The question on the minds of a lot of people is whether the new school board will live up to campaign promises about neighborhood schools, year-round schools and ending the diversity policy.
Some people are anxiously hoping for the changes to come while others are dreading the future. But as noted in today's article, the new board members aren't sure yet how they'll turn their promises into reality so they're urging parents to give them some time.
"We haven't had neighborhood schools in such a long time that we have to see what we have in our neighborhoods," said new board member Deborah Prickett.
The fact of the matter is that parents are clamoring for answers, especially those whose kids attend magnet schools. While all the new board members say they want to keep magnet schools, what's not clear is how they'd co-exist in a system of neighborhood schools.
Right now, thousands of children are bused out of the areas around the magnet schools into the suburbs. Their departure makes it possible for the suburban students to attend as magnet applicants.
If you return all these base kids, how do you find room for the magnet students?
One possible scenario took place in Charlotte-Meckleknburg, which had to figure out what to do with all the neighborhood kids when busing for diversity was abandoned. Some schools lost their magnet programs to be able to accommodate the returning students.
Laura Brooks, an Enloe High magnet parent, said the magnet community is gearing up now and will be demanding answers.
School board member Ron Margiotta, who could join the new board members to form the new ruling majority, said magnet parents don't need to worry about major changes for the 2010-11 school year. But he wouldn't say the same thing for any future years.
Even if no major changes are made in 2010-11, what about the magnet/calendar lottery that takes place in February? The new board members aren't saying yet whether they'd leave the current diversity-based selection criteria in place or will switch to a pure random lottery.
Also speaking of the 2010-11 school year, what about the plans now in place to fill four new schools, including three new year-round schools. Will board members who say they're against mandatory year-round leave in place plans to assign students to those new schools?
As for the existing year-round schools, Margiotta said they might want to survey parents to see which schools have support for converting back to a traditional calendar.
School board chairman Kevin Hill said it's not realistic for the new board members to think they can have staff develop a new plan to switch to neighborhood schools in 2010. He said there's not enough time for staff to draw up such a sweeping plan, get public comment and have a plan adopted on such a short timeframe.
"It would be difficult for staff to rewrite a three-year plan in 10 weeks," Hill said. "Parents wanted the school board to be responsive to their needs. They didn't want annual reassignments so the system put together a three-year plan. Parents asked for stability for assignments."
While the old board members ask for time, you can expect them to try to get the new board members to come over to their side.
Comments
PRIDE
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 23:11 — TrailerParkGirlWell I've had enough negativity for one day, so I'll offer up this thought (completely plagerized from an educator in my now about 50% ED hometown). User - you may not want to read it as, based on one of your recent posts, it may be a little too let's pull ourselves and each other up by our bootstraps for your taste.
Our P.R.I.D.E. is much more than being proud. It is about our attitudes and being prepared, being respectful, being inspired, being determined, and being enthusiastic. Each person is responsible for the attitude he or she brings to school each day and it is my hope that everyone will bring an attitude full of school spirit and dedication to continually getting better than we are, all year long. P.R.I.D.E. is also a community feeling that I hope everyone can find a way to support by being proud and supportive of our students in their events, their performances, their clubs, and their academic accomplishments. This type of community support is critical for our students to feel as though they are part of something bigger. They are part of the spirit that lives in all of us and part of a community of caring families. The challenges for our current students, whether academic, behavioral, social, or economic, are much greater than they were only a few years ago. With the school and the community working together with our families and students, we can all find the P.R.I.D.E. and spirit that will help our students accomplish even more than they might think is possible. Find a way to get involved and find a way to support our kids. The rewards of just a few minutes of time or words of encouragement are immense.
TPG ... I would like to
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 08:12 — user12345TPG ... I would like to think your hometown could be transferred here to the Triangle put I don't see it happening .... The area is too dynamic, growing, changing, with people moving in and out to build a small town environment again ... sorry :-(
Spirit of message does not require stagnation or smallness
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 09:59 — TrailerParkGirlI'm not really sure what the message in the speech has to do with a small town or stagnant environment. Also, I've covered this before, but will repeat - my hometown is dynamic. However, instead of all growth, it's been up and down and as people here may have started to feel decline in many ways is tougher to weather than growth.
