education priorities

[Azazello1313]

Dr. Patrick Wolf spoke to a packed audience in the Capitol Visitors Center last Monday.

 

The seats were full and people stood all along the edges of the room, even spilling out into the hallway. We all came to hear him explain his latest research on the tiny education program that has caused a national uproar—arousing so much passion that African-American leaders from around the country recently gathered downtown to engage in an act of civil disobedience.

 

The Department of Education commissioned Wolf to conduct a series of detailed studies on the results of the Washington DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP). Established in 2004 as a five-year pilot program, OSP is among the most heavily researched federal education programs in history.

 

OSP targeted about 2,000 of the poorest kids in DC who were stuck in some of the worst schools in the country. It gave their parents a $7,500 scholarship to attend a private school of their choice.

 

The response was immediate. Four applications were filled out for every slot available. Parents loved the program, considering it a lifeline for their children, a way to escape failing schools and enter safe, functional schools.

 

Everyone knew OSP would be a bargain. DC has among the highest spending per pupil in the nation. At a conservative estimate of $17,542, the public schools spend over $10,000 more per child than the $7,500 spent through the scholarship program.

 

But would OSP achieve measureable results?

 

The answer is a resounding yes. Previous studies by Wolf showed an improvement in academic performance, to the point that a student participating in OSP from kindergarten through high school would likely be 2 ½ years ahead in reading. The key finding in this final round of research, Wolf told us, was the graduation rates. OSP dramatically increases prospects of high-school graduation.

 

Wolf pointed to research showing that high-school diplomas significantly improve the chance of getting a job. And dropouts that do find employment earn about $8,500 less per year than their counterpoints with diplomas. Further, each graduate reduces the cost of crime by a stunning $112,000. Cecelia Rouse, an economic advisor to President Obama, found that each additional high school graduate saves the country $260,000.

 

Simply put, OSP has a profoundly positive effect not just on students, but on the city and the country as a whole.

 

So when it came time for Congress to reauthorize OSP, it would seem to be a no-brainer: Expand the program.

 

Instead, they killed it.

 

Buried deep inside a 1000+ page, half-trillion-dollar spending bill was a provision that prohibited any new students from entering the program. To top it off, the 216 new students added to OSP for the new academic year were pulled out by Education Secretary Arne Duncan just before the school year started.

 

[Jimmy Neutron]

:sigh:

[driveby]

Paying back the teachers unions is a bitch.

 

Hope and change.

[borge007]

Parents were involved in the decisions. That is not the case with so many "parents" in the public schools.

[Perchoutofwater]

Paying back the teachers unions is a bitch.

 

Hope and change.

 

Yes.

[tazinib1]

The Dumbing Down of America at it's best

[Azazello1313]

Parents were involved in the decisions. That is not the case with so many "parents" in the public schools.

 

so what's your point? let's make sure parents who care but don't have a ton of money don't have any choices? only parents who can afford private school on their own should be "involved in the decisions"?

[Azazello1313]

meanwhile,

[TimC]

Wow. Really sad. We should scrap the whole public school system and start from scratch. Only those blinded because they are in the system believes it is the best way to teach the children. Ridiculous.

[MikesVikes]

In Minnesota, we have open enrollment. You can bring your kid to any school you want. So does that mean that every kid is entitled to a great education? No. It means that you can bring your kid to another school because he wasn't getting enough playing time in sports with the old one. It means that it's ok to have failed schools and not all schools deserve to succeed. Just don't bring your kid to the "bad" school then. But why do we have any bad schools at all is the good question.

[TimC]

Here's another article on Az's topic, but it shows what New Orleans did after Katrina when it started over from scratch and it's successes....

 

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/07/08/reas...nce-of-katrina/

 

The education renaissance of Katrina, education Dark Ages of DC

 

posted at 10:55 am on July 8, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

 

If we could start over from scratch in building our public education system, how would we do it? In New Orleans, that question was far from academic in 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, the question was literal; at the end of the 2005-6 school year, the city only had six schools in operation. Before Katrina, they may as well have had only six, as they had one of the worst-performing school districts in the nation. As one person relates in this Reason TV video, one school had a valedictorian who could not pass a graduation exam in six attempts despite getting straight As in high school.

 

New Orleans had a choice in creating a new school system — and choice became a first principle, as Nick Gillespie explains:

 

[VIDEO]

 

Before hurricane Katrina ravaged the city in 2005, New Orleans had one of the worst performing public school districts in the nation. Katrina forced nearly a million people to leave their homes and caused almost $100 billion in damages. To an already failing public school system, the storm seemed to provide the final deathblow. But then something amazing happened. In the wake of Katrina, education reformers decided to seize the opportunity and start fresh with a system based on choice.

