News-Record.com

I am tired of hearing that blacks are suspended in disproportionate numbers compared to others. I would like to know how many are repeat offendors? That concerns me more than anything.

Color, race, ethnicity should not matter. BAD BEHAVIOR IS BAD BEHAVIOR NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE FROM.

The nonsense that is tolerated in today's schools is disheartening for all. To keep these kids in school at all cost even when safety issues are compromised is insane!!!!

No wonder private school is thriving in this area.
And it has nothing to do with not embracing diversity; it has to do with making sure your children are learning in a safe enivornment.

Bad behavior is bad behavior and it interrupts the learning process for those who are there to learn!

Interesting fact to look at...
The GCS principals who had high suspension rates are being moved around. 'Wuz up with that????

Everyone talks about the problems in GC. The number one problem is the fact that there is no trust.

The "powers that be" rule with a power over mentality. Principals who know what is best for their schools and their students are discouraged to speak out. When they do, they are reprimanded.

How can schools improve when principals are stripped of their authority? How can students learn when their sense of safety and security are stripped?

Look at the numbers...any principal who has the guts to remove repeat offenders is facing serious repercussions this summer. Many are being moved and some will not return.

Speaking of suspensions....I'm curious about Grier "forging" ahead with the two new academies at Central (quote from today's article about Central). He claims he needs to "forge" ahead with the academies with the BIG price tag "before the state" steps in....

WHAAAAAAAAAAA?????????...What's wrong with the "state steping in"??? Then "the state" can share the cost burden of fixing the FAILING Central!

Is Grier's "forging" ahead just because he LIKES to spend money?? OR is it because he wants to be Mr. Fix it and add two more academies to his repetoire of "innovative" ideas?

The "state" is here to watch over our schools. If they need to "step in" and help, by all means I think we should be welcoming them with open arms.

I'm sick of Grier's high-dollar, quick fixes. He's screwing with High Point yet AGAIN people--WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's no academy in the world that will fix the under-achiever that gets up in the morning with the goal of causing trouble at school.

I just read that AED's will be readily available now at all "Traditional" Middle and High Schools. That is wonderful--seriously. I'm sure the Western High student that just had his life saved by the use of one this year, would agree.

I just hope that a student in one of our "non-traditional" schools doesn't need one this coming year...

If Grier is going to keep implementing new and innovative programs, then they should be afforded the same up-to-date, state-of-the-art programs, equipment, etc..as our "traditional" schools. Until he can do this, he needs to halt his "innovativenss"..(his word, NOT mine).

Are you considering that the total number of black students are increasing as many middle income white people are leaving the public schools?

Are you looking at the total race population of the school, i.e., Smith, Dudley, for example? Of course those suspended will be black...dahhhh

Are you considering the fact of different student mix at Dudley due to their renovation? Eastern due to redistricting?

And definitely we needed SOLID STATISTICS on repeat offenders. Remove them from the system. The numbers will magically go down.

SAME RULES FOR ALL STUDENTS. SAME DISCIPLINE. ALLOW STUDENTS WHO WANT TO LEARN BE ABLE TO LEARN IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

Well...if the state has to step in and take over
Smith, Dudley, Central, Andrews, Eastern, Southern
A&T Middle College, Bennett Middle college, it may mean that they will begin by replacing the
downtown administration....bottom line.....his job???

If the state steps in do you think they pay for everything or would our county have to pay for their initives? I hate that those children are doing so badly-- sometimes their fault, sometimes not. If the state could do better I am all for it even though it would give our system a black eye, I am more concerned about the students that then political implications.

C/mon guys, you are not getting the point. When the suspension numbers go up, Grier takes out the principals. Due some research...

Also, look at all his new hires for administration. All are passing the so call Habermann screener that follows a "bottom up" style of leadership. In other words, principals who will fight for what is right. Sadly, when they do fight, Grier takes them out.

Trust is the issue. The system is so broken that we need to get rid of the central office, Grier minions. We need to clean it up and bring in people who are going to be on the same page as the principals and teachers who are in the trenches.

Everyone is running scared...
How can this benefit any child????

See Friday notes. What do you think about Peggy Thompson replacing Mike Harris? How will that affect things downtown? Who will take her place?
Does she have experience in Human Resources?

Did anyone see the Education Channel and the valedictorian/salutorian interviews? Did I miss something or was Southwest High not represented???

Dawn,

I agree with you wholeheartly! But how do we as taxpayers, parents, etc., get rid of Grier and his yes men!!! The trouble is partly Grier but the school board is just as guilty; they enable him! Other communities managed to get rid of him but after 5 years, he is still here!!!! It just shows you that this town is about the politics and personal agendas not education! God help all our children!