Additionally, Jenman is right community is like concentric circles.
I don't think its
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 09:27 — jenmanI don't think its impossible to build a 'small town' environment again. First, we still have small towns within Wake County. Garner, Holly Springs, Zebulon, Rolesville, Wake Forest, etc. Second, even within Raleigh itself there are 'small towns' of sorts, each with their own 'feel'. SE Raleigh, Five Points, North Hills, North Ridge, Wakefield, Leesville, Falls River/Bedford area, etc. I have the same basic stores in my community that I go to and services that I use (martial arts studio, dance studio, YMCA/gym). I see my neighbors there, my kids see their classmates there, teachers, etc. In certain ways I do feel like I live in a smaller town or community. If I go to Crabtree mall or to a Food Lion that's not my regular, nearby Food Lion I feel like I'm outside of my town or community.
Yes, Raleigh is one whole city but its made up of separate communities that are often vastly different from each other and have different needs.
Some Magnets will have to go
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 20:49 — occum_sharpeBased on some of the campaign promises made to end "forced bussing" for diversity, the students who are "being returned" to their neighborhoods will have to have a school to go to. Considering the fact that we are talking about 1000's of students returning and the fact that the City of Raleigh won't let you put one more single modular on many of the older campuses, they will have to move or remove some of the magnets to make room for the returning students. The question then becomes, "Do you move the returning students to their neighborhood school and make a school with 80% + Free/Reduced Lunch, or Do you move the returning students closer to home, but not to the neighborhood and make most of the ITB schools > 50% Free/Reduced Lunch?" This new board is going to have quite the situation on their hands.
AG Centers
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:06 — NWRaleighMomMr. Hui,
Can N&O run a story about AG centers in Johnston county? Also, how costly would it be to implement countywide and how long it took Johnston county to set them up.
Johnston County has one K-5
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 23:25 — KeungHui (author)Johnston County has one K-5 AG center in Smithfield that serves the whole district. Here's a link. Students spend one day there a week instead of at their regular elemetnary school. I don't know the cost off the top of my head but I recall that the district had to tighten up on who could get in because of budget issues.
In Forsyth County Back In The 70's
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 20:44 — chaboard...all of the AG classes were at one school (well one elem, one junior high, etc). I wen through that and have had kids of my own go through the meager "pull-out" programs here - I think the separated programs are much more effective.
Thanks, Mr. Hui :-) I
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 10:23 — NWRaleighMomThanks, Mr. Hui :-)
I hope BoE members and administration will consider this approach for our district.
Jennifer, thank you for bringing it up!
Provisional count
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:18 — g88ky07never mind.
I did not say WSCA ... I
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:23 — user12345Rev .."In the interest of fairness, some in the WSCA don't think that way. "
I did not say WSCA ... I don't know who is WSCA and who it not ... they don't identify themselves always... just that many people on the blog say they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and don't know why others don't too ... they see breaks for the poor as feeding their addiction and keeping them in servitude. That is their view of the situation, not mine. So, locating magnets near poor people who are least likely to have private transportation while practical might not find a welcoming audience here ..
A few months back when some recent non-English war refugee asked the BOE for an exception to stay in their school since they did not have transportation, some here mentioned that their kids were refugees too because they had to ride the bus 45 minutes across town and they should also get an exception too which was one of the most selfish, self-centered view I have ever heard …
user--you just gotta let
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:28 — jenmanuser--you just gotta let comments like that roll on by. Ignore the most extreme opinions/comments on both sides and you're left with the other 80% of people who are willing to work towards a reasonable solution.
I don't remember that comment, but my guess is it was somebody being sarcastic or it was somebody like g88ky who is known for making crazy comments just to stir the pot. I've read some idiotic things from people here who I disagree with, but I don't put everybody who I disagree with in the same category as the idiots. You shouldn't either.
good point ... good advice
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 21:50 — user12345good point ... good advice ... I figured since no one called the person on the comment that they agreed with it ... which isn't right either ...
Some of us
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 00:20 — SDR256Some of us were too busy actually WORKING on the campaign - away from our keyboards - to have read the comment. Didn't read it.
But if you're talking about the community of people who had come here after being oppressed somewhere in Asia - I read about them - and I thought their story was heartbreaking. Whatever shallow comment was made, if it was not vehemently agreeeing that those poor folks should have stayed where they were, I would have thrown virtual stones at the writer.
