tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post3217657343379338775..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Make sure your opinion countsCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28314822701237972532010-12-16T17:20:28.956-05:002010-12-16T17:20:28.956-05:00Anon 3:36.
The people haven't been fired, the...Anon 3:36.<br /><br />The people haven't been fired, they are going to jail.<br /><br />I am very concerned about the future. Not only of the facilities, but more importantly what is happening inside of them.<br /><br />No more "Friends and Family" regarding DCSS. That was the main theme at the Columbia HS forum with Ray and Associates that I attended.<br /><br />We'll see what they say tomorrow morning at 10am. <br />I hope I can make it. This whole final day of school with kids getting awards and holiday parties is putting a damper on my civic duty social life.<br /><br />Is it ok to wish everyone a Merry Christmas?<br /><br />Merry Christmas to all.<br /><br />Sagamore 7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34050610001672196902010-12-16T15:39:58.134-05:002010-12-16T15:39:58.134-05:00I was on my schools (guess which one?) Educational...I was on my schools (guess which one?) Educational Adequacy Facility Tour with the MGT consultant. Vic was from Idaho and was very knowledgeable and has been a teacher and administrator for 40 years, until his current position with MGT for the last 5 years.<br /><br />This is heartening newsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54830863296795351872010-12-16T15:38:40.099-05:002010-12-16T15:38:40.099-05:00I will ask for an explanation if you can help guid...I will ask for an explanation if you can help guide me to the right person<br /><br />I guess we will have to wait to see the individual sheets for each schoolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8621503457707514772010-12-16T15:36:57.498-05:002010-12-16T15:36:57.498-05:00My point about our new HS's is that they shoul...My point about our new HS's is that they should NOT be Good or Fair! They should be excellent! They should be not only "up to date" but leading edge technology!<br /><br />Too late to worry about that. The horse has already left the barn and the people wo left the gate unlocked have been fired. Let's worry about how to go forth and do good (or at least cause no harm).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18823033752960835642010-12-16T13:15:14.241-05:002010-12-16T13:15:14.241-05:00The 2020 Vision update will be on the website tomo...The 2020 Vision update will be on the website tomorrow.<br /><br />Hopefully, each school will be explained. <br /><br />Arabia scored so low due to SMALL ROOM sizes compared to the Dekalb High Schoool size standard.<br />That's on eway to keep your class size down.<br /><br />Not enough PE equipment???? <br />I guess NOT.<br /><br />I guess our previous administration cut some corners...<br /><br />Anybody giong to the Palace tomorrow to hear about the new Super requirements?<br /><br />Sagamore 7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64849776219492168922010-12-16T12:48:03.166-05:002010-12-16T12:48:03.166-05:00Sorry.
The blog printed my post twice.Sorry.<br />The blog printed my post twice.Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8788393622508429322010-12-16T12:45:30.432-05:002010-12-16T12:45:30.432-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78916337139965793032010-12-16T12:45:13.151-05:002010-12-16T12:45:13.151-05:00The score ranges are the following:
90+ = Excelle...The score ranges are the following:<br /><br />90+ = Excellent: The facility is new or like new and meets all of the educational program requirements.<br /><br />80-89 = Good: The facility is designed to provide for the educational programs offered. It may have minor issues but generally meets the needs of the educational program.<br /><br />65-79 = FAIR: The facility has some problems meeting the needs of the educational programs and will likely require some remodeling.<br /><br />You don't want to know the rest!<br /><br />I was on my schools (guess which one?) Educational Adequacy Facility Tour with the MGT consultant. Vic was from Idaho and was very knowledgeable and has been a teacher and administrator for 40 years, until his current position with MGT for the last 5 years.<br /><br />NONE of us in attendance had any influence over the results of his evaluation. I doubt the principal had any influence. All he did was ask questions about the facility. None of the learning cottages (trailers) were included in the facility evaluation. They are not considered part of the permanent structure of the facility.<br /><br />My point about our new HS's is that they should NOT be Good or Fair! They should be excellent! They should be not only "up to date" but leading edge technology!<br /><br />Miller Grove HS got a 92 and that structure is much older (not by much) than either Tucker or Arabia.<br /><br />Anon 12:07pm<br /><br />Please divulge your source or how you came across your information regarding:<br /><br />"I understand the Arabia scored low because it needs more physical ed equipment."<br /><br />Who do we ask for detailed explanations regarding our school's evaluations? <br /><br />Our evaluator didn't even go to our gymnasium and was not concerned about NON-educational or recreational activities as PE.<br /><br />I will ask for an explanation if you can help guide me to the right person.<br /><br />Respectfully yours,<br /><br />Sagamore 7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20902859031235694322010-12-16T12:13:37.733-05:002010-12-16T12:13:37.733-05:00Consultants invited parents, teachers, principals ...Consultants invited parents, teachers, principals to join the educational adequacy visits. Kim was on one of these tours. Did the group influence the ratings or just point out percieved problems?