The tune from Wake is a lot more upbeat about the latest report coming from Queens University of Charlotte.
As noted in today's article, the report found that Wake's high school graduates outperformed those from Durham, Charlotte, Forysth and Guilford when it comes to academic performance in the UNC system. The Wake students also had the higher UNC graduation rate of the group.
For at least some people in Wake, the report lends new validity to their belief that the district's diversity policy is superior to the neighborhood school approach used in Charlotte.
"We clearly expect our students to graduate from Wake County and perform well in college," said Ann Denlinger, president of the Wake Education Partnership.
Dana King, principal of Millbrook High School in North Raleigh, said Wake's diversity policy means high schools aren't predominantly filled with low-income students like in Charlotte. She said high schools in Wake don't experience the morale problems common in high-poverty schools.
The new report noted the disparities in college performance among Charlotte's high schools, which like the rest of the district has resegregated since the end of busing.
Wake school board member Patti Head pointed to the problems that Charlotte has had recruiting teachers to work at high-poverty schools despite offering large pay incentives.
Wake school folks were not as pleased with a prior Queens University report that found there's not much difference in K-12 student test scores in Wake and CMS despite their different policies on the assignment of low-income pupils.
Click here to read the various reports. The new one is called "To a Culture of No Excuses."
UPDATE
Click here for the Charlotte Observer article on the study.
Comments
User1234, I don't have a problem with his view
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:33 — Voice_of_Reason_He just values good education for his children and is willing to pay for it by where he lives. [In theory]
Sad that people like
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:57 — CaryCurmudgeonSad that people like user1234 cannot imagine that other citizens would advocate for improving our schools, even if it did not benefit their own families. My kids are about done with wcpss, two more years and there's nothing wcpss can do to hurt them.
But I don't think any citizen should ignore what is going on in the school system which is the lifeblood of our county. I don't want to see young families go through what my family went through. I don't want to see 50% of African-American men drop out of high school and end up in gangs or prison. I don't want to see gifted students ignored.
Wake County has its own version of "Soylent Green." WEP, the chambers of commerce and the developers spend millions of dollars every year to create the grand illusion of "healthy schools," so that they can continue to grow their businesses and line their pockets. Companies and people are lured here by a false promise of "world class" schools.
If citizens don't help shatter this myth, who will?
"Sad that people like
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 11:43 — user1234"Sad that people like user1234 cannot imagine that other citizens would advocate for improving our schools, even if it did not benefit their own families. "
I may have missed but I did not see anything from you to improve anyone's life outside you, your neighborhood and your income bracket. Your plan seems to be get new BOE members that are "family" friendly and will send everyone back to their "neighborhood".
troll
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 02:12 — klanders65I don't think you are a troll. And there are huge things that I disagree with you about.
But there is something about both me and you that is not connecting with other people on this blog. They are not as harsh to me as they are to you.
Sometimes I think the same harsh thoughts about you from your posts. But I also think you are outside looking in as am I. But you went out a different door.
you just don't get it
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 12:41 — loriacHere I go - feeding the troll.... but you just don't get it.
I want new BOE representatives who will listen to the parents, and consider other solutions besides busing to help STUDENTS. (notice I said students, not schools)
What is WCPSS or the BOE doing to help these ED, at-risk students? NOTHING! THey bus them out so they don't bring down the schools' test scores! It's the biggest sham going!
Don't worry about what bus they ride
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 13:52 — user1234loriac, if you truly cared about these kids you would not worry about how they get to school or which school they attend but you would advocate for more resources, innovative programs, etc. Drop the worry about what bus they ride and get them more resources at what ever school the end up attending.
valid comparison?
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 20:42 — snordoneWe are the 3rd most educated workforce in the NATION (after Seattle & San Francisco) - is it really legitimate to compare the kids of Wake County to Gilford County, Charlotte, etc..? Or should we be making comparisons with student achievement in Seattle and San Francisco? With all the MDs, JDs, MBAs and PhDs in our county our children have the advantage of being raised by parents who make education the #1 priority in their home. We send them to preschool, get them private tutors, and do whatever it takes to get them a solid education. I think WCPSS is taking credit for something it has not done. The mark of a successful public school system is high academic achievement of its low income kids - the kids that REALLY depend on public schools for their education. NCDPI says that in WCPSS 2/3 of the African-American and Hispanic kids are not meeting end of grade expectations in reading and math (3-8th grade). That is where the diversity policy is relevant - with our low income children. Can WCPSS really claim that they are succeeding when 2/3 of these children are not meeting end of grade expectations?????