Good enough for you?
Really, user, there have been some pretty meaty lies around about WSCA. This one was on the thin side - guilty by omission? You're really reaching now.
Said it before. We are real parents, not some evil plotting political groundswell. Real parents - clueless and doing this for the first time. Cut us some slack for not reading every last blessed blog post.
SDR ... I think that story
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 08:30 — user12345SDR ... I think that story was before WSCA was really formed last year .... I do not have any real complaint with WSCA and appreciate all the hard work you do (you are a director right??) … I don’t always agree with some member’s?? (do you have voting members) views ... and it is not fair of me to think every opposite view is a card carrying WSCA member … as I told you before without any detailed written policy statements and no official spokesman nothing can be researched, attributed, or contradicted which is a brilliant political move though it seems dishonest in some way… I have talked to most of the candidates and asked each one it they were a WSCA puppet and they all said they were their own person beholden to no one except their district so I don’t see any conspiracy or problem …. but I will hold you accountable for improvement of ED kids since it was a campaign issue and expect results for all the rhetoric and concern ….
SO Ready for POSITIVE CHANGES
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 00:00 — Lisa_BHello Old Blog Buddies:
After reading today's article, I decided it was time to become reacquainted with the blogs again...but not until I give one quick CONGRATULATIONS to Deborah Prickett, Debra Goldman and Chris Malone and a BIG GOOD LUCK to John Tedesco---he sure is the right person for the job in District 2.
It is SO EXCITING to know that POSITIVE CHANGES are on the way for families in Wake County. These past 3 years of forcing unjustified and destructive changes on our families and our communities are behind us. The positive energy since Tuesday's election is obvious and refreshing.
I am amazed with some of the uninformed comments I have read as I just tried to scan the most recent blogs. Did ANYONE acquainted with WSCA ever say they were against diversity? WHY have those of us committed to positive change been labeled "anti-diversity"? It's ridiculous to see the term "racist" used when referring to those of us who truly appreciate "diversity" while at the same time know that Policy 6200 only creates the ILLUSION that the low performers are being helped.
Maybe staying away from the blogs has been a good thing, since it allowed me to focus on the POSITIVES and campaigning for real change. BUT, as someone who has been involved with WSCA from Day 1, I can comfortably say NO ONE in the WSCA organization is anti-diversity----we are all concerned with the WAY that diversity is handled in WCPSS, ESPECIALLY after seeing the SAS/EVAAS report confirming what we have been saying all along---the very students WCPSS is claiming to "help" with excessive busing are actually being HURT. Diversity is a GOOD thing---we keep our own children in public schools because we appreciate the diversity. BUT, while focusing on "Healthy Schools" without regard to test scores, policy 6200 has created "UNhealthy students". This is the HUGE problem. But, I guess it's easier for some to manufacture controversy by name calling instead of stating the real problem and attacking it head-on.
Anyway, I plan to keep working toward POSITIVE change for ALL students and families in Wake County. This time around, with a board consisting of 4 (and hopefully 5) members who value EDUCATION, FAMILIES, and STABILITY, the future looks BRIGHT for everyone!! Have a GREAT week!!!!!!!
And one more thing...those of us who have eaten/slept/breathed school assignment during the past 3 years know that "there's not enough time..." is incorrect. It hasn't mattered before---I believe that LOTS of positive changes are VERY possible for 2010-11.