 

Today, New Orleans has the most market-based school system in the US. Sixty percent of New Orleans students currently attend charter schools, test scores are up, and talented and passionate educators from around the country are flocking to New Orleans to be a part of the education revolution. It’s too early to tell if the New Orleans experiment in school choice will succeed over the long term, but for the first time in decades people are optimistic about the future of New Orleans schools.

 

The key attributes are competition, parental choice, investment, and an end to the union deathgrip on New Orleans schools that kept children locked into failing schools and failing classrooms. Parents in New Orleans have hope now that their children will get educated rather than baby-sat, and that will provide a renaissance of its own to a city struggling to get back on its feet.

 

Otherwise, we’ll end up with this, courtesy of Bob Ewing at the Daily Caller:

 

Everyone knew OSP would be a bargain. DC has among the highest spending per pupil in the nation. At a conservative estimate of $17,542, the public schools spend over $10,000 more per child than the $7,500 spent through the scholarship program.

 

But would OSP achieve measureable results?

 

The answer is a resounding yes. Previous studies by Wolf showed an improvement in academic performance, to the point that a student participating in OSP from kindergarten through high school would likely be 2 ½ years ahead in reading. The key finding in this final round of research, Wolf told us, was the graduation rates. OSP dramatically increases prospects of high-school graduation.

Wolf pointed to research showing that high-school diplomas significantly improve the chance of getting a job. And dropouts that do find employment earn about $8,500 less per year than their counterpoints with diplomas. Further, each graduate reduces the cost of crime by a stunning $112,000. Cecelia Rouse, an economic advisor to President Obama, found that each additional high school graduate saves the country $260,000.

 

Simply put, OSP has a profoundly positive effect not just on students, but on the city and the country as a whole.

So when it came time for Congress to reauthorize OSP, it would seem to be a no-brainer: Expand the program.

Instead, they killed it.

 

Of course. They haven’t had a Katrina to refocus Congress on what ails education; instead, they’re acting in thrall to the teachers union. Be sure to read it all; it’s as depressing as the Reason TV video is uplifting.

[borge007]

so what's your point? let's make sure parents who care but don't have a ton of money don't have any choices? only parents who can afford private school on their own should be "involved in the decisions"?

My point is-when schools can choose their students (for whatever reasons, including active parents,less "behavior" problems, etc.) the research will show that those schools(at least in the inner cities)do better academically than "regular" public schools that take all students. Of course the goal should be for all schools to have parents involved in making decisions that affect their children.

[Yukon Cornelius]

My point is-when schools can choose their students (for whatever reasons, including active parents,less "behavior" problems, etc.) the research will show that those schools(at least in the inner cities)do better academically than "regular" public schools that take all students. Of course the goal should be for all schools to have parents involved in making decisions that affect their children.

yup

[Perchoutofwater]

But why do we have any bad schools at all is the good question.

 

Because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator. Teachers can no longer discipline students in the classroom and administrators can no longer use corporal punishment, and in many cases fear using other forms of punishment because Mom and Dad may raise a stink. Parents are so much to blame. When we were kids, we got sent to office and got our asses paddled, and then when we got home mom or dad would take the belt to us for additional reinforcement. Now if a teacher or administrator paddles a kid they risk a suit filed against the district and their jobs. Parents no longer discipline their children, and in many cases think their precious angels can do no wrong. It now takes an act of congress to get the bad apples sent to alternative schools.

[dmarc117]

Because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator. Teachers can no longer discipline students in the classroom and administrators can no longer use corporal punishment, and in many cases fear using other forms of punishment because Mom and Dad may raise a stink. Parents are so much to blame. When we were kids, we got sent to office and got our asses paddled, and then when we got home mom or dad would take the belt to us for additional reinforcement. Now if a teacher or administrator paddles a kid they risk a suit filed against the district and their jobs. Parents no longer discipline their children, and in many cases think their precious angels can do no wrong. It now takes an act of congress to get the bad apples sent to alternative schools.

 

 

back in the day, i was guilty until proven innocent.

[borge007]

Because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator. Teachers can no longer discipline students in the classroom and administrators can no longer use corporal punishment, and in many cases fear using other forms of punishment because Mom and Dad may raise a stink. Parents are so much to blame. When we were kids, we got sent to office and got our asses paddled, and then when we got home mom or dad would take the belt to us for additional reinforcement. Now if a teacher or administrator paddles a kid they risk a suit filed against the district and their jobs. Parents no longer discipline their children, and in many cases think their precious angels can do no wrong. It now takes an act of congress to get the bad apples sent to alternative schools.

Well said

[TimC]

It's so simple, but yet so politically incorrect in today's society. You've got say 70% of students that want to learn and would do fine if not dragged down by a lowest common denominator system, 15% that don't give a crap and 15% that need extra help but want to learn. Put the 15% that don't give a crap in a trade school or simply execute these losers, but get them away from the rest as quickly as possible. The 15% that needs extra help is where teachers come in. They can hand-hold them and give them all the attention they need. The other 70% get taught by DVD's and online classes at their own pace. Some will graduate quicker and some will take longer, but to pace them at the disastrously slow pace created by the general public education system is a nightmare and completely wrong. Embrace the change and what technology has to offer. We're still teaching like it's the 1800's.

