I feel the issue of education is prominent. Having crappy schools where only a small percentage graduate even at grade level, forget excellence, is a huge hurdle and a national disgrace. Obviously any solvent business would have fired the people who run some of these schools years ago. I recently saw some ghastly report on Baltimore sch…
I feel the issue of education is prominent. Having crappy schools where only a small percentage graduate even at grade level, forget excellence, is a huge hurdle and a national disgrace. Obviously any solvent business would have fired the people who run some of these schools years ago. I recently saw some ghastly report on Baltimore schools which are a complete disaster. No child could hope to come out of this type of academic environment and become a thriving citizen. First of all, stop feeling Democrats are the answer. Most of these areas have been run by them for decades and are still a mess. We need a way to fire people and get these schools up to speed. Years ago an African American woman on 60 Minutes had quit her professional level job and started a school in her own home. She had very little funding, used classic books, and when they checked in on those kids years later, almost all were doing extremely well in various professions. It can be done. We have not done it.
Couldn't agree more Lisa. I have followed several stories about Baltimore schools. And everyone in charge is a person of color. I think school choice, vouchers and ending teacher's unions is the way forward if anyone really wants this fixed. More of the same is not the answer.
Education is critical in supporting students ability to be prepared to thrive in higher education and the job market rather than merely eligible for a job or university place. The California statistics are for Marin County Office of Education (70% white) spends $139,829 per student each year and for the Oakland Unified School District (34% white) spends $16,109 per student each year. Also consider that per capita income in Marin is almost double the per capita income in Oakland which suggest that the Marin families have more money to offer additional support and tutoring for children. In woke California, the problem is addressed through diversity training in Marin not by creating a more equitable school system for a school system only 40 miles away. In 2010, the movie, Waiting for Superman, addressed the inequity between schools and it appears nothing has changed.
One of the most insightful studies on education, racism, and ability to succeed was done in England where they broke out groups i.e. Caribbean Blacks (those that arrived after WW II) were distinguished from recent immigrants from Africa and British White was distinct from Irish White, Irish Traveler, etc. The study addressed income along with race and the results suggest and support the expectation of achievement by the families determine the success of the child. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078731/Ethnicity_Schools_Note.pdf
I thought here in CA there was equalization of school spending. I do know that wealthy small districts can have Ed foundations and PTOs that increase funds available
BTW how much of that Marin County spending is concentrated in Marin City, which is lower income?
The amount a district spends does not include funds raised by parents. It is the Marin school district which would probably include Marin just as Oakland’s school district includes Oakland. Like you I believed that there was equity, but statistics available from various districts show that it is not equitable. Equity in education should translate to students who are economically disadvantaged should be offered more in terms of smaller class sizes, more resources, and more after school and summer programs. California should be seriously copying the successful techniques of charter schools who have been successful in areas with low incomes.
Skimming over some of the charts, one of the first things that jumped out was the large difference between Indians and Pakistanis. Indians are the top of the success chart while Pakistanis are nearer the middle with over 3x the rate of Indians receiving free school meals. That right there pretty much deflates the myth of "systemic racism" as the cause of some groups succeeding while others do not.
It has been done, to a limited extent, by certain charter schools. In most larger communities there is a charter academy dedicated to excellence in eductation, particulary for Black students. Emphasis on a classical education; mastery of disciplines in math, science, and the humanities; No excuses; no BS. And guess what? The kids in these schools tend to thrive. Who woulda thunk it?
No. It is probably hard to come by those figures. My point was that rather than granting these funds at Higher Ed, the fund would be better spent at an earlier age, mitigating aid needed by the time you get to college.
Sure but what does that do for those who are college-bound TODAY and in need of aid?
I have a hard time criticizing those who are actually helping in any way or dictating exactly how those who are motivated enough to actually help should do so.
I use “M.” like the French do, for Monsieur but ALSO for Madam and Mademoiselle EQUALLY. That’s just me.
Yeah, You've got the right of it, M. Lisa. I know this is painting with a broad brush, and there might be some teachers reading. (Doubtful, but *possible.*) Fact is, it's basically *impossible* and *costly* to fire incompetent teachers. And, AFAIK, an abnormal percentage are, and not just the ones that everyone recognizes as deadweight. It's our two great friends, the NEA and AFT (teacher's unions). Them of pandemic fame.
