By Frustrated

August 6, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Dekalb’s numbers are higher because so many of DeKalb’s school are unacceptable to parents. Parents seeking academic rigor have very few options in DeKalb county. DeKalb parents have to face the prospect of private school, home school or moving out of the county to provide their children with a meaningful education. Anyone who thinks DeKalb is on the right track is clearly not paying attention.

By Jennifer

August 6, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Undercuts the purpose of the law. It is an unintended consequence of NCLB, like many others.

By catlady

August 6, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

It might result in families sticking it out in their old school AND WORKING TO IMPROVE IT.

By Lee

August 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

This is simply more gamesmanship from our public school officials.

They would have us believe it costs less to pay 50 parents mileage than it would to load the kids on a bus and transport them to another school. Let’s see, current IRS mileage rate is $.505 per mile. I think I have read numbers in the range of $3-4 per mile for a bus and driver. You do the math.

Years from now, when vouchers are a reality and the only students left in public schools are the cronic troublemakers and malcontents, public school officials will be scratching their heads and wondering where they went wrong….

…. and then they’ll blame someone else.

Typical.

By Lisey P.

August 6, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

What the DeKalb County school system will be hoping for is that parents who proceed with transferring their students to other schools, under NCLB, will simply transport their student(s) themselves and not even file for the mileage reimbursement.

I guarantee that the process for filing for mileage reimbursement will be so frustrating and lengthy that parents will just not even bother. Very clever, Superintendent Lewis. Very clever, indeed. Wear well-meaning parents down with red-tape to make them keep their kids in their poorly-performing home schools — or pay for transportation themselves.

Seriously?

By Disappointed...again!

August 6, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I will GLADLY take my kids to school everyday - if it means they will have access to quality education - I’m all for it. The time spent commuting in the morning - can be used to catch up on what is going on with your kids. Daily goal setting or just plan rocking out listening to their “horrible” music and being silly! Whatever it takes!

I’m disappointed in Dekalb county because as of August 6th, 2008 10:03 am - I have NO idea what school my children will attend on Monday! No one has contacted me, no letter has been received - nothing! When I call the numbers posted on DeKalb’s website - I get voice mail greetings telling me that I will receive a call.
WHEN?

By Persisent Parent

August 6, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

This policy is pure crappola. Totally.

Like a previous poster said, the DCSS will make it so difficult to actually get a mileage reimbursement, some parents may actually give up. Not me, though. They’ll get sick of me — because I will NOT be deterred! I want what is best for my kids. And remaining at their crappy home schools is NOT what is best for them. So let the fight begin!!!

By enough already

August 6, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Catlady, you seem to think that parents have a lot more power than they do. Parents (either individually or as part of PTA or school council) have no ability to fire incompetent teachers. We don’t have any say in the hiring process, or in teacher assignments. We don’t get to chose the curriculum or have minimal impact in choice of textbooks. We have no ability to remove administrators who are completely unaware of what is going on in their schools and in their classrooms. We have no voice in teacher evaluations. What we can do is sell wrapping paper and host a teacher appreciation luncheon…neither of which has any great impact on educating our children. Nothing I could do could change the fact that my child had a substitute teacher for 100 days last year - a substitute that most of the parents found to be incompetent. Turning a school around requires an administration that has a vision and the skills to execute that vision, as well as a teaching staff that can meet those demands. It also requires time, and children don’t have time to waste. Parents shouldn’t feel guilty for leaving a school that fails its basic mandate, they should feel guilty for leaving their child to suffer educational neglect.

By A Parent

August 6, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Dekalb really needs to improve their school system. Children should not have to transfer out of their district for a better education. This is just another diversion from the real issue.

By Typical DeKalb

August 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

DeKalb has a long history of bait and switch when it comes to dealing with parents. Lots of talk about things like school choice but little mention of the fact that most of the supposed school choice options are at schools that are over capacity, meaning that they won’t actually take any of the children who apply. Last year the only high school transfer options under NCLB were the on-line high school and the technical school - neither of which was designed for or had a history of providing a traditional high school curriculum. Talk is very cheap in DeKalb, but meaningful improvement and concern for academic achievement is hard to find.

By Emma

August 6, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Lee As of July 1, 2008 the mileage rate incresed to $.585 due to the gas prices. Just FYI. If you need verificaiton go to irs.gov.