[Yukon Cornelius]

Because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator. Teachers can no longer discipline students in the classroom and administrators can no longer use corporal punishment, and in many cases fear using other forms of punishment because Mom and Dad may raise a stink. Parents are so much to blame. When we were kids, we got sent to office and got our asses paddled, and then when we got home mom or dad would take the belt to us for additional reinforcement. Now if a teacher or administrator paddles a kid they risk a suit filed against the district and their jobs. Parents no longer discipline their children, and in many cases think their precious angels can do no wrong. It now takes an act of congress to get the bad apples sent to alternative schools.

some of what u say it true but not all kids at alternative schools are dummies. in fact many are smarter than those in AP classes. it boils down to parents and the schools. what amount of crap are they going to allow and how progressive in the teaching are they. Many older teachers fail to see that kids learn in different ways and are stuck in the "old" teaching methods. I work in a very progressive school that scores higher than most on everything( one percent ACT and many 34 +'s and 2 of my Alternative kids scored 35's). They pay special attention to the TOP end as well as the bottom. If you leave kids behind/ignore and or discard them they will end up costing you more than any another. I have found the school admin and school boards can be some of the biggest hindrances in change ever. Having a school board full of people that have never had any school experience can be quite painful to watch.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Yukon Cornelius

[Azazello1313]

My point is-when schools can choose their students (for whatever reasons, including active parents,less "behavior" problems, etc.) the research will show that those schools(at least in the inner cities)do better academically than "regular" public schools that take all students.

 

well, there is obviously some truth to that. I read somewhere in a study of results from some school lottery system that the number one predictor of academic success was participation in the lottery. in other words, kids with parents who cared enough to try and get them into the best school did better whether they ended up in the "good" school or the "not so good" school.

 

Of course the goal should be for all schools to have parents involved in making decisions that affect their children.

 

well, I agree. so do you think a system that gives parents school choice is more or less likely to see them involved in making decisions? seems pretty obvious. that is really what it comes down to. in new orleans, you see a lot of parents probably more involved than they were in the past.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Azazello1313

[borge007]

well, there is obviously some truth to that. I read somewhere in a study of results from some school lottery system that the number one predictor of academic success was participation in the lottery. in other words, kids with parents who cared enough to try and get them into the best school did better whether they ended up in the "good" school or the "not so good" school.

 

 

 

well, I agree. so do you think a system that gives parents school choice is more or less likely to see them involved in making decisions? seems pretty obvious. that is really what it comes down to. in new orleans, you see a lot of parents probably more involved than they were in the past.

 

School districts that give parents choices for their students do see parents much more involved than districts that don't. Unfortunately, too many parents do not take that option so those "students" are then put together in the "non-choice" schools. Those "non-choice" schools are then overburdened with an unreasonable number of "problem" students. Since public education is mandated the problems continue.

[Azazello1313]

School districts that give parents choices for their students do see parents much more involved than districts that don't.

 

so, it seems we agree that lack of parental involvment is the biggest problem of all, and we agree districts with school choice see parents much more involved, do we also agree that school choice is therefore a good thing?

[borge007]

so, it seems we agree that lack of parental involvment is the biggest problem of all, and we agree districts with school choice see parents much more involved, do we also agree that school choice is therefore a good thing?

It would be a good thing if it could be figured out what to do with those "students" that aren't involved with school choice. If you can find the answer to that you would have the gratitude of millions!! JMHO

[i_am_the_swammi]

Because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator. Teachers can no longer discipline students in the classroom and administrators can no longer use corporal punishment, and in many cases fear using other forms of punishment because Mom and Dad may raise a stink. Parents are so much to blame. When we were kids, we got sent to office and got our asses paddled, and then when we got home mom or dad would take the belt to us for additional reinforcement. Now if a teacher or administrator paddles a kid they risk a suit filed against the district and their jobs. Parents no longer discipline their children, and in many cases think their precious angels can do no wrong. It now takes an act of congress to get the bad apples sent to alternative schools.

 

Very very well stated Perch.

[driveby]

It would be a good thing if it could be figured out what to do with those "students" that aren't involved with school choice. If you can find the answer to that you would have the gratitude of millions!! JMHO

McDonalds, sanitation engineer, prison, Democrat, to name just a few.

[Perchoutofwater]

some of what u say it true but not all kids at alternative schools are dummies.

 

I wasn't talking about the kids that are just slower or have real learning disabilities. I'm talking about alternative schools for the the thugs and thugettes. They are distractions in the classroom that don't want to be there and are hindering the learning of others. By doing this, it would actually help those slower and truly learning challenged students, because the teacher could spend less time baby sitting and more time helping them.