By John Q. Citizen

July 13, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

ICE: Shallow? You’re not digging deep enough. It’s a genetalia metaphor. Perhaps you never learned what a metaphor was at GC. “Does your chain hang low, does it wobble to the floor?” Maybe I just can’t see the obvious but, when has a chain around a man’s neck ever touched the floor?

By icetip

July 13, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

john q the song chain hang low is not talking about a man’s private part. you need to know your music. it is talking about a chain that is worn around the neck. some people are so shallow.

By John Q. Citizen

July 12, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Concerning the GC Band, I was at Muck Bowl this past year watching the halftime show. I certainly enjoyed GC’s platonic rendition of, “DOES YOUR CHAIN HANG LOW?” What the hell does that exactly mean anyway? It just amazes me that the director of the band would be allowed play this kind of a song referring to a male’s genitals. However, that is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

By platinumplus

July 11, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

my apologies for referring to you as a male. i forgot the sorority that you are apart of is mostly for rejects on HBCU campuses. when i was at famu in 1992 the delta’s ran the yard as well as my sister sorority AKA. i already know who you are. Does Barbara Dykes ring a bell to you. most people in bg knew you were coming in april sister girl. you have kept the gc staff well aware of the principals secretary’s nasty attitude. need i say more. by the way if you continue to put the community down your expected grand entrance in august may not be so successful. too late, many parents have already accepted the states offer and are sending their kids to Glades Day and other surrounding schools that are achieving academically. you are only coming to gc because it is close to home. why not teach in hendry county. and how can you talk about a band when clewiston is none for the notorious 20(band) all they do is gossip in harlem..you need to change where you are from underneath your name and year of college graduation. blacks are not from clewiston they are from Harlem

By schmock

July 11, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Ok, in closing… I said I worked for both principals; knowing personally and working for are two different entities. Are you a woman hater? I am 100% female, however this is not relevant. I did not put Dr. Harris down… Again it is my OPINION that the school will go to a lower grade. This is not personal sir. The whole point of having a screen name is to reinstate the fact that this is an opinion base web page. There goes the gossip thing again; you’ve completely twisted my words around, when you can actually go back and read what I said verbatim. Forget here say, everything I said before is still viewable. You have managed to twist and toggle my words into down talkin folks and principals and the entire community, when all I did was give my opinion. Run, hide, …ok. I guess your real name your birth name is platinum plus. I don’t care who you are. Your opinions were what attracted me to carry on this monolgue. Its been fun bro. Take care

By platinum plus

July 11, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

you can run but you can’t hide. liar, first you stated that you had worked for both prinicpals and now you claim you only know one principal..get it right dude. i dont have a problem with you backing the new band teacher, but don’t put others down in the process. you just put Dr. Harris down by saying that the school grade is going to drop…that is immature because this man has helped many school to achieve excellence. you are only selling wolf tickets because you know the principal just as I thought and the band teacher. please sir reveal yourself because I was in the band as well in 1992..and I am a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

By shmock

July 11, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

The truth hurts, I know. Who I am is irrelevant and not important. This is an OPINION based commentary scene. Remember, bigger does not mean better. The band was huge with Miller. He seems very up beat and fun to be around. I personally listened to the band and was embarrased at the terrible discipline and poor sound quality that came from such a big group. Pyfrom was the man and nobody can take that away. The problem is that nobody, since he left, has been able to do this. I am really backing the band because I know the new guy personally, thats all. I also know the principal personally, thats all. My OPINION about the gossiping and what not is based on my short, but deep interactions with students, parents, strangers, etc… You are a perfect example!!! Thanks!! The comments posted here are a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Snitching?, who goes to what college? My cousin is such and such? Who cares!!!Run out of the muck? Please. Black is Black; If you skin us, we’re all the same. I thought this was a mature web page where people can state their OPINIONS without people taking it the wrong way, but I guess thats not the case. I’m not putting anyone down, just making a general evaluation from some hands on experience and making realistic predictions. I’m not cleo either, but I see humbleness in your future. Good luck to you all. My free time has run out. This was fun, we’ll do it again next year.