By Emma

August 6, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Public Schools isn’t much better. I applied for a transfer to another school and can take my child into work. When the rejection letter came I was very disappointed. So I called the School Board,student placement division, lo and behold there were on 10 openings, and I was number 372. Selection criteria: first come first serve, they don’t go by test scores, attendance record, etc. Bulls8#$! Only 10 openings LOL

By L'Wren

August 6, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

If I had known what I know NOW about Georgia’s public schools, I would have started saving for private school education for my children before I even became pregnant!

By Lynn43

August 6, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

The way NCLB labels schools “failing” is an insult to some great schools. Before getting upset about your school, check to see what made them get this label. It could be 1 child who failed qualified for 3 different sub-groups, and the rest of the student body could have scored above average. It could be that all students passed the CRCT but a few parents let their children miss 15 or more days. It could be that the mentally handicapped couldn’t pass the same test that regular ed students took.

There are too many things that could get a school labeled “failing” when it might be a perfectly wonderful and capable school. Please check if the “failing” label had anything to do with your childs education before believing an entire school is not up to par.

By grolier

August 6, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

The way NCLB labels schools “adequate” is an insult to many students. The low level of achievement required masks the fact that compared to students in other states or other countries, even our “high achievers” are being left behind. Sure, NCLB statistics don’t tell the whole story of a school, but compared to the lies the district is willing to tell us, it is better than nothing.

By Bob

August 6, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Dekalb is the new Clayton

By Vince

August 6, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Grolier… Most of the schools in metro Atlanta…especially those across the northern arc and in Fayette County are way ahead of schools “in other states and in other countries.” Every standardized test indicates that…the ITBS, the SAT, the NAEP.

Don’t perpetuate a lie.

By Lynn43

August 6, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

If every state used the same measures to determine “progress”, we could effectively compare our schools, but as long as every state has a different CRCT (they call it different name.) and a different formula for determining graduation rates, then this is like measuring two different species. Also, if our colleges are behind other countries, why are our universities overloaded with foreigners?

By Lynn43

August 6, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

If every state used the same measures to determine “progress”, we could effectively compare our schools, but as long as every state has a different CRCT (they call it a different name.) and a different formula for determining graduation rates, then this is like measuring two different species. Also, if our colleges are behind other countries, why are our universities overloaded with foreigners?

By catlady

August 6, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Parents have more power than they know IF THEY BAND TOGETHER AND SHOW UP AT EVERYTHING. Get in the news. Make phone calls daily. Go to the school. Otherwise you are just waiting for someone else to fix it. One phone call, one blog, one whine to the neighbor over cocktails won’t make a difference. Advocate for all the students, not just your precious child.

Parents have a lot more power than teachers on this to cause positive change.

Parents have to be visible and DEMAND improvement. BOEs get very nervous when they see truly active, engaged parents. It rarely happens here in Georgia. Most just want to whine, bch and moan, and expect for the BOE to take them seriously. (see clayton co for an example) It is not a one night stand.

By Dekalb parent

August 6, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Parents: Take your complaints to Washington and the Bush administration who pushed the NCLB on the states but then refused to fund it. While I have issues with many DeKalb policies this is one I support. The transfer provisions of the NCLB act wreak havoc on both the sending and receiving schools, destroying any sense of community in both schools.

And I am a full time working parent so I understand the transportation problem. But I agree 100% with Catlady that the best solution for struggling schools is for parents to work within the school system. Support the teachers who push the children to achieve academic excellence, who require meaningful homework and reading outside class. Make sports and extracurricular activities the last priority. Take advantage of every tutoring opportunity offerred.

By Barbara

August 6, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

You ask if the lack of busing undercuts the intention of sending more students to better performing schools. Isn’t this what Gwinnett, our state’s largest system, has done from the beginning? It has been acceptable policy there. Does the number of transfer requests really correspond with improved out-comes? And in asking if it will cut down on the number of transfers, I have to ask: how many students from an under-performing school must transfer to a satisfactorily-performimg school before scores go down in the satisfactory school & it becomes a lower performing school? Does over-crowding affect school performance? Should better performing schools become over-crowded to accomodate transfers? How much over-crowding can there be before test scores are affected? If parent participation helps make a school an outstanding performer then how many transfers without parent participation can a school absorb before it begins slip in performance?

These are all resonable questions because if we aren’t careful we are nothing more than a dog chasing its tail & spending a lot of time & money accomplishing nothing.