<br />Consultants did the ratings. Architects don't design perfect schools often. Nor do they have to suffer for any mistakes they make. It works best if they listen to the people who use them after they are built. That part of the process did not happen enough until Ms. Tyson came in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21487709720824792222010-12-16T12:07:31.211-05:002010-12-16T12:07:31.211-05:00Tucker HS was rated an 82 for educational adequacy...Tucker HS was rated an 82 for educational adequacy. It's a BRAND new high school and they got a low B grade for educational adequacy? <br /><br />Arabia Mountain HS is a newer Brand new HS and they got a 75 rating? A C grade for their educational adequacy? <br /><br />Read the rating scale 80 and above means just needs tweaking. The individual rating sheets cover a wide range of items. I understand the Arabia scored low because it needs more physical ed equipment. The real numbers to keep you eye on are those below 70. If new construction or renovation gets those up above 80 I am happy as a clam. YOu might also note that most middle schools ranked high and that is doe to SPLOST. You might note that a building isn't everything. Chamblee Magnet ranked 33 and Lakeside 22. Of course, they might even be higher performing with an 82.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-62079874153894321122010-12-16T10:12:19.937-05:002010-12-16T10:12:19.937-05:00I think, too, that the two houses are not in the s...I think, too, that the two houses are not in the same subdivision...Dunwoody North sends all kids to Chesnut, I believe, and none to Vanderlyn, so we're comparing apples to oranges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73994109792228162992010-12-15T21:11:01.299-05:002010-12-15T21:11:01.299-05:00@Kim Gocke 12/6, I think the point was to demonst...@Kim Gocke 12/6, I think the point was to demonstrate that houses in chesnut sell for less than houses in vanderlyn, even though they are in the same subdivision. However, I don't think the post was effective because the chesnut listing is a split level while the vanderlyn listing is a ranch, and everyone knows is going to sell for less, in general, than a comparable ranch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13585612433584367092010-12-15T18:55:06.072-05:002010-12-15T18:55:06.072-05:00@ anonymous 4:33 pm
"i teach in a south end ...@ anonymous 4:33 pm<br /><br />"i teach in a south end school and in my ap class students admit they only signed up to get the extra points on their gpa"<br /><br />That's not a problem discreet to the south end. Counselors all over DCSS (and other metro systems) do that - put students in AP classes who do not have the background for the classes. This has the effect of slowing the entire AP class down and depressing AP exam results for many students.<br /><br />The problem is that AP classes have a very lock step curriculum (set by the College Board who controls the AP exams) and a pacing chart that doesn't allow for slowing down for those lagging students. Teachers are caught in the middle by counselors who have no idea of the advanced curriculum and fast pacing chart and the AP exam developed by the College Board exam which is predicated on AP students having the background to master the AP content. In this economy, parents are strapped for cash and will do almost anything to improve their child's chance to get into a better school with a better financial package.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59618101433405977912010-12-15T18:27:37.899-05:002010-12-15T18:27:37.899-05:00Sagamore 7
I am surmising that the educational ad...Sagamore 7<br /><br />I am surmising that the educational adequacy ratings at Arabia Mt. and Tucker were influenced by the school administrators and others who were on the tours and their wishes and desires for what the school should offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54702333574885310962010-12-15T17:11:05.045-05:002010-12-15T17:11:05.045-05:002011 is the only year in the next DECADE that the ...2011 is the only year in the next DECADE that the state legislature can vote to redraw the school district lines.<br />It is my opinion that the consultants did this with a purpose which I completely support!<br /><br />Reducing the size of our school board from 9 districts/board members to a TOTAL of 5!<br /><br />What a masterful way to get your agenda approved by the state. Have the answers to their questions before the questions are even asked!<br /><br />Please tell me this. Looking through the entire data that DCSS has supplied.<br />More specifically from the <br /><br />"2020 Educational Adequacy and Technology Readiness Scores" <br /><br />That is the first PDF that was just published at the end of the webpage found in the previous posting.<br /><br />The Educational Adequacy ratings for Brand New Construction projects at both of these High Schools.<br /><br />Tucker HS was rated an 82 for educational adequacy. It's a BRAND new high school and they got a low B grade for educational adequacy? <br /><br />Arabia Mountain HS is a newer Brand new HS and they got a 75 rating? A C grade for their educational adequacy? <br /><br />Before DCSS steps up to the plate for another round of SPLOST IV funding, I think we the taxpayers would like a detailed explanation of why are BRAND NEW HS's are getting such POOR grades regarding the Educational Adequacy of our BRAND NEW buildings!<br /><br />Let's keep on fighting the fight!<br /><br />Wait until Friday morning when Ray & Associates discusses their findings with the BOE for the search criteria for the new Superintendent.