BrianSullivan
Full Member
Good ideas never cross burned bridges. Practice unity in our community
Posts: 1,041
|
Post by BrianSullivan on Nov 11, 2010 17:08:14 GMT -5
freehold.injersey.com/2010/11/10/freehold-schools-point-out-accomplishments/#comment-6937www.app.com/article/20101110/NEWS/11090348/Freehold-schools-point-out-accomplishments?GID=V1B6DgSxxqyHTsi0Khpa50haJKUdPXfyW3tUBy1Z/2Y%3DThis post is a couple of days late and I decided to twist the title around a little, due to my own bias. I never agreed with president Bush when he enacted the No Child Left Behind laws. I am a firm believer that the federal government has little or no role in public education. I just do not see how a bunch of pinheads in Washington can possibly help small town Freehold. What we are seeing at the local level is an unnecessary distraction that we do not need. I am not sure about our schools, but I have heard parents in other districts complain that the teachers have to spend time teaching the NCLB tests to the detriment of the regular curriculum. I also say that the AYP failed us because we are not alone. Many "good" schools also failed. I put good in quotes because I reject the notion that the borough schools are failing or bad. I did attend the meeting for a while. It was a very long one and I missed the majority of it. Although we may have failed, there were some numbers that were not so bad with signs of progress. One number that does blow my mind is the very high number of economically disadvantaged students we have. That is bad news and I could go into one hell of a long rant pertaining to how very difficult it is to deal with those problems. The schools do have an uphill battle. The meeting was a bit of a dry meeting, but thorough. It was also good to see that a nice amount of people did show up. Much better than an empty room.
|
|
BrianSullivan
Full Member
Good ideas never cross burned bridges. Practice unity in our community
Posts: 1,041
|
Post by BrianSullivan on Nov 17, 2010 6:56:49 GMT -5
Very nice article from the NT. Take the time to read it. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-11-17/Front_Page/Test_results_challenge_Freehold_K8.html"In general terms, the Freehold Borough standardized-test results indicate that white students who were tested made the AYP benchmark target in all three schools; that Hispanic students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target in any of the three schools; that students with disabilities who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target; that African-American students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target; and that economically disadvantaged students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target. " "We have our economically disadvantaged group (defined as students who receive free or reduced price lunches) jumping from 51 percent to 71 percent (of total enrollment) in three years,” she said. “We worry that children are being fed and are well rested. These concerns are huge challenges." "According to information provided by administrators, the Freehold Borough School District has the 12th largest percentage of English Limited Language skills (ELL) out of all districts in the state, and it has the 33rd largest percentage of economically disadvantaged students out of all districts." " Information presented to the board indicated that in 2007, 58.2 percent of all students in Freehold Borough were economically disadvantaged (as defined by qualification for the federal lunch program); in 2008 that figure rose to 59.6 percent; in 2009 it jumped to 66.3 percent; and in 2010 the percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils is at 71.3 percent." (snipped, click on link for full article) |
|
BrianSullivan
Full Member
Good ideas never cross burned bridges. Practice unity in our community
Posts: 1,041
|
Post by BrianSullivan on Nov 17, 2010 7:02:02 GMT -5
Very nice article from the NT. Take the time to read it. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-11-17/Front_Page/Test_results_challenge_Freehold_K8.html"In general terms, the Freehold Borough standardized-test results indicate that white students who were tested made the AYP benchmark target in all three schools; that Hispanic students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target in any of the three schools; that students with disabilities who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target; that African-American students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target; and that economically disadvantaged students who were tested did not make the AYP benchmark target. " "We have our economically disadvantaged group (defined as students who receive free or reduced price lunches) jumping from 51 percent to 71 percent (of total enrollment) in three years,” she said. “We worry that children are being fed and are well rested. These concerns are huge challenges." "According to information provided by administrators, the Freehold Borough School District has the 12th largest percentage of English Limited Language skills (ELL) out of all districts in the state, and it has the 33rd largest percentage of economically disadvantaged students out of all districts." " Information presented to the board indicated that in 2007, 58.2 percent of all students in Freehold Borough were economically disadvantaged (as defined by qualification for the federal lunch program); in 2008 that figure rose to 59.6 percent; in 2009 it jumped to 66.3 percent; and in 2010 the percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils is at 71.3 percent." (snipped, click on link for full article) When I see the high number of economically disadvantaged students, it really explains a lot as to why our schools have troubles with the budget passing and cannot get a referendum passed for more school space. There just isn't enough people left to pay for the very high bills. Food for thought- more money is not the answer. It is a myth that more money equals better education. If that myth were true, Abbot districts would be producing Harvard Law School graduates. They Are not. They are all still failing. If our town does want more money, leave the tax payers alone and go get it back from the Abbots who have taken it. |