P.S. - I’m from Clewiston!! Sigma Gamma Ro FAMU 1992

By platinumplus

July 10, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

yes I am back again to support a different cause. hmm i was just sitting here thinking to myself..that the band size started decreasing well before Pyfrom left. in fact the band sound like an am station the last few years that Pyfrom was there. Heath Miller came and got the kids and community back into the band. he was fired because Pyfroms son-in-law Tim Abrams could not stand to see a young man come and bring the funk back. heath is now at HL Watkins representing the muck. i don’t know exactly who you are shamrock or smock or whatever your name is..but i agree with gc alumni we are tired of broken dreams..stop bragging so early in the game. get to know the students first and then talk next year this time. when dr. grear was principal the raiders were always on top. we represented in all area’s to include music, sports and academics. now you need to know the facts about football in the muck. my cousin Tim Sims was Valedictorian of the school and first african american athlete in pbc to attend Stanford University(FOOTBALL PLAYER) and has done an excellent job. you are no different from anyone else..you are already putting down Dr. Harris, the glades community and all the band teachers that followed Pyfrom. Dude that is wrong. Check this..don’t you be calling us next year or by September when they run you out of the muck. This is a different world dude. man up! in fact my other cousin Dowdell(Football) and Deontae Thompson (Football) are going to Florida this year. the kids know how to sign a contract…i hope you do to…because I predict you and coleman will be gone by 2009 and my name is not cleo.

By gcalumni

July 10, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

apparently scmock you must be the new band/music teacher at the school, since your only concern really seems to be the musical program. I noticed you have placed most of your emphasis on music. stop hating on the football program…all of those kids are capable of signing a contract if the opportunity prevails. apparently you are listening to gossip because if you are new to the glades, how could you make such a comment. I am speaking on facts, in case you don’t know…i stated that Glades Central has always been strong when it came to music. The band was great with Willie Pyfrom and the band was even bigger with Heath Miller. You are coming into our community with the wrong attitude. you are putting people down that you can’t even identify with. music has never gotten a child a diploma, however passing the fcat will. what i said earlier and still will say is that it would take a bulldozer to push the school down and then start from scratch to get success. why are you only going to give the school a ”C”for next year, why not go all the way to an A. Lakeside academy just around the corner did it in 1 year. they went from a c to an a. also are you a brown noser for the new principal. it sure seems like it. if you are the new band teacher, congrats you are going to be in for a rude awakening if you think the kids are going to join the band just like that. you will be lucky if the community even accepts you after the way you just put us down…talking about there is nothing to do but gossip in the glades. speak for what you know…don’t jump on the band wagon within one year. Is this Monroe Shannon…you were a snitch at RPBHS and now you are going to come to the muck and do the same.

By shmock

July 9, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

To concerned parent(s). Give the new teachers and administration a chance before you draw conclusions. Stop feeding into the gossip that flows through the small town of belle glade. This is one thing that I have noticed about belle glade. There’s pretty much nothing else to do in town so people start creating stuff to talk about. Concerned parent, your child is in better hands now. Give “us” a chance to prove ourselves. Yes, I am a teacher and proud to be a new member of the belle glade community. Again, just give us a chance.

By schmock

July 9, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I forgot to comment on the achievement of starting a school from nothing to a B and then to a higher B again. When a school is brand new; no history, no legacy, no spirit, no pride; it basically starts at an F. The school was predicted to be, at the most, a C school based on the neighborhood and the students. A school where 95% of the students walk and live in trailer parks, where most parents don’t speak English. A B in only one year; a higher B in two years; if the need for her was not so great at GC she would have had the chance to show exactly what she was capable of and produced the inevitable A in 2008; Dr. Harris now has the chance to take credit for her hard work and she has to clean up his mess and prove herself again to people like gcalumni who know not what they speak of. Here are my predictions based on having worked for both principals. GC will move to a C or higher and Swain will drop to a D. Again, there are no band wagons here!

By schmock

July 9, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Nobody said it would be a solo effort, but when it comes down to it, that one person is the only one responsible. There is no band wagon, just people that know she is one of a kind and what she brings to the table. Its negative money hungry people that have brought down the GC in the first place. Once again, check your facts before making ignorant comments. The only thing that has managed to succeed is sports. The music program has been dead since Pyfrom retired. Nobody seems concerned how a band that usually had 150 plus members dwindled down to 30 in a couple of years. Again, all of this lies in the hands of whomever is in charge. For the last time, stop making empty predictions; Coleman will revive this school from academic, atheletic, and musical failure. What good is having a championship football team if they can’t read the contract they sign. Dr. Coleman ain’t having it!! If your wondering why I support this woman so much its because I have had a few bosses in my time and nobody scratches the surface when it comes to her wisdom, leadership, and best of all, her humbleness.

