Posted on 02/28/2005 3:51:30 AM PST by Theodore R.
They lowered the score needed to pass.
"It calls for big changes -- requiring every student to take rigorous math and English regardless of career plans, and tying college admissions to high school exit exams, as examples."
The New Orleans school system is in big trouble.
"The New Orleans school system is in big trouble"
Then entire N.O. apparatus is in big trouble if they, the powers that be, don't get the school system fixed and soon!
"Then entire N.O. apparatus is in big trouble if they, the powers that be, don't get the school system fixed and soon!"
Based on past performance, I'd say the chances are zero to nil.
I am beginning to believe (at last) if these problems could be corrected by conventional means, they would have been remedied decades ago. The new policies will be the "same ol', same ol'" failure in my indication. The proposed changes will be unpopular with administrators who fear loss of tax revenues and many parents too who do not want "little Johnny" subject to so much pressure.
As to more Federal money for NCLB, tell 'em no! The Feds set standards for testing - in the business world: metrics - trying to get schools to recognize that they need to gauge the efficacy of their programs. If a school can't test or teach the basics, what makes them think they are entitled to more of another state's money?
If a school can't test or teach the basics, what makes them think they are entitled to more of another state's money?
Well that approach has worked so far: a school system claims it cannot perform its stated duties because it is short of funding. And the funds keep on coming, and the duties never get done!
"a school system claims it cannot perform its stated duties because it is short of funding. And the funds keep on coming, and the duties never get done!"
Lack of money is always the excuse of inept educators. It is seldom the case. And I agree with the previous poster that a well run vocational program should be available to those that don’t wish to go to college. But, no matter which path a person chooses the basics are always necessary.
Great. The governors want more rigor for high school students, so that's where they make the demands. You can't mandate that high schoolers take rigorous coursework if they aren't prepared for it from elementary school on up. Trust me when I say that what goes on at elementary schools doesn't prepare students for rigorous study. Right now, high school teachers are stuck with what gets sent to them-- too many unprepared students.
"Right now, high school teachers are stuck with what gets sent to them-- too many unprepared students."
When I was in high school (the dark ages), if you couldn't pass the work then you failed. Perhaps if we went back to that policy things would get fixed.
I'm curious. Do you know what the quality of the teachers and administrators in New Orleans is?
It's not "little Johnny" I worry about. The teachers union in my state will fight it tooth and nail, just like they fight everything else.
Public education is circling the drain. The politicians just don't want to admit it yet.
It CAN be corrected by conventional means.
If, they had the sense to teach the three R's again, in elementary grades.(like they did in the 'old days') Those three R's make for a SOLID foundation to build on.
Whole language, fuzzy math and teaching to a test aren't good ways to educate kids.
"I'm curious. Do you know what the quality of the teachers and administrators in New Orleans is?"
It's a mistake to paint with a broad brush. I have no first hand knowledge. However, based on newspaper accounts, the fact that some have actually been fired, and friends in the know, it is clear that many are not qualified.
I did a study in the mid 80s for incoming freshmen to the University of New Orleans. Of public school students, 2/3rs of them were remedial in math or English, and a large portion, about half, I think were double remedial. These numbers included two magnet schools that had numbers where most of the students were prepared and did not need the remediation. This was not a complete study of all graduating students, just an analysis of all incoming freshmen from the New Orleans area going to UNO probably for the year 86, and all I did was compile the data for my boss.
But that, and years of teaching adults in the New Orleans area taught me that the state standards were set too low. It wasn't unusual for a student to have graduated with honors, yet needed remediation in college.
My knowledge is out of date, being in the late 80s and early 90s, but I bet things haven't changed that much yet!
But
And interesting and related situation, perhaps connected to the rotten "No child left behind" money sucking government program promoted by Ted Kennedy and signed by Bush, is this: A good friend's daughter joined the National Guard, and barely squeaked in, although she has highly superior qualifications in every way.
Why?
She was homeschooled. Apparently (and this is confirmed by another friend's homeschooling teacher, who works for the state of CA in a charter school) the military no longer will accept GEDS - which is often the only diploma homeschooled kids have.
Is this an effort to marginalize homeschooled students?
Holy crow!
Another point is this. Have any of you actually read any school text books lately? I have, and they are 100% crapola. Socialist/feminist/moral relavist/dumbed down pablum guaranteed to make intelligent kids bored and stupid.
I homeschooled a number of kids over the years and have taught quite a few kids to read. School text books are total junk, and they are transparent in their attempt to indoctrinate and indeed, render the minds of students dull and unable to think logically and rationally.
Add to the that the huge number of kids dosed up with Ritalin, and it's clear that homeschooling is the only way to go.
"it's clear that homeschooling is the only way to go"
Whereas this can be true, it requires a committed, and educated parent with the available time. Therefore home schooling is realistic for only a small percentage.
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