Missouri Supreme Courts decided earlier this month to judicially validate the takeover of the St. Louis Public School District. The suit, brought forth by previous board members, is just another example of misdirected and self-guided efforts and the denial of the serious education crisis afflicting the district.
The court agreed that the unaccredited status, that went in to effect June 2007, was based on valid criteria and objective information, including the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's evaluation of the district's performance.
Not that the verdict is in, leaders need to unite with a focus on actually improving the schools--fighting for our children, not themselves.
Want more on the topic?
The case
New York Times: Missouri Schools Takeover Upheld
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (story & local comments): Elected city school board loses again
Missouri Lawyers Weekly: Supreme Court upholds state takeover of St. Louis Public School District
Kansas City InfoZine: Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Decision on St. Louis School District’s Loss of Accreditation
KWMU: Mo. Supreme Court upholds state-appointed school board
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Parents Review St. Louis Public Schools
Though the performance statistics prove otherwise, some still try to claim that the St. Louis Public School District is doing just fine. But instead of ignoring the problem all together, let’s look at what those affected have to say.
A review submitted by Annette Peoples, a parent from the Lyon-Blow Middle School:
“No sports…No one really guiding the right why…No one take time…The children’s teachers and principal are always blaming and never trying to get to the root of the problem. Kids attacks each other...This is not right.”
Another review from Buder Elementary School by parent Sarah Kelmendi:
“The teachers tend to be very rude and sarcastic to the kids which in turn lowers the students confidence, making it difficult to learn. Some teachers are down right mean! I make it a point to be at school everyday just to make sure my kids are not being verbally abused. In my opinion teachers should be nurturing and supportive, this is not the case at Buder. Unfortunately I think all St. Louis public schools are like this, I've checked them out.”
Yet another, this one of Sigel Elementary School:
“This school has got to be one of the worst schools in the district. The teachers don't care. They don't teach. All they do is shove piles of worksheets in front of the kids' faces and expect them to know what to do. The behavior and bullying is outrageous. The principal is lacking in credibility and backbone. There is no oversight on her part at all. The test scores were at 3% in all areas, then in 2004 they raised them meeting AYP, only to have them drastically fall the next year. What are they doing? They had tutoring when they were trying to meet AYP then when they did, they cut it out. Are they really for academic success? I don't see evidence of it. Grade F.”
Unfortunately, St. Louis Public Schools are unaccredited for a reason and families are really suffering. Passionate leaders and legislators must fight for education reform to ensure a proper education for all children and stop these unfortunate horror stories.
(The reviews are from http://www.greatschools.net/)
A review submitted by Annette Peoples, a parent from the Lyon-Blow Middle School:
“No sports…No one really guiding the right why…No one take time…The children’s teachers and principal are always blaming and never trying to get to the root of the problem. Kids attacks each other...This is not right.”
Another review from Buder Elementary School by parent Sarah Kelmendi:
“The teachers tend to be very rude and sarcastic to the kids which in turn lowers the students confidence, making it difficult to learn. Some teachers are down right mean! I make it a point to be at school everyday just to make sure my kids are not being verbally abused. In my opinion teachers should be nurturing and supportive, this is not the case at Buder. Unfortunately I think all St. Louis public schools are like this, I've checked them out.”
Yet another, this one of Sigel Elementary School:
“This school has got to be one of the worst schools in the district. The teachers don't care. They don't teach. All they do is shove piles of worksheets in front of the kids' faces and expect them to know what to do. The behavior and bullying is outrageous. The principal is lacking in credibility and backbone. There is no oversight on her part at all. The test scores were at 3% in all areas, then in 2004 they raised them meeting AYP, only to have them drastically fall the next year. What are they doing? They had tutoring when they were trying to meet AYP then when they did, they cut it out. Are they really for academic success? I don't see evidence of it. Grade F.”
Unfortunately, St. Louis Public Schools are unaccredited for a reason and families are really suffering. Passionate leaders and legislators must fight for education reform to ensure a proper education for all children and stop these unfortunate horror stories.
(The reviews are from http://www.greatschools.net/)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Democrats for Education Reform Chooses Hubbard
Last week Represenitive Rodney R. Hubbard was named the first Midwest Regional Director of the Democrats for Education Reform.
Hubbard has shown a passion for proven education reforms (such as school choice, charter schools and merit pay), especially with his recent work in the House. He is well-known for working across party lines to improve public schools and provide parents with high-quality choices for the education of their children. As regional director Hubbard will be able to focus all of his time and energy on this issue.
DFER is a national political action committee that is dedicated to improving schools, by encouraging more productive dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to fundamentally reform American public education. The group operates on all levels of government to educate elected officials and support reform-minded candidates for public office.
The courage and conviction of Hubbard and the other DFER leaders is exactly what we need to fix our failing schools.
For the full press release from the Children's Education Alliance of Missouri: Click here.
Hubbard has shown a passion for proven education reforms (such as school choice, charter schools and merit pay), especially with his recent work in the House. He is well-known for working across party lines to improve public schools and provide parents with high-quality choices for the education of their children. As regional director Hubbard will be able to focus all of his time and energy on this issue.
DFER is a national political action committee that is dedicated to improving schools, by encouraging more productive dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to fundamentally reform American public education. The group operates on all levels of government to educate elected officials and support reform-minded candidates for public office.
The courage and conviction of Hubbard and the other DFER leaders is exactly what we need to fix our failing schools.
For the full press release from the Children's Education Alliance of Missouri: Click here.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Charter School Expansion Statewide
Bills were prefiled for the next congressional session, which starts January 13. One in particular (Senate Bill 64), expands the current charter school law to any place with "school districts that are not classified as accredited" (as opposed to just the St. Louis and Kansas City areas).
This extension will add an aspect of statewide fairness and significantly improve opportunity for many children. These parents will no longer be stuck in ineffective schools because of this much-deserved school choice!
This extension will add an aspect of statewide fairness and significantly improve opportunity for many children. These parents will no longer be stuck in ineffective schools because of this much-deserved school choice!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
School Choice: What's Your Style?
Every school has its own personality and unique teaching policies—just like every student has their own personality and unique learning style. The better these match up the more effective the education. All the more reason why parents should be able to choose the school that fits their child best.
Check out a Wall Street Journal Blog about the different criteria parents look for in a school.
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Check out a Wall Street Journal Blog about the different criteria parents look for in a school.
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