going over to the dark side.

My daughter’s high school in Athens EVERY year we were there, the top 2 graduates were foreign-born. Made me want to kick someone in my house!

By Lisa B.

January 9, 2007 09:07 PM | Link to this

Keep in mind that in many parts of Georgia and the rest of the U.S., there is no school choice based on neighborhood selection. Many counties have only a couple of elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Sometimes I think that actually makes for a better school system. The haves and have-nots co-exist. My school system is that way, and we have no private schools of any sort in the county.

By thomas

January 9, 2007 09:08 PM | Link to this

I teach in a school somewhat similar to Catlady’s. The school is 65% Latino, 25% Black, and 10% White. The highest performing students are Latina girls. The native American students are the worst performers. Unfortunately, because of the language and socioeconomic status of many of the Latino students, they are not that great of performers. Needless to say, this school has its challenges.

The sad part is that, to be quite honest, THERE IS NO REASON WHY ANY BLACKS AND WHITES IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE OUTCLASSED BY IMMIGRANT MEXICANS. NONE. I see children who come to this country and cannot speak English with more gumption than the children whose parents and ancestors who’ve been here 300 years. THERE IS NO EXCUSE. NONE. IT’S A D*MN SHAME. And I’m a nationalist. How can I be aganist Mexicans when they have a better work ethic and attitude than our own native citizens?

Funny thing is, we have had soooooo many programs to help our citizens. It doesn’t seem to do any good. Useless. I would rather spend my time helping a person who can’t speak English, than to waste time on a lazy, worthless bum.

Title I, Headstart, EIP, SPED, free Pre-K,and untold countless programs at the local level to help underachieving students and yet they still cannot do crap. Don’t try, don’t care. Don’t give a crap. Students in the “fourth grade” and reading on 1st and 2nd grade level and all they and their parents want to do is to make excuses.

REALLY- You guys know I’m speaking the truth. They’ll come to school, take up a seat, make noise, cause disruptions, lie, steal, cheat, talk out, disrupt class, throw things across the room, won’t do any work (school or homework), stare into space while the teacher is teaching, stink (seriously- students who smell so bad, I need a oxygen mask), and just basically won’t do a d*mn thing. Are just totally clueless. And do not care. Neither do their parents.

After five years in the classroom, and having to teach all kinds of kids, I basically just want to teach the ELL’s now. It’s a whole lot less stress, work and wasted time. The expectations may be lower, but the attitude of the children and the parents is usually better. And you don’t waste your time as much. This goes for these so-called “gifted” kids as well.

I ought to go to Mexico. Seriously. H*ll, I could just see it now— I’m passing Pedro on the way to Mexico- he’s coming in, I’m going out. Maybe I’ll sell tacos on the street. I’ll get a big hat and take long siestas in the afternoon. Adios mi compadres.

By Truth Be Told

January 10, 2007 08:39 AM | Link to this

Buy a house in an area that has few apartments or low priced homes feeding into it. It is sad to say, but you have to weed out those that will lower your property values and test scores. We do have alot of (legal)immigrant families that, mainly for cultural reasons, have multiple generations living in one large home. They have combined their funds to be able to afford homes in our area. We have no illegal immigrants and had very few Katrina victims last year.I believe the school that my children attend “makes the grade” because of this!

The other thing that I have found that was mentioned before is the number of teacher’s children that attend that school. With very little exception, these are the brighter kids in class. My kids have had atleast 2 or 3 teachers kids in their classes for a combined 8 years - and I have never requested any particular teacher.

Last, you must be involved in your children’s education - their future! Even if you work, most companies allow time off for community involvement. Your child’s school is the place to be!

By meme

January 10, 2007 08:42 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Mr. Liberty.

By Lisa B.

January 10, 2007 06:53 PM | Link to this

Thomas,

Your post describes exactly how I feel some days. It is disheartening to constantly be blamed for lack of achievement in students who just don’t care at all.