Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata says voters need to "cowboy up" to pass a school construction bond issue next year to maintain the area's quality of life.
Tata, school board member Chris Malone and Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley spoke out about the likely 2013 bond referendum on WRAL's On The Record show that aired Saturday. Bill Leslie, the show's moderator, asked Tata how "catastrophic" it would be if the bond issue was defeated.
"From my point of view, the capacity issues we've got right now are a challenge," Tata answered. "So if we can't get through a bond and get construction money, we're going to have to re-attack it again very quickly because it's just not even in the realm of conceivability that we're not going to be able to construct the schools because we're projected to have 200,000 students in the next nine years.
We're going to continue to grow. If we want the business, if we want the quality of life that Wake County citizens have come to expect then we need to cowboy up for it."
Malone and Gurley were vague when Leslie asked how big the bond will be and how high a property tax increase it might entail. The $970 million bond issue approved by voters in 2006 resulted in a 4.7-cent tax increase to build and operate the schools.
Malone said that they're cognizant of the fact that the economy isn't in a good place right now.
"I'm concerned about how large a bond we can float," Malone said. "I'm thinking that maybe several bonds showing what we've done and that we've done it on good faith and that we've done it well and that we've got buy in from everybody and proceeding along the way."
Gurley said he would promise people that this process would be very transparent, pointing back to how in 2006 the referendum listed how much it would raise property taxes both to build and operate the new schools.
"My goal in this process is to make sure we meet the needs of the school system, but that we fully inform the voters so that they know what they're voting on because that's the only way I'm going to vote to impose a tax increase is for the public to tell me to do so," Gurley said.
Gurley said commissioners "fully realize that one of our major responsibilities is helping the school system meet their facility needs." He said that general-obligation bonds are the cheapest way to pay for school construction.
Gurley said both boards will need to work together to get a bond on the ballot for next year. He suggested forming a citizens facilities advisory committee, similar to what was done in 2006, to review ways to cut costs.
Among the other issues discussed is why a new high school costs $75 million, why Wake is growing so much, the overcrowding at more than 70 schools and why the school board is looking at a May instead of fall bond vote.
Comments
Now he speaks
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 16:35 — xpukguyAfter being on the school board for a while, now Chris Malone decides to step forward? His opinion does not matter because he is running for another office. He and the two others running for non-Wake County School offices needed to step down so they could concentrate on their campaigns, which are obviously first and foremost on their minds.
"Fully inform"...
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 19:10 — bpuli9999when Tony says it has a different meaning. Like when he "fully informed" the voters that he was planning on running for higher office as soon as he got elected to his current office.
This is old news
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 18:57 — FSandYOUSo now I really don't understand why there was no reporting on the 200+ families that had their tracks changed, without notice, and missed the first week of school.
As for "cowboying up", I'm with Mr. Tata on a lot of things, but he needs to understand what happened all the years he wasn't around here and why it's not about "cowboying up".
The previous boards stepped on, ran over, ignored and generally squashed anything and everything to do with parents, their concerns and just about everything else that didn't jive with their closed mindset.
We were lied to repeatedly with the last bond. Told if we "worked with them, they'd work with us" and we still got the year round mess. Many of which today sit with tracks not operating and/or under capacity. Costing tax dollars and not giving every child an equal shake. Oh wait, we have Magnets, that's nothing new for us is it.
Many, many parents are past fed up and those without kids say no way Hosea. The last bond took almost a million dollars of "friends" money to get it passed and even then it was close. We've heard all the excuses before, the same ones that will be used again and we say no thank you. Been there, done that.
You need a billion? Start making serious cuts and reform everything from transportation, to central office personnel, to janitors, to how long the kids get for lunch if you have to, but this public deserves to see a real effort put forth by this school system to R E FO R M. Not just continue to put band-aids on things.
The biggest problem you will have getting voters to "cowboy up" this time around will be Evans, Martin, Kusher and the rest who think like them. They don't know the meaning of reform. The voters have seen their twins many times before and those previous board failures are the reason this school system is in the shape it is in now.
