tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post4341596395340590571..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Just how much Title 1 money are we spending?Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78718297708452975922010-08-23T12:44:20.513-04:002010-08-23T12:44:20.513-04:00I couldn't agree with this last comment more, ...I couldn't agree with this last comment more, Anon. This is where the aggravation about Beasley comes in. Beasley is only serving to implement more of the same - implying that if teachers only do more data-mining, more paperwork, more teaching to learning styles, more, more, more... More of the same does not work. <br /><br />Strip away the excess. We have a $1.2 BILLION consolidated budget. Send it an ARMY of TEACHERS to roll up their sleeves and get to work supporting classroom teachers in tutoring early grade students intensely in reading and math. Hire additional teaching support staff to run after and Saturday schools for current middle and high school students who never got what they needed in the early grades. <br /><br />Direct student contact is the only thing that can possibly make a difference. The millions upon millions wasted on these programs and their expensive administrators who do not directly teach students is a waste and has pretty much proven to be ineffective thus far.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56035103218978944462010-08-20T08:43:18.870-04:002010-08-20T08:43:18.870-04:00Cere said...
"a strong supt. backed up by a s...Cere said...<br />"a strong supt. backed up by a strong Director of Internal Affairs backed up by a BOE who push for ethical behavior "<br /><br />Yep, that's what we need.<br /><br />That's exactly what we need. Of course our spineless BOE will say they're working on it and things are getting better.. blah blah blah. Tyson wants 18-24 months to draw up better and more ethical policies by reviewing all the ones in place. Which means, they'll continue doing the same things while they receive their 6 figure salaries and all will be better! I smell another "Blue Ribbon Commission"<br /><br />ENOUGH! BOE get your new super in place and have this new person clean house, completely! The BOE should have done this back in April, as soon as the indictments were read. Instead, all I see is business as usual and the waste, corruption, nepotism, cronyism and lack of respect for the taxpayer continues!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64982766549862608802010-08-20T00:15:10.071-04:002010-08-20T00:15:10.071-04:00It does, Cere. It placates the squeaky parent as d...It does, Cere. It placates the squeaky parent as does admin transfers. Attendance lines are for the suckers who do not know how DCSS has really worked over the years. Especially, if you are stranded in the "brown" zone of Cross Keys HS. Some of our African-American and Caucasian leaders in recent years may not have been able to agree on much but they could agree that none of their children deserved a fate so harsh as going to school with the children of Buford Hwy. Lordly, no!<br /><br />I bet we have more of our attendance area children of African-American or Caucausian origin in surrounding schools via admin transfers than we do in the attendance area schools.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36958090943003056882010-08-19T16:10:56.927-04:002010-08-19T16:10:56.927-04:00Yes, and so why are so many people scrambling to l...Yes, and so why are so many people scrambling to leave their so-called "failing" schools? Are we simiply providing a new mechanism for uncontrolled "choice"? Why do we think that since 'some' people are not passing certain tests, that others should jump ship and high tail it off to Lakeside or Dunwoody or Druid Hills? (or the "annex" at Arabia - any takers on that one?) I don't understand this ridiculous transfer solution. It doesn't fix a darn thing.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86565198816595266932010-08-19T14:14:30.939-04:002010-08-19T14:14:30.939-04:00Some AYP math
In a large high school
If you had a...Some AYP math<br />In a large high school <br />If you had an objective of 73.3% meeting the standard on an end of course test in English (2010 objective)and 85% of your students meet the standard but a subgroup (ethnic group, students with disabilities, or economically disadvantaged) of 40, if 12 of those students do not meet the objective then your school may fail to make AYP. This year your oobjective is 80% and if 9 don't met the standard then you may fail to meet AYP. Next year the objective is 86.7%.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9577811388393724592010-08-19T10:35:08.555-04:002010-08-19T10:35:08.555-04:00Cere for School Board.