By gcalumni

July 8, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I am sick and tired of people jumping on a temporary bandwagon when it comes to gc. dr. camille coleman can not move this school alone. athletics is already a top seed, music has never been a problem. the focus needs to be academics, academics and more academics, the problem is every time a new principal comes to town, you all say the same thing. a couple of years ago dr. harris was supposed to move the school and the school fail deeper in the hole. if mary evans could not turn glades central around then no one can. first of all it takes more than one individual to change a school. it’s not about race and the gender of the leader. i am sick of people bringing race into education. i know plenty of african american female principals that are at the top of their game (ex:mary evans) people come to gc for all of the wrong reasons to include teachers and administrators. they come to the school to become apart of the athletic dynasty and could care less about the academics. most of the atheletes at the schools are accepted into Div. 1 school without problems. its the other part of the student population that hinders the schools performance. gc needs experienced ap’s and principals to run the school. my point exactly this principal’s school grade remained a B..WHICH MEANS THAT SHE IS INCAPABLE OF MOVING A GRADE. WE NEED A PRINCIPAL WHO CAN MOVE A GRADE FROM a B TO AN A. Stop bragging so soon and start working to move the f to a c or better. Actions speak louder than words.

By Gator

July 8, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I hope for the sake of GC and the community she succeeds.

Honestly though, I don’t see much change at GC until the community changes first. When you look at the amount of cultural diversity and poor socioeconomics in that area, it is hard to fathom high academics for GC. Please don’t misconstrue my opinion as being negative towards the new administrator. However, I’m a realist and most of GC’s problems involve much more than what goes on in the confines of the school building. I’m tired of the school board and critics always blaming teachers and administrators for GC’s problems. Maybe parents should take a real hard look at what’s going on on their end of things.

By Shmock

July 8, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Glades Central will have a historic year academically, atheletically, and especially musically. The school has gained a tremendous leader; she has been in administration for alot more than two years; she has always been deeply admired by her staff and is very influental among her peers; she was promoted from a middle school that was expected to be a below average school; this year they maintained their “B” average despite many who would have loved to see a black female principal fail; She is truely the epitome of what a principal should be; Watch what she she does with Glades Central in all aspects - Acadamics, Atheletics, Music Education and then make a comment this time next year. Also, watch what happens with L.C. Swain Middle School, her former school. I really feel for those kids over there. I’ve read many comments about who’s to blame for a school’s grade and what is on the classroom walls, etc… The principal is in direct control of the entire school. If you see poor leadership in an AP or elementary things in a high school classroom, or whatever; guess what - the principal is to blame. Again, watch and see what Dr. Camille Coleman does with the GC in 07-08.

By Gator

July 4, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

John Q. Citizen—- I Couldn’t have said it any better. BRAVO!

By John Q. Citizen

July 4, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

gcalumni: Let me sum it up for you real quick. Irrespective of whether you are a teacher or an administrator, the reason why you can’t get the best teachers or best administrators at GC is quite basic-THEY DON’T WANT TO BE THERE! If I were an aspiring young Assistant Principle, I would not voluteer to go to GC for only one reason-my career as an AP might end there. Furthermore, if I were a young teacher or perhaps a proven teacher on continuing contract, I would not go to GC because there is no job security out there-even for those on CC. Are you aware of how many teachers got whacked this past year? I mean, if I’m going to put my career, and livlihood, in the hands of 14 and 15 year old kids, why in the hell would I choose to do that at the lowest performing high school in the county? You can also rank GC as one of the very lowest in the state as well. Aside from their low cognitive levels, a teacher has to deal with a disproportionate amount of disrespect, disgust, and disillusionment at GC. The expression in business is, “S* rolls downhill.” Initially, the Principal will blame it on the teachers and those teachers will be out of a job. After that doesn’t work, Art Johnson will go after the APs and then the Principal. It’s a pathetic and predictable cycle and regardless of how much money you spend per student out there, the result is still going to be the same. Now, do you understand why you can’t get proven and experienced administrators and teachers out there?

By Gator

July 3, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Rattler-teachers usually have book selections available that meet the reading level of their students. Did you ever consider that maybe the GC class you are refering to is reading on a very low level?

By smitty

July 3, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

I went to Palm Beach Central when Dr. Saltzman was there. He was always nice to me, but I know that a lot of people didn’t like him. The story about the pro baseball players is true. He marched out onto the baseball field screaming and yelling. The two pro’s told him why they were there, but he didn’t stop. I heard the two players told the coach they would contribute to the team, but not to the school after that.

By smitty

July 3, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

I went to Palm Beach Central when Dr. Saltzman was there. He was always nice to me, but I know that a lot of people didn’t like him. The story about the baseball the pro baseball players is true. He marched out onto the baseball field screaming and yelling. The two pro’s told him why they were there, but he didn’t stop. I heard the two players told the coach they would contribute to the team, but not to the school after that.