This bond is a long way from passing and with the current board it will be practically impossible. So good luck, Cowboy.
...
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 19:33 — Sideburns...but he needs to understand what happened all the years he wasn't around here and why it's not about "cowboying up".
IMO, Tata is fully aware of our past and what parents have been through prior to his arrival. The problem with passing a bond is not with Tata or whether or not we need it, it is the dismissive attitude of certain Board members towards parents and their complete lack of concern for stability for our children. Hill already believes parents are selfish and anti-social -- and reassignment discussions haven't even started.
I agree he's certainly aware of it
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 08:28 — FSandYOUbut since he hasn't lived it he's not going to understand why many upon many of us are not interested in "cowboying up" until many substantial changes are made with this school system.
In the meantime, he probably shouldn't be talking down to the public because that's only going to alienate even more voters.
It already has.
Just a thought, but maybe he could put a band-aid on one good size wound by telling us how one of his schools was allowed to change the tracks of 200+ kids without notifying them until after they missed their first week of school.
Since Hui won't do it.
Tata needs to return
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 18:49 — notaliberalTata needs to go back where he came from and take the overpaid flunkies he brought here with him. He is a typical little tin star general.
Tata, of course, is right
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 18:13 — woodstockTata, of course, is right about Wake County needing schools. However, there are a lot of folks who shudder at the notion of handing that kind of money over to a Hill/Brannon-led board, especially considering those two support nutjobs like Evans and Martin who are working aggressively behind the scenes to undermine Tata.
Yes, Tata is right
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 07:13 — SatchHHThe WCPSS needs money to build many more schools and hopefully voters will recognize how much the schools have done on LESS than many other counties in the state. I object to your calling Evans names Woodstock - just because she raises issues that you'd rather sweep under the rug and because she beat Margiotta, the Republican darling. If you've been paying attention at all since the election, you'd know that this Board is completely independent of Yevonne Brannon and Great Schools - as evidenced by the board having Tata go ahead and implement his choice plan (which failed miserably) and many other votes. You're just putting out propaganda, as usual - probably looking to the next election. Give it a rest.
It is not propaganda to
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 11:29 — woodstockIt is not propaganda to point out the extremely divisive nature of Hill's assessment of parents seeking what is best for their children, GSIW's puppet-like control of the current board majority, and Evans' and Martin's persistent whining and destructive undermining. It is simply stating the facts.
I can't imagine reasonable people passing a bond that will provide 10s of millions of dollars to this Hill/Brannon-led gang of far left-wing fanatics. A change in leadership will probably have to occur before a successful bond referendum can take place.
WEll, now...
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 09:37 — Bob_SconceWoodstock does bring up an interesting point. School bonds in Wake County have always been tied up in board politics. Heck, the '99 bond vote was really the first public vote on the diversity policy, a decade before the '09 school board race. I remember Jerry Agar on WPTF repeatedly blasting the bond vote based, largely, on opposition to the diversity policy. And, the WCTA came out against it.
Had the R's kept control of the school board last year, those voices would have been substantially muted -- really hard for the WCTA to oppose a bond that Ron Margiotta supports. But, Evans and Martin are easy targets, especially combined with Hill's perceived anti-parent view.
It's a reality that the board majority needs to contend with -- if they allow the GSIW agenda to drive the board to the left, they will have big problems with the bond.
And, frankly, the timing of the bond vote -- coonciding with Tedesco's, Malone's, Goldman's and Prickett's re-election campaigns (assuming none of them obtain higher office) -- won't help.
... if they allow the GSIW
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 09:57 — shearertw... if they allow the GSIW agenda to drive the board to the left, they will have big problems with the bond.
That is exactly what I have been saying for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, politicians see any vote that gives them more money and power as a mandate for their current actions and policies. Because we don't have at large seats on the BOE in WC, voting on a bond is often one of the few ways we can send a message to the BOE that we don't like where they are going. Sure, the Dems won the last election 5-0 but the reality is, 4 of those seats were never going Rep and the Margiotta seat was a narrow victory following, literally, a national campaign against Margiotta.