Suspensions up!

That means that Deena will be at it again. Grier will have to provide more kickbacks!

At the BOE meeting months ago (December 2005, I think), Dr. Beacoats gave a report on suspensions which did not address repeat offenders. He was instructed by the BOE to reanalyze the data to determine the number of unique offenders and, if possible, identify any correlations between suspendors and suspendees.

Has he reported back yet?

Lots to say...

I am a high school teacher and this is a major concern for me. I talk to my students one-on-one, contact parents/guardians, and offer after school detention and other punishments before writing a student up for behavior that students would have been suspended for back in my high school days. I would much rather work with my kids and help them than suspend them. However, I have whole classes that I'm responsible for and sometimes it's in the best interest of the class to remove a disruptive student. The students that do get suspended tend to be repeat offenders and often have academic problems (big surprise there). They also tend to be male. Instead of looking at race differences, we should be looking at gender differences.

Also, students that have been pushed onto the next grade without being academically ready usually have behavior problems since they will act out due to frustration and not understanding the material. More needs to be done at the elementary level to address academic and social needs before they become major problems down the road. Would you rather deal with a five year old having a temper tantrum or a fifteen year old having a temper tantrum? If you've never seen a teenager having a "hissy fit", you can trust me when I say it's not pretty.

Overall, students that show signs of problems, academic or social, need to be helped early on. Parents need to be required to be involved with the schools. Principals need to be able to make decisions based on what's best for their school and not what looks good on someone's data sheet. Teachers should not have to stop teaching to deal with constant discipline issues. Students should feel safe and able to learn in a secure environment.

Andi,

Judging from your post you are a real teacher in every sense of the word. It is not just a job to you but a calling.

Yes, I do agree parents should be required to take part in their children's education regardless of socially economical situations but it is quite clear many don't and that is the root of the problems. Schools are not equipped to deal with society's problems that spill over into the schools.

Now in the light of political correctness, schools are now forced to keep these kids in school hindering the learner process of others.

And yes interventions at the elementary school levels will definitely help, but you will always have society's problems in which the schools cannot handle.

Peggy Thompson is Grier's biggest biggest fan. She is shaking up the system in the worse way possible. Ask those who are in the trenches, they have no respect for her. Basically, she is mean.

The most dangerous thing about Thompson is that she has power. Over the years as her power has increased, she has grown more and more vindictive. She is a little Grier in the making.

I pity the faculty and staff at all of the at risk schools in gc. I am so glad I am not a teacher or an administrator. Thompson is dangerous, she rules with an iron fist and loves nothing more than demeaning the professionals who are giving their blood, sweat, and tears to help the children.

Anyone notice that Dot Harper at Kiser is being moved? She is one of the few who bucked the system, fought for programs that were best for her demographics, and suspended repeat offenders. From what I hear, Kiser was making it. Albeit, many of the dangerous students were sent to SCALE, but they understood there would be consequences for their actions. Now, what will happen?

It appears as if Dr. Harper was blamed for the greatest mistake the county made last year. And that is, they decided to make Kiser the "opt in" school for Hairston Middle. Hairston Middle was not only failing to make AYP but adopting a new standard mode of dress, so hundreds of students opted out and went to Kiser more for the dress code than for the academic standards. What is the problem with that? Well, Hairston and Kiser have rival gangs...bringing them together was like mixing explosives. Dr. Harper and her team fought all year to keep the environment safe. They worked long hours and weekends, they counciled children, went to homes, and tried to improve the lives of everyone involved.

How were they repaid for their dedication? Thompson went in and stripped Dr. Harper (a veteran administrator and receipient of the Principal of the Year numberous times) of her position and replaced her with a woman who has NEVER been a principal and was an AP at Grimsley?? Smart move.

A board member once told me that the worst thing that could happen to a school was to have the State step in and take over the school. When I asked why, this board member told me that that would mean the local board of education would have no jurisdiction over the school. If a parent had an issue with the school, the parent would have to travel to Raleigh and discuss the situation with the State Board of Education.

Nothing I heard that day leads me to believe that the State taking over a school is a bad thing. It sounds more like a power/ego issue for the local board and administration.

quest,

It sounds to me that the state taking over a school actually has hidden benefits for parents. Even if you have to go to Raleigh for a hearing, at least they would likely listen to you when you got there. That's more than you get with our school board and superintendent. As some once said on this board, they have no ears. If they actually listened to your your concerns, they would then be expected to "do" something about them.

I would drive to tinbuck two so I wouldn't have to deal with those morons!!!!

