GOV JEB BUSH AND ED COMMISS ANNOUNCE 2003 SCHOOL GRADES -- 600% increase in ‘A’ Schools

FL Dept of Education ^ | June 18, 2003 | State of FL

[JulieRNR21]

Excellent!

JEB BUMP

[ExSoldier]

Alas, my inner city high school, just up the road from DOUBLE "F" rated Edison...is still a "D" school for the fourth year in a row. ~SIGH~ I can virtually guarantee that it's not the teachers in this case. I know it's politically incorrect to say this but....the students in the D and F rated schools are as dumb as a box of rocks. Not all of them of course...some are quite brilliant. But the ones who are really dumb don't care that they are and have no interest in improving their lot believing that they'll be cared for by Uncle Sugar.

I have always maintained that the European model is for once...the best one going. They realize that not all kids are entitled to a college education. So they begin to track kids from the third grade to either a college curriculum that is heavy on pure academics OR to the vocational track. Every couple of years the kid is tested and is able to switch from one track to another going both ways.

I've been at a "D" rated school for six years and it's about to kill my soul. Yesterday, I was interviewed by an "A" rated school who really want me to take over some of their Advanced Placement (college credit) courses and of course I'll say YES.

[patricia]

BRAVO!!! What wonderful news.
EXPECTING outstanding results and showing the kiddos the way ... is the basis of the issue ... and it appears to be working VERY well in Fla.
I taught kindergarten for several years ... back in the dark ages ... most of my classes had 40-45 students ... and we NEVER had a problem. They knew I loved them and that I meant what I said.

[patriciaruth]

Ping.

[MJY1288]

Jeb has been doing a great job down in Florida and it wouldn'r surprize me a bit if he isn't the nomineee in 2008

[patriciaruth]

I just wonder if Jeb is tough enough to be President.

[summer]

Well, as to the question of Gov Bush's "toughness" -- I would say he has to be pretty tough to be have succeeded in becoming the first GOP governor in history in this state to win a 2nd term.

Also, he does not put up with any of the nonsense some political "leaders" manage to continuously ignore in other states -- here's what I mean about Gov. Bush.

[summer]

Re your post #39 - Thanks very much for your kind words, rep-always. I really enjoy sharing all this great news about Gov Bush and the many positive changes in FL. And, I must admit - I, too, have learned a lot on this forum. :)

[summer]

People in my school district are starting to switch their kids from the private schools to the public schools because the public schools are so much better these days

This also happened at the "A" public school where I teach. We had several new students this year because their parents yanked their kids out of a nearby private school. These parents had heard from other parents that our school was better.

[summer]

the students in the D and F rated schools are as dumb as a box of rocks. Not all of them of course

I can't agree with you on that, ExSoldier, because I have seen too many of these "F" schools in FL turn around.

But, I know you are in a high school, and it is tough for some high schools, especially when you have students who have socially promoted throughout their entire school careers. Now, suddenly, they find out things are different.

I know some of these students, by high school, are so far behind, that it may appear they are as you say; but, really, the fact is this: they are so far behind. It is hard. I know it because I have taught in classrooms where the students were nowhere near the grade level of education that was posted on my classroom door.

I think in years to come it will improve for more high schools, because these elementary kids are now working their butts off at a young age. They know they could be left back and retained, and they see siblings and peers getting retained. Suddenly, reading does seem important to them, which is a real achievement, as we must now compete for their attention with MTV, videogames, and a host of other distractions.

[summer]

the students in the D and F rated schools are as dumb as a box of rocks. Not all of them of course

I can't agree with you on that, ExSoldier, because I have seen too many of these "F" schools in FL turn around.

But, I know you are in a high school, and it is tough for some high schools, especially when you have students who have socially promoted throughout their entire school careers. Now, suddenly, they find out things are different.

I know some of these students, by high school, are so far behind, that it may appear they are as you say; but, really, the fact is this: they are so far behind. It is hard. I know it because I have taught in classrooms where the students were nowhere near the grade level of education that was posted on my classroom door.