I don't believe the majority of WC voters support the direction the new BOE majority is taking us and I don't believe they'll support the bond for that reason....me included. Bob, you'll probably view that as short-sighted....I view it as one of the few ways I have in WC to send a message. I'd rather my kids go to school in a parking lot than show ANY support for the direction this BOE majority is going. My only mixed feelings come in that I do support Tata. The only way for the bond to pass (and get my support) is for the current BOE majority to shut up and let Tata do the talking from now on.
I've been saying it for months
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 13:35 — FSandYOUThis bond failure WILL BE a loud and clear message of NO! NO MORE!!
The 'new' majority will be to blame and their former idles will be to blame. You can ignore parents concerns for only so long. The voters proved that with the election before last and they'll prove it with this vote. They won't buy into the lies anymore because they've seen the truth with their own eyes. They will ignore the 'friends', no matter how many times Ann tells us it's for the children. They will not be conned into voting yes because of threats and they darn sure won't believe anything that comes out of the mouths of Martin and Evans.
So...
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 11:52 — Bob_SconceDuring the last bond, there were lots of people who wanted to make the bond a referendum on year-round schools. While I thought the school district was (and still believe they were) lying about the year-round school situation, opposing that bond seemed just like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
This year, I'm hoping that Evans/Martin realize the situation they're in. It'd be a pity if the bond referendum fails because of public disgust with their antics.
It is not just Evans and
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 06:55 — woodstockIt is not just Evans and Martin, it is Hill too. He is the one who so blatantly discounts the input of parents and thinks they are "selfish" for wanting what is best for their children.
I seriously doubt
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 12:01 — shearertwI seriously doubt Evans/Martin will realize the gravity of the situation or even really care that much if they do. They are rigid ideologs that will stick to their failed ideas and concepts to the bitter end. To be sure, they'll blame the failure of the bond on "evil Republicans" or something else along those lines.
I really don't care for my nose that much anyway.
...
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 12:11 — SideburnsEvans is currently trying to lull D8 parents into believing she supports them -- by addressing MYR and the building of less YR schools in the next bond. What she doesn't tell them is she doesn't want them to have all their white children attend school together.
"What she doesn't tell them
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 12:16 — danofnc"What she doesn't tell them is she doesn't want them to have all their white children attend school together."
Hmmmmm.........
While you ponder....I
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 13:29 — shearertwWhile you ponder....I suspect it's because no one seems to really care if a bunch of white kids go to school together....at least its' not viewed as some kind of pending natural disaster.
You never here talk of...we've got to make that Davis Drive ES into a magnet so we can avoid it becoming a "racially isolated" or "racially identifiable" school. Can imagine the looks on the grant reviewers faces? "Those crazy people in Wake Co. are trying to turn a 90% white school into a magnet program to lower the % of white students and they want us to fund it!" That's why all this "racially identifiable" schools thing is a bunch of garbage. I wish they'd just say what they mean which is that they don't believe a school that is 90% black can be successful. If I were black, that would tick me off.
can never predict
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 09:17 — EBDarcy"If I were black, that would tick me off."
Like most statements that include "If I were ... I would....." one can never know how he/she would react until they are in that situation.
I doubt anyone in the AA community gives a hoot how you think you might feel. And you seem to have little regard for their opinion. Many members of the African American community have been very outspoken in their opposition to the "neighborhood schools" agenda and the creation of racially isolated schools. Since they are the community most affected by this movement toward 'neighborhod" schools maybe we should spend more time listening to their concerns and less disparaging their opinons and name-calling.
So...
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 20:13 — Bob_SconceI'll point out that just before the '09 election, Public Policy Polling did a poll about how the diversity policy's popularity. The poll found that the policy was unpopular in the African-American community.