"The mark of a successful
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 21:07 — user1234"The mark of a successful public school system is high academic achievement of its low income kids "
Really no on has the answer to ED - Economically Disadvantaged kids who have a 30% passing rate from one end of the state to the other across most every county. Any small difference below is probably not significant.
% EOG Passing by System
System ED
ChapelH 33.9
Chatham 33.5
North Carolina 33.3
Orange 32.4
Franklin 31.9
Wake 31.3
Charlotte 31.1
Granville 30.9
Harnett 30.9
Durham 20.8
Median 31.6
"Any small difference below
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:20 — CaryCurmudgeon"Any small difference below is probably not significant."
So, in other words, all the busing in Wake County (and nowhere else) doesn't do jack to help ED students.
It does not matter where
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:50 — user1234It does not matter where the ED kids go to school, they get the same inadequate education at every school in every county in the state from neighborhood schools, to magnets, to etc..
The income diversity policy is about schools not test scores. Two separate issues. Oh, diversity policy won't cure baldness either.
Well, maybe I'm a little
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:07 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake. I don't see a significant differrence between Wake County's non-ED students and the rest of the state's. You already showed data that proves there's no difference either.
So if none of the students are doing any better under our busing model than the rest of the state, exactly what do "healthy schools" buy us?
You can say it buys us a better environment for teachers, but if the results do not translate to student achievement (see above), then how can you say our teachers are better?
You can say it buys us a lower-cost education, but there is no proof to the point... we know that our cost to run schools would actually be lower if we did not have all the extra busing. The schools themselves don't last any longer based on having less kids go there from the immediate area.
So, what is it exactly that benefits us by having "healthy schools?"
“So if none of the
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 20:35 — user1234“So if none of the students are doing any better under our busing model than the rest of the state, exactly what do "healthy schools” buy us?”
Healthy schools buy us the ability to attract teachers to many different schools. Concentrating all the high needs in a few schools is very hard on teacher, administration and parents. Teachers are looking for mental stimulation and teaching all remedial classes all day is mentally boring, if administration spends most their time on discipline and absences they don’t get to develop the leadership skills and innovative programs that make a job fun, and if there are few parents to run the PTA, Senior committee, band boosters, the school just does without.
“You can say it buys us a better environment for teachers, but if the results do not translate to student achievement (see above), then how can you say our teachers are better? “
Not everything translates into scores. The grass on the ball field does not translate into better scores, the new parking lot, having all the trash picked up and the removal of the graffiti does not translate into better school but they all make the school healthier for people studying and teaching there.
“You can say it buys us a lower-cost education, but there is no proof to the point... we know that our cost to run schools would actually be lower if we did not have all the extra busing.”
Given that Wake’s spending is one of the lowest cost systems of any county in the state and the results are as good or better that could be considered a success. So what is Wake doing to get equivalent results at the lowest cost per student? Diversity? We know that any effort to concentrate the high needs kids and offer special assistance will cost more (e.g. Kipp).
I think the problem you are having being in a low diversity school, especially a brand new school, you don’t know how good you have it. You concern is about scores, colleges, awards … all the things a healthy low high needs school get to enjoy. As more high needs kids are added to your school, the dynamic change. At a certain limit the school can not longer absorb the extra workload.
Well, at least you admit
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 20:54 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, at least you admit that our busing policy does nothing to improve the education of our children.
I hope if I get hit by a bus that Wake County has "good doctors" instead of "healthy hospitals."
I also admit that trees
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 07:57 — user1234I also admit that trees on schools campuses don’t improve students score too.
I think that is where our misunderstandings come from … you live in a low income diversity area, you have no Title I schools in your district, you have one small node of low income kids that attend your school and it scares you, all the schools your kids have attended are new and either schools of distinction or excellence and you think the other 80% of the county is like your idyllic neighborhood. Well it is not.
The other districts have much more income diversity. They struggle with normal average problems society has. They have the high needs kids spread around so no school has they all. Most schools are good schools with a few bad and a few very good. They are older schools needing renovation and new HVAC unlike your new school where the major concern is getting a left turn light. So, for everyone else, we manage with older schools, an income diverse population, good schools that are not all great or poor, etc. That is why it is so hard for you to understand these issues since you only see them afar in some theoretical manner. You rely on test score to make all your judgments because that is as all the involvement you have.
