Look, I'm all for EVERYONE getting a good education; however, when OUR OWN KIDS SUFFER and TRILLIONS are shoveled out for WARS, WTF?!
"Across Massachusetts, middle schools are stumbling the most with subgroups, primarily with special education or low-income students.... the struggle to improve just a few dozen students has led in many cases to widespread changes in the teaching of all students.... Braintree's East Middle School, like many suburban middle schools, consistently scored above state averages, but in 2004 East got designated for improvement because special education students were not showing progress in math... "
Read between the lines, taxpayers....
"Many middle schools in Bay State stumbling; Underperformance raises questions about teaching" by James Vaznis, Globe Staff | August 6, 2008
Two-thirds of the state's middle schools are not meeting federal standards for raising standardized test scores, about twice the rate of elementary and high schools, according to a Globe analysis of state data.
The findings are raising questions about the best teaching practices for students wading through the turbulent years of puberty, first crushes, and short attention spans.
More broadly, the data suggest middle schools may have been largely overlooked as the state has focused on other education priorities such as ensuring all elementary students can read and helping high school students pass the MCAS, a series of tests required for high school graduation.
Under No Child Left Behind, signed into law in 2002, schools are judged on overall student performance as well as the performance of certain subgroups such as race/ethnicity, family-income level, special education, and other characteristics. If a school or one of its subgroups fails to make necessary progress two years in a row, the state designates the school for improvement and could allow parents to transfer their children to other schools or obtain free tutoring. If problems persists for four years, the school goes into "corrective action," causing possible changes in school leadership and teaching philosophy.
Restructuring, the final category, comes after five years. In these cases, the state generally encourages actions such as lengthening the school day or providing schools with more governing autonomy and fewer union restrictions. Reversing a negative standing takes two consecutive years of improvement on test scores.
Across Massachusetts, middle schools are stumbling the most with subgroups, primarily with special education or low-income students, and most often in math, according the Globe analysis.
Boston launched a new five-week program this summer for 150 middle grade students who are non-native English speakers and come from schools struggling with test scores. In addition to mastering English skills, students in the Fast Forward program tackle math.
"Like they say, education comes first," said Stacee Odige, 12, from Haiti, during class recently at Mildred Avenue Middle School in Mattapan, one of four program sites. "I don't like to play games. I just like to learn. I need to improve in math and English."
Hey, look, I love Haitians much as the next guy; however, our district is $2 million in arrears while this state tosses away millions.
When are AMERICAN STUDENTS going to start mattering?
One of the state's top priorities is the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, which has been tapped for restructuring. The decades-old school with worn hardwood floors has adopted new teaching strategies, uniforms, and a longer school day. Along with increasing math and English instruction, the school also has added more music and sports.
"Kids at this age need a lot of structure and unconditional love and people to be tough on them," said principal Jeffrey Riley.
Like ALL KIDS and ALL PEOPLE, no?
While state education officials consider subgroup violations to be less egregious than missing overall student performance, the struggle to improve just a few dozen students has led in many cases to widespread changes in the teaching of all students.
Braintree's East Middle School, like many suburban middle schools, consistently scored above state averages, but in 2004 East got designated for improvement because special education students were not showing progress in math...."
I'm with Ron Paul and the rest now:
GET the FEDERAL and STATE GOVERNMENTS OUT of the SCHOOLS!!!!!
