So what do you guys think of the new reassignment plan?
Click here to view the plan. Click here to download the 740-page PDF of the plan, sans map.
As some of you have already noticed, the LI (low income) percentages at high schools are way higher than what's normally reported.
Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney explained that the LI percentages used in the plan for high schools and middle schools are based on data from elementary students. They determined the LI percentage for each secondary school by looking at their nodes to see how many elementary students get free- and reduced-price lunch.
Dulaney said you get a more accurate number using elementary school data because older students are less likely to apply for subsidized lunches, especially at high school. For instance, the F&R percentage is 33 percent at elementary school but only 22 percent at high schools.
This explains why the LI percentage on Cary High's data sheets shows 38.5 percent instead of the much lower F&R percentages that range from 24 to 27 percent.
Comments
If Cary High has such a high
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 19:39 — vsheehanIf Cary High has such a high F&R then why dose WCPSS bus in F&R from Raleigh into the school? What is the ratio of F&R at Cary high to Broughton's F&R?
WV reassignment
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 18:06 — loriacI am one of the Wood Valley parents happy that we are now back in Leesville HS, but the ONLY reason this happened was because of the Broughton decision - not because anyone at Wake Growth Mgmt accepted our (or any other of our N. Raleigh neighbors') proposal. WV has been assigned to Jeffrey's Grove Elem since the neighborhood was built. We watched (and paid for with our taxes) while 5 closer elem. schools were built, one a mile from our subdivision (JG is 8 miles away). We were told we were needed at JG for our 'numbers', but would be allowed to stay at LMS and LHS. While JG is a feeder for West Millbrook MS, this feeder system only makes sense if the assigned elem. school makes sense. In our case, it ends up with WV being moved from the neighborhood school (Leesville Middle) we have supported since LMS was built. We will now work with the school board and hope they consider the logic of our proposal.
Glad I don't have the job
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 14:19 — ncdad1I am just glad I don’t have this job. If annual planning is bad, three year planning brings out so many more people.
I have been amazed of the amount of data that is available (students, nodes, F&R, ABC, LE, maps, last time moved, etc.) and the number of ways it can be interrupted. There must be some huge computers at WCPSS and a lot of administers collecting it. I have also been amazed that they have all the information on reassignments in easy to read format split multiple ways (to, from, LI, IEP, etc.), with a button to comment and maps is amazing. That really is technically sophisticated compared to what would have happened ten or twenty years ago. Also, the fact that they are willing to meet with a volatile public in multiple meetings amazes me since as emotional subject is, I am expecting some parent to eventually become hostile or violent egged on by a mob.
I was sad to see the divisiveness over Broughton Magnet program. Whether the decision was right or wrong, it seems to have been made in haste and with lots of political intrigue.
I have been interested watching nodes 383.3 / 384.4. (http://macgregordownsschools.wordpress.com/) I think they have 100 kids, 30 of which are in magnet programs, so 70 kids affected. If you allow grandfathering of juniors and seniors there many be 30 kids affected. So, less than 100 kids with 6% decrease per year according to them out of 25k kids involved yet these nodes have gotten time on every TV station, posted the interviews to YouTube, engaged traffic engineers, staticians, met with the Mayor of Cary, have their own website for communications and gotten the PTA to endorse them. So, the difference in media savvy between nodes in the area is amazing.
KISS
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 15:42 — Dadof3Break this monster up -- it's hubris to think that any person or committee can plan for a school of this size and scope.
I agree
Tue, 12/30/2008 - 08:33 — gunfamWith the size and scope of this school system, how can these kids be anything but pawns moved around on this giant chess board. They are CHILDREN not nodes, F&R data, or any other type of number they come up with.
I think that there will always be reassignment with new schools opening, but this shuffling kids back and forth between schools ever year or two, when they are nowhere near a new school, is insane.
I count my blessings that my children are not directly affected by this current plan, but my heart goes out to those families who are moving schools yet again.