By rattler

July 3, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

dr. salzman turned that school around. i graduated last year and he was a very nice man who cared about the students. you are not going to be able to please everyone…when you are trying to do the right thing. my cousin goes to gc and she said they treat them like little kids. they have word walls, and kindergarten books for them to read. i think they need to have a better genre of books for the kids to read. the fcat does not have elementary passages for high school students. alot of times students feel intimidated when they are treated like kids. i loved palm beach central, we were treated like young adults and our work was challenging. gc students have to eat and socialize in the cafeteria and my cousin took a picture of her reading class and they had alphabets on the wall. who’s strategy was that. that’s an insult to any high school student.

By Gator

July 3, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Thanks Kim for pointing out my “terrible” spelling. However, Ian Saltzman took over PBC about two months into the school’s first year. I know five teachers that work there and they all say that things got worse when Saltzman came took over. One story goes that he told he ran two professional baseball player’s off of “HIS FIELD” that were there to make a $$ contribution. Also, he was notorious for making threats towards his staff. The list goes on and on.

By gcalumni

July 3, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

I agree with concerned parent. Glades Central does need principals with more experience to move the school. The current principal has only been an administrator for 2 years. I think she lacks the experience to move the school to the next level. I am not saying that she is not intelligent, but I think in order for a school to get out a danger an experienced principal must be in the driver seat. Gator, I am sorry but I have not heard anything but positive praise for Dr. Ian Salzman. He seems to be capable of moving a problem school and getting it on the right track. Glades Central needs to be zero based and they need to put people in the school with no ties to the community. The current principal has ties and is beginning to bring, friends and family back to the school. this is the wrong answer for a struggling school. You have assistant principals coming in from schools that have not scored higher than a ”C” on the Fcat. I know the person that she is speaking of that is coming back as an assistant principal. this person has no discipline and wants to be popular with the students. we don’t need that in the glades. Tim Abrams and his crew did enough damage to the school. We teachers, not wanna be’s to help the school reach excellence.

By Kimbe Lee

July 2, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Gator should learn to spell and look up facts. The info on Saltzman is wrong. I think you are thinking of the first principal. He was the second principal.

By Kimbe Lee

July 2, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Gator should learn to spell and look up facts. The info on Saltzman is wrong. I think you are thinking of the first principal. He was the second principal.

By Nuke LaLoosh

July 2, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

true that jupiter did better in some areas, most in fact. but still funny because everyone who is supposed to be going to dwyer but is hiding at jupiter claimed without question, that their refusal to do so was because of the school grade. so, even though the reality is that dwyer did better pushing their low end than did jupiter, but jupiter did better overall in some areas, its still riotously funny that they got a better grade. what is the excuse now? your reasoning was eliminated, so can we now assume it’s just race, as it was all along?

By Gator

July 1, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

LOL at previous comment about Ian Saltzman. That guy is terriable. He was given the boot out of Palm Beach Central because he failed to control racial tensions. Maybe you should do some research prior to posting.

By Gator

July 1, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Having good teachers is only a small fraction of student achievement.Their home environment makes up the majority of their potential for progress. It’s difficult to promote academics for those kids that come to school for security and a hot meal. The Conventional wisdom that by pumping Dwyer award winning teachers into a failing school is going to turn things around is ridiculous. Dr. Johnson needs to examine those situations more closely.

By All Talk

July 1, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Unfortuately, there are not enough principals like Ian Saltzman around.

Too many mediocre administrators. The best should be sent to schools that have an F (they do NOT want to go). Johnson should send more than 1 principal to these schools. Those principals should bring a cadre of teachers with them. Adequate incentives should be given to all.

Still failing the poorest of the poor.

By d

July 1, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

students are from other countries and their parents expect everyone else to feed clothe and educate their children.It is becoming harder to do that.The working parents are left behind and exhausted along with the teachers and all they care about in school systems is fcat.

By Mother

July 1, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

Isn’t Palm Beach County actually a wealthy county?That’s how I have always heard it. Does anyone have the demographics to define us as a school district which is not wealthy? Thanks!

By concernedparent

July 1, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

I am a concerned parent of a Glades Central Student. I will be withdrawing my daughter from Glades Central as soon as possible. I am tired of sitting back watching Dr. Johnson send the best administrators and principals to the schools on the coast. He does not hesitate to send the best principals to the school on the coast..and sends the weakest links to Belle Glade. It is so unfair to the community, the kids and the parents. I noticed a couple of years ago when one of my daughters went to Palm Beach Central High School in it’s inaugural year..it did not take Dr. Johnson long to replace Cheryl Stevens as principal when it seemed as if she could not do the job. He replaced her with a warrior Dr. Ian Salzman. I don’t understand why he does not send these calibar of principals to Glades Central. The school apparently needs help. We need experienced Assistant Principals at the school. we don’t need people that are playing the circus to keep returning and not do anything for the school. We have at least one AP returning to G.C. that has been there as a ESE teacher, Guidance Counselor and has not done anything to promote the school positively. I would suggest to anyone with common sense..remove your child and put your child in a school where the will have all of the resources and experienced teachers, faculty and staff to suceed in life. Glades Central has been given many chances and it seems like it’s over. I think Dr. Grear and her administrative staff could come out of retirement and do a better job.