Here's a link to that
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 23:18 — jeffrey1Here's a link to that poll:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2009/10/school-board-polling.html
From that link:
A survey we conducted then found that 61% of voters in District 1 were opposed to the district's diversity policy, that 63% in District 2 were, that 57% in District 7 were, and that 63% in District 9 were. Those numbers all match up more or less with the results last night.
Concerns over the policy were enough to get voters to cross party lines. 40% of people we had identified as likely voters for yesterday were Democrats while only 34% were Republicans. But that same group of voters said by a 43-32 margin that it preferred to vote for GOP Board of Education candidates this year.
Overall 61% of voters opposed the policy with only 29% in support of it in that early September poll. Perhaps most telling 46% of African Americans were opposed to it with only 39% supportive. And even Democrats overall were only narrowly supportive, 49/39, while Republicans were opposed 82/9 and independents were 66/25.
I agree that some in the
Sat, 08/18/2012 - 22:33 — jenmanI agree that some in the black community are upset about the idea of 'neighborhood schools', but I've heard several speak out against the old diversity policy as well. There's not one voice there. And there are many who don't like the diversity policy but don't trust the motives of the others who are against it too. So they either remain silent or they fight to keep the policy they don't like because of the fear and distrust.
Take out the word "black"
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 07:38 — woodstockTake out the word "black" and the statement still stands... people disagree and that's not exactly a revelation. I really don't get the black and white angle with all of this. Far and away people want neighborhood schools; they don't buy into the magic bus ride theory that has been promoted by left-wing academics for the last 50 years.
It all goes back to
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 13:33 — jenmanIt all goes back to segregation and Raleigh's desire to be more progressive than other southern cities. Problem is that it's not just black and white anymore, like you said. They (Brannon, Barber et al) are still looking at the issue through 1970 glasses. WC is not the same as it was back then.
None of this has anything
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 05:41 — woodstockNone of this has anything whatsoever to do with segregation and everything to do with keeping groups like the NAACP relevent in 2012. To even mention a word like segregation now is to belittle the challenge of those who faced discrimination and fought so hard for civil rights against the Democrat Party opposition to that cause.
Frankly, I don't understand why the black community is not up in arms about the renewed efforts by the Hill/Brannon-led school board to keep them out of their neighborhood schools and limit their choices regarding where they are permitted to send their kids to school.
You may have misunderstood
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 11:05 — jenmanYou may have misunderstood me. I don't mean segregation now but the historical segregation in Raleigh. That's a big piece of baggage that Raleigh is carrying around and it shouldn't be dismissed. That history needs to be respected because it is very real to some people. I'm not thinking about Barber or Brannon or Wright here, I'm thinking of the real people in all of this.
Recognizing that history doesn't mean that we go along with the likes of Barber or give up on making the positive change we want to see, it just means that we respect that it is still very real to many WC residents who lived through it. Even though it can't ever go back to the true segregation that once existed, I can understand the fear and apprehension in some people's minds.
At what point in time can
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 12:49 — woodstockAt what point in time can it be dismissed enough to put it in the past and move forward? I am not sure anyone benefits when we continue to pay homage to it every single time we talk about schools or government policies in general? In fact, I believe it is holding many back from confronting modern day challenges.
I am not sure anyone
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 13:32 — shearertwI am not sure anyone benefits when we continue to pay homage to it every single time we talk about schools or government policies in general?
Well...a select few are benefiting which is why it continues and it will continue as long as a few can make a living or a political career by perpetuating this irrational fear. Talk about "keeping people in chains", there is no more power set of chains than fear.
Fair enough, but I bet there
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 11:25 — shearertwFair enough, but I bet there aren't that many (i.e. any) WCPSS parents that actually lived through those times. It's a reasonable argument to try and understand who continues to perpetuate these fears and for what (whose) benefit they do so.
If the Dem BOE has their
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 09:21 — shearertwIf the Dem BOE has their way, we'll end up with a 3 tiered assignment model.