By new mom

August 6, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

When I was in college and then as a teacher, I used to think that vouchers would be the ultimate remedy for the public school system. There is little to any motivation for success—and competition will help greatly.

However, my perspective has changed. Now, as a parent who is saving for our baby’s private school education, I’ve been thinking about what effect a voucher system would have on private schools. Correct me if I’m wrong (I know y’all will!) but wouldn’t the private school experience suffer if it is forced to be somewhat ‘governed’ by a voucher system? There would be parents there who expect the school to accomodate their children the way public schools are expected to now. And now, private schools can kick out whoever they want or need to, which gives parents added motivation to keep their kids in line. Under a voucher system, would private schools still have that right? I’m afraid the private schools would become watered down, trying to meet all the goverment voucher requirements, that the final outcome would be a decreased educational experience.

Now please don’t get me wrong— I believe every student has a right to an education. And from a selfish perspective, sure, it would be nice to see our tax dollars spent where we want them to go. However, I also believe that there is an intrinsic nature of humans to put a higher value on something we pay for. Yes, we pay our tax dollars, but paying BEYOND that. We aren’t rich, but we save so we can afford private someday, and because we have worked so hard for this, we won’t take the private school opportunity lightly. And I’m not sure that vouchers can create that same mindset.

By gwarfan

August 6, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Public schools are there to teach to the lowest people on the pole. They are there to teach you to read, write, and do basic math. High School is easy people. Sure some of the math is a little hard but they teach it to you. If you child is smart they are held back in some places. There are always going to be schools that have better programs than others though. So smart kids get transfered to a better school. They should not have to bus your kid there though. You made a choice to go someplace across town that is your choice just like putting them in a private school is a choice. Vouchers are not a solution, they will just cripple poorer schools and school systems.

” If our colleges are behind other countries, why are our universities overloaded with foreigners? ” Dont buy the hype our universities are behind any place. They are loaded with foreingners because they make money for the school and it is a way for them to come here and stay here once they are done. ESL is huge in smaller schools. There are some exceptional schools like Oxford overseas but who cares if your degree is from Prague Tech?

By Jennifer

August 6, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Barbara, You ask some very compelling questions - ones that deserve some answers.

Yes, our largest school system has been doing this (Gwinnett). And yes, it has resulted in fewer people transferring, but has it translated either for the student, or for the receiving school into positive outcomes ? Who knows because GCPS is likely not to measure this, and the schools you can transfer to are far and few between.

In fact, at the alternative school, the number one excuse for why attendance is one of the worst in the district by their administrations admission, is because of …you guessed it - no transportation for students in regular education programs. So transportation does affect parents ability to get their kids to school.

And parents cannot really affect change in any appreciable way for the way any school is being run. In Gwinnett, our high school that parents have been complaining about forever, no administration changes have happened, and another poster had it right…our kids don’t have the time to wait through years of school boards and employees not listening and keeping the same people in place not doing their jobs.

By Gwinnett Educator

August 6, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

I left Dekalb after I had my daughter because I refuse to send her to a Dekalb County School. Granted, she is only 2 yrs old now, I am still making plans regarding her education. I just knew after 9.5 yrs in Dekalb that NO CHILD OF MINE would attend ANY school in that county. The quality is in the negative numbers.

I too also agree that they will make it VERY difficult to be reimbursed. It took me 6 months to receive a $100 stipend that was due to me. (that includes months of emails, running around, etc)

By Lee

August 6, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

New Mom, I think you are correct in your assessment of vouchers.

I have a daughter in private school and while I would welcome the financial help a voucher would bring, I am against them in principle. I think vouchers would result in a three tier system as follows:

• The elite private schools will remain elite. They will either raise tuition accordingly or will not accept vouchers and the accompanying red tape.

• Lower and middle tier private schools who accept vouchers will find that they also accept much of the government bureaucracy and red tape. A large part of the appeal (and success) of private schools is that they are able to filter out the undesirables. Accept government money, accept the consequences.

• The public school systems will become a final resting place for the undesirables - the cronic troublemakers, the psychopaths, etc - and will probably resemble a prison more so than a school.

The NEA and other “educational groups” are fighting vouchers tooth and nail. If vouchers become reality, they will work to ensure they are loaded down with so much bureacracy and red tape that they will be ineffective and unmanageable (just like the current public schools).

