We've kept you abreast of some of the No Child-mandated "restructuring" going on in Florida and around Tampa Bay (see here and here.) But today's report from the Center on Education Policy offers national context and one think tank's perspective.
Nationally, the number of high-poverty schools placed into restructuring jumped 56 percent last year, from 2,302 to 3,599. But while the numbers are up, federal guidance is lacking, the report finds. Looking closely at five states (Florida not among them), CEP found only 19 percent of schools in restructuring made enough progress to satisfy federal requirements.
"This report shows that current restructuring policies and practices are flawed," CEP President and CEO Jack Jennings said in a press release. "Many restructuring schools have done everything the law requires but still haven't raised achievement enough to exit restructuring. It's time to revamp the sanctions and supports for these struggling schools."
- Ron Matus, state education reporter
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
So for those parents who refuse to be involved and take the appropriate blame - what of those kids? The kids, not the parents. That's who is being taught.
Posted by: | September 24, 2008 at 12:17 AM
"MY child wouldn't DO that!"
I wish I could count the number of times I've seen parents scream and curse at school personnel in the office. Grow up. And until you do, DON'T HAVE CHILDREN!!!!
Posted by: | September 23, 2008 at 06:05 PM
To parents need respect: Absolutely right but ONLY if the parents first admit to themselves that their arguments are valid and not mere excuses to justify their "out of control child", and to stop being "hover" parents(those who can't let their kids fail and deprive them of learning from failure).
I agree with you that there are individual situations, I have experienced what you are talking about, and yet if we approach with "honey" rather than "vinegar" we get far better results.
I have seen both sides of your argument.
I still think that the NCLB has to focus on my new acronym NCLB-BP....no child left behind by parents.
Posted by: parentsneedhelp | September 23, 2008 at 04:47 PM
termie's always said: "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t"!
Posted by: terminator | September 23, 2008 at 04:29 PM
should have been "treated with respect"
Posted by: edit for parentsneedrespect | September 23, 2008 at 04:04 PM
to parentsneedhelp 3:43
Perhaps if the parents who had legitimate concerns about their child's education setting were treated with repect instead of smokescreen-excuses and intimidation, there would be more positive parental involvement with the very set of parents that need it the most.
I will agree to throw out the set of non-caring parents and their non-caring students if you will agree to honestly address the caring parents that have legitimate complaints about education situations that they bring to the table.
Posted by: parentsneedrespect | September 23, 2008 at 04:03 PM
yeah right...why not spend money on educating the parents with parent involvement contracts after school time, or show them how to help their kids at home.....then see if the restructuring works.
Find another avenue rather than the focusing on the teacher/school/students.
Posted by: parentsneedhelp | September 23, 2008 at 03:43 PM