And yes, there should be ...Cere for School Board.<br /><br /><br />And yes, there should be common sense used when discussing administrators with side business on DCSS time. But it out of control. Many teachers have personally told me stories of administrators who spend hours each day while on the clock doing work for their graduate classes or side jobs. <br /><br />It's one thing to take a brief phone call or two for your personal business. It's another thing to feel that you are entitled to spend your work day with hours dedicated to your advanced degree or side business. It's rampant at DCSS, especially among Audria Berry's army. Put in your 40 hours a week as a DCSS employee, and do your school work and side business out of the office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70290479135953923602010-08-19T09:06:26.185-04:002010-08-19T09:06:26.185-04:00"a strong supt. backed up by a strong Directo..."a strong supt. backed up by a strong Director of Internal Affairs backed up by a BOE who push for ethical behavior "<br /><br />Yep, that's what we need.<br /><br />And we also need our Title 1 funds spent wisely. We are concerned that the over $30 million DCSS receives in Title 1 funds have become a "managerial level" jobs program. I don't know about illegalities, but I do know that personally, I think this money should be spent on support teachers - who actually have direct contact with students. This needs to happen in the earliest grades most intensely. If students do not have strong reading and math skills, then by the time they get to middle and high school they will become troublesome and most likely have behavior problems (as a way to cover up). <br /><br />Truly, this discussion isn't about Cross Keys - it's just that the Cross Keys letter is the only one DCSS has posted online. This also isn't about SAT scores. It's about the students who are struggling -- are they getting the direct instruction and support that our federal government is providing massive funding for -- or is DCSS using that money to create more high-paying jobs that don't directly impact students? Teachers do not need more monitoring or supervision -- they need help with struggling students.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13237378162594688472010-08-19T08:11:00.414-04:002010-08-19T08:11:00.414-04:00Anon 7:06, actually I'm someone with common se...Anon 7:06, actually I'm someone with common sense. You have to know the law before you can say what has been broken. By law, the Federal government audits Title 1 expenditures annually. Because they are not providing the results you want, you are saying they are doing something wrong, You also seem to imply you can do a better job. <br /><br />I'm sure they are hiring in the Inspector General's office. Just remember you find people guilty based on facts not emotion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-17980870413737946092010-08-19T08:05:16.770-04:002010-08-19T08:05:16.770-04:00If DCSS administrators, staff, etc. really are per...<b>If DCSS administrators, staff, etc. really are performing work for side businesses, work for advanced degrees, etc. during the work day, and/or on DCSS computers and phones, it is actually a form of theft and a chargeable offense. You'd be hard pressed to find a prosecutor who would follow through with an indictment, but if it's blatant enough and prevelant enough, a case could be made.</b><br /><br />If any employer, public or private, attempted to follow up on this, every worker in America would be in jail. Using an employer's phone system to call home, using your own phone while working, using computers to check for directions to a ball game, taking office supplies, etc. Is there anyone out there that has not taken a pen from work? C'mon let's not get ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12292011388607919012010-08-19T07:57:47.705-04:002010-08-19T07:57:47.705-04:00I was with my neighbor last night. Her previous b...I was with my neighbor last night. Her previous bookkeeper embezzled from her business. Plenty of evidence. It has been 18 months and it hasn't gone to trail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80596783489870762122010-08-19T07:20:32.814-04:002010-08-19T07:20:32.814-04:00If DCSS administrators, staff, etc. really are per...If DCSS administrators, staff, etc. really are performing work for side businesses, work for advanced degrees, etc. during the work day, and/or on DCSS computers and phones, it is actually a form of theft and a chargeable offense. You'd be hard pressed to find a prosecutor who would follow through with an indictment, but if it's blatant enough and prevelant enough, a case could be made.<br /><br />This is where a strong supt. backed up by a strong Director of Internal Affairs backed up by a BOE who push for ethical behavior come in. But when your supt, is accepting $1000 Hawks tickets without asking where their came from, and your Director of Internal Affairs is out for a full two months a year on his side job, with a BOE with more than half of its members with friends and family in the system, some with very cushy jobs and some without strong credentials for those jobs, then students, parents, teachers and taxpayers are stuck with a perfect storm where unacceptable behavior occurs daily with anyone even flinching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-2709099889174519242010-08-19T07:06:21.496-04:002010-08-19T07:06:21.496-04:00Anon 6:41 = A DCSS administrator