By Tarponlarry

June 30, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

I think it is hilarious that good teaching is linked with high achievement and nothing else. The IB program is exclusively for high performing…top 5% type students. Saying that these are the teachers that deserve bonuses is nuts. That be like me coaching the New England Patriots in the NCAA’s and saying I’m a great coach because I win the National Championship every year. Fact is as far as standardized FCAT tests go IB students should eat them alive…without any help…teachers in these programs should be rated on how many Ivy league programs and top flight universities these kids get into. C’mon…it isn’t a level playing field.

By td

June 30, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Has anyone noticed that many schools that are rated “A” have less than half of their students reading on grade level? In any other world a grade of less than 50% would be considered an F. These grades are meaningless. As far as I am concerned most Palm Beach County schools are failing. If you want your child to get a good education, suck it up, pay your property taxes, and move back up north!

By John

June 30, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

The fact that every year, Glades Central HS wins state championships in several sports is proof that the students there are very high achieving, hard working people. The community of Belle Glade, from the parents and students to the coaches, teachers, and principals, has a highly developed culture of athletic success. What they all lack is a culture of academic success. You cannot turn that situation around with more money, new teachers, new administrators, etc. without students and parents who value education, teachers who are competent, and adminstrators who provide a safe learning environment.

By diane Hanfmann

June 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

As long as t’s test acores have been entered correctly, t has shown you information of interest. School grades are not worth much; they give false impressions rathher than clear indications. Read about learning gains, another good indicator.

By diane Hanfmann

June 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

As long as t’s test acores have been entered correctly, t has shown you information of interest. School grades are not worth much; they give false impressions rathher than clear indications. Read about learning gains, another good indicator.

By diane Hanfmann

June 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

As long as t’s test acores have been entered correctly, t has shown you information of interest. School grades are not worth much; they give false impressions rathher than clear indications. Read about learning gains, another good indicator.

By Eric

June 30, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Jank said..”I think that PBC is expecting all students to do the same and be in my words “Brilliant.” is not the teachers fault or because students come from other countries. i personally hated the FCAT and other test related to those that expected all students to be the same at everything. some students are better at others thing than others. i personally thing as a just graduate from high school that PBC have forgotten what it is like to be a “student.” ….

WOW…God help us all if this was actually written by a recent HS graduate!

By

June 30, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

T, Dwyer is the North County Center for ESE students. Their scores are included in our FCAT score. So i’m sure after you take that into consideration that the scores would be some what close.

The excuses are allready coming out.

By Christopher Mann

June 30, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

FYI to all of you who think you know what you’re talking about…you don’t!!! I’ve spent many years as a HS teacher and can tell you some terrible things teachers say about students when no students are around. You think its the community, you think its the parents (patrtially true)? Its really neither and teachers should be canned for being crappy teachers.

Everyone thinks…”Oh my he or she is a teacher…how wonderfull is that?” Yah, thats great, but just because they are teachers doesn’t mean they’re good teachers.

I knew a teacher here in PB Co who did so many drugs it would kill a small country…coke, pot…you name it she did it…and she was teaching your middle school kids.

By t

June 30, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Art Johnson’s comments about Dwyer and Jupiter should be infuriating to everyone affected by the boundary change! Just because Dwyer has been given an A status does not mean it is truly a school of excellence, just like the B that Jupiter has doesn’t mean it’s not.

Look at the ACTUAL results of the scores:

Percentage of students performing at or above grade level: Jupiter High-Reading 60%, Math 87%, Writing 90%, Science 60%.

Dwyer High - Reading 44%, Math 74%, Writing 87%, Science 55%.

This just goes to show that the grades really mean nothing and it’s dispicable that Jupiter will now lose money they really need when they are still outperforming Dwyer!

By Art needs to retire

June 30, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Art needs to retire!! He has many real estate holdings in Boca, a Construction business, and a huge yacht that he spends half the year in down in the Keys!! The man is a millionaire!!Retire buddy, you are set for life!

By Buy a Clue

June 30, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

GET REAL….they (the school boards) have been phonying up those scores forever. They are nothing but a work of fiction, gussied up to get more state money.