“Did ANYONE acquainted
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 08:33 — user12345“Did ANYONE acquainted with WSCA ever say they were against diversity? WHY have “….those of us committed to positive change been labeled "anti-diversity"? It's ridiculous to see the term "racist" used when referring to those of us who truly appreciate "diversity" while at the same time know that Policy 6200 only creates the ILLUSION that the low performers are being helped. “
Lisa, let me lay out the problem … first, there are no people listed on the WSCA site which I understand is for security reasons – parents are too afraid of what will happened if their name gets out – I understand given how vicious people are here (checking your voting records, doing background checks, knowing where you live and about your children). Therefore, the public does not know who is involved. There are no officers listed on the WSCA website so the public does not know who is running the show. The typical answer is to come to a meeting and see. So, WSCA could be a white separatist group for all the public knows. Second, I pressed for a position on diversity and the reply was that since there is no actual leader (8 directors?) there was no way to issue a single statement, which is convenient. SDR, who I think is one of the directors??, gave a personal diversity statement which would have been a good foundation for the group. So, to the public, it appears we have a mysterious group with no leader, no formal positions on diversity, and supporting all White candidates in a schools system that is only 50% White. It would have been nice to have SE WCSA parents up front as spokespersons, maybe a Black to reinforce cross-county, multi-racial membership claim. So, there is some concern about all this and where is will lead. We have a schools system where there is not a White and Black side of town like in many southern areas … there are not large ghettos and projects like up north ….. Everyone kind of mixes which to many is wonderful compared to other cities. Finally, what is so confusing is that helping F&R kids could have been done anytime in the last ten years outside of diversity and bussing. There are many schools with >40% F&Rs that are failing and have been failing for years so any recent concern right before the election seems suspect.
The WSCA held numerous open
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 15:47 — woodstockThe WSCA held numerous open and publicized meetings throughout the county leading up to the election. So, are you telling us that as interested as you pretend to be about the future of WCPSS, you never attended one? Why the hell not? You could have met many of the organization's leadersip and the many citizens of Wake County that support change. If you had attended one of the meetings you would not have to embarrass yourself with the profoundly ignorant posts that you bore us with today.
...
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:00 — SideburnsThanks for the reminder. I owe someone a beer since user1-10 didn't show up at the WSCA picnic. Who was that?
Hmm...
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:38 — supportwcpssHow about the one in Cary with what - 12 people....where were the thousands of WCSA supporters...Scary that a small group of people can drive direction like that. Very scary.
You Should Have Been At Holly Springs Then....
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 21:42 — JanisTangoYou should have been at the Holly Springs meeting. It was standing room only...I believe the count was clearly over 100 in attendance!
That is an odd perspective
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 10:53 — woodstockThat is an odd perspective coming from someone on the losing side. What, couldn't your side muster enough support to overcome the efforts of only "12 people?"
Don't like the results
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:55 — g88ky07tell your neighbors to vote next time!
On 2nd thought, nahhhhh, the outcome is nothing but positive. Very positive!
See Lisa ... I don't know if
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:00 — user12345See Lisa ... I don't know if this guy is a WSCAer or not ... definitely rude and uninviting ... not the kind of person you would want to put up front ....
User--you are, pardon my
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:07 — jenmanUser--you are, pardon my french, full of it! I encouraged you to contact WSCA directly or email me personally to discuss your concerns. As a believer of seeing the best in people, I do think you had some interesting ideas and valid concerns. I invited you to join in the conversation--to be a part of the process. But you never took me up on my offer.
You are clinging to your stereotypes of who you think we MUST be and you've blinded yourself to reality.
I understand and you offer
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 21:53 — user12345I understand and you offer did not go unappreciated ... people like you make up for folks like Woodstock ...
You're just upset that your
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 08:49 — woodstockYou're just upset that your numerous misconceptions get countered with facts.
You spend hours here making wild and unfounded accusations against WSCA, yet don't bother to attend even one meeting...even after being personally invited on numerous occasions. You claim that graduation rates don't have meaning because standards can vary, yet the fact is EOC tests are required for graduation and they are all state-normed and the same in all LEAs. I could go on, but it would be a waste of my time because you, as has been pointed out by others, have a very thick skull.
Are you a typical WSCA
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 09:04 — user12345Are you a typical WSCA leader?
I attended a WSCA meeting
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 09:27 — woodstockI am not a WSCA leader. I attended a WSCA meeting ...and I support their platform and their latest round of candidates. That is the extent of my involvement. I don't speak for them or even provide input. I simply respect what they have done and I hope they continue their efforts.
Go to a meeting sometime and stop being so paranoid. It is just a bunch of citizens -- mostly Moms and Dads -- who see a need for change.
Are they all as open,
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 10:28 — user12345Are they all as open, friendly, welcoming as you?
(Rolling eyes) What is it
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 10:55 — woodstock(Rolling eyes) What is it you and Perry? Nothing discussed on this forum has anything to do with me. I am not the issue here. Get informed, consider the mountains of information and facts that have been presented to you on this forum and maybe I, and others, would consider your positions a little more seriously.