By Dan

August 6, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

The biggest fallacy is that what is good for the NEA is good for the kids. Please, the only reason they are against vouchers is because it would mean more accountability. As for Lee’s tiers Tier one of course so what Tier two nonsense, if they had all the same rules it would be a public school and that isn’t the aim. even now public schools complain that the federal guidelines cost more than they recieve, hogwash, if thats the case don’t accept the federal dollars and make your own rules, which is perfectly legal. Of course then they wouldn’t have a scapegoat to blame their failure on. Tier 3 - Perfect that would simply help the other 2 tiers work towards their goals.
Quite frankly there is not one rational reason to oppose vouchers

By NotyourMoney

August 6, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

There is one very rational reason to oppose vouchers…it isn’t your money! I pay property taxes and don’t have any kids. MY MONEY is not and should not be used to support any private school, especially any school affiliated with any religion. If the gov’t wants to refund everyone’s tax money, close public schools and let the parents use their share to pay for private school…go for it! But by taking out more money than is put in (a little note…Parents you do NOT pay the full cost of your child’s education with your taxes!) eventually there will not be any money to fund the public schools without a huge tax increase.

By Dekalb Co. Grad

August 6, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

It is so funny that all you Dekalb County parents are complaining. You all were some of the first to run to Gwinnett when you did not agree with things going on in the school system. Gwinnett County already took this option away. That is the only season why many of you stopped using those fake addresses and placed your child back at his/her home school.

Many of you are disconnected and need to get involved. Look at Decatur city school they have forced their parent into a situation where they have to be involved in the education process.

By Pompano

August 6, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

NotyourMoney - what is the difference in the government utilizing private sector resources for educational purposes versus all of the other instances where this practice is used.

The gov’t utilizes private contractors to design & build roads, buildings, etc. They provide Medicaid & Medicare disbursements to Private Health Care providers. These are just a few examples.

And guess what… your tax dollars already go to supporting Private Schools - many with religious affiliations. They are called Colleges and students can obtain Gov’t Grants (no different than a voucher) for Financial assistance.

Why then - other than to protect Teachers from accountability - should the education sector be off limits or be treated differently than the Secondary education markets?

By Michelle

August 6, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

I am too going through the same unfortunate circumstances. I have looked into why my home school is failing. It wasn’t because of IEP, or special ed, etc. It was because the kids were considered to be disadvantaged. My kids fall into the disadvantaged category and at one time referred to as refugees. Since my children were little I made it clear that we would not except anything less than a’s and b’s. Ever since kindergarten they have made honor roll consistently every year, perfect attendance, no discipline issues, behavioral awards, manners awards etc. Just because you are disadvantaged does not mean your child is doomed to fail. That is a state of mind and if that is what you as a parent feel; that there is no hope for your children that is what they will perpetuate. Parents have to be more vested in their children’s education and maybe we wouldn’t have failing schools. There are alot of people who are poor and choose to receive an education so that the same cycle doesn’t fall on the next generation. I have made sure my children are in a different state of mind. There are alot of rich people with some disadvantaged kids and I’m not talking about money. I too will have to find a way to commute my kids to and from school everyday, 38 miles all together going and coming. All that can be offered is gas reimbursement which is a joke. If the parents are transferring their children it must be with good reason. They claim not to be able to afford to transport these children but the majority of parents may or may not have transportation and if you receive a check every three months what happens in between. Do they not think we are having a hard time with the gas prices as well. Hell it’s hard to put food on the table. It amazes me that we live in the richest nation in the world and we can fund wars, jails, aid to foreign countries hit by natural disasters but can’t find a way to channel this money for our own American children to be able to receive a quality education in a safe enviroment. My kids will not be a statistic! Alot of these children that may have to go to their home school because there is no way for them to go elsewhere will fall through the gaps of the system. It all boils down to money, if you are well off your kids are more likely to get a good education and if you are poor good luck. In the year 2008 we are still being treated as second class citizens and it sickens me. You reep what you sow…….Get ready!

By Notyourmoney

August 6, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Private schools of any sort really shouldn’t get any public money. However, the grants you refer to are “block grants”, the school decides who gets the money and how much…that money doesn’t even come close to covering the cost of tuition, which is significantly inflated at many “private” colleges.

Public secondary schools are supported (primarily) by local tax money which is VERY limited. The burden of paying for a private school education belongs to the folks who want a private school education.