I don't have any
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:07 — CaryCurmudgeonI don't have any misunderstandings. You proved the point to yourself that busing does nothing to improve academic performance.
BTW, you make a very wrong assumption that my interest in improving our school system is selfish -- it is not. In two years, my family will be done with Wake County schools. Grandfathering protects us from any possible redistricting. Going to neighborhood schools does not give my family any benefit. You should realize that there are people out there fighting for change because it is in the best interests of our community.
Keep admitting user1234
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 09:22 — Voice_of_Reason_Older schools are not the full problem either.
When I went to school, we didn't have AC (in south Louisiana!), but big box fans. The schools were designed for cross ventilation. But I still had a good education. Sure HVAC system are great and do contribute to a good learning environment, but they aren't essential. BTW- Name me the schools that don't have good HVAC. Newer schools were designed with HVAC in mind and suffer the worse when HVAC problems happen. Wakefield MS had to let out classes last year. That's hardly a poor area.
If WCPSS is putting students in sweat boxes, I would agree with you...but they are not. Your class warfare argument is getting old.
VOR … I actually don’t
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:06 — user1234VOR … I actually don’t have a problem with you because your schools seem to be diverse and your district has a range of school many of them Title I. So, you seem to have a “horse in this race”. You know I live in a mixed area and my wife teaches in a mixed school. I use to live in Mudgeon area so I know the differences in the schools and offerings.
As for Mudgeon, he has only known a gilded life. He has moved node to node following schools of distinction awards. He is oblivious to any income diversity and thinks everyone it like him because he has so little contact outside his “neighborhood”. He does not realize that he is in a minority. His interests are self-centered and with no regard to other districts. His myopic world revolves around EOG/EOC scores as the beginning and end of education in the county.
It benefits the developers,
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:51 — SouthEastWakeMomIt benefits the developers, the business community who gets companies to relocate here, the real estate agents and the City of Raleigh. It has nothing to do with actual education of the individual students. It's part of the region's propoganda machine. But, you already knew that.......
GOBs
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 09:31 — loriacYes - and we are seeing how these Good Ole Boys continue to run Raleigh.... tho things are getting a little hot for some. I still think there's a money trail to follow here - someone (or more than one) are benefitting big time, but it sure isn't the students.
Interesting data. It
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 21:36 — CaryCurmudgeonInteresting data. It supports the point that NC schools collectively are failing our ED students. But it does nothing to support the wcpss claim that our diversity policy contributes to better college performance.
I went to the WakeUP Wake County education forum last week. Ann Dennlinger got up as said Wake County has a "world class" school system, "one of the best in the country." I believe even you, after looking at data like this, would have to conclude that Ms. Dennlinger much be living in an alternate reality.
I don't think anyone said
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 07:02 — user1234I don't think anyone said that diversity was the sole reason for Wake doing well in this report. I just said that if diversity is a bad thing than it does not seem to be hurting some kids that go to UNC schools according to this report.
Second, diversity is about healthy schools not high scoring kids. For people like you going to healthy, low F&R schools "healthy" does not matter and you are concentrated only on test scores. For the rest of the county who has a diverse income population, it is important not to have concentrations of very poor and very rich schools.
Third, I hope by posting the scores helps people understand that no one has the silver bullet and that the BOE is not ignoring some cure all. Solving this problem of 1/3 of our population only passing 1/3 of the time is a tough one to solve. Fortunately, where you live, you don’t need to be concerned.
Personally, I don’t know if Wake is “world class” but it is not bad for a free government school system. There appears to be a broad range of choices where kids can flourish. Free Government schools will never compete with the private sector. The US will never compete with many other countries that are more selective on who gets education. Overall, it is not bad. And if you add involved parents who read to their kids and make education a priority, it is a powerful combination that moves toward world class.
"Healthy Schools"
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:11 — Bob_SconceSo, I have two big problems with the "Healthy Schools" idea.
First, what is a "Healthy School?" Is it like obscenity, "I know it when I see it?" In fact, the expression seems to be a shibboleth among education professionals. If they want to push some sort of policy or educational belief, all they need to do is say "you can't have healthy schools without it."
Second, as you point out, it focuses on the school rather on the performance of students. To me, the only "healthy" school is the one where all students are learning at their potential, regardless of whether that school has an active PTA or a "diverse" population or certified teachers or nice landscaping.