|
BrianSullivan
Full Member
Good ideas never cross burned bridges. Practice unity in our community
Posts: 1,041
|
Post by BrianSullivan on Nov 17, 2010 7:06:22 GMT -5
Councilman Newman had posted this breakdown on FinNJ. I doubt he would mind the cut and paste here. www.freeholdboro.k12.nj.us/191310328103334443/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55310 If you go to the “Achivement Review” you will see some interesting statistical analysis for Freehold Borough, such as ¤ [there are] 592 Districts Reported Data in 2009-2010 (Report Card) ¤ [Freehold Borough has the] 12th largest percentage of ELL in the state (All Districts) ¤ [Freehold Borough has the] 33rd largest percentage of ED students (All Districts) ¤ In 2009-2010, 130 other districts received more state/ federal aid than Freehold [Borough] ¤ Including out of district placements, we [Freehold Borough] have currently 18%-19% of our students classified with special needs |
|
adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
|
Post by adefonzo on Nov 19, 2010 20:02:21 GMT -5
When I see the high number of economically disadvantaged students, it really explains a lot as to why our schools have troubles with the budget passing and cannot get a referendum passed for more school space. There just isn't enough people left to pay for the very high bills. Food for thought- more money is not the answer. It is a myth that more money equals better education. If that myth were true, Abbot districts would be producing Harvard Law School graduates. They Are not. They are all still failing. If our town does want more money, leave the tax payers alone and go get it back from the Abbots who have taken it. That has been the cry from many of us for years...and it will continue to be the cry from many for years to come... What's sad is that this is an absolute sign of government's incapacity to fix an obvious blunder. When you really look into the whole issue around the Abbott funding, it's a challenge to find a more ridiculous government screw-up that has virtually no chance of being overturned. And yet, this one issue, if it were dealt with, fairly...but decisively, would eliminate the funding gap that the state has in education...with money to spare. But again...no one is even willing to touch it. And the wheels on the bus go round and round... |
|
|
|
Post by johnfnewman on Nov 20, 2010 7:32:59 GMT -5
When I see the high number of economically disadvantaged students, it really explains a lot as to why our schools have troubles with the budget passing and cannot get a referendum passed for more school space. There just isn't enough people left to pay for the very high bills. Food for thought- more money is not the answer. It is a myth that more money equals better education. If that myth were true, Abbot districts would be producing Harvard Law School graduates. They Are not. They are all still failing. If our town does want more money, leave the tax payers alone and go get it back from the Abbots who have taken it. That has been the cry from many of us for years...and it will continue to be the cry from many for years to come... What's sad is that this is an absolute sign of government's incapacity to fix an obvious blunder. When you really look into the whole issue around the Abbott funding, it's a challenge to find a more ridiculous government screw-up that has virtually no chance of being overturned. And yet, this one issue, if it were dealt with, fairly...but decisively, would eliminate the funding gap that the state has in education...with money to spare. But again...no one is even willing to touch it. And the wheels on the bus go round and round... Andrew, we are very fortunate to have state legislators who are VERY active on this issue for Freehold Boro. Beck, Casagrande and Scanlon met with the governor and his people this past Monday with some people from our schools to press our case. It is my understanding that the governor's office is very sympathetic, but I am not sure what legal hoops need to be jumped through to get us some additional aide. I just know at this time that they presented a well-thought out program and had the attention of the governor. |
|
adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
|
Post by adefonzo on Nov 21, 2010 20:41:24 GMT -5
Andrew, we are very fortunate to have state legislators who are VERY active on this issue for Freehold Boro. Beck, Casagrande and Scanlon met with the governor and his people this past Monday with some people from our schools to press our case. It is my understanding that the governor's office is very sympathetic, but I am not sure what legal hoops need to be jumped through to get us some additional aide. I just know at this time that they presented a well-thought out program and had the attention of the governor. John...that is an excellent point that I did neglect to mention. Particularly in the case of Jenn Beck, we do have State Representatives who are actively working to get some help for Freehold Borough, and all districts who are in the same or similar situations that we are in. Jenn Beck has done a tremendous amount of work for Freehold Borough's schools since her time as an Assemblywoman up until now. When Caroline Cassagrande and Declan O'Scanlon were voted in, they jumped right into the fray with Jenn. It is good to hear that they have a plan that they have presented to the Governor, and that they have gotten the Governor's attention...and if recent history shows us anything, this is not going to be a plan that will cost more money, but likely a plan that will shake up some part of the "establishment" (hopefully the Abbott Districts) and force some people to face some harsh realities. I look forward to more news about this plan and if/when it will be able to take effect. |
|
