tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post8133196544782472333..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: What in the heck is going on here?Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11857653791214442842009-07-08T12:54:47.555-04:002009-07-08T12:54:47.555-04:00Exactly true. Maybe the answer is for Newsweek to...Exactly true. Maybe the answer is for Newsweek to better clarify what the listing really means. I agree with the premise of the "Challenge" but I hate the fact that principals tout it as if it's a statement about the quality of education overall at their school. It is not.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71755260842616140322009-07-08T12:06:12.196-04:002009-07-08T12:06:12.196-04:00Thanks for the link to the article - very informat...Thanks for the link to the article - very informative as to the AP process.<br /><br />Well, I can really see both sides of the argument - LOL. On one hand the "best school" rankings would be better served if the scores were a part of the evaluation process. However, if they were, I could see schools actually discouraging all but the "best" students from taking AP.mykidsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01955229553404121334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32537571110259410922009-07-08T11:43:30.942-04:002009-07-08T11:43:30.942-04:00Of course, AP exams are run by College Board, but ...Of course, AP exams are run by College Board, but not IB. Not my day for minor mistakes.<br /><br />Mathews makes the point that including scores in the general index would cause schools to game the system by restricting AP to the top students, which is the opposite of what he wants to achieve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52937775156299545932009-07-08T11:39:00.417-04:002009-07-08T11:39:00.417-04:00Three more things -
AP and IB scores are relevant...Three more things -<br /><br />AP and IB scores are relevant to colleges because they are national exams run by College Board, the same group that does SATs, so, unlike grades, they can be compared across schools and districts.<br /><br />The Dekalb website has some aggregated data on AP scores, 2004-2008, on their testing page.<br /><br />I think the "Best High Schools" index is misleading, but if you're a parent whose child needs the challenge of AP courses, the index, along with its "E&E" ranking (percentage of seniors who "passed" an AP test) does say a little about whether offering such courses is a priority at a high school.<br /><br />- 10:58 Anonymous, a.k.a. Lakeside Mom (having issues with Javascripts today)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33833738520422770182009-07-08T11:35:45.546-04:002009-07-08T11:35:45.546-04:00I think it does - he is very correct in his thinki...I think it does - he is very correct in his thinking. He also advocates for struggling students and minorities to challenge themselves. His intentions are good.<br /><br />Sadly, schools - who are slaves to data tied to compensation - have figured out how to pander to the stats. I agree that a pass rate should be included as well as the graduation rate across 4 years - at least in naming schools "Challenge" schools.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45104485753784117302009-07-08T11:33:13.570-04:002009-07-08T11:33:13.570-04:00I suppose Mr. Matthews argument has some merit.I suppose Mr. Matthews argument has some merit.mykidsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01955229553404121334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58053886020955898072009-07-08T11:32:47.230-04:002009-07-08T11:32:47.230-04:00For an interesting read on AP courses - written by...For an interesting read on AP courses - written by an AP teacher who also served as a grader, go here -<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">http://schoolsmatter.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-uses-and-misuses-of-advanced.html</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11468233034477561642009-07-08T11:24:19.629-04:002009-07-08T11:24:19.629-04:00Mr. Mathews of the Newsweek poll only assesses the...Mr. Mathews of the Newsweek poll only assesses the number of tests given in a high school divided by the number of seniors. This is why so many schools pressure students in ALL grades to take an AP class - especially if your school (like Lakeside) loses a couple of hundred students in each class between freshmen and senior year. <br /><br />Mr. Mathews believes that the access to AP courses and the attempt by students to try them, will better prepare them for the rigors of college. No more than that - no less. Believe me, I've discussed this with him a few times.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64632343610801882009-07-08T11:09:07.622-04:002009-07-08T11:09:07.622-04:00I think this list would be somewhat more relevant ...I think this list would be somewhat more relevant if the scores on the AP exams were factored in. Does anyone know what they are not? Are the scores really relevant to colleges or are they just interested that students take AP courses?<br /><br />As it is, you have students being pressed to take AP courses who really should not be taking those courses.mykidsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01955229553404121334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8960456679423544982009-07-08T11:04:26.044-04:002009-07-08T11:04:26.044-04:00Sorry, 1 minor typo in my transcription of the New...Sorry, 1 minor typo in my transcription of the Newsweek data for Chamblee - s/b #236 in 2008, not #238.