By Mad Mike

June 30, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

You can’t base anything on stadardized tests. They have been dummied down to increase the scores of minorities (not racist but fact)

Don’t blame it on the teachers, blame it on the uneducated parents who don’t care what happens to their kids.
They will continue to breed and feed off welfare

By Gator

June 30, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Having good teachers is only a small fraction of student achievement.Their home environment makes up the majority of their potential for progress. It’s difficult to promote academics for those kids that come to school for security and a hot meal. The Conventional wisdom that by pumping Dwyer award winning teachers into a failing school is going to turn things around is ridiculous. Dr. Johnson needs to examine those situations more closely.

By Frank

June 30, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

As always, scores are down just after a gubernatorial election. You’ll see how well we’ll do just before the next one. It’s a pattern. What, me, accuse Florida officials of fixing results? Never!

By melvras

June 30, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

children’s grades are a reflection of the education level of the parents. dont waste ur time on research and tests.

By melvras

June 30, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

children’s grades are a reflection of the education level of the parents. dont waste ur time on research and tests.

By melvras

June 30, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

children’s grades are a reflection of the education level of the parents. dont waste ur time on research and tests.

By sharon

June 30, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

The School District of PBC spent almost a million and a half dollars at Glades Central last year for recruitment and paying teachers more to go out there. Where is the return on the investment? They are planning to do the same thing again next year. The have replaced almost 50 teachers for next year. They zero-based the school 4 years ago and still the school continues to fail. It isn’t the teachers. They can replace the whole staff every year and nothing will change. I don’t think any of you realize how bad it is out there. You are dealing with a whole culture where education is not valued and many parents are absent, on drugs and the kids can barely read. Not to mention all the migrants that have no education. I think the school should be closed. Send some of the kids from GC to Royal Palm, Pahokee and Wellington High. Of course the outcry will be great. Nobody wants to have to deal with that mess. They have had 7 principals in the last 11 years at GC. Art Johnson is shifting people in the Glades hoping for an easy fix. Where are the after school programs? Where are the parenting classes. Stop blaming the teachers. It is a community issue.

By Me

June 30, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

I think it is funny with people comparing some of our schools with schools in other counties. The IBP? HAHA. If I were able to kick and major discipline problems out of my classroom and eventually my school, I would have a great school too. The point is that teachers have to deal with student misbehavior. Look around your community or the mall. We aren’t dealing with model citizens, espcially those of us that deal with the lowest 25%. We do the best we can with the support we are given.

By Me

June 30, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

I think it is funny with people comparing some of our schools with schools in other counties. The IBP? HAHA. If I were able to kick and major discipline problems out of my classroom and eventually my school, I would have a great school too. The point is that teachers have to deal with student misbehavior. Look around your community or the mall. We aren’t dealing with model citizens, espcially those of us that deal with the lowest 25%. We do the best we can with the support we are given.

By KAZ

June 30, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Professor, YOU ARE TOTALLY CORRECT!!! I bet I.B. Teachers in Polk County could definately teach us how to teach and reach underpriviledge students that have not learned anything while they been in school and still keep getting passed to the next grade level because by golly no child should be left behind because of their self esteem but moving to the next level without the proper educational foundation. Yeah I would like to see how those I.B teachers in Polk County deal with students that sole purpose isn’t working to get into an Ivy League School but are just wondering where their next meal will come, will there be a drive by shooting today at their house, or peer pressure to join a gang. Tell me how many I.B. in Polk have students like that. Oh wait thta was my first hour last year but you are right, the teachers that work with the smartest mopre motivated students deserve to receive bonuses all the other teachers that teach the NonI.B. kids need to go back to school and learn how to teach because FCAT says we are not doing our job!!!

By HS Teacher

June 30, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Professor, I agree the IB school in Polk County has great results, but look at the demographics. PBC schools, even the magnet school programs, can not be as selective as this school. The whole school has a total of 275 students and most are affluent. The entrance criteria are also very selective. This is straight off of their web page under eligibilty requirements: “Only Polk County eighth graders who have maintained a 3.0 or better Grade Point Average in middle school. Entry into the IB School is only available to qualified eighth graders for their upcoming ninth grade year as Polk has a four-year Pre-IB and IB program.” PBC schools could get results like that as well if we could restrict our enrollment to only this type of students.

By GMAB

June 30, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

This article states that Palm Beach County is the only district in the state to earn an A. Yet, we are one of the lowest ranked for starting teacher salaries and continue to fall behind when compared to other districts of the same size, both within Florida and outside. Art Johnson: Give your teachers the recognition we deserve - both in salary and praise - don’t waste our tax dollars on teacher appreciation magnets!

