News-Record.com

Good article in the paper this morning. What we need is a very intensive article on how Guilford Primary made their AYP's-- they have the most diverse group of students. Also Jones makes AYPs every year with a large percentage of FRL-- the county needs to look at the experts that live and work right here! Those teacher/staff/parents are doing the correct things.

I can imagine that when you are worried about paying rent and feeding a family it is hard as a parent to place an emphasis on education, but only a good education will help the children better there situation. My family was blue collar and worked very hard to make ends meet, but education was the top priority in our house! I knew that was the way to a better life. Parents must get involved, it can't be done with out their input. It sadded me to hear that the parent at Washington didn't care what changes would be made.. she thought they were getting a good education! I'm not sure what her standards were, but if her child is at summer school then they didn't get the minimum education needed to succeed.

Debora,

You are very right. It matters little whether parents are rich, middle class, or poor whether their children get a good education. What matters is that parents value education for their children and insist that their children get all of the education that they are able. There are stories galore of people who succeeded because of their education, even though they came from poor families with generations who never attended college or even graduated from high school. One of the greatest gifts that a parent can give their children is the opportunity to get an education.

Dean,
Agreed! Now how do we get those parents attention! Isn't that the real problem, and I don't know the solutions.

debora and Dean Wormer,

You guys are always involved and concerned with the schools in this county and I appreciate that! I know you both wish you had the solution but in fact, our HIGHLY paid superintendent is paid to find the answers. It is his job!

Just like children/parents from all backgrounds can figure out what works for certain kids, a superintendent needs to know, too. If one making $200,000+ can't figure it out, maybe one making a little less would take the job and have the answers that Guilford County needs.

Grier needs to get all schools in this county on track or he needs to hit the road!

If someone had the secret to making all schools successful, they could earn a lot more than $200,000 a year!

It is NOT a secret how to make schools successful.

Dear Wishful Thinking,
I guess what I was trying to say (not very well) was that the community leaders (religious, clubs, etc) have got to step up and get parents involved. Not the usual people, but someone has got to get PARENTS!!!! to set up and take notice!
Without parents making sure that the younger kids are aware that education is their way to a better life by being involved, supportive, making sure homework is done etc then we lose these kids early and by middle school while going through hormones from hell-- we lose them! By HS they are just bideing their time to get out!

I have probably stated before that a teacher that I know that works in a failing school said that they never give homework because it would not get done. I don't think homework is the complete answer, but it should be used for reinforcement of concepts-- if not done at home then class room time must be spent on it.. that leaves less time to cover the basic material.

Although I have plenty of issues with Dr Grier and the BOE I don't think they can have all the answers. Money, Money, Money isn't always the answer. Making parents responsible would be a great step--I know the PTA trys to get parents involved but even they can't do it all.

I agree Debora. To reiterate, parent or guardian involvement is a must and can make a huge difference between the success or failure of a child. It is frustrating for me when I spend the majority of my year trying to help kids succeed when their parents or guardians do not care one way or the other. This sends the wrong message to the kids and causes them to look for other ways to be successful (acting out and gaining attention from classmates, becoming involved in criminal activity, etc.). This applies not only to younger students but older students as well. I can not tell you how many times a high school student has complained to me that noone cares whether they do well or not.

On another note, I grew up on welfare and I was repeatedly told that education was the way out. I worked hard and was the first one out of my Dad's family to go to college. I believe that a good education provides future options and that students and parents should be aware of how valuable a gift it is.

Bruce,

I'm posting about Tuesday's AYP article that you wrote. In the article you state, "If a poor neighborhood school fails for two consecutive years..."

I ask this question in all honesty: What is meant by a neighborhood school? I thought the goal of GCS is to disband neighborhood schools for the sake of diversity.

Debora,

"I have probably stated before that a teacher that I know that works in a failing school said that they never give homework because it would not get done."

So, what's the problem with a teacher assigning homework, and it not getting done? Why should that be the teacher's concern? The teacher should do the things that they know should be done to challenge students to succeed, such as assign apropriate homework. If all students don't do their homework and everthing they need to do to succeed, then they should fail the class. Oh, I forgot, teachers aren't allowed to fail students. It would look bad for Terry Grier and the district administration if too many students failed. They'd have to answer to angry parents, state education officials, federal government, etc. Never mind. It's easier to just let students drift on through than deal with al manners of problems.

Sadly enough Dean Wormer, you are correct. I taught at one low performing middle school in GCS where less than half of my class passed as far as grades at the end of the year. I stayed after school, tutored on Saturdays, and basically bent over backwards trying to help my kids. Even so, the majority of the kids wouldn't ask for help and refused to turn in assignments and projects. These students still passed because to fail a student I would have had to jump through fiery hoops and it wasn't worth it. I even had two students that the school was considering bumping up to the high school level because of their age (even though they couldn't pass middle school level work).

Yeah, talk about mixed up values.

Andi,

Your comments are invaluable.

Thank you for your continued interest in GC education and your honest insights. These are the scenarios that TG never likes to see in the media. BUT it's these honest episodes that NEED to become public knowledge so that this community can see what a bum rap they are getting in exchange for what some think is an education.

Thank you for speaking out. I wish more teachers felt like they could do the same.

I think the GCS administration could use a Truth and Reconciliation hearing of their own.

Dear V,

Thank you. One reason I care so much about education and our students is because my education enabled me to get off the welfare system and because I had wonderful, supportive teachers throughout my schooling that wanted me to do well. They are my inspiration now.

I would LOVE there to be a Truth and Reconciliation meeting with the GCS. People would be amazed that the stuff they hear about through the news is only the tip of the iceberg. I do wish more teachers would speak out. I've decided that I can not afford not to say anything. If I want change in GCS, it has to start with me.

General, where did u read it?