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51045390321856847562009-07-08T10:58:54.447-04:002009-07-08T10:58:54.447-04:00Druid Hills' outgoing principal must have forg...Druid Hills' outgoing principal must have forgotten to submit his data to Newsweek also. DHHS made the list every year from 2005-2008, but went missing in 2009.<br /><br />Here's the data for Lakeside from the Newsweek website, as of today. The columns represent year, national ranking, number of AP or IB tests taken divided by number of graduating seniors, percentage of students receiving subsidized lunches, and percentage of graduating seniors who received at least one "passing" grade on an AP or IB test. I think these last three categories are more useful than the ranking, which naturally fluctuates.<br /><br />Lakeside's percentage of seniors passing an AP test has dropped every year. The number of tests taken, perhaps an indicator of access to AP courses, is down from its peak. The percentage of students with subsidized lunches is also down.<br /><br />2009: #315, 2.582, 26%, 44.1%<br />2008: #195, 2.844, 33%, 44.2%<br />2007: #226, 2.578, 28%, 50.6%<br />2006: #135, 2.87, 27%, 52.1%<br />2005: #106, 2.689, 26%, n/a<br />2003: #182, 1.985, n/a, n/a<br /><br />The numbers are similar to Chamblee's, #218 on the revised list, but clearly Chamblee is encouraging more and more students to take AP courses. So their ranking is trending up, and Lakeside's is trending down.<br /><br />2009: #218, 2.926, 29%, n/a<br />2008: #238, 2.636, 29%, n/a<br />2007: #178, 2.777, 28%, n/a<br />2006: #280, 2.24, 25%, 44.9%<br />2005: #328, 1.873, 3.8%[sic], n/a<br />2003: #220, 1.866, n/a, n/a<br /><br />See http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160/<br />You can filter by "Georgia", see past years, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31846786819644167462009-07-06T16:45:16.593-04:002009-07-06T16:45:16.593-04:00Statement for the North Briarcliff Civic Associati...Statement for the North Briarcliff Civic Association newsletter (1,000 households):<br /><br />Lakeside High School--Newsweek Rankings Slip-up<br /><br />Newsweek’s ranking of the 1,500 best public high schools in America placed Lakeside #195 in the nation last year. That was the highest ranking for any high school in DeKalb County and one of the highest in the state of Georgia. This year, however, Lakeside did not even appear in Newsweek’s rankings at all! To find out why, I met with Ms. Cindy Mosley, LHS's vice principal for instruction, on Thursday morning, June 26. She indicated that the reason Lakeside didn’t appear in the Newsweek rankings this year was simple: Lakeside’s outgoing principal, Ms. Angela Moton, who was responsible for submitting the necessary data to Newsweek, failed to do so this year. <br />Ms. Mosley further informed me that the necessary information had now been sent to Newsweek. Based upon that submission, Newsweek indicates that Lakeside would have ranked #315 in the country and seventh in Georgia this year if its information had been properly submitted. Although this ranking does represent a drop compared to Lakeside’s relative standing last year, note that within DeKalb County Lakeside still places a strong second to first-ranked Chamblee High School (#215) and ahead of what would have been the third-ranked DeKalb School of the Arts (#370). <br />After the front-page article on high school rankings appeared in the DeKalb Neighbor on June 24, many readers might easily have jumped to the false conclusion that a catastrophic meltdown had occurred at Lakeside. That is emphatically not the case. Despite some slippage in the rankings this past year, Lakeside remains one of the very best public high schools in Georgia. <br /> --Larry FosterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29348002634483240152009-07-01T18:13:23.858-04:002009-07-01T18:13:23.858-04:00Anon South Side, you have given me such insight. T...Anon South Side, you have given me such insight. Thanks so much for your posts.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08004885232852482737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84577519036361161382009-06-30T19:15:19.651-04:002009-06-30T19:15:19.651-04:00from Anon South Side
I am well known at the count...from Anon South Side<br /><br />I am well known at the county level, trust me and many of the parents that left before me tried and tried. They tried to keep us separated and feeling as if each of us at Isolated situations.<br /><br />When we realized this we all called and it was stopped by I think they are called regional something's now........<br /><br />At any rate many of my colleagues grew tired and just moved their children and not one of us has regretted the move....that statement all by itself should let anyone know how bad it is. All schools have issues but I have not had one issue on the North Side that was not dealt with like I had some sense. I was not belittled or spoken to as if I was a thug on the street with no educational background. I was treated like I was part of the team. Its the difference between teaching me how to fish as opposed to me being happy that you gave me at least one small frail fish. PTA meetings are not overflowing with parents on the North Side or the South Side. It has always been a small minority that does the work for the benefit of the majority and its the same on both sides of town. The difference is when the North Side speaks things change. <br /><br />I noticed that you all used the words "use" to use the cups. I'm no longer at the elementary school but last I heard it was still going on.....<br /><br />I wish I knew what to do to fix this. I wish more importantly that it did not need fixing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43596408555660226022009-06-30T16:01:17.739-04:002009-06-30T16:01:17.739-04:00I have to assume that you are talking about the bl...I have to assume that you are talking about the block schedule, correct? On the 7 period day, it's impossible to complete math requirements by 10th grade.<br /><br />The block is very expensive to provide. As I've posted here before, schools on the block have to offer students 4 more credits each than on the 7 period day. If you have a class of 300, that could mean offering as many as 40 (1200 credits at 30 students per class) extra classes (with teachers and supplies) per graduating class.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43802687699066811412009-06-30T14:50:42.798-04:002009-06-30T14:50:42.798-04:00Anon