“So, I have two big
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:47 — user1234“So, I have two big problems with the "Healthy Schools" idea. “
I am guessing you can have a “healthy school” if you pour enough money in or have some superman principal neither of which are readily available.
“To me, the only "healthy" school is the one where all students are learning at their potential, regardless of whether that school has an active PTA or a "diverse" population or certified teachers or nice landscaping.”
None of us is “healthy”. We all have some cough, limp, runny nose. The question is how unhealthy are you? Yes some people can come to work with cancer. But that unhealthiness wears on the morale and productivity.
So, as long as your wife
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:10 — NWRaleighMomSo, as long as your wife has an enjoyable place to work, you do not care if kids have to travel long distances and not realize their full potential? You, obviously, don't consider it a big price to pay.
Your wife and other teachers have all the rights to enjoy coming to work. I would consider different approaches rather than bussing, reassignments and FYR.
Teachers leave all the
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:14 — user1234Teachers leave all the policy questions to the the policy makers. It is not that they don't care, it is not part of their job description.
btw, my wife's school is not "enjoyable" because of the high concentration of high needs kids that drains her physically, mentally and emotionally every day.
"I would consider different approaches rather than bussing, reassignments and FYR. "
Ok .. let's hear it ... pilot starts in the fall ... you need new funding from NDOE, Fed ... maybe approval too ... CC just cut all resources ... after a year ... increase pilot to more schools ... if your program increases scores substantially there won't be any need for "old" programs and they can be phased out. Sound simple.
[Ok .. let's hear it ...
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:20 — NWRaleighMom[Ok .. let's hear it ... ]
Kipp, for instance.
BoE traveled as far as to Atlanta but not to Guilford County.
I am with you .. but there
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:15 — user1234I am with you .. but there must be some problem ..
Think of it this way. Every generation has come up with educational reforms. Developing educational reforms and theories is a recreational sport in America. And where are we 200 years later? Out of a one room school? I have heard that what kids learn through 10th grade now was done through 8th 100 years ago ... may just be an urban legend ... still to think Kipp is the super program people have been waiting generations for seems poposturous ... but possible ... I say pilot and compare ... if Kipp is the answer than we are at the beginning of ending poverty ...
Urban Legend
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:51 — Bob_SconceThere are a number of schools out there that are having success at teaching poor kids. The things they seem to have in common are (1) no tolerance for distruption, (2) a long-term commitment to each student and (3) heavy involvement by each family.
But, even at schools like that, there is a core set of kids who are not educated -- their parents aren't involved, or they get kicked out for one reason or another. To my knowledge, nobody has figured out a way to reach kids who don't care and whose parents just don't care. I think that's probably the role of the church and not the government.
I am thinking the NCLB
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:18 — user1234I am thinking the NCLB metrics are making us educate every child ... like you said there is a minority (10%?) that probably should be at the alternative school because the just disrupt the others.
User1234, there you go again THINKING (wrong of course)
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 22:05 — Voice_of_Reason_The NCLB Act only applies to Title I schools, not to all kids. If a child isn't in one of those too bad. It prioritizes benefits to low income kids in those schools, but all can benefit in those schools from some programs.
The 10%, as you say, are bused out so they can be "discarded" from the calculations to avoid penalties. It is done by node (i.e. low performing nodes); not by child.
"The 10%, as you say, are
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 07:41 — user1234"The 10%, as you say, are bused out so they can be "discarded" from the calculations to avoid penalties. It is done by node (i.e. low performing nodes); not by child. "
I think that statement show how little you know about the situation. 1% of those kids are in the three alternative schools now and the 9% have been left in the classroom the disrupt the other kids. They keep them in regular school because there is not enough room in the alternative schools and they need to keep up the magical graduation rate people are obsessed with.
Actually I know more than you think
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 09:10 — Voice_of_Reason_You shouldn't of taken that 10% bussed literally (sorry). Part of the 10% does get bussed, part go to alternative schools, and others stay in Title I's. I am not sure you are correct that the alternative schools have the capacity problem you describe, last time I looked they were very well staffed with a low teacher/student ratio. Also the children do not always stay at these schools long (ie the entire year). I am not sure how they handle year round students or if they even do that at all. Disruptive students are at all schools, I think 10% is an exaggerated amount. Some of the problem could be alleviated by the schools provided good supervision and a discipline plan were applied. Some need heavy parental involvement. And sure, they are hard core problems that will never be fixed. BTW- Low performance and discipline problems do not always go hand and hand, even AG students can have discipline problems (especially if they are not challenged).
