Posted on 08/14/2012 7:27:31 AM PDT by bt_dooftlook
A new plan to overhaul the way Detroit Public Schools operates is part of an effort to improve academics, stem years of plummeting enrollment and bring in more money to educate students, the district’s emergency financial manager said Thursday.
Details of the “2012-2013 Action Plans: Increasing Quality Seats for Detroit School Children” were released by Roy Roberts a day after he discussed the ideas for turning around the state’s largest school district to business and community leaders.
“Over the course of the next year, we must lay a foundation for Detroit Public Schools that will enable sustained progress for years to come,” Roberts said in a statement.
“This will require a relentless focus on accountability and action where underperformance persists, a promise of stability and increased support for schools that are achieving, a fundamental rethinking of the role of the central organization, and a continued laser-like focus on restoring the financial health of this district.”
(Excerpt) Read more at detroit.cbslocal.com ...
It is full of buzzwords, and sounds good, but, at the end of the day, does anyone expect it to eliminate the DPS budget deficit in 5 years? My $10 bet says, "No"
I am betting that Detroit and its school system fall into receivership in the next 2 years; as for the students - it's sad, but failure and corruption on the scale of Detroit has a price, and it's a price that will be paid by any student stuck in that system.
YMMV
Whenever a liberal talks about “overhauling” a school system the plan invariably boils down to more money for teacher’s unions. ie. a fraud.
With all that has been spent on education and “urban decay” in the last 60 years, Detroit could be torn down to the ground, rebuilt, and repopulated for less cost.
Bingo!
100's of billions have been spend just to bring class sizes from 35 to 15 and yet we STILL tote the same old complaint that the "chidren" are worst off now then they were when class sizes were 35.
The money spent just never seems to be enough...
“With all that has been spent on education and “urban decay” in the last 60 years, Detroit could be torn down to the ground, rebuilt, and repopulated for less cost.”
Correct. When making an appraisal of an old house, you have to calculate the cost and value of fixing v. demolition.
It’s time to close all the schools and start with some new ideas that don’t involve unions and government. Just had a short conversation with a HS counselor this week that did nothing to establish confidence in the system.
same here in Buffalo NY
The city school system can not be “overhauled.” It can only be broken up, and re-built.
First, end the unions. Second, be ready to expel at least 10-20% of the student body for discipline and absence. Third, insist parents are involved at each school. Fourth, require uniforms for students. Fifth - give Principals complete control of the school and teachers.
If it doesn’t include a match and some gasoline it ain’t much of a plan!!!
Chairs? Titanic?
One option might be to use (or reprint) textbooks from 50 years ago, AND USE THEM.
The schools can be improved. But as long as students show up at school without having parents that make sure they do their homework, don’t play video games or basketball/football, etc. all night, have breakfast in their stomach, clothing appropriate to school and the weather on their bodies, glasses if they need them on their faces, and a healthy respect for teachers and education in their hearts, the schools can only do so much.
Government can supplement the actions of parents. But it cannot replace them.
The schools can be improved. But as long as students show up at school without having parents that make sure they do their homework, don’t play video games or basketball/football, etc. all night, have breakfast in their stomach, clothing appropriate to school and the weather on their bodies, glasses if they need them on their faces, and a healthy respect for teachers and education in their hearts, the schools can only do so much.
Government can supplement the actions of parents. But it cannot replace them.
I agree with your comment 100%.
My daughter teaches 3rd grade in an upscale suburb here in Indiana.
Only 40% of her class has an intact family (birth mother and father living in the home).
Imagine what that number is for the inner city.
The black illegitimacy rate is near 75%.
The school system can’t fix societal breakdown, sadly.
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