Re: MCLB "Anniversary?" Millions of children left

[Jedoyon@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/8/2003 2:26:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
aburke@vansd.org writes:

> Principal was telling me about the "Job Corps"

What kind of jobs are we talking about?  Are these academic jobs, such as 
school newspaper editor?  Or are these preparatory skills for McDonald's 
work, like cafeteria and parking lot duty?  Texas HSs have banks in them too, 
but I'm not sure that's a good thing.  Are they doing micro-society?  

Are most of the improvements taking place during the regular school day?  
What were the horrible teachers and principals doing before NCLB?  Were they 
just letting all those poor little children flounder?  Thank you big brother, 
you've shown us the way.  

Art, I've been involved in this process since it started.  I've been involved 
in Washington schools since I was 5.  All along, I've seen improvement 
strategies being put into place for trying to reach the unreachable.  Never 
have I seen the level of pressure cooking that is going on now, in an attempt 
for schools to make up for all the troubles of the outside world.  Have your 
schools in Vancouver implemented before and after school WASL academies yet?  
How many kids are being recommended for summer school?  Or is it required 
summer school, like in Seattle?  How many parents have you talked to?

I'm not doubting that there are good things happening in your schools.  I may 
come on down one of these days and take a tour.  But I suspect there have 
always been good things happening in your schools, and just because NCLB 
happens to be the name of reform du jour, doesn't mean that continual 
improvement wasn't always happening or that it wouldn't happen if teachers 
were encouraged to put emphasis on whatever area needed improving.  And when 
I do come on down to see for myself, I will talk to the parents standing 
outside waiting for their kids and the teachers and principals and kids 
themselves.  And I'll disguise myself as a parent, so they'll tell me what 
they really think.

The assessment dept. is coming in-- look busy and happy!

Yes, WASL labels everybody failures.  It takes care of all that touchy feely 
self-esteem stuff that the right has been labeling any progressive 
educational philosophy for the past 50 years, real quick.  The scores are in 
the mail.

Oh, how many teachers have shipped out of 4th grade in your district?  Are 
you short any teachers?  Are your schools overcrowded?  Are your levies 
passing?  What did the results of your last parent survey look like?

label me skeptical,
Juanita