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WakeEd
The WakeEd blog is devoted to discussing and answering questions about the major issues facing the Wake County school system: the reassignment of thousands of students, the conversion of traditional-calendar schools to a year-round schedule, the district's response to growth and the school construction program.
WakeEd is maintained by The News & Observer's Wake schools reporter, T. Keung Hui. While Keung posts information and analysis on the issues, keep us posted on your suggestions, questions, tips and what you're doing to cope with the changes in Wake's schools.
Editorial page coverage of reassignment
Since you guys want to vent so much about the recent editorial page columns on student reassignment, have at it.
Click here for today's column by Burgetta Wheeler. Click here for Thursday's column from Jim Jenkins.
Once again, please remember that the editorial and news departments are separate entities.
T. Keung Hui
T. Keung Hui covers Wake schools.
Comments
Once again.....
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:04 — WuptdoThe editorial board of the NandO never ceases to amaze me. I don't know what type of rose-colored glasses they are wearing or what kool-aid they are drinking, but I would certainly like some. Geez, has there ever been a more "clueless" group of editors. Heck, they are even more "clueless" than our local three Stooges (Congressmen Price, Miller and Etheridge).
Perhaps as a concerned community we should form some sort of group, and begin writing letters or making phone calls to the NandO's biggest advertisers. If there are 3 people in Wake County that deserve to be on the unemployment line, it is these three "clueless" editors. Perhaps their skills would be better suited for "The PennySaver."
The market speaks quietly
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 11:16 — Dadof3But carries a blunt stick.
It's only a matter of time before their ruminations are only overhead at our local area's finer eateries (and possibly the "Independent") and not in "Old Reliable."
So the problem is an
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 17:37 — kirtlSo the problem is an economic one but we are addressing it by removing the child from the negative environment for only a few hours a day? Isn't that nothing more than a band aid? Why are so many warmed by this feel good, partial solution? If you really care, open your wallet and get these kids out of poverty full time. Don't just bus them to another school for part of the day. Create boarding house schools where the kids are taken out of poverty full time. Set up visitation for the parents but not living space. Since poverty is so destructive, we haven't done enough to eradicate it, and the kids shouldn't suffer, why not pull out the big guns and really go after it rather than just little things like busing kids away from poverty part time?
So annoying. So, so
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:38 — rr77rr99So annoying. So, so annoying. What does WCPSS really want from parents...imagine what they would do to families if no one resisted anything? Move kids three, four times a YEAR? of course make every school MYR and then cut out all extra programs anyway so they could "Fund" more "Studies' take more self promotion trips , etc.
Test test test test more than they do so they can have more results to fudge, bury and analyze.
Can you imagine?
It's exhausting to always be on guard and "fight" what's unfair, but imagine if no one did? Just imagine.
Let the N&O say what they want. The paper is dying and everyone knows it. It's bad, really bad... really bad. They need to say something to keep people reading it, even if it's c*@p that makes no sense. You know what, stop buying it, stop sending letters to the editor.... unless they actually want to do some investigative reporting and get some things out in the open.
Argh.
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:30 — Bob_SconceThat drives me nuts -- she sets up this straw man "Look at what will happen if we keep poor kids in the same school," and then says that busing them to other schools will help. Her description of poor students is a stereotype--they're not the starving, emotionally scarred, sexually abused, disruptive shells of children that she portrays. (Heck, we just need to look at the recent article about kids from Myanmar to see that.) As a result, her description of poor schools is a caricature that may describe some burned out shell of a school in Detroit, but not a school in Raleigh. Do some poor kids have problems? Sure, but so do some affluent kids. Hers is an emotional appeal not based in facts or logic.
The test score show that in Wake County, poor kids don't do any better when they're bused into affluent schools. If anything, they do worse. The focus ought to be on balancing the positive and negative effects of the policy, not on creating emotional canards.
Get educated
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 21:17 — supportwcpssBob,
While I have always disagreed with your opinion I have respected your delivery. However in this case, you sound like the rest of the nuts on here. I suggest you gain some experience with the high poverty families in Raleigh before you form an opinion. Second, the test scores show nothing of what you claim. They haven't done the studies (with the possibility that they can't do scientifically accurate studies) so why do you make false claims. '
Go figure.
Borrow my nut cracker?
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 09:30 — g88ky07Hey Bob,
Would you like to borrow my nut cracker? Maybe you could put it around Patti, I mean the board worshiper here and crack her nut??
Yo' SUPPORTWCPSS,
YOU are the one that continuously sounds like the nut on here because YOU are about the only one who worships the feet of those ruining children's and families lives EVERY SINGLE DAY in Wake County!
Go scrape that brown off the end of your nose so that you can smell the TRUE reality for most of us nuts!
Huh?
