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School Within a School
 Moderated by: Steve Adkins  
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Steve Adkins
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Mana: 
 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 01:25 am
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dmauser wrote: BTW, Northern Middle is going to be an opt-out school for Hairston if they don't make AYP this year. 

I am not sure I understand what you are saying in this sentence.  Can you clarify

- what is an opt out school

- who is hairston

- what is AYP

Thanks

dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 01:42 am
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Hairston is a middle school located in Greensboro, about 14 miles from Northern.

Opt out is a term that means that parents can 'opt out' of their assigned school if that school does not make AYP(I believe this is annual yearly progress) for 3 years in a row.  It is a sanction of No Child Left Behind national program.  Only title 1 schools are covered.  Eastern Middle and Northern were chosen as the schools that the parents of Hairston my choose to send their children to.  GCS has to provide transportation. Usually a small number of children use this choice.  Last year 128(more than usual) from Hairston went to Kiser, and 26 to Southeast.  Kiser is much closer to Hairston, than SE and is also a 'city' school.

hope that helps.

 

of yea, their are subgroups of students, by race, by sex, by economic status and special status for learning disabilities, if any one person in any subgroup fails to have the growth that the government dictates, the entire school is labeled as 'failing'

GRITS
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 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 01:57 am
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Hi dMauser--After we spoke today I pulled Hairston's report card. The AYP is more of an reflection of the teacher's correct? Unfortunately, the students are the ones who are not performing up to standard. If I am correct, according to last year's test scores, these students were performing in the 60% but < 100 % range. How will this impact the current students report card overall at Northern? Of course Northern has no prior end of grades other than the ones from 5th grade to compare, but if that is taken into consideration, the students from Summerfield score in the 90 and > percentile range.

dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 12:33 pm
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Good question and observations.  It can , but does not have to impact the report card negatively.  We can hope that those that chose to opt out either are up to par, or can learn quickly and be brought up to grade level.  A strong teaching team is very important, but so is parental involvement, school atmosphere and expectations.  I don't know how many will opt out, as it is a long way for those families.  Since so many opted out last year, then maybe those are the ones that weren't happy at Hairston.

Cracker Jax
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 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 03:14 pm
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Misher announced to the parents (at an awards assembly yesterday) that NGMS is going to be operating at full capacity next year and that he and the Vice Principal are already looking at sites on the grounds to place trailers because if more enroll, there will be no place to put them.


Wouldn't it make more sense to focus on fixing the problems at Hairston (or wherever) rather than just shipping the kids to already over crowded schools?



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dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 14th, 2007 04:42 pm
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The numbers at the budget meeting did not seem like Northern would be at capacity.  Those show 698 enrollment and I know that the school was built for more than that.  He could be maxed out of classroom teachers, but perhaps each class in under full enrollment.

Of course it makes more sense to fix Hairston, but if GCS takes title 1 money then they have to go by Federal rules, and that means after 3 years of failing AYP's the parents get a choice to move or stay.  I think that Hairston passed last year, but you have to pass two years in a row to get off of 'sanctions.'  Let's hope for many reasons that they pass-mainly so we know those kids are getting a decent education.  I have yet to hear how mission possible teachers are doing in Title 1 schools, for the millions of dollars tied up in this program, they should be making some progress.

GRITS
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 02:01 pm
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Are there not other Title I schools within Greensboro that are closer to Hairston (other than Kiser) that these could attend.

GCS will have to provide transportation--I already have a huge issue with that! I know that my son's 90 minute bus ride will not lengthen, because transportation can not go over 90 minutes. But, it will not be shortened either.

I noticed that this school also has a 36 (% ???) turnover rate as far as teachers for 1 year. What happened to Griers plans to move teachers to problem schools with a pay increase just to get the subject up to par?    

Steve Adkins
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 02:04 pm
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dmauser wrote: Hairston is a middle school located in Greensboro, about 14 miles from Northern.

Opt out is a term that means that parents can 'opt out' of their assigned school if that school does not make AYP(I believe this is annual yearly progress) for 3 years in a row. 
thank you

dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 03:11 pm
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for better info you can go to gcsnc.com and look under board members and then meeting materials-- click on attachment for opt out schools.  Almost every middle school is either an opt out choice or has the abilities to opt out... sad state that we live in!

 

GRITS
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 03:29 pm
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so you mean, if I chose to I could opt out my child from NM to NW?

But, I don't see that as a choice. I guess I answered my own question.

Yes--you are correct--very sad situation for GC schools after looking at the charts.

Last edited on Apr 15th, 2007 03:46 pm by GRITS

macca
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 03:59 pm
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I wouldn't think that either NWMS OR NWHS would be an opt-out school for anyone, b/c we are over capacity already.

I went to the links suggested by dmauser and don't see NWMS listed as an option for anyone to choose as an option.....



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macca
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 04:01 pm
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GRITS wrote:
so you mean, if I chose to I could opt out my child from NM to NW?

But, I don't see that as a choice. I guess I answered my own question.

Yes--you are correct--very sad situation for GC schools after looking at the charts.


Oooopppss! I see you discovered that for yourself! I did my research on the GCS site, then got distracted by other info and just came directly to post on the forum... Didn't see that you had already posted.:?



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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright
GRITS
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 04:18 pm
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you know, this is all just hunky dory that our district is doing well on their AYP, and it's great that we can extend ourselves beyond capacity to help other kids perform up to standard and possibly better. But, the problems are still not being resolved. A simple immediate quick fix or a patch I should say is what is being tossed around. There are are excellent teachers in our district--the school system has got to figure out a way to entice the kids or motivate them to want to learn. Parental involvement is a great big plus, especially in the NW and NM school area. I also noticed that these schools were located in low poverty areas, which I do not criticize. But, parental involvement may not be as easily achievable do to employment. Still, that should not be a reason for the teachers not to be teaching at standard. GCS and the BOE are to blame.

dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 04:19 pm
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The reason that NWHS and NWMS have not yet been used is location as well as being crowded.  You can't opt out unless you are in a failing school. 

In the next few years look for NW to be used if we can't get these schools up to par.  Overcrowding is not considered important by the Fed. gov. although it is of course better to utilize seats than bring in more trailers.  Unfortunately the schools with seat space are those that are failing.

dmauser
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 Posted: Apr 15th, 2007 04:25 pm
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In today's climate of teaching (not enough to go around) it is hard to get enough teachers, much less enough GOOD teachers.  Another problem is tenure.  Many teachers are protected once they get tenure, whether they are good or not!  It is next to impossible to fire a tenured teacher and many of them are not going to change the way they teach.  In the 21st century we need innovative, foward thinking teachers.  Many don't want to teach in high proverty schools often due to discipline problems, and lack of parental support.

Ask any teacher at Summerfield or NW or Northern, if for a few thousand dollars if they would be willing to move to an impoverished school... ain't goin happen-at least not often.  If it does, would we be happy with teachers that are displaced at these schools that can't meet educational standards?  I know I hope for the best teacher to fit my child each year, it doesn't happen; but that is what I want to happen.


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