Tier 1 - Magnet assignment and/or lottery winners for the Dem BOE member friends, neighbors and the influential
Tier 2 - "Controlled choice" for the white suburbanites
Tier 3 - "Controlled assignment" for the poor and minority families.
Heck...
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 22:46 — Bob_SconceBrannon is still wearing her peace sign. Hard to get more stuck in the '60s than that.
The biggest impediment to the "you're going back to segregation view" is that the large majority of people in Raleigh moved here from someplace that didn't have the history of segregation. Somehow, in their view of the world, just moving to Raleigh must make you a racist who wants to make Raleigh what it was like in the '50s.
It's even more bizarre, because those people moved here because of what Raleigh was like in the '90s, '00's and 10's.
I don't know Brannon's history, but I suspect that since SHE was here and alive then, she thinks everybody else was also. Sorry Yvonne -- time has passed you by.
The 1960's & 70's live on
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 16:32 — FSandYOUwith all of those like Brannon & Barber, Hill, Evans, Kushner, Martin, Sutton, Head, Millberg, Clark, the former Mayor and his wife, Burns, Dulaney and all the others just like them.
People like that will never be able to join the rest of us in the year 2012 because their glasses will always be fogged up.
Along with their minds.
"Many members of the African
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:11 — woodstock"Many members of the African American community have been very outspoken in their opposition to the "neighborhood schools" agenda..."
That is simply not true at all.
You're right, I'm not black
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:39 — shearertwYou're right, I'm not black so I can't have an opinion of the situation.....What a total cop out.
Many members of the African American community have been very outspoken in their opposition to the "neighborhood schools" agenda and the creation of racially isolated schools.
That's simply not true....it's always just a few loudmouths like Yvonne Brannon and Rev BarBar or Jim Martin and Susan Evans (who, last I checked, are white). Let's not assume those few speak for the entire AA community. In fact, when given the choice, AA parents chose proximity. Sounds like support for neighborhood schools to me. Actions speak louder than words especially when those words are coming from a select few. That's why the Dem BOE is freaking out over the choice plan. AA aren't making the "right" choices in their opinion and must be told where to send their children.
I wish the AA community would speak up. They've been support the Dem Party for generations now and where has that gotten them? Graduate rates for AA males are at disaterous levels....AA children growing up without a father is at an all time high. The unemployment rate for AA is higher than any other ethnic group and has faired worse under the Obama Administartion than any other. Maybe they need to consider listening to someone else for a change. Recently, VP Biden made that wonderful statement suggesting that (through "unchaining" Wall St) Reps plan to put black people (he said y'all when speaking to a predominantly AA croud) "back in chains". What Biden, and perhaps you, fails to realize is that the "chains" of the 21st Century is government dependency.
Back on topic....whether someone is black, brown, yellow or purple, I cannot imagine them being "fine" with a government telling them it's not ok for a bunch of children that all look like them to go to the same school because it will be a failure. If the AA community is accepting that as truth, then it may be time for the AA community to do some "coyboying up". What does it say about a community when they believe they cannot be successful?
For someone...
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 19:24 — bpuli9999who is not black, you seem to have a lot of concern for them. What passion! Are you also concerned equally about non-black single-mother households? Because there are more of those in Wake County and you never seem to mention them.
Wow....you Libs really like
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 09:14 — shearertwWow....you Libs really like to keep people in their boxes. Dan loves to tell me what I should and shouldn't thing based on where I live and now you want to tell me who I should and shouldn't be concerned about based on the color of my skin. Now I understand why you Libs love Big Government so much...with all the rules about what I can think and what opinions I can have I guess it helps to have Big Brother to keep us from getting confused.
You know, a lot more white people were bitten by mosquitos in Wake Co. yesterday compared to black people. Given the West Nile scare as of late, I wonder if we should educate white people about using insect repellant or launch a mosquito abatement program in predominantly white neighborhoods?