Second, diversity is about
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 08:03 — Eric_BRight. The board does not care about failing kids in their "healthy schools" because it's all about superficial appearances and how enlightened and politically correct diversity supporters can show themselves to be.
Why? The claim is that healthy schools improves academic performance for all. We can clearly show that this is not the case.
I agree that no one has a silver bullet, but the current policy creates a huge unnecessary distraction that the board ends up spending LOTS of time on that could be better spent actually tackling the challenges facing our school system. We could be spending this time and effort developing attempting to develop real solutions that can actually show reductions in achievement gaps like Guilford County's Mission Possible program.
Guilford
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:36 — user1234“… "healthy schools" because it's all about superficial appearances and how enlightened and politically correct diversity supporters can show themselves to be.”
“ Why? The claim is that healthy schools improves academic performance for all. We can clearly show that this is not the case.”
Ditto my sentence above on “healthy schools”. Not kids, not appearance, not performance though that might occur. Think working conditions.
“We could be spending this time and effort developing attempting to develop real solutions that can actually show reductions in achievement gaps likeGuilford County
SoGuilford
Note, Part of the reduction in the “gap” is because their ED do so poorly.
Again, “healthy
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:44 — Eric_BOk, so children's academic performance doesn't matter. It's not about appearances either (although this is certainly why the business community and real estate agents like it). We're doing this to make WCPSS' Human Resources department's job easier. Thanks for the clarification.
Did you even read the Mission Possible presentation that Mr. Hui posted here before? If so, why are you copy-and-pasting overall district numbers instead of the results from the presentation?
"If so, why are you
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:00 — user1234"If so, why are you copy-and-pasting overall district numbers instead of the results from the presentation?"
Because to comparing one place with another you need to take the total picture. MP is an interesting pilot. If funding continues it may make a difference. If not, it will be just another education reform. Also, if it was the cure all, they would have made it county wide and blown past the 30% number. Obviously, there must be some problems (e.g. funding) or that would have happened.
btw, is there any other schools system that gets such a low contribution that WCPSS is suppose to live on? (even failed Halifax spends $9458 or 17% more than Wake)
We're doing this to make
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:47 — AngelaWWe're doing this to make WCPSS' Human Resources department's job easier
and the PR Department, don't forget them!
Right on Eric. Support
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 08:17 — shearertwRight on Eric.
Support and User know this to be true. I can only begin to suspect their true motives for continuing to support these policies. Perhaps they're pride, some personal gain, who knows. Either way, its not for the benefit of the kids we are failing.
FREE....ARE YOU KIDDING
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 07:35 — shearertwFREE, like governement health care right?
How can something we pay almost 9K/child be considered FREE! Give me a break! Who do you think that money comes from, Santa Claus?
“How can something we pay
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 09:48 — user1234“How can something we pay almost 9K/child be considered FREE!”
I consider it free because you are compelled to pay for it whether you have kids or not.
I assume you don’t pay $9k per kid yourself. If you paid that you would have your kids most likely in private school.
Finally, the average kids would get much less than $9k. Special Ed / etc. which I think make up 20% of the population are quite expensive. So, I estimate the non-Special Ed kid gets more like $4k of education which is closer to what most people pay in property taxes. ($4,505*0.8)+($22,564*0.2)=$8,117 and closer to what a school like Thale costs which has not Special Ed population.
User, you are completely
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:54 — shearertwUser, you are completely LOST!
The money doesn't just come from property taxes. There are Federal income taxes, state income taxes, sales tax plus local taxes and fees that all end up contributing to public education funds. I started paying these taxes the very first day I started working and spending money and will continue to pay the taxes until the day I die. I have already paid more than my fair share for my 3 kids and will likely pay 10X that amount before I'm done. You do not have a clue. It is people like you who think this money comes from thin air or evil rich people. We're all paying in over our lifetimes and a large number of us are paying way more than others. Give me the 100's of thousands of $ I've already paid in back and I'll gladly leave WCPSS, thanks very much. Until then, I have every right to DEMAND results for my money!
"I have already paid more
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:02 — user1234"I have already paid more than my fair share for my 3 kids and will likely pay 10X that amount before I'm done. "
hmm .. you have consumed nearly $300k of resources.
per kid kids years total
$8,000 x 3 x 12 = $288,000*
* I assume you don't have any special needs kids that would 3X the cost.