Long story how teachers of reading have failed youth for *decades.* About failure in math:
That seems to be true. However I support the old adage that where there is a will, there is a way. I was not previously a supporter of vouchers for school choice but maybe that is a path. Perhaps some competent educators could get the financing to run their own schools paid by vouchers. Maybe this should be a very central election issue. Certainly most parents want a decent school. Maybe the statistics of pupil achievement and graduation belong in every campaign. After all we are paying for these deadbeats who are killing kids by robbing their chance for a future. Sounds extreme but if your choice of career is McDonalds or drug dealer, someone has killed something in you.
TY, M. Lisa. You're right again. The great advantages of vouchers for school choice is both to provide another option and to provide some competition for public schools.
Public schools, for most part, have no *incentive* to change. Change is hard, so why try?
Yeah, it *should* be central issue in every election. Never seen it, other than mebbe some lip service. And, decades ago, there was an ad for the charity United Negro College Fund. Their slogan more appropriate these days, at all levels of education:
It is interesting that Success Academy, a charter, that has a student population of 97% minority population and 83% economic disadvantage had (pre-covid) scores that were 93 in math and 68 in English when NYC public schools were 35 math and 30 English. It would be interesting to trace these students and record how these skills learned in elementary and middle school as these students grow into adults. Predicting that this generation of students that succeed that they will continue to support their children's achievements.
Not every student has the will to succeed and some squander their advantages, but to have a system that frustrates the will and blocks the way is unacceptable for the child and for society. Education departments should be taking a page from the successful charter schools and try to fix what is broken.
I feel the issue of education is prominent. Having crappy schools where only a small percentage graduate even at grade level, forget excellence, is a huge hurdle and a national disgrace. Obviously any solvent business would have fired the people who run some of these schools years ago. I recently saw some ghastly report on Baltimore schools which are a complete disaster. No child could hope to come out of this type of academic environment and become a thriving citizen. First of all, stop feeling Democrats are the answer. Most of these areas have been run by them for decades and are still a mess. We need a way to fire people and get these schools up to speed. Years ago an African American woman on 60 Minutes had quit her professional level job and started a school in her own home. She had very little funding, used classic books, and when they checked in on those kids years later, almost all were doing extremely well in various professions. It can be done. We have not done it.
Do Republicans even live in Baltimore or run for local office?
At any rate, one can find both the best and the worst public schools in America in heavily Democratic cities. https://thebestschools.org/rankings/k-12/best-public-high-schools/
Couldn't agree more Lisa. I have followed several stories about Baltimore schools. And everyone in charge is a person of color. I think school choice, vouchers and ending teacher's unions is the way forward if anyone really wants this fixed. More of the same is not the answer.
Education is critical in supporting students ability to be prepared to thrive in higher education and the job market rather than merely eligible for a job or university place. The California statistics are for Marin County Office of Education (70% white) spends $139,829 per student each year and for the Oakland Unified School District (34% white) spends $16,109 per student each year. Also consider that per capita income in Marin is almost double the per capita income in Oakland which suggest that the Marin families have more money to offer additional support and tutoring for children. In woke California, the problem is addressed through diversity training in Marin not by creating a more equitable school system for a school system only 40 miles away. In 2010, the movie, Waiting for Superman, addressed the inequity between schools and it appears nothing has changed.
One of the most insightful studies on education, racism, and ability to succeed was done in England where they broke out groups i.e. Caribbean Blacks (those that arrived after WW II) were distinguished from recent immigrants from Africa and British White was distinct from Irish White, Irish Traveler, etc. The study addressed income along with race and the results suggest and support the expectation of achievement by the families determine the success of the child. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078731/Ethnicity_Schools_Note.pdf
I thought here in CA there was equalization of school spending. I do know that wealthy small districts can have Ed foundations and PTOs that increase funds available
BTW how much of that Marin County spending is concentrated in Marin City, which is lower income?
The amount a district spends does not include funds raised by parents. It is the Marin school district which would probably include Marin just as Oakland’s school district includes Oakland. Like you I believed that there was equity, but statistics available from various districts show that it is not equitable. Equity in education should translate to students who are economically disadvantaged should be offered more in terms of smaller class sizes, more resources, and more after school and summer programs. California should be seriously copying the successful techniques of charter schools who have been successful in areas with low incomes.