The Feds are cle...Anon 6:41 = A DCSS administrator<br /><br />The Feds are clearly not doing a thorough audit of all DCSS spending. And since when are the Feds a model of bureaucratic efficiency?<br /><br />It's time to open the books. Cere has posted info. before on an online "Open Checkbook", where every purchase is posted online.<br /><br />Anon 6:41: DCSS has proven its malfeasance time and time again. No one, not even DCSS staff, believes there isn't wasteful spending and even more unfound improper, borderline illegal and blatantly illegal spending. Hope you not one of those administrators like Beasley, Butler and Simpson who have side businesses going on and are most likely working on those businesses on their DCSS time, DCSS computer, DCSS phone, etc. I know for a fact that many DCS administrators going for their advanced degrees study while on the DCSS clock while using their DCSS computer. The lack of professional ethics by many of our DCSS administrators is systemic. Heck, I guarantee Ron Ramsey is doing state senator work during his DCSS time on his DCSS computer, probably using his DCSS car for state senate work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-20675487966824826212010-08-19T06:41:43.099-04:002010-08-19T06:41:43.099-04:00Anon 1:12, based on your post DCSS is definitely i...Anon 1:12, based on your post DCSS is definitely in the clear because the Title 1 program is audited every year. When Federal dollars are involved, the feds perform annual audits to ensure the dollars are spent in accordance to the law. A better exercise could be to understand the law before assuming DCSS and other schools are spending the money improperly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50055395182989851812010-08-19T05:29:18.728-04:002010-08-19T05:29:18.728-04:00Statistically, these two should track. Does no one...<b>Statistically, these two should track. Does no one see a problem here?</b><br /><br />I am not sure that the comparison between grad rates and standardized test scores is valid.<br /><br />With the advent of the block in about 2006, all of sudden most DCSS students now have 32 chances during the school year to earn those 24 credits for graduation. All of a sudden there were opportunities for credit recovery during the school year. Look MOM no summer school!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61694903723490191522010-08-19T04:45:30.673-04:002010-08-19T04:45:30.673-04:00If you watch the preview for The Cartel and you re...If you watch the preview for The Cartel and you read just what is happening in GA, the feds have to know that Title 1 abuse is rampant.<br /><br />The question you must ask, is why they fail to do anything?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50109159469676497802010-08-19T01:36:54.841-04:002010-08-19T01:36:54.841-04:00@ Kim
Well, I'm more concerned with the decli...@ Kim <br />Well, I'm more concerned with the decline in the math and reading portion of the SAT scores for DCSS:<br /><br />04-05 SAT 922 (math and verbal)<br />05-06 SAT 913 (math and verbal)<br />06-07 SAT 900 (math and verbal<br />07-08 SAT 894 (math and verbal)<br />08-09 SAT 892 (math and verbal)<br /><br />And now I'm off as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1828887727728234792010-08-19T01:12:15.703-04:002010-08-19T01:12:15.703-04:00The point is--audit.
The audit would not only ID &...The point is--audit.<br />The audit would not only ID "mis-spending" (there's a nice way to frame that), but also:<br /><br />FRAUD,as in criminal--in the way we collect the Federal money. Our Title I funds are astronomical--and they are growing by leaps and bounds every year.<br />Cheating--it's a darn racket.<br /><br />What's good is we now have two articles here on Title I following the latest STEALING articles by AJC.<br />If the AJC is reading, they will put the two together and investigate STEALING FEDERAL MONEY. Then the IRS and US Attorney can come on in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45860479899249520262010-08-19T01:08:31.575-04:002010-08-19T01:08:31.575-04:00I understood - but your switching arguments on me....I understood - but your switching arguments on me. I am not arguing whether SAT scores are a valid measure of academic preparedness. In the case of CK's results, you said:<br /><br />"If higher graduation rates mean higher achievement, then the SAT scores should be going up, not down."<br /><br />I've given you two factors that explain how/when this could happen: 1) Intense preparation of the entire test taking population for the GHSGT and no particular test preparation for the SAT, and 2) As a population of SAT-takers grows, the average score will likely fall all things equal.<br /><br />The County-wide figures you quote are not really compelling to me as a counter argument - the scores you contrast drop by 1.9% (1365 - 1334)... is this really statistically significant given all the other variables?<br /><br />If you want me to say I love the SAT, "I love the SAT." I really do. I was a terrible student who managed to land in the 98th percentile on my SAT. I've hung my hat on that for 30 years so far.<br /><br />If you want me to say DCSS sucks because SAT averages have plummeted 1.9%, I can't do that.<br /><br />If you want me to say DCSS (CK, particularly) is graduating a higher percentage due to grade inflation and cheating, not going to do that, either.<br /><br />We are at an impasse, my patient blogger. I respectfully decline to accept your argument and wish you a good night's rest - I'm off myself!Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59095987288677682832010-08-19T01:02:45.589-04:002010-08-19T01:02:45.589-04:00@ Kim contd.
Sorry. It's late.