The reason to be mostly concerned about the prevalance of single-mother households in the black community is as follows:
Children born to unmarried mothers (2006 data):
White = 27%
AA = 75%
All = 39%
Living in single mother families (2009 data): www.wkkf.org/~/media/.../PRB%20Data%20Brief.pdf
White = 35%
AA = 66%
All = 42%
Birth rates (# per 1,000) by teenagers (ages 15-19): http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr60/nvsr60_01.pdf
White = 26
AA = 59
All = 39
Unless you've been under a rock, you would know that we have an issue with AA males and graduation rates in WCPSS (http://www.wcpss.net/evaluation-research/reports/2011/1109grads2009-10.pdf). AA males are only graduating at a rate of about 56% compared to 86% for white males.
As a Lib, I'm sure you don't believe there is any need for a male role model in the household. These statistics don't prove "causation" but I think you'd have to be pretty naive to believe there is no connection between the high % of single mother households in the AA community and the poor graduation rate amoung AA males. Not "wanting" to believe it doesn't mean is isn't true. If white males were graduating at a rate of 56%, I'd be equally worried about them and I hope you would be to.
Don't use...
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 09:51 — bpuli9999percentages. Percentages are relative. Use absolute numbers. They reflect reality better. So are you saying there are more AA single-parent families than non-AA single parent families in Wake county? In absolute numbers, there are more non-AA kids not graduating and you are okay with that?
And I do agree with you - definitely there is no need for male role models like you anywhere.
I’m sorry, but your
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 10:49 — shearertwI’m sorry, but your post is so asinine, it deserves a double response....
Did you not even read the analogy (re: mosquito bites) I floated for you to help you understand?
Let me give you another one....
If cancer affects a subgroup of people at 3X the rate (15% vs 45% for example), is there no value in focusing on that subgroup to see was it going on? Focusing on the subgroup that is MOST DRAMATICALLY affected does not mean we're not concerned about the group with the 15% cancer rate, it just means there is something different about the group with the 3X higher incident rate that we may be able target and reduce down to the 15% rate.
There's a time to use
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 10:35 — shearertwThere's a time to use absolutes and a time to use percentages, you seem to have a hard time with that or you are just deciding to use which ever helps your bizarre argument. Unfortunately for you, in this case you are wrong on both counts. In this case, percentages tells us what is happening in each of the subgroups. In fact, the percentages are so bad (for AA males) the story even holds when you look at absolutes!
There are about 18,000 AA males in WC schools. 44% of them will not graduate. 18,000 x 44% = 7920.
There are about 36,000 white males in WC schools. 14% of them will not graduate. 36,000 x 14% = 5020.
Your argument is so stupid, there is no one on this blog who cannot see the blatant desperation of your position. It's kind of embarrassing actually.
As for me, my 3 kids will graduate....I guarantee it. But since you were losing this argument so badly, I understand your need for the personal attack.
I dare say
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 20:25 — FSandYOUhe probably has more concern for the black community than their self-proclaimed spokesperson. A person who cries foul for them all the time, but never does a thing to actually help them.
You know, the guy who needs the extra large stool everywhere he goes.
Davis Drive ES was only
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 13:58 — danofncDavis Drive ES was only 54.1% white last year.
Of course, it's probably safe to assume that you count Asian as white and Hispanic as black, so in your mind I'm sure 90% is close to accurate.
Why is race so important to
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 20:31 — woodstockWhy is race so important to you? What does it have to with anything?
Statistics show
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 21:32 — danofncStatistics show tendencies.
Acting like those tendencies are absolutes is wrong.
At the same time, pretending that those tendencies have no meaning or substance is equally wrong.
If some football team runs to the left 85% of the time when it's 3rd and 2, then if you're playing against them and it's 3rd and 2 you're going to pay close attention to the left side of the line. My views on race are similar to that, I think. You look at the numbers, and if they aren't where you want them/where they should be you try to figure out how to fix it.
As far as the particular post you responded to is concerned, it's simple. Someone said that DDES was 90% white. I didn't think it was, so I looked it up. When I saw the real number, I decided I'd mention it. It really was that simple.