I'd happily drive to Raliegh and sing "wee, wee, wee all the way home"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...or Timbuktu...

Get Peggy Thompson Outta Here!!!

"Thompson has power" she rules with "an iron fist". Sounds like she ain't gonna be a complacent administrator.

Sounds like she might accomplish something. The complaint in the GSS I always here is too little leadership and now that someone requires accountability, oh dear, they're too dictatorial.

Accountability???? Did you read any of the postings? The whole idea is about accountability.

Principals are being reprimanded for suspending students all because grier and his henchman are afraid of high suspension rates.

Isn't suspension a form of accountability? A child does something wrong and they face consequences. This is a lesson they must learn, regardless of suspension rates.

When grier and thompson attack and demean their principals for doing their job, it has nothing to do with accountabilty. They are simply playing a numbers game.

Don't students deserve the opportunity to be in an environment that is conducive to learning? Well, I hate to break it to you, but when administrators fear for their jobs, suspension will no longer be an option. The learning environment will cease to exist and the unruly will rule.

Dawn,

Let's be objective instead of getting all emotional because one of your friends is getting "dissed" by "mean" Peggy.

1) The State has signalled the possibility of confiscating Guilford County's educational system and implement major changes that truth be known won't be pleasant, especially for the High Point parent who has a tendency to be whiny.
2) As a result, our local administrators, primarily Dr. Grier, have been told to get the boat balanced or else.
3) Thus, I can only assume Dr. Grier has elevated this matter to a crisis level and as forcefully as is possible is endeavoring to stave off this takeover knowing full well that instead of currently impacting only a few employees with his makeover, the State just might do a complete makeover of adminstrators with many heads rolling.

Keep in mind, if the State takes over, there goes our local representation and every decision will be made in faraway sterile Raleigh.

Of course, if that occurs that means you and your kind won't have Dot, Dr. Grier, and Alan to kick around and blame for what is primarily the parent's fault of educational failure in Guilford County.

And for the rest of us in Guilford County we only have to look to the North High Point bunch to blame for this matter, especially when they boldly proclaimed that we don't want your kids (the dispossessed and minority kid) to come to our schools and vice versa.

What does the term " Local Representation " mean?????????

Whiner,

Local Representation is what it is.

If that isn't clear to you then God help us and may the State hasten to take over our education system.

Riverboat~

So, what your saying is....

Grier's decision to remove experienced, "by the book" administrators and put inexperienced administrators into highly impacted schools will improve the situation?

Gosh, you sure cleared things up for me. I thought he was just playing a numbers game and attempting to lower suspension rates at any cost. My bad.

It is good to know that when the new administrators begin their tour of duty, they will be able to handle these children you speak of that are a direct result of poor parenting and horrible socioecomic conditions. I am sure that they will keep them in class, sadly I feel for the students who are there to learn.

Dawn,

Thank you, I try to be as lucid as possible.

Unfortunately, administrators must play the numbers game as a result of mandates placed upon them by not only the local Board, but the State and Feds as well. Of course, as a result of our President and the No Child Left Behind mandates, the paperwork and other onerous requirements has added additional burdens to our administrators.

Sometimes, I feel instead of concentrating on teaching our kids, our teachers major responsibility is to prepare the students for tests mandated by a President from a state whose educational achievements were right down there with Mississippi & Louisiana.

I guess that's why most people favor the other party when addressing the educational requirements of our kids.

RB,

I wouldn't be talking about low states after reading where NC public schools fall in the scheme of things, especially Guilford County. We have some of the lowest high schools in the state. NCLB laws are made to make educators accountable.

Of course some people favor "the other party". The liberals who like to keep giving handouts instead of teaching people how to take responsbility for themselves. It is the breakdown of the American family unit that has hurt public education. People who promote alternative livestyles as "the norm"; mothers who keep having kids without a father to support them. Then we have students of illegal immigrants who are sucking off our educational system. Today's social problems of society are carrying over into our schools....gangs, drugs, absent parents..... Teachers cannot do it all.

Throwing more money into more new "programs" does not work. See Jennifer's other strand on Michigan. There is data to support that many of the "Bill Gates" smaller academy schools aren't working everywhere either. See last week's Friday notes. Other new educational high school methods aren't panning out elsewhere either.

It starts in the home. Parents must be involved in their child's education. If you took every child in private school and put them in public school, the system would improve. These parents would push thier influence to make it work. Unfortunately because the public school system is spiraling downword parents who care about their children's futures are leaving at enormous rates. With them goes the support system for our public schools. In a few years, public schools will be just like public housing.