If you had ‘em, you should pay for ‘em!!!

By Eleanor

August 6, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

As far as I am concerned NCLB belongs in the toilet. It does nothing but keep teachers from teaching. That being sad, there are very good schools in the DeKalb system - Cary Reynolds is one of those. But if you have a problem, don’t go to the school board either because they are incompetent and uncaring. I am still waiting on them to get back to me from a very big problem at Cross Keys two years ago. When I contact them again, their response - we are still investigating. In the meantime the incompetent teacher is still there.

By teacher teacher

August 6, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

I’d like to address the parent that complained that they had no voice when it came to hiring teachers. I”d just like to offer up that if you have an education degree and valid teaching experience on that level, then fine, come in and join the hiring process.

Just because i hire an accountant to do my taxes doesn’t mean I understand everything that an accountant has to do for their job. I agree there are good teachers and bad teachers, but unless a parent has a valid background in education, I don’t want them telling me I can or can’t have a job.

Sorry to be off topic - that post just drove me nuts.

By Sade

August 6, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Transfering students to better performing schools poses two problems: 1.The county uses full size buses to transport a few students; smaller vehicles should be used which would save gas. 2. Transfering students to a better performing school will place a strain on the recieving school; their increased numbers will require using trailers as classrooms, the sending school will lose students which means they won’t need all their teachers and those teachers will then be transfered to other schools with higher enrollments. It’s a no win situation. The best option is for parents to work within their home school, volunteer, provide support for the teachers, train your children well - teach them manners and require them to be respectful and to follow the rules. Require that they do homework and read every night and please have them leave their electronic toys (pacifiers) at home. A child does not need a cell phone, ipod, mp3 player, etc at school. Students are there to learn and these electronic toys are a huge distraction! Thanks

By michelle

August 6, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

It would have been a nice alternative for my children to go to their home school. On that same note however, how many parents in our disadvantaged area are going to step up to the plate and take accountability and responsibilty for their children. The fact of the matter is some parents send their kids to school and that is the extent of their involvement. You can not force anyone to take an active roll in their child’s education when they are satisfied with the status quo! Alot of their attitudes are; I live in this district and so what if the school is failing this is our only choice and do they care? From what I have seen some people are o.k. with settling for less or whatever is dealt to them. I’m sorry but my children will not be in that number and that is why I chose NCLB, even though from what I am seeing it’s b.s. but I have to do what I think is in the best interest of my children and right now their home school does not fit into that equation.

By Tony

August 6, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

the parent who expressed frustration over feeling unable to influence the schools to improve does and should have a voice. Taking an active instead of passive role helps schools. If a principal or teacher tries to shut out parents and community, then the school needs even more parents to get involved. Catlady gave a very good response. A notable quote of hers said that unless you get involved you are waiting for someone else to fix it. Communities must stop passing responsibility for their own well being to others. The only way you can have quality schools is to work with other parents to make sure you have them. Don’t wait for the state of Georgia, the federal government, or anyone else - it will be too late. Get involved and do something.

teacher teacher - shame on you for your attitude. As a teacher (if you are one) you should welcome parents into your classroom and encourage their involvement to improve the quality of children’s learning. It’s teachers like you who help to ruin the reputations of other teachers and bring down the quality of schools.

By Ernest

August 6, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

DeKalb has been known as a ‘benevolent’ school system. It has openly accepted refugees from other countries for years and provided an education for their children. Look at the athletic programs. DCSS ‘shares’ the gate receipts with all schools (despite larger schools complaints) so that all schools have a chance to have a level playing field with funding. DCSS has also been somewhat liberal with its transportation policies over the years.

That said, it’s not surprising DeKalb’s transfer numbers are higher than Gwinnett’s. Because of the realities of transportation costs and budget reductions, this was a logical move. Some parents will complain because this is contrary to the way things have historically been done but this is truly a new day. This will result in fewer students leveraging this option. Hopefully the savings will go back to instruction to help schools in that area.

Several commented that they believe DCSS will drag their feet with regards to paying mileage money. How does Gwinnett handle this? Given they’ve been doing this from the beginning, maybe DCSS can learn something from them.

Food for thought, assuming 20 miles round trip and 20 days per month, that would equate to $234/month. If the sending and receiving schools are on the MARTA line, one could purchase a monthly MARTA card for about $50/month and actually come out ahead. Some of you might remember that APS and DeKalb used MARTA to help with transportation years ago when the fare was 10 cent each way….