But outside of Chamblee, they don't offe...Anon<br /><br />But outside of Chamblee, they don't offer the same course at the other high schools. However, this will change in the next few years as many middle schoolers are on the fast track to complete the state's math requirements by the end of 10th grade.<br /><br />DCSS is going to have to offer them advanced math above and beyond AP calculusthemommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85236522952742167142009-06-30T13:39:29.693-04:002009-06-30T13:39:29.693-04:00to the mommy
City of Atlanta (Grady) and Fulton C...to the mommy<br /><br />City of Atlanta (Grady) and Fulton County provide excellent advanced math courses in their high schools. If you want an advanced math program in your high school, perhaps you could consult with Gloria Talley and she might be able to help your math department with this.<br /><br />BTW, resident students at Chamblee high school can and do participate in the advanced math course. It is not limited to magnet students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13097768390739214692009-06-30T12:47:09.992-04:002009-06-30T12:47:09.992-04:00Anon Southside
Because Arabia Mountain is so far ...Anon Southside<br /><br />Because Arabia Mountain is so far and I don't even a child that falls in the eligible age range, I hadn't paid much attention to the requirements. I would venture to say that most middle schools in DCSS offer little to no foreign language.<br /><br />Within the last two years, I have addressed the board and asked them to define minimally acceptable parameters for each level of schools. That is to say, for example, to make as a matter of policy that every elementary school must have art, music and PE. They all agree (or so it seems) but they refuse to take action. <br /><br />As to the magnet students, they have opportunities that are not offered to the rest of the high school community including advanced science courses and very advanced math classes that are not offered to even students who are equally (or more) qualified academically at the rest of the high schools. I cry no tears for those magnet students inability to participate in SST.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73712442795476966052009-06-30T12:11:56.917-04:002009-06-30T12:11:56.917-04:00@Anon Southside:
Wow - your three posts provide q...@Anon Southside:<br /><br />Wow - your three posts provide quite a list of things to think about. While I think the traffic light/cups thing in the cafeteria was used north and south (Fernbank had a traffic light, too, as well as a screaming principal), there were a lot of differences in what you describe. Jeez - they have keyboards and no keyboarding class in the middle school??!<br /><br />What struck me most was that a lot of the things I took for granted in elementary school (academic bowl, science oly, parents reading to kids, parents helping out in classrooms) weren't just absent in your schools, they were actively discouraged! When I think back, most of the above extras in my kids' school were afforded because of parents - a teacher had to be nominal sponsor of something, but then it was actually done by parents. <br /><br />Again, I wonder what reason the principal(s) have for refusing this sort of involvement.<br /><br />I agree with Cere about your compiling all these observations (they are not complaints, because you have every right to expect your schools to provide all they can, using every resource they can - especially parents). You should bring them to the attention of your Board reps (both your district and your superdistrict). Bring them to the attention of all the Board. They want to know why parents don't stay with their own neighborhood schools and support them - here's an answer. I wouldn't stay and bang my head against the wall either. <br /><br />Have all the other parents who also felt forced to transfer their kids tell them the same thing.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88958522005033422432009-06-30T11:18:34.662-04:002009-06-30T11:18:34.662-04:00Those are all great suggestion, anon. You should ...Those are all great suggestion, anon. You should compile them in letter form and send them to each member of the board and Dr. Lewis and Gloria Talley. I would think they should form some focus groups made up of parents like yourself to find the root causes of your votes of no confidence in your local school. You could enlighten them if they choose to listen. Keep up the good parenting - that is what will make the most difference in the end.<br /><br />BTW - If your home school that didn't make AYP is a Title 1 school, I hope you know that you are entitled to mileage reimbursement for all your driving. It's part of NCLB - $.585 per mile. You file with the county, the county reimburses you and they get their money back from the feds.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47013861107115818752009-06-30T08:40:52.441-04:002009-06-30T08:40:52.441-04:00South Side anon....