Skimming over some of the charts, one of the first things that jumped out was the large difference between Indians and Pakistanis. Indians are the top of the success chart while Pakistanis are nearer the middle with over 3x the rate of Indians receiving free school meals. That right there pretty much deflates the myth of "systemic racism" as the cause of some groups succeeding while others do not.
How so?
And in the US you could make the same comparison with Asians and Black citizens.
It has been done, to a limited extent, by certain charter schools. In most larger communities there is a charter academy dedicated to excellence in eductation, particulary for Black students. Emphasis on a classical education; mastery of disciplines in math, science, and the humanities; No excuses; no BS. And guess what? The kids in these schools tend to thrive. Who woulda thunk it?
Anyone who understands that there is no limit to what some students an accomplish if they are supported and have the inner drive.
Recently CA granted $1M to A2END which just recently got its non profit status to support Black men entering higher Ed
Those funds would be better used hiring tutors, aides, and reading specialists for grades 1-3. But that’s no sexy, so…
Do you know how much is currently being spent in CA on both Black men in higher ed and in early elementary education?
No. It is probably hard to come by those figures. My point was that rather than granting these funds at Higher Ed, the fund would be better spent at an earlier age, mitigating aid needed by the time you get to college.
Sure but what does that do for those who are college-bound TODAY and in need of aid?
I have a hard time criticizing those who are actually helping in any way or dictating exactly how those who are motivated enough to actually help should do so.
I use “M.” like the French do, for Monsieur but ALSO for Madam and Mademoiselle EQUALLY. That’s just me.
Yeah, You've got the right of it, M. Lisa. I know this is painting with a broad brush, and there might be some teachers reading. (Doubtful, but *possible.*) Fact is, it's basically *impossible* and *costly* to fire incompetent teachers. And, AFAIK, an abnormal percentage are, and not just the ones that everyone recognizes as deadweight. It's our two great friends, the NEA and AFT (teacher's unions). Them of pandemic fame.
Long story how teachers of reading have failed youth for *decades.* About failure in math:
https://freeblackthought.substack.com/p/prepare-for-more-black-mathletes
https://www.foxnews.com/media/professor-school-district-anti-racist-math-victim-narrative
*Could* be done. But the unions and the education colleges that teach the teachers won't do it, right?
That seems to be true. However I support the old adage that where there is a will, there is a way. I was not previously a supporter of vouchers for school choice but maybe that is a path. Perhaps some competent educators could get the financing to run their own schools paid by vouchers. Maybe this should be a very central election issue. Certainly most parents want a decent school. Maybe the statistics of pupil achievement and graduation belong in every campaign. After all we are paying for these deadbeats who are killing kids by robbing their chance for a future. Sounds extreme but if your choice of career is McDonalds or drug dealer, someone has killed something in you.
TY, M. Lisa. You're right again. The great advantages of vouchers for school choice is both to provide another option and to provide some competition for public schools.
Public schools, for most part, have no *incentive* to change. Change is hard, so why try?
Yeah, it *should* be central issue in every election. Never seen it, other than mebbe some lip service. And, decades ago, there was an ad for the charity United Negro College Fund. Their slogan more appropriate these days, at all levels of education:
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste."
D’accord! My like button doesn’t seem to work on this rainy day.
TYTY!
(If You refresh Your screen, the heart shows up red. It's a bug in the Substack software, is all.)
Merci
It is interesting that Success Academy, a charter, that has a student population of 97% minority population and 83% economic disadvantage had (pre-covid) scores that were 93 in math and 68 in English when NYC public schools were 35 math and 30 English. It would be interesting to trace these students and record how these skills learned in elementary and middle school as these students grow into adults. Predicting that this generation of students that succeed that they will continue to support their children's achievements.
Not every student has the will to succeed and some squander their advantages, but to have a system that frustrates the will and blocks the way is unacceptable for the child and for society. Education departments should be taking a page from the successful charter schools and try to fix what is broken.
I read memoir of Eva Moskowitz, who founded Success Academy. Need more like her. As You "say," M. JoAnne, they got great *results.*
Randi Weingarten (spelling?) and the AFT teacher's union did everything they could to squash the competition. Even to attempting to pass state laws.
Dunno what's happened with Success Academy since then. Hope they're still engaged in the challenges.
In any other business model the Administrations would be fired for cause.