By yesiamworried

August 6, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

As I understand it, the money won’t come until the end of the school year (this is how it works in Gwinnett). A family must be fairly well off to front the money. Think about a family from Stephenson trying to get their child to Chamblee or Dunwoody. if the job is downtown. Isn’t going to happen. Should be interesting to see how many students transfer now…

Anyone want to guess… if 2200 were willing to transfer with transportation — that doesn’t mean there would be spaces for all of them— what number do you think will actually end up transferring.

I am guess 800.. anyone else want to play

By enough already

August 7, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this

It is amusing that Tony and others assume that because I feel that parents have very little power to improve the school their children attend that I therefore must not be involved in the school. I have served on the school council, the PTA board, and more committees than I can remember. I have been room parent (at least 5 years worth). I have tutored remedial students and provides enrichment to gifted students. I have written grant proposals and attended PTA, school council and school board meetings. I have spoken at school board meetings frequently enough that Crawford Lewis greets me by name when I approach the microphone. And I firmly believe that meaningful change in the schools will not happen quickly enough to make a difference for my children. If transferring them to a better performing school is what it takes to provide them with meaningful education, than I will transfer them. How many years of education are you willing to throw away while you wait for improvement?

By Ernest

August 7, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the insight, yesiamworried! I would ‘assume’ it would be a simply ‘pass through’ in which the county ‘signs off’ on the mileage compensation request and the Feds pay it, similar to the way an expense report is filed. That said, I would if those dollars are considered income.

I’m guessing around 400 will actually take advantage of it. IMO, those that work in the Emory/CDC area along with the Perimeter Mall area will be likely candidates to take advantage of this

My observation has been this transfer program caused a ‘bright flight’ from the sending schools, regardless are the area that caused that school to be placed on the list. At the same time, some of the receiving schools benefited because their ‘home’ population was low thus the transfers helped with the overall population numbers. It will be interesting to see the student counts after the first official snapshot is done in September. Combining this with the recent news of a possible 6-8% drop in student population, DCSS may revisit additional school closings sooner rather than later.

By Vince

August 7, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett Educator….How do you explain the extremely high test scores at many Dekalb schools. Many of them have scores higher than any schools in Gwinnett. In fact, some of them have the highest scores in the state. Chamblee High, Oak Grove, Vanderlyn, Fernbank, Livsey, Evansdale, Austin, etc., etc……

How do you explain that?

By Teacher, Too

August 7, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I’ve noticed at my school, the kids who are transferring to other schools are not the low-performing kids; these are kids who have scored at the exceeds level on the CRCT. So, are they not getting a good education?

I would love to see the teachers at “high performing” schools come in and teach at my “needs improvement” school. Do you really think the teachers at the high-performing schools are that much better? Do you really think that those teachers would magically solve all the problems that come wtih a “needs improvement” school?

If I transferred to a high-performing school, would the students suddenly become low-performing?

No- and it’s ridiculous to think that either of those scenerios would be true.

Our school did not make AYP because of one subgroup in math. Yep- students with disabilities. Now, is that fair? Our scores actually continue to improve and we continue to make AYP in all other categories and subgroups.

Just address the sorry state of discipline and then you’ll see the test scores improve. As Rabbi Schmuley says, “Discipline is another form of love.” And, as a society, we are sadly lacking in self-discipline.

By catlady

August 10, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

Enough already: I am glad to hear you have been so involved in your home school. The thing you miss is that it takes a CRITICAL MASS—a large group of people like you to hold the system’s feet to the fire. Sounds like you are a lone voice crying in the wilderness. Use your expertise to pull together many other parents like you, make yourselves known from day 1, get press coverage of your concerns, show up en mass for BOE meetings (and sit together) over and over again. Include your childless neighborhood residents—it affects them, too. Use your considerable talents not only as one person, but to organize and motivate a group of people. I have seen first-hand that this can work, even in a large school system. My children suffered through some poor schools in a well known school district near Atlanta. The thing that started turning around the miserable conditions at the high school my daughter attended was a LARGE group of mostly middle class parents demanding accountability from the BOE and CO. They did not like having these angry people on the news, in the paper, and at the meetings (as well as calling meetings without the BOE invited). Other than cut and run, it is your only option as a concerned, involved parent.