You have a tendency to obfuscate the issues and to drone on about things you have very little knowledge of...things that have been pointed out to you on numerous occasions. It's frustrating have to reiterate factual ideas and concepts to you over and over again...and then you still ignore it. I, personally think you are playing some kind of a game and just post things for the hell of it with no real thought behind it.
To answer your question: Are they as "open and friendly" as I am? I am sure of it, but you've had ample opportunity to find out for yourself. Why haven't you?
Woodstock .... I think the
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:06 — user12345Woodstock .... I think the reason you seem so frustrate is that I don't come from your part of town, I am not the same income level, I don't live in your neighborhood, don't ahve the same lifestyle ... I have a different view from where I live and the schools my kids have gone to ... until you understand that everyone is not like you or thinks like you , you will be frustrated wondering why your vision is not everyone's vision ... Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
I recognize that people
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:41 — woodstockI recognize that people have very different life experiences and circumstances, and I appreciate the special challenges that many people face and how it dictates their world view. That is why I have tried to stick to facts when discussing these matters. It is easy to get caught up in the emotion that bubbles to the surface when race, poverty, and social issues are discussed.(Case in Point: The highly offensive and race-baiting Friends of Diversity press conference)
In Wake County, the facts indicate that change is needed in our school system. Too many students are being left behind academically. What is of particular concern is that the status quo has been willing to hide that fact from the public. We need to have a greater focus on the individual student and not hide our failures in the overal numbers; only then will Wake County be the kind of system we all can be proud of.
Also, please know that you are being presumptuous about my past and present circumstances. You may want to take your own advice and first seek to understand.
"Also, please know that you
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 12:39 — user12345"Also, please know that you are being presumptuous about my past and present circumstances. You may want to take your own advice and first seek to understand. "
So, how about telling me in general terms where you live and how YOUR kids have been affected by all this - reassignment, graduation rates, lack of AP courses, etc. I think a personal story is more powerful than statistics in helping understand the problem and possible solutions.
To reiterate: 1. This is
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 16:56 — woodstockTo reiterate:
1. This is not about me.
2. Sharing anecdotal information with someone you trust is fine, but I choose not to do that here. When discussing policies that impact all students and many families in Wake County, sticking to the facts is best. Right now too many low-income and minority students are failing and not much, if anything, is being done about it. In fact, it seems there are attempts to hide that fact. Also, the magnet system is unfair since the quality of a child's education should not be left to the luck of the lottery.
I thought so ... I am sorry
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:19 — user12345I thought so ... I am sorry but I can not take you seriously.... like a person who writes a book about parenting who has never had children ... If you have never been personally impacted by reassignments, been denied a class, endured multiple schedules, I don't feel comfortable that you understand ... sorry ... I can understand John championing the rights of the low income kids even though he is not a parent because of his day to day job working with kids.... so, if you don't mind, I will take what you say as a theorist who has studied the problem in school but has no practical knowledge and so only relies on facts .... I don’t mean that as dig …I am guessing you don't have kids yet but will one day and will understand how messy it is ...Note, other here have convinced me through their personal stories on the hardship of MYR or frequent reassignments that harm was done and I as a result I support them and their effort …TPG has almost convince me to move to her hometown where all the kids are good looking and above average :-)
Never said all are good looking and above average
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:00 — TrailerParkGirlI never said all the kids are good looking and above average. They are not all that different from many kids here (although generally less spoiled I think). What I said was that the expectation of whether a kid will be good looking and above average is not dependent on their socioeconomic status.
If you do decide to move there get ready to be involved in the community and community service work. My relatives there are/were generally involved in 3-8 community organizations at one time.
i know this thread is dead
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 14:04 — carson79i know this thread is dead but I think that TPG has never heard Prarie Home Companion!!
I wish I would have asked her why she didn't move back to the hometown? Why she moved here?
LOL Whatever...
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:49 — woodstockLOL Whatever...
And User probably sat on his
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:23 — CaryCurmudgeonAnd User probably sat on his butt during the election season and didn't raise a finger to help the candidates he thought should have won.