By Phillip Owi

June 30, 2007 5:09 AM | Link to this

The FCAT is a formal way of showing how far the fiscally poor are behind the rest of society. It has lots to do with who is really down in Florida. It is hard to learn on an empty stomach. Yrs PKO(Prof)

By Professor

June 30, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE H.S. (Polk County) Reading (99%) Math (100%) Writing (100%) Science (98%)

Maybe the teachers in PBC can learn a few tips from the teachers at this high performing high school. These are the ones who deserve the bonuses!

By John Q. Citizen

June 30, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

I believe this whole FCAT accountability and the No Child Left Behind Act is innately rooted in racism. Its intent is to quantify just how behind our children of color really are. I mean, before the FCAT existed, we always knew the schools that sucked. Now, with the FCAT and No Child Left Behind, the State is showing us just how bad those schools suck.

By jank

June 29, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

i think that PBC is expecting all students to do the same and be in my words “Brilliant.” is not the teachers fault or because students come from other countries. i personally hated the FCAT and other test related to those that expected all students to be the same at everything. some students are better at others thing than others. i personally thing as a just graduate from high school that PBC have forgotten what it is like to be a “student.”

By PBC Teacher

June 29, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

There are three reasons that PBC schools are declining. 1. Many of my students are from foreign countries (72% minority population at my school). That means that they come to my classroom with a learning defecit as a result of the lack of education in their country of origin. 2. Because of reason # 1, many of my students come from families where they are the only one who speaks English. That means they are first generation english speakers! How can these students be expected to do well in the American educational system when they have not only a limited capacity for the language used on the standardized tests, but they also cannot get help from their parents. 3. The modern urban culture pervading PBC is making my students look up to rappers and gang members instead of positive role models. My students have threatened me physically, torn me up verbally, and told me on multiple occasions that they’re going to drop out when they’re old enough anyway, so they don’t have to pay attention to me. Which brings me to the real reason # 3. Teachers don’t get paid enough to deal with the EXTREME discipline problems in this county. Across the board, teachers are treated more poorly here in PBC than in any other district with which I have had contact. I am leaving as soon as it is financially possible. Which leads to 4…Everyone’s leaving. In a district with falling numbers and dropping grades, what they need is more tax dollars, not less. Look at Detroit for an example of what will happen to PBC without severe action taken immediately to rectify problems 1-3.

By PBCE RESIDENT

June 29, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

t:

You may be right. But what could it hurt to check it out.

Sure PBC School District is huge. That is a major problem. Perhaps thats the biggest problem. It’s own size. Perhaps the Districts own weight is causing it to collapse upon itself and the students are suffering the most.

Split the District up into smaller more manageable districts independent of one another or of the Taj Mahal. Let each rise and fall on its own merits. Let those falling receive more, not less funding for academics, instead of sports. Let the sports teams be the first to lose money at a suffering school.

Anyway you slice it though, it won’t hurt to look at what school districts in other parts of this state are doing and include the demographics you suggested as part of the study. But most importantly: FIX THE PROBLEMS!

By DWYERS AMAZING AT LIFE!

June 29, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

As for the “dummy” that said Dwyer doesn’t deserve an A is clearly stupid. I’m a student at Dwyer and I think that we did deserve an A we worked hard all year and since we’ve got a new principal things have changed including the students. Jupiter isn’t that good n anything 2 me even at sports. So don’t get mad because we’ve out shined Jupiter and alot of other schools…what can I say DWYER is AMAZING AT life!! But here’s a little advice 4 u DON’T BE A HATA ALL YA LIFE you won’t get so far.

By DWYERS AMAZING AT LIFE!

June 29, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

As for the “dummy” that said Dwyer doesn’t deserve an A is clearly stupid. I’m a student at Dwyer and I think that we did deserve an A we worked hard all year and since we’ve got a new principal things have changed including the students. Jupiter isn’t that good n anything 2 me even at sports. So don’t get mad because we’ve out shined Jupiter and alot of other schools…what can I say DWYER is AMAZING AT life!! But here’s a little advice 4 u DON’T BE A HATA ALL YA LIFE you won’t get so far.

By Middle School Teacher

June 29, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

Teachers teach to the Florida Sunshine Standards, which are assessed on the FCAT. Have the standards and FCAT made for better teachers? Absolutely. Do we “teach to the test?” Yes, if one considers teaching the standards “teaching to the test.” Whenever I give my students a test, I make sure I’ve covered the material beforehand. Teach to the test? Of course! Aren’t tests supposed to evaluate a student’s mastery of material that’s been taught? I may not agree completely with how school grades are determined, but I’ll take FCAT over teachers showing videos and doing cutsie projects any day.

By Matt

June 29, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

To Mr. T,

The scores are accurate. They are not based solely upon FCAT scores. I just want to hear the excuses that Jupiter parents give now to avoid exposing their children to the diverse student population that Dwyer has.