Thanks themommy for the clari...South Side anon....<br /><br />Thanks themommy for the clarification. I thought it was just this school. I think one of the majors hardships come because as a school district we have diversity with no consistency. If all the middle schools had the same requirements entrance into these specialized HS may be more uniformed. I'm sure Arabia had not really considered that all middle schools did not offer year round foreign language before making it a pre-requisite for a 10th grader for the Health Medical Magnet Program. Some parents inquired and I'm not sure if its been adjusted. Does anyone know?<br /><br />Knowledge is power. In order to participate in the STT program (one semester of taking hands on science from 8:30 - 11:00 at the Fernbank, you can only take this in your 9th grade year and must apply in the 8th grade ) but a student cannot be apart of the magnet program. Great information to know!! Does anyone know why its limited to non-magnet students? I ponder things like this even when it does not apply to my own children...probably because I know it applies to someone's child.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71106337101934758942009-06-30T08:22:34.770-04:002009-06-30T08:22:34.770-04:00Anon..South Side
My youngest is blossoming becaus...Anon..South Side<br /><br />My youngest is blossoming because the children are enjoying school and homework is a review of what was learned and is used as a tool for teacher to see what areas need improvement. Whether it is the entire lesson plan or one child. If its one child that child get tutoring to assist in understanding. I am excited that I made that move for my child, I've seen growth and the joy of learning return....and that's the whole point, a love of life time learning........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-59717183861564894112009-06-30T08:19:52.317-04:002009-06-30T08:19:52.317-04:00Anon South Side..
Kim, yes my children are alread...Anon South Side..<br /><br />Kim, yes my children are already saying thank you...it was a little tense transitioning but we worked with our children and they are doing well.<br /><br />Great point about the teachers being hired just to fill a spot on the North Side, I wrote many transfer request to many schools and was rejected before AYP was available to me. My child is an AYP transfer this was initially a problem because of the perception of the type of kids coming over from that pool. So we worked very hard to shed the AYP transfer jacket. My child had exceeded on the CRCT which helped him to be able to escape the newly hired teachers. A plus for us but maybe not others. This is one of the reasons why I was scolded for leaving because my child's scores would help the South Side make AYP but would have failed in preparing my child for college, even if they walked away with multiple scholarships. I need for them to complete college not just get in.<br /> <br />I agree that the building does not make the educational experience better, that's one reason we did not apply to Arabia. I'm watching to see if what they say they're going to do....they do. It could be an option for my middle schooler. New is not better....it's just new, as we've seen with all the new buildings on the South Side. Another reason we did not apply to Arabia, my child would have been penalized because the middle school did not offer year around foreign language which is a pre-requisite to the field of study that my child is interested in. Again, this is not fair. <br /><br />The school atmosphere is better. In particular when it comes to sagging pants. My son's don't sag...we never started that and they just aren't interested...Praise God!!!!<br /><br />I still have elementary age children but I pulled the youngest and now that child attends private school. I am serious about educating my children and I wish I had done my research before but I didn't so I'm working with what I have. I do not enjoy driving all over the city but education is just that important to my husband and me. I liken it to back in the day when Black children walked miles to go to school...now I just drive miles....