I mean to sa...@ Kim contd.<br /><br />Sorry. It's late.<br /><br />I mean to say:<br />More test takers took the SAT in 2008-09, yet the scores are higher in years where more students took them (2006-07 and 2007-08).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11566392920800015442010-08-19T00:53:10.635-04:002010-08-19T00:53:10.635-04:00@ Kim Glocke 12:11 pm
Let's test your hypothe...@ Kim Glocke 12:11 pm<br /><br />Let's test your hypothesis.<br /><br />Cross Keys has a smaller group than the average high DCSS high school that takes the SAT so let's look at the larger sample population of DCSS juniors and seniors who take the test. DCSS has around 6,000 that could take the test. Close to 60% of them take the SAT. That's a pretty good population sample:<br /><br />2005-06: Test takers 3495 - Average score 1365<br /><br />2006-07: Test takers 3621 - Average score 1346<br /><br />2007-08: Test Takers 3699 - Average score<br />1338<br /><br />2008-09: Test Takers 3490 - Average score<br />1334<br /><br />Almost exactly the same number took the SAT in 2005-06 as took it in 2008-09, yet the scores are lower in 2008-09. More test takers took the SAT in 2006-07, yet the scores are lower in 2005-06.<br /><br />Should I still choose a? Statistically, I should, but what do you think overrode the statistics in this case?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12141792064763288432010-08-19T00:34:54.434-04:002010-08-19T00:34:54.434-04:00"If higher graduation rates mean higher achie..."If higher graduation rates mean higher achievement, then the SAT scores should be going up, not down."<br /><br />... if all things equal AND everyone who graduated also took the SAT - they do not.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3882217929446856802010-08-19T00:11:33.359-04:002010-08-19T00:11:33.359-04:00Here's a completely un-normed test for you ......Here's a completely un-normed test for you ...<br /><br />Assuming the same class size each year, which of the following years would you expect to have the highest average SAT score:<br /><br />a) Year 1 when the best 20 seniors took the test?<br />b) Year 2 when the best 30 seniors took the test?<br />c) Year 3 when the best 40 seniors took the test?<br />d) Year 4 when the best 50 seniors took the test?<br /><br />Your answer better be, "a)."Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76314219531226602142010-08-19T00:05:03.154-04:002010-08-19T00:05:03.154-04:00If the entire student population took the SAT, yes...If the entire student population took the SAT, yes, I would think that it should generally correlate with the GHSGT. The fact is, the entire pop. doesn't, though.<br /><br />I am sorry but I think you are ignoring my point about the statistical reality of the entire population vs a sample like SAT-takers.<br /><br />You are arguing that the SAT and GHSGT test results should correlate and I'm saying, "Sure!" But only if all students took both - they do not.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10173555758091405202010-08-18T23:28:54.287-04:002010-08-18T23:28:54.287-04:00@ kim
Look at the skills the SAT measures. Are th...@ kim<br /><br />Look at the skills the SAT measures. Are these not skills Cross Keys students should be learning? The skills the SAT purports to measure are are basic math, reading and writing skills. The GHSGT should be reflective, measuring these same skills. If the GHSGT is not testing these skills, that is a problem for our students. <br /><br />Nationally normed tests are generally superior in reliability and validity in that they have a greater population of test takers. A very rough analogy is taking a 10 question test versus a 100 question test. One has more depth and breadth and is a better measure of what a student truly knows. <br /><br />SAT test measures these skills:<br />"Critical Reading<br />(3 sections)<br />What is measured:<br />Understand and analyze what is read.<br />Recognize relationships between parts of a sentence.<br />Understand word meaning in context.<br />Mathematics<br />(3 sections) Solve problems involving:<br />What is measured:<br />Algebra and functions<br />Geometry and measurement<br />Number and operations<br />Data analysis, statistics, and probability<br />Writing<br />(3 sections)<br />What is measured:<br />Use Standard Written English.<br />Identify sentence errors.<br />Write an essay and develop a point of view."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82238927671212623512010-08-18T23:21:56.734-04:002010-08-18T23:21:56.734-04:00In statistical terms, I am saying that the SAT tak...In statistical terms, I am saying that the SAT takers are a self-selecting group and not randomized. One of the characteristics of the group is that they are presumptive college-bound students.<br /><br />As marginally performing students incrementally improve their performance, they are more likely to join the self-selecting group of SAT takers. I think it is reasonable to propose that <i>on average</i> these new SAT takers will score lower than the earlier, smaller, self-selecting population.<br /><br />This is in contrast to the entire population that continues to take the GHSGT and continues to improve with the focused effort of the faculty in this area.<br /><br />Have I beat this one to death or what? Anyone seeing my point or am I just crazy?<br /><br />My statistics professors are rolling over in their graves ...Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.com