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 12:05 — Bob_SconceAddressing the second part of your post first, you're right that the *district* hasn't done the studies. But, I did a basic statistical analysis comparing the performance of F&R students with the percentage of F&R students in a school. My data set came from the NC report cards site, which used performance on the 2007 EOGs. I looked only at elementary schools because (1) a lot of the reassignment complaints have focused on elementary schools and (2) it's a relatively large data set.
The end result is that there is about a 0.06 correlation between the number of F&R students in a school and their performance. To me, this is close enough to 0 to mean that there's no real connection, but if somebody's going to interpret it one way or the other, the only reasonable conclusion would be that schools with high F&R percentages actually do better at teaching F&R students.
As for the first point, I agree that Raleigh has pockets of drug-infested "inner-city" poverty. But, that's not the complete story of the poor in Wake County. A fair portion are first generation Hispanic families who have moved here (legally or illegally) to find better lives, and who have stable and healthy, but poor, families. A lot are rural poor. Some are formerly middle-class people with college educations who have gotten divorced or otherwise fallen on tough times. Some are seminary students in Wake Forest. I know one family where the father lost his job, went back to graduate school and applied for free lunches in the meantime. That's why I called Ms. Wheeler's view a caricature--she seems to have this old liberal mindset of "poor = black, drug-infested, starving, sexually abusing, inner-city criminals." And, that's just wrong.
Are high poverty families different in Raleigh than elsewhere?
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 11:33 — FalcI had lots of experience with high poverty families during my K-12 education. I didn't just sit next to them in class, we hung out together, spent the night at each other's houses, etc. A friend of mine told me that she received a far superior education in our 40+% low income district than she did at two affluent suburban schools after her family moved. Based on my experience, I think people who take the defeatest attitude that schools cannot be healthy unless they have <40% low-income need to open their minds and gain some experience with high poverty districts that outperform WCPSS, before calling those who disagree with them nuts.
What would WCPSS do if it was like the district that educated me where more than 40% of the district was low-income? Just waive the white flag -- guess our schools will just fail because we have more than 40% low income?
yes, yes they would....just
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 11:46 — AngelaWyes, yes they would....just look at when the tests are "re-normed" what happens? TEACHING not busing is the solution.
money (*gasp* that ole "liberal" ideology) and thinking outside the box is what will help....not endless, useless EXPENSIVE busing and re-shuffling.
What's a nut?
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 07:41 — Dadof3Bob's only sin is not towing the line. Bob maintains his rarified dignity, countra your claim.
As for who is a nut, if opposing the kind of turmoil and disrupture that leads to this: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4272896/ means I'm a nut, too, then, please, please call me a nut. If believing that a family knows what's better for themselves than the WCPSS makes you a nut, then, yes, I'm a nut.
I'll wear it proudly.
Test data is available
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 23:04 — Eric_Bsupportwcpss,
You are wrong. There is EOG test score data available here:
http://report.ncsu.edu/ncpublicschools/
that lists results by school broken out by F&R and non-F&R students. This is what Bob is looking at.
Look up a couple schools in Wake County and try it out. Compare, for example, Brassfield Elementary (11.8% F&R) with Smith Elementary (69.4% F&R). The F&R students at Smith do better than the F&R students at Brassfield!
Of course, comparing test scores in this way only gives a very rough outline. What we really need is a comprehensive study tracking those reassigned far from their homes to see if their performance vs. the district average is relatively better or worse over time. Compare the performance of F&R and non-F&R students when they are transfer from a high F&R school to a low F&R school and vice versa so we can see what the effect is.
On the State of Things, the
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 23:25 — user1234On the State of Things, the Researcher from Duke said low income kids showed an improvement in other studies. Maybe Wake just need to measure the improvement lthe same way.
Funny, that is not what I
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 00:00 — Eric_BFunny, that is not what I heard on the program. Go here:
http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot0108abc09.mp3/view
Then listen in at minute 42:00. It's easier if you click the download mp3 link then open it in another player.
Check out the audio! He says that the primary reason for the diversity policy is so that kids can make friends with those of other backgrounds. He does not think diversity can be linked strongly to increased academic performance among all students.
unproven
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 22:01 — SideburnsWait a minute. WCPSS policy states maintaining diversity is critical to ensuring academic success for all students. As you say, they haven't done the studies to prove it so they are making false claims.
Yeah, go figure.
You're either with us, or you're racist
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:15 — NCParent. . . Is what Ms. Wheeler's column said to me.
The quote from the other op-ed "parents complain anyway, and the education is free and of high quality" really annoyed me because it sounds like a total cop-out that an exasperated BOE member might stoop to.
Am I supposed to feel guilty that I want my children to have stability in their education, to go to school with their neighbors and to not get reassigned two or three times? Is that a crime?
But why send so many kids as
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:02 — NWRaleighMomBut why send so many kids as fas as North West Raleigh? Clustering them into newly created high-poverty schools does not help them. Why not send send some of them to much closer schools with more resources - Wiley, Joyner, Underwood, Lacy...