Matt

By Ken from Delray

June 29, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

34% of the schools in PBC made AYP. Please tell me how that is acceptable?

Isn’t it about time we cleaned house in the palace in WPB. Broke the school district up into something more manageable and made quality education a focus in PBC?

By Diane Hanfmann

June 29, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

May I ask the Post to please educate the parents of the “unusual nature” of school grades. It has been done so in earlier days. Thanks!

By t

June 29, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

To PBCE - You can’t really compare Martin and Palm Beach. Palm Beach is the 9th largest district in the country and serves a lot more poor, underprivileged and immigrant populations than Martin County does. If you look at schools in Palm Beach county that serve students from middle-upper class families, they are performing at even better levels than Martin County schools.

By Diane Hanfmann

June 29, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Ho Hum and WPB Native have this nailed. School grades lack credibility and the way testing is being utilized leads to a dumbing down of our children. Mediocrity becomes the goal. Once you are proficient(and escape sanctions), that is good enough in the state of Florida. A schools may have high rates of proficiency but little academic growth and get bonus money while “failing” schools may have low rates of proficiency but higher learning gains that an A school. They will be sanctioned. Think about this: A child can have a 5 in Reading one year and drop to a 3 the next year. That child is still termed meeting high standards! Why? Mediocrity is the goal!!!!

By t

June 29, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Matt - I don’t think Dwyer’s scores are accurate. If you look at the actual report, their test results are lower than Jupiter’s in every category.

Yet, they are showing that Dwyer jumped from a C to an A and Jupiter remained a B.

I’m sure Dwyer was given extra points for the fact that they showed improvement, but it’s truly not an A school.

Percentage of students performing at or above grade level: Jupiter High-Reading 60%, Math 87%, Writing 90%, Science 60%.

Dwyer High - Reading 44%, Math 74%, Writing 87%, Science 55%.

Frankly, with scores like that, I don’t think either school deserves an A, but Jupiter clearly outperformed Dwyer and that A is not an accurate reflection of performance (not that I’m supporting the FCAT, that’s a different argument - this does shows that the school grade itself does not give you a very accurate picture).

By PBCE RESIDENT

June 29, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that the PBC school board officials need to pay a visit to Martin County and find out what they are doing “right” as compared to this county’s efforts.

Don’t pay a bunch of consultants, just observe….Martin is doing something very right. and there is no reason at all it can’t happen here too.

By Ho hum

June 29, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

To Professor,

Pay for performance?

Some teachers work in schools where some children come to school reading.

Some teachers work in schools where some children come to school not even able to write their names, let alone know the letters of the alphabet.

You’re going to give the teachers in the schools whose students came to school reading…more money because these children score better than those who can’t hold a pencil or know a letter or sound?!

The teacher that has students who come to school with less knowledge have the HARDEST job. They are the ones who should be rewarded for INDIVIDUAL progress of students(and this will take TIME).

This is like an oncologist and internist.

Which doctor has the most patients that may die?

Are you going to reward the internist because his patients aren’t dying as quickly as the oncologist’s patients?

Come on, there are challenges out there and teachers are working to get these children educated.

By The Left Leaning Post

June 29, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

It’s NOT the schools that are the problem. It’s the STUDENTS!! The more students from third world countries that enroll here the WORST the schools get. Plain and simple!

By Professor

June 29, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Seems most of the posts that are against the FCAT probably come from teachers. This is a way to have some sort of accountability. Those who don’t perform will be against it. Those that do, don’t have a problem with it. If you aren’t “teaching to the test” you would be “teaching to an approved curriculum”. I think the school system should get rid of those teachers that have consistently poor performing classrooms and give a large bonus to those that consistently achieve. Pay for performance is not a new concept. Unfortunately, the teacher’s union will fight to keep even the worst teacher. Now that is motivation to achieve…Glad to see Martin County is top 5 in the state.

By Matt

June 29, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Dwyer is an A, Jupiter is a B!

By PBC teacher

June 29, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

As a teacher in PBC for many years, I can tell you teaching is ALL ABOUT TEACHING to the test-the FCAT.

By WPB Native

June 29, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

It’s completely idiotic. The only thing standardized testing accomplishes is the dumbing down of society.

By Concerned Parent

June 29, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Mary stratos the principal at conniston Middle leads this school grade from an “A” to “C” needs to be fired immediately!!!!!!!

By Deandre

June 29, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Absolutely meaningless. You can not take failing children and turn them around into exemplary children in 1 year. Teachers and administrators just learn how to manipulate the test. Read the book Freakonomics for a great explanation of this phenomenon.