It looks like we have a split between Wake County school board member Keith Sutton and the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children over the newly created single-gender leadership academies.
In a press release today, CCCAAC calls the creation of the schools "a troubling decision" with "the hurried approval of the academies (as) another example of the reckless decision-making by the board majority." It questions the academic effectiveness of single-sex schools that Sutton joined the majority in backing.
CCCAAC doesn't buy Superintendent Tony Tata's argument that the schools will be cheaper than the ones they're modeled on from Guilford County. Also citing how those Guilford schools are almost all black, CCCAAC calls them "costly schools to resegregate and reassign without community input."
CCCAAC also complains about how the academies will displace special-education students. They also complain that the money spent making the academies ready "means that other school projects, such as repairs to existing facilities, are being placed on hold."
Comments
Disheartening
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 16:22 — SDR256It's so disheartening how rigidly political this group in particular has been. I wish they'd have spoken a word about one of the most dramatic important decisions affecting their best and brightest.
When presented with the discrepencies in how Holdzcum's EI index not just discriminated but obliterated the future of the best & brightest AA kids, they suspected the messenger. It is an opportunity for constructive partnership.
Say what you want, but on the topic of Algebra 1 placement and data driven (as in: your score is your individual score, not weighted down bc of race or income) the ED Task force of this administration have been heroes.
Trust Me - There ARE families who want this
Mon, 09/26/2011 - 21:48 — VillageMentalityIt seems there are those with the hurry up and wait mentality. If we waited any longer to "discuss" get "input", etc, the very children folks represent will continue the downward spiral.
Enough already. Be a part of the solution by getting INVOLVED in these programs and for God's sake find something good about the changes here because there are some....
Offer to assist the board in their efforts to EDUCATE YOURS AND MINE.
Has anyone from the CCCAAC offered anything? It is my understanding that they are a well regarded, well informed group of folks who could really be an asset to the board. So I HOPE they don't go the route of the others......
Hmm... this should be
Mon, 09/26/2011 - 18:51 — woodstockHmm... this should be interesting. However CCCCAACACCA should amend their comment to read, "... another example of the reckless decision-making by the board majority and Barber acolyte KEITH SUTTON."
What Calla Wright and gang appear to miss is that the academies are voluntary; students only go there by choice. No one is forced to go there... no one is assigned to go there... it is simply an option that is available to anyone who WANTS take advantage of the opportunity.
Expensive niche schools...
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 21:57 — paulastamThese "academies" are likely going to be more expensive to run than most existing WCPSS schools. In the current context of cuts and reduced funding per student (given year-after-year of considerable student growth countywide) then this will mean LESS money and resources for the majority of our schools!
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
"Likely" to cost more?
Wed, 09/28/2011 - 07:41 — woodstock"Likely" to cost more? How much? Please provide the facts.
But, lets say they are more costly, then are you also against magnet schools? They are more costly to run... the busing costs alone for magnet students are 4-5 times more costly than busing for other students.
I would much rather the system spend a few extra dollars providing the resources needed to ensure greater success for low-income and minority students -- which is the target population for the academies -- instead of continuing to pamper affluent and privileged magnet students who are are very little risk of failure.
How About The Most Expensive Students in WCPSS?
Wed, 09/28/2011 - 09:22 — KevPerdueI guess PaulAStam would want us to figure out a way to get rid of our special education and special needs children in WCPSS. They cost almost 4 times more per student to educate!
Please refrain ....
Mon, 09/26/2011 - 23:29 — AgentPiercewoodstock: please refrain from interjecting "facts" on this blog. They only confuse those who come here to get likkered up on angry rhetoric from "grassroots organizations with unknown funding".