Thanks for such a
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:35 — user1234Thanks for such a compassionate, first-hand account behind the numbers. Many times people want to make all their decisions based on numbers alone and discount intangibles like hunger, violence, and despair. The Triangle has a big heart and should not neglect / forget these kids.
OK, I'll go first. The
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:20 — CaryCurmudgeonOK, I'll go first. The Ford/Jenkins/Wheeler editorials provide us with yet another great example of why the N&O editorial staff has zero credibility.
Consider the recent N&O "exposes" which (rightly so) nailed Governor Easley for, among other things, DOT inefficiency and corruption, mental health care and the parole system. Consider that Easley's administration has been loaded with corruption, and that leaves office with NC in a shambles.
The N&O editorial staff strongly endorsed Easley for Governor. It took them seven years to figure out that they were backing the wrong guy. Zero credibility.
Which is why I won't get too upset about these editorials, because no one takes them seriously. Three columns completely devoid of research, data, or anything other than "gut-feel warm and fuzzies."
I mean no disrespect to Mr. Hui, because these three columnists clearly did not consult him (or anyone else with actual knowledge) before writing their pieces.
Interesting
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:34 — loriacI made a comment on the Steve Ford article - "Yellow Beasts of the Highway Jungle". My comment and the other one out there are now gone.
I referenced this line in the article 'The diversity policy promotes a level of parity among the schools, wherever they're located. That has the effect of helping Wake families send their kids to schools where they'll get good educations no matter where they live. That, in turn, helps sustain property values throughout the county and make it generally more attractive as a place to live and do business.'
Policy 6200 does not help any students, but rather moves them around so there is 'parity among the schools'. No schools look bad. So - we should be happy that any school chosen for us by the wise school board will provide our children with good educations, and sustains property values. Phew! Pass me more kool-aid!
An open mind for a new equation
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:24 — SDR256As heartwrenching and horrific as the stories in Ms Wheeler's editorial were, they only further underscore the diabolical twist that WCPSS has encouraged in this conversation, which is a binary equation for them:
Helping these children = busing. end of story. now give me your money.
A corollary equation is: Nonagreement = racism
It seems that Ms. Wheeler assumes promotion of a community school model has diabolical and selfish underpinnings. I vehemently disagree that it comes from some secret entitled aversion to 'the other'. Its just simply that children do better where their families can be involved. Can be ENCOURAGED to be involved if they are not already involved. In a challenged family an 18 mile drive just adds a barrier to that.
I wonder if Ms. Wheeler has even investigated what is meant by this evil community model. I think she'd see that it has shown enough compelling success (unlike Wake County) it deserves an OPEN MIND to take a look at it. OPEN MIND is what liberals pride themselves in, so let's put this to the test. I know lots of people who would do MORE for these children but cannot get to that point because of the chaos the busing model creates. It keeps everyone in a total vortex of churn - arguing about where the best 'spot' in the vortex is - no movement forward possible.
Implementing a community model would require a plan and long term commitment, THE WHOLE VILLAGE, not throwing money at it, walk away and pray that everyone would emerge looking like the fantasy version of the Stepford Children of Apex. Come on! Please when are we going to get past these one dimensional stereotypes!?
Maybe what we need is a combination of what these models have to offer AND Wake County's assigmnent model - I don't know. I'm trying to have an OPEN MIND. Can we at least LOOK at some options?
Look at these links and see if it still looks to any of you like promoting community model schools is an irresponsible/cowardly/racist idea:
http://www.greendot.org/
http://www.med.yale.edu/comer/
Two Blue Ribbon schools from Georgetown, SC which have some incredible F&R numbers listed below that believe building a community is most important.
Browns Ferry - 252 students, 87% F&R, 22% special ed
http://www4.gcsd.k12.sc.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=8
Sampit - 364 students, 88% F&R, 22% special ed
http://www4.gcsd.k12.sc.us/education/school/schoolhistory.php?sectiondetailid=8898
BEST OF ALL: Geoffery Canada's Harlem Children's Zone. This guy is a genius. If only we could find a hero like him here. Obama's team wants to clone 20 of these schools around the US. How do we get on the list??
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/8864
http://www.hcz.org/
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/213445/december-08-2008/geoffrey-canada
More examples of high success, high F&R school models which do not hold up diversity, busing or reassignments as high ideals.
http://ncedforum.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Success_stories_around_the_US.262164223.doc
Our current busing model may provide microscopic, temporary solutions - a few crackers worth - but hardly the fundamental, revolutionary change that to sustain high risk children long term. They need heros and hugs and high expections, not someone puffing up their chest and asking anyone to knock them down for saying their solution isn't the best one. Asking for more I do not think is wrong. So, do we want to talk about solutions that do better for these children, or do we want to keep our blinders on and continue this stupid food fight over who is more politically correct?
I beg for a new equation: helping high risk children = TOGETHER finding a better solution than just shipping them around in Enron-like fraudulent accounting models.
wise choice
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:31 — AngelaWthanks for providing a direct link.....