Not Looking Good

Vivian- There are those on the Midd. Journal Message Board under the Middletown Board of Education's blog that would disagree with you as to the condition/performance of the schools. Someone posting as "a teacher", "tutor" and "Smartman" are staunch defenders of the faith over there. Apparently it doesn't matter what the numbers are or how long the schools have been producing the low numbers, according to them, we are all being negative about our "continuing improvement" schools. If you criticize the school system or the admin. or teachers that are a part of it, for poor numbers/performance, you are being negative. The demographics, the excessive number of Section 8 with parents who don't care about their children's education, kids coming to school hungry, the admin. are preventing the teachers from teaching, the pay is too low to attract decent skilled teachers, the public doesn't respect our profession, all reasons are commonly used to explain why the scores are always low. It is a scenario that has repeated itself many times over the years with little improvement. It is sad to see that there is no one in this school system that can or wants to make radical changes to show real improvement. Some just seem to float along toward that tenure and eventually - retirement.

Vet
With scores this low we would be money ahead to buy every child in the school system a new computer and have an on line school system.
I can’t imagine what some of my old teachers would say if they could walk into one of these classrooms today. In the old days they demanded respect and they told you the first day of school that they expected you to succeed or die trying. If I received a “C” on a daily assignment…that day I was given extra homework on the subject to make sure it didn’t happen again…and she also informed you that she didn’t have any “average” students in her classes. Then she would give you the dreaded LOOK.  

 

Vivian why do you think Miller Ridge, use to be Rosedale does and did so well?

Smartman-I'm not trying to speak for you. You are a big boy and can manage your own opinions. I am not trying to put a "spin" on what you say. You stated in your post " I am a supporter of the schools" (5th sentence of your post) My post above says that you are a staunch supporter of the schools. What spin would you be referring to? You verified my earlier post. Now, if we're done with the schoolyard talk, I'll congratulate you on your children's accomplishments. Agree- it is not all Dr. Prices fault, but he is the captain of the ship and therfore inherits all that goes with that title, the good and the bad. Don't need to have you hold my hand. Don't need to meet you there to see what is going on in the schools. Had a son in the school system years ago. I know the atmosphere. As for the "Got it Dude" comment- Are we still talking as if we were still in high school after all this time, Smartman? (or dude, whichever you prefer). Oh, by the way, you have no worries "going forward" as to me speaking for you. We're on opposing sides as to support of the schools. I don't wish to lower the bar any further.

Pacman,

Poor does not equal low IQ...that has been proven time and time again.

However it is more difficult for them to succeed..but they can.

Having well educated parents is an advantage for any child.
I just don't buy the message of the board...it just can't be all the fault of the children that the scores are so bad. 

Maybe we as a Nation need to re-examine our value system.  This was supposedly written by a 15 year old student from Ohio:

Mr. 80Vet, Your post 6th line down states had a son in the system years ago. MY POINT EXACTLY!!! Again I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and take a test drive in the 2009 model. I can assure that it is quite different than when your son was in school.

Apoligies to 80Vet. VietVet same comments to you! This is a different generation than the one your son grew up in years ago! Get out of your comfort zone and see for yourself. It is very easy to complain when you are not willing to really go and see what has changed. I can say with great confidence that the atmosphere today is quite different than the days when our kids were there.

There is a true economic difference, since I was theer, my son's (graduated 98 and 03) and now my daughter (class 0f 2011) That is true in any community so let me clear about that. We are victims of our city's section 8 policy, family problems, and the attitude from parents that what ever the students get is the teachers and schools responsibility. I learned the hard way as a kid growing up in this district. My parents expected me to succeed and there weree consequences if I didn't! A belt and confimed to my room. No cell phones or computers, or cable! Can you relate Vet?

Pacman, Back in our day we had punishment in school. It was called paddling! I got a time or 2 and I'm sure you did as well. Hands are tied for the schools. Can't paddle, cant suspend without an appeal, and the parents that need to be at conference dont show up! to that, there is nothing that the teachers or admin can do. Maybe it should become a state mandate that parents go to conferences. Problem students and parents meet with the schools administrators, teachers, and the psycologist. This way everyone is affected from the financally challenged to the well doers!