Bad analogy...
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 09:52 — woodstockYour analogy using the football team highlights the problem we have with race... you describe behavior -- how a specific team acts in specific situations -- and try to apply it across the board to individuals who have nothing more in common than skin color. You may as well profile students by left/right handedness, height, or average freckle-count as they are all equally irrelevant to one's ability or propensity to achieve academically. Yet, if school systems or society as a whole relentlessly tell students with a lot of freckles, for instance, that they will struggle in school, you will have more students with freckles fulfilling that prophesy.
When we begin treating students as the individuals they are, we will all be better off.
If the school district
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 11:04 — danofncIf the school district determined that tall/short students had different academic needs, I'm sure they'd try to find a way to get each group what was needed. The same goes for "handedness", freckles, and everything else.
Putting kids on a bus doesn't "relentlessly" tell kids anything. Pretending that every kid has a perfectly equal chance at academic success and ignoring non-school factors isn't doing the kids any more of a favor than putting them on the bus.
Decisions that affect 150,000 students have to be made based on generalities. The individual schools and teachers give the children the individualized attention.
I think it was wrong that kids who weren't in need of remediation were sent there. I think it's wrong that kids who were capable of taking Algebra I early weren't placed into it (although I'm still not convinced that particular bar is set in the exact right spot). But, I see those things as situations where teachers and/or school administrators incorrectly applied a policy, and not necessarily as a problem with the policy.
Kids who are F&R tend to perform poorly compared to their non-F&R classmates. We should realize that, but we shouldn't make an assumption that they can't learn any particular thing because of their lunch status.
F&R kids tend to be African-American or Hispanic. But, the district shouldn't assume that every African-American or Hispanic kid is poor, or that every white kid is not.
They also shouldn't make any assumptions on anyone's academic abilities based on either of those statuses.
But, at the same time, it's foolish to ignore decades of data that show disparities in performance of different demographic groups. If you don't recognize the issue, and accept that it is an issue, you will never have a chance to correct the issue.
The problem
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 15:13 — lferreri"I think it was wrong that kids who weren't in need of remediation were sent there. I think it's wrong that kids who were capable of taking Algebra I early weren't placed into it (although I'm still not convinced that particular bar is set in the exact right spot). But, I see those things as situations where teachers and/or school administrators incorrectly applied a policy, and not necessarily as a problem with the policy."
As far as I know, there was no policy in many cases. Placement was done by teacher discretion or criteria were so vague as to be meaningless. Yet when actual student performance for either acceleration or remediation was examined, a significant number of placements did not appear to be based on achievement but on some other factors. A good example is in an E&R report on a program that hasn't received much attention called Academy of Reading. As part of the program itself, students were tested before placement to determine where to start in the program. So there was no reason for anyone to be unaware of the level of achievement by students on the skills to be learned. Yet students who pretested at the program's "Advanced" or "Graduate" levels (the highest levels) stayed in this remedial program anyway. There were many other problems with this program but inappropriate placement was such an obvious one.
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Sun, 08/19/2012 - 13:48 — SideburnsIf the school district determined that tall/short students had different academic needs, I'm sure they'd try to find a way to get each group what was needed. The same goes for "handedness", freckles, and everything else.
It scares me that you believe academic needs can be determined by a physical charateristic.
same as
Sun, 08/19/2012 - 11:35 — AngelaWif you don't recognize and accept the issue of reassignment based simply on SES for over a decade hasn't worked, why then would we think going back to that would work now?
So...what you're saying is
Fri, 08/17/2012 - 07:42 — shearertwSo...what you're saying is that, when a black child walks into a school, it's ok to racially profile them with regard to their education.
Wow...that's a profound statement.
For the detail hound that
Thu, 08/16/2012 - 14:01 — shearertwFor the detail hound that you are.....I probably picked the wrong ES. Pick another with 90% white then....same concept...Get that...concept?
I guarentee that, to the folks behind these programs, Asian is most certainly "white".