Twelve of 21 Suffolk Public Schools failed to meet benchmarks established by the No Child Left Behind Act said the Virginia Department of Education. Our Deputy Superintendent said, “We are disappointed with the results and we want to see what we can do differently.” ‘There needs to be some changes,” said Dr. Liverman. Both statements are profound.
One encouraging note is that Elephant’s Fork, Mack Benn, Jr., and Mount Zion elementary schools will allow sanctions that include allowing parents to SWITCH THEIR CHILDREN to successful schools. That would be a crack in the dam wall. But does Dr. Liverman really expect responses from School Board members he has encouraged to provide input on coming changes to the Federal Law?
Dr. Liverman referred to the increasing standards in the No Child Left Behind Act, meaning that by 2014 any school in which 100 percent of the students did not pass every Standards of Learning test on the first try will miss AYP. Things may be tightening up.
16 comments:
According to the VA-Pilot article on No Child Left Behind program, the universal excuse from every city why they failed to meet minimum criteria was because the students were from low income families, disabled or black. Well, what can we do about it that we haven't tried before? Did these schools ask every student which pigeon hole they should be put into? YDo they mean there are no smart black, poor or disabled students anywhere in Hampton Roads?
Whenever a government school system fails to make the grade, they blame everyone except themselves. Sounds like the same excuse we hear from Washington DC crowd. Someone needs to remind our well dressed, coiffed, perfumed School Superintendent Dr. Milton Liverman "it's all about the children".
Sorry to say it but it's all about the overpaid school administrators and Teachers' Unions which refuse to be held to any standard at all--by anyone. Too many good teachers are totally frustrated and leaving the system as soon as any toher job opens up simply because of the mediocracy or worse which is currently axcceptable to the bureaucrats in power. It will be a cold day in hell when the Suffolk School Board lays down the law and starts making a positive difference. Until then, it's blame the students, their parents, the government, the weather, and--every public educators' favorate--the lack of money! for poor performance. Same song, 90th verse!
The SNH opinion piece on dismal progress in our schools deserves a read. Like IS has been saying for years it's way past time to get serious, stop talking and do something. We need a new school board and top administration. We've heard nothing but excuses.
The problem with the No Dollar Left Unspent policy of the SPS is not only are the schools failing to maintain minimum standards, the number of students graduating High School is the lowest in the region. Does this mean Suffolk have a higher ratio of low income, disabled and black students than the rest of South Hampton Roads?
Council needs to appoint an Education Czar to the School Board. If they refuse they will see the city's contribution to their budget shrink.
No surprise the Editor of SNH backs off comments on the dismal state of SPS. Without standards and benchmarks how is anyone going to know the health of the school system. Mr. Reeves doesn't like paper work for teachers. Everday the load of paperwork increases for many reasons. If it's too much perhaps we should go to a year round education system. Let the teachers work just as hard as the rest of us.
From the SNH,8/17/09. The words on the PowerPoint slide were in big, bold letters: "WE ARE 100% ACCREDITED." Deputy Superintendent Deran Whitney reminded the School Board on Thursday that all of Suffolk's schools had met requirements for state accreditation this year. The information that came next wasn't as celebratory. More than a third of the elementary schools did not meet more stringent federal standards. In every case, black or low-income students failed to make the grade. In more than half of the schools that failed, both groups missed benchmarks. Students with disabilities also struggled. Suffolk public schools have made strides in eliminating the so-called "achievement gaps" faced by districts all over the nation. But work remains, administrators say.
Test scores and paperwork were too much there is no one stopping a teacher from working at a private school. If the government, NEA, teacher unions and school boards would get out of the way maybe our children can learn something more than Billy's two Mommys and how to prevent STD. Close the Public Schools if they cannot teach and for the love of our children give us options where they can learn.
Why expect more, this is Suffolk?
And this is another success brought to you by Dr. Liverman and his continuing programs of success in the classroom!
Pay more and get less - The Suffolk way!
This must be the last straw for Liverman. He's keeping our children slaves to the government plantation with no hope for emancipation. Several School Board members are going to have to find a new career after next November. The Chuckatuck representative has been in office so long he has worn out the bottom of his seat and nothing to show for all those years.
Dr. Liverman has already set the community up for even lower progress this year. Just watch the school board meeting where he presented his budget - we're going to make do; not make progress. And he stated this several times.
Perhaps it's time to find someone who is ready to make progress.
Perhaps we could hire Del. Hamilton for a big salary and he could find us millions, after he gets his!
Agree School Board Member Whitley has got to go. If he doesn't leave he'll be thrown out in November. He's a nice man that's been there way too long. He should run for city council.
Replace the good doctor with Freddie Higgins president of the substitue teachers association this hopey change leader I have lost hope in. at least Fredies message is he same but positve he wants the good lord to smile on the school board....sarc
Freddie Wiggins Superintendent of SPS would concern those who desire the separation of church and state. Other than that he would surpass anything Doc Liverman has achieved to date.
Has the doctor ever taken the time to watch HBO' who did a fascinating documentary on Little Rock Central High School, the Arkansas school that required the National Guard so that nine black kids could attend in the 1950s. Fifty years later, the school is one of the nation's best in terms of funding and educational opportunities. It's 60 percent black and located in a poor black community.
Watch the documentary and ask yourself why nine poor kids in the '50s risked their lives to get a good education and a thousand poor black kids today ignore the opportunity that is served to them on a platter.
But then again the good docotor would be callled a Uncle Tom, becauses its a culture thing today.The "keepin' it real" mantra of hip hop is in direct defiance to evolution. There's always someone ready to tell you you're selling out if you move away from the immature and dangerous activities you used to do, you're selling out if you speak proper English, embrace education, dress like a grown man, do anything mainstream. I suggest that Liverman is more concered abt his position than he is about education for our youth and getting ahead in life. He reminds me of the dictaor in an Africn country that upon his arrival in his Mercedes the "slaves" come out and rejoice regarding his "sucess" and pesence
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