I think in years to come it will improve for more high schools, because these elementary kids are now working their butts off at a young age. They know they could be left back and retained, and they see siblings and peers getting retained. Suddenly, reading does seem important to them, which is a real achievement, as we must now compete for their attention with MTV, videogames, and a host of other distractions.

[summer]

the students in the D and F rated schools are as dumb as a box of rocks. Not all of them of course

I can't agree with you on that, ExSoldier, because I have seen too many of these "F" schools in FL turn around.

But, I know you are in a high school, and it is tough for some high schools, especially when you have students who have socially promoted throughout their entire school careers. Now, suddenly, they find out things are different.

I know some of these students, by high school, are so far behind, that it may appear they are as you say; but, really, the fact is this: they are so far behind. It is hard. I know it because I have taught in classrooms where the students were nowhere near the grade level of education that was posted on my classroom door.

I think in years to come it will improve for more high schools, because these elementary kids are now working their butts off at a young age. They know they could be left back and retained, and they see siblings and peers getting retained. Suddenly, reading does seem important to them, which is a real achievement, as we must now compete for their attention with MTV, videogames, and a host of other distractions.

[summer]

Please forgive the unintended triple post there! I could not tell it posted the first two times. :)

[Dianna]

Gov Bush's tough stance and refusal to back down has made a very positive difference in this state -- which is exactly what I have been telling you folks on FR for several years now! :)

That is wonderful! I so hope other Governors will take notice of this.

[rightofrush]

Things are looking good in Florida - You have much to be proud of.

[ExSoldier]

I posted this on another thread, but it serves as a good response to you, slightly edited.

The kids at Edison are often just "off the raft." They are placed according to their age. Even as seniors many have never EVER matriculated through any sort of educational system.

I really hate to say this...and don't get me wrong....I support Jeb and the FCAT because in 65 out of 67 Florida counties, the FCAT works...but the test is culturally biased. But that is the price of freedom. The sad part is that the kids, their parents and the politicians that wish to curry favor with them are all part of a trap set and sprung by the Democratic Party that says that skin color means preferential treatment, even at the cost of literacy. It does the kids no good, of course, but the pols will get their votes.

Only a liberal can sell the idea to an impoverished constituency that lowering standards is a good idea. But they do, and it keeps working. As long as the minorities and immigrants buy into this fallacy the Dems will have a guaranteed voting block.

They may yet find themselves "hoist on their own petard." IF they ever figure out the real extent of the agenda that has been so cleverly run on them for the last forty years, the 'Pubbies may well see a tremendous net gain in one fell swoop. Already the light is beginning to dawn as minority businesses become more successful and tax resentment grows...and grows.

Then there is the minority version of the "Christian Right" but with more fervor and they really dislike abortion and pornography. They have thus far turned a blind eye to Hollywood and Gomorrah, but the younger folks with more committment to Christ may take them to task and eventually bolt the party.

[MeekOneGOP]

Way to go, Bro !!

More bump images HERE !

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping
& good morning

[summer]

the test is culturally biased

Well, if by "culturally biased" you mean the test is in English, instead of the native language of these students, then, yes, I guess you could say it is biased - biased by being in English in a country where we have no national language by law.

Also, I have to tell you: In this teacher institute I am attending this summer, we are all taking ESOL courses, and many of the teachers really dislike having to take these courses. Here is one teacher's (not mine) solution: Instead of making teachers take 300 hours of ESOL teaching strategies pursuant to the legal consent agreement FL has signed, how about requiring these non-English kids to take 300 hours of English instruction before they are allowed to set foot in a public school? Really, that is how some teachers feel about this, yet, there is no turning back with respect to the high numbers of these students coming to FL.

[floriduh voter]

Effective leadership by Governor Bush and his team and bttt. There are no letters to the editor this year like there were last year cursing the FCAT. Of course there's no election either. The FEA must be a little embarassed.