Congrats on your victory
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 07:43 — changewcpssCongrats on your victory Madame Campaign Manager. Nice to witness a regular Mom outmaneuver the stale status quo money fueled machine. Will you help J Tedesco in his effort to bring a slam-dunk to parents? Good things happen when you keep your eyes on the prize. With his victory WCPSS can become world class instead of pretending they are. Welcome back.
I have a hard time seeing
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 01:32 — RevHiDI have a hard time seeing how schools in extreme western wake will have economically diverse neighborhood schools. The lowest single family home price is at least 100 k more than my home.
What is the magic formula
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:12 — woodstockWhat is the magic formula for diversity and why is it THE number one priority for WCPSS, but not in other asspects of our lives? Does your work place fit within the bounds of this perfect diversity balance that you speak of? Does the church you attend posses the precise ratio that you seek? (If not, what are you doing to make this so?) Does the neighborhood you chose to in live mirror the diversity balance you want for your child at school. If not, will you move so that you can have what you seek for others?
Believe me, I get diversity and understand its significance likley better than most, but what I do not get is why it has become the be all and end all of Wake County schools. Where are the discusions about improved academic achievement, innovative educational programs, graduation rates, drop out prevention and the myriad of other things that influence the academic success of students to a far greater degree than if every single school has exactly the right economic balance.
"What is the magic formula
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:20 — user12345"What is the magic formula for diversity and why is it THE number one priority for WCPSS, but not in other asspects of our lives? "
Why do you think diversity is #1 priority. We know many of the schools are >40% and growing so obviously the BOE did not have much of an affect. All people wanted was for diversity to be one of the factors and not have it eliminated.
speak for yourself
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:13 — loriac'All people wanted was for diversity to be one of the factors and not have it eliminated.'
Until the mass reassignment last year, I did not understand just how big a factor 'diversity' was in our public schools. Because of this factor, we were reassigned out of our middle school to another one further away (no growth issues), we were prevented from going to the YR elementary school 1 mile from our neighborhood, even though there are 400 empty seats, kids were bused 3 hours per day from SE Raleigh to Leesville preventing parental involvement (open house night was more than half empty)... It's false to force a choice on someone for no other reason than social engineering, and results in all these stupid outcomes.
IF there were a greater good - the ED kids were really being helped - that would be one thing. But the SAS report, conversations w/ Mr. Dulaney, showed me that was NOT the case. Someone is benefitting, just not the kids.
How about we focus on EDUCATION for a change?????
We need a better approach - and the voters have spoken.
Ok ... I think we will get
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:36 — user12345Ok ... I think we will get 10 more schools coming on-line ... that will be a chance to see if there is any movement without diversity being considered ... concerning SAS report ... if there is anything to it, it could have been addressed any time in the last ten years not the Friday before election ..
Since the report was created
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:51 — changewcpssSince the report was created in the Spring, presented to D Burns in June and consequently hidden until pressed about it's existence, your issue should be with the WCPSS cover up. They almost kept it hidden long enough to get past the election, but did keep it hidden long enough so that it could not be a factor in the election. Press continues to keep it buried. For years parents all over the county have been saying what the report confirmed.
User--What makes you think
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 08:48 — jenmanUser--What makes you think that these issues haven't been addressed before? Even with my limited knowledge of scores, tests, statistics, etc, I asked the board 3 years ago to really look at student achievement for low income kids. I questioned whether some of these moves were harming the kids more than helping them. Many, many others have done the same over the years.
WSCA has been focusing on this issue all year. The 'Friday before the election' situation was not our doing. We have been pushing for these topics to be investigated and for this info to be made public. I will even go so far as to say that without the work of the WSCA, these issues would continue to be hidden from public view. Even the N&O hasn't done a real story on the SAS report. They've mentioned it and said it gives credence to some of WSCA's claims of WCPSS not serving the low income population very well. But they haven't really explained the report and what it really says or that Burns sat on it for 3 months. Let alone question why Burns sat on it for 3 months.
If the report has value, it
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 09:09 — user12345If the report has value, it will be investigated and acted on in the next year. Personally, I guessing that since ED's don't have a website, organization, PAC, etc. they don't have a voice .... if WSCA is that ED voice than they will make the needed changes ...
Who has ever
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 17:12 — woodstockWho has ever suggested eliminating diversity as a factor in student assignment?