<br /><br />Sagamore 7Sagamore 7https://www.blogger.com/profile/06152206779671223406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56840496555870854032010-12-15T16:33:38.984-05:002010-12-15T16:33:38.984-05:00what a great, if broad, thread; i teach in a south...what a great, if broad, thread; i teach in a south end school and in my ap class students admit they only signed up to get the extra points on their gpa; in fact, this is why the counselor put them in here; they also say they have no intention of even trying on the exam; and earlier this year, our principal told us ap teachers that if we couldn't get the kids test scores up this year, he'd get someone else to teach ap next year; i like working here, and i like my kids, but to pressure teachers in these situations instead of encouraging and helping them is truly disheartening; and all the finger-pointing at teachers gets really really old.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78126194475422412992010-12-15T16:18:18.395-05:002010-12-15T16:18:18.395-05:00Anyone know why our schools are now being grouped ...Anyone know why our schools are now being grouped into "Super Clusters"? <br /><br />Call them regions if you wish.<br />We already have 5 regions in our system based on feeder patterns elementary to middle school, middle school to high school. The regions have changed depending on the politics of the situation. The consultants redid the regions into what they think is a more rational division so that Dunwoody, Cross Keys and Chamblee HS are in cluster 1 or region 1, Druid Hills, Lakeside, and Tucker are in region 2, Stone Mt, Stephenson and Redan in region 3, etc. <br /><br />The consultant grouping is far more rational divison of regions than before.<br /><br />Regardless of what you call them regions or clusters the feeder patterns and the geographic areas of the district. What is important is not what we call the comparisons but what the numbers tell us and that will include equity, utilization, and needs. The fact that some of our facilities score so low shows what needs to abe done. When these numbers are combined with the engineering report on facility needs what it will cost to fix any physical defects ((According to this blocg there will be many) we will have some rational basis for what to fix, what to close, and what to redistrict.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6395378730129955082010-12-15T15:16:12.623-05:002010-12-15T15:16:12.623-05:00http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vision-2020
Scroll do...http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vision-2020<br /><br />Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Newest addition (which was added on Dec. 14th as promised) is under education adequacy.<br /><br />I, for one, would love to know what the deal is with the super clusters. Anyone know what is up with that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6942799797182843082010-12-15T14:51:15.550-05:002010-12-15T14:51:15.550-05:00This is on the DCSS website regarding the redistri...This is on the DCSS website regarding the redistricting process: <br /><br />December 14, 2010: post detailed data and reports on education adequacy, enrollment, and capacity to the website. <br /><br />Anyone seen anything anywhere yet?pierrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32389337582292741192010-12-07T06:04:09.847-05:002010-12-07T06:04:09.847-05:00Cere, for some reason I am just seeing your comme...Cere, for some reason I am just seeing your comments about Vanderlyn trailers on 12/2 6:38 p.m. and the question from Anon 12/2 11:26 p.m. about your post but don’t see your response – did Jester promise those neighbors she would get rid of their trailers? Did she say how – redistrict, add an addition to Vanderlyn, or some other solution?One Fed Up Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523706925943880604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37649545755854331142010-12-06T23:07:00.527-05:002010-12-06T23:07:00.527-05:00Anon 12/3 6:48pm ... for some reason, I'm just...Anon 12/3 6:48pm ... for some reason, I'm just now seeing your posts about the listing in Vanderlyn vs in Chestnut areas. Could you please help the remedial student here? I have no idea what your point was in sharing these listings.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-72795260205731592522010-12-05T11:04:04.484-05:002010-12-05T11:04:04.484-05:00“An individual has not started living until he can...“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”<br /><br />-martin luther king, jr.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71217479616762639312010-12-05T10:49:52.574-05:002010-12-05T10:49:52.574-05:00I believe the December 7th date was for the survey...I believe the December 7th date was for the surveying results from online and public meetings ...<br /><br />So, we should have by February the redistricting and consolidation recommendations for 2011/2012. Then, in August, the full Master Plan for "2020" will be presented.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60625228390903249952010-12-05T10:44:51.216-05:002010-12-05T10:44:51.216-05:00... and I believe that is a preliminary set of fin...... and I believe that is a preliminary set of findings - the full recommendations will be made in August, right?<br /><br />See: <a href="http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vision-2020" rel="nofollow">http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vision-2020</a>Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91617935044318190322010-12-05T09:34:13.382-05:002010-12-05T09:34:13.382-05:00The data goes online in the next week or so. The ...The data goes online in the next week or so. The recommendation will be presented at the January board meeting.<br /><br />Hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com