$288,000 x 10 = $2,880,000 in life time taxes is a lot ..
FYI. 36% of NC State
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:41 — shearertwFYI.
36% of NC State budget goes to K-12 education.....so as I see it at 36% of my annual NC income taxes goes to paying for my kids FREE education.
Add property taxes, sales taxes, plus fees etc., my portion of FED income taxes set to education and I've got a nice private school fund set up.
Its amazing how FREE can be so expensive.
FYI. 36% of NC State
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:40 — shearertwFYI.
36% of NC State budget goes to K-12 education.....so as I see it at 36% of my annual NC income taxes goes to paying for my kids FREE education.
Add property taxes, sales taxes, plus fees etc., my portion of FED income taxes set to education and I've got a nice private school fund set up.
Its amazing how FREE can be so expensive.
FYI. 36% of NC State
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:40 — shearertwFYI.
36% of NC State budget goes to K-12 education.....so as I see it at 36% of my annual NC income taxes goes to paying for my kids FREE education.
Add property taxes, sales taxes, plus fees etc., my portion of FED income taxes set to education and I've got a nice private school fund set up.
Its amazing how FREE can be so expensive.
I agree, it IS a lot of
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:21 — shearertwI agree, it IS a lot of taxes for a lifetime.
288k/50+ working years = $5760/yr
50+ working years averaging $5760 in taxes going to education. Between fed, state and local taxes + fees, sales tax etc. I have no doubt I cover at least that amount. Again, I have every right to demand quality as should every American tax payer.
I'm sorry your wife has such a difficult time at work, perhaps if she were paid 5 to 10k/year more or accepted less pay at an "easier" school, she'd feel differently. If she doesn't enjoy working with those kids, she should look elsewhere or find a new profession. I actually enjoyed that work but left to make more $ in a different profession. I'll return to it one day, sooner if you'd lower my taxes so I can eventually retire.
Nope, no special needs kids by your definition.
My wife loves her job and
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:49 — user1234My wife loves her job and has always had a soft spot for the worst cases which typically end up coming over for dinner at some point... but if she had all the easy students that are clustered in the good schools it would be a cake walk.
Oh, you need to be one of the top teachers (masters, PhD, board certified) to get into the "easier" schools (low high needs%)... like with most all jobs, newbies start at the bottom (high needs schools) and work their way up to the easy jobs (low needs) as they get tenure. Funny how the most experienced teachers really need to be where they are most needed in high needs schools but the reverse happens.
Taxes are free, too, then
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:49 — Dadof3Chuckle. Well that clears that up.
Legend: up = down; blue sky = green sky; dog = cat.
Got it.
could mean disadvantaged Wake Students don't go to UNC system
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 19:01 — momiamThat's really stretching for something to say out of all the data we have. We have data on testing scores of students in the same populations that are bussed and not bussed. We have data before bussing and after bussing both in Wake County and Mecklenberg county. We have data comparing the same populations with and without bussing in various counties.
This is what they come up with... ALL pooled students in Wake that do go onto college and get into college in the UNC system do better in UNC colleges then ALL [pooled or not?] students in other counties that go into the UNC system. So what? Is that the best statistic they can come up with for supporting bussing? It doesn't anwser the question being asked.
That data could also be interpreted in any number of ways including..... bussing causes disadvantaged students in Wake to drop out earlier or not pursue college in the UNC system while disadvantaged students in other systems go onto college in the UNC system at a higher rate.
That needle in the haystack observation could mean anything.
Problem with study Does it
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 17:28 — aspienatProblem with study
Does it control for who gets into other higher achieving private Colleges from NC. Maybe the Ives by pass WCPSS graduates and instead take all NC picks from other counties. Leaving the higher performing WCPSS Graduates in the UNC system. Also maybe other county graduates know another states top school is a better pick then UNC Wilmington.
Maybe the kids who were bussed all their lives were done with school and did not go on to college.
Maybe all the WCPSS graduates were Homeschooled up to 11th grade then entered WCPSS. We will never know as the study did not control for that.
Just remember studies show being dropped off at school in a Mercedes means you will have higher grades. Will the BOE run out and get Mercedes Buses? ( This is a true study done to show the absurdity of making conclusions or coorelations from ill done studies )
This study is as bad as autism is caused by kids watching tv on rainy days. Another study given press by the news.
Studies like these are why hard science fields makes fun of the soft science fields