<br /><br />If I could change things, I would have recess, I would have meaningful tutoring for those who need it....the schools base their current year tutoring off of the prior years CRCT results...so if your child needs help with fractions but the CRCT results show that the school needs help with addition that's what they tutor.....but then you'll receive a letter saying tutoring is being offered but your child is in the class in vain since that's not what they need help in.....that's insane to me but that's the way it worked while I was their. <br /><br />I would also make sure that they were being prepared to compete in academic bowls. I would plan programs to assist the community and encourage my staff to do the same. I would have incentives through my PTA to reward good behavior and have competitions of all kinds because everyone has something they can do. On awards day everyone would get something in elementary because its elementary and I could find something that has improved. I would go after parents and find some that would come in and assist with different things like reading to the kids and offer reading assistance to parents if they could not read themselves. I would in essence make school and the learning process fun because they have too long to be in school to hate school by the time they are in the 2nd grade!!! That's why we (South Side) loose them my the time they hit middle school. <br /><br /> I believe all children can learn especially if we apply the many types of learning styles and not just the traditional sit in your desk and listen to the teacher lecture method.<br /><br />I have children in HS, MS and Elementary. I am a temporary employee of DeKalb County. My first job, however is to ensure the education of my children and to advocate for my kids.<br /><br />Again, its been a pleasure being a part of this group. Lets keep the dialogue going.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56357971324631884082009-06-30T06:48:44.163-04:002009-06-30T06:48:44.163-04:00The process to get into the Arabia Mountain magnet...The process to get into the Arabia Mountain magnet component is similar to what the process was in the original days of the high achievement magnet programs. <br /><br />The vast majority of students at Arabia had to simply pick the focus they were interested in for the career tech side and turn in the required information.<br /><br />Just in case anyone hasn't heard, as of a few weeks ago, anyway, the 10th and 11th grades haven't filled. <br /><br />Anon South makes points that are valid and true, but I want to make one correction. At the middle school level, foreign language is never a core course, rather it is offered (when available) to students who meet standards based on testing (ITBS or CRCT). At most middle schools, the majority of students don't take foreign language as anything but a 9 week elective exposure type course. Even at Chamblee Middle school, where the magnet students get German, the non magnet students have not, until a year or two ago, had the option to enroll in a foreign language in 7th grade. (Can you say two totally different schools in one building?)<br /><br />I have long argued that the money the system is spending on the magnet programs first needs to be spent on art and music for every elementary school and foreign language for every middle school.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29509228389080187352009-06-30T00:42:51.231-04:002009-06-30T00:42:51.231-04:00I don't work for the system either.
Cere, you...I don't work for the system either.<br /><br />Cere, you crack me up. I'd say it's easier to get into Chamblee -- it's apply in elementary school for KMS and wait for your name to be picked.<br /><br />If the administration is really putting the student applicants through all this to gain a spot at Arabia Mountain, I don't see how it could not be filled with excellent students. It's a little like asking "singers", "actresses" and "artists" for their GPAs before giving them a seat at DSA.<br /><br />It's all very interesting.<br /><br />Anon from the Southside. Welcome. We all need to walk a mile in each other's shoes, so thank you so much for sharing your experience and insights.<br /><br />Don't know if your child is an AYP transfer or an Administrative Transfer or a lucky magnet winner, but wondered if you aren't concerned that the North Side schools are only hiring a new teacher when the transfers flood in. Therefore, your child could be assigned to a teacher that is just as bad as the ones you just left. (And, trust me, the north side principals are not in a position to fire any teacher or even request they be transfered out of their school.)<br /><br />I've often said that the building doesn't educate the child. So, what good could transferring do? But, are your child(ren) really getting better teachers, supplies, experiences, educating in the northside school (again, a generalization, not knowing which schools you transferred from/to). Or, is the school ATMOSPHERE simply calmer, and less punitive? Also, are you still at the elementary level?<br /><br />Like you say, I should just pick a southside elementary and hang out for a while. Let me see if I can ask my question more succinctly. If you could take a magic wand into your districted elementary school, what would you change? And, if these changes came instantly true, would they help all the children in the school -- no matter their abilities and socio-economic backgrounds?<br /><br />Night all...No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.com