Repeating The Message

Well, here we go again. Creekview, Rosa Parks, Verity and Amanda schools get to use the Ed Choice program because these schools have been on academic watch or academic warning for two of the last three years in a row. Now, the state will pay them to go somewhere else if the parents choose.

“Having four buildings in EdChoice doesn’t really reflect what is happening in Middletown City Schools,” said Debbie Alberico, district communications specialist.

“You can see we’re making progress,” she said. “We just have to work smarter — harder — faster.”

No, actually I can't see where you're making progress Ms. Alberico. Oh, and having four schools failing in performance kinda does reflect what is happening and has been happening for many years.

Her job title needs to be changed from district communication specialist to district deflection specialist. It is what it is, Ms. Alberico and no amount of "deflection double-talk" will change that. Just make viable, wholesale changes that will provide real progress and you won't need to make excuses. Changing this situation using baby steps hasn't produced the needed results, has it?

The citizens of Middletown have only one way to force the schools to perform. That is to control the money. As long as the schools get every levy and new buildings but still don't perform, there is no way to force them off the bottom of the performance list. As these students leave to get an education elsewhere, the schools will be whining that they are losing money and must get more levies passed. A few years ago our schools were #51 out of 612 school districts in Ohio with the highest per pupil cost (while also building new buildings), but were # 599 out of 612 districts in performance. Until the citizens stop believing the old "it's for the children" and rewarding failure, then we will have poor schools. When the citizens actually do what is best for the children by not rewarding failure and only rewarding positive progress will we se our schools turn around. 

accuro = acclaro?  You sound very similiar.

Please don't misunderstand this. Here we are reading the same ole sh#% that you all have been belching for several years. You wanted Dr Price gone.. Guess what? he's has left the building!!! We have a new guy in charge. Its what you wanted. The results that you read today were from Dr Price's era. Quit reliving the past, we will never be the same as the 70's, or the 60's. Times change and so goes our community. If you are not going to get involved, quit your bitching! Its like if you don't vote you cant bitch. So bring me all of you excuses, family, job,, no time. We have someone in charge that is really going to try to make a difference. Give the man a chance. He inherited this situation.

Smartman- my post that started this thing never accused the teachers, the super, the admin. nor the parents for the poor school performance. My post was to address the constant, predictable spin by Alberico as to why the performance hasn't improved. It is a repetitious message from Alberico and is getting a little old by now.

Pac's post stated that the teachers are wondering when the discipline issues in the classroom are going to be addressed. Seems they are waiting for Rasmussen to change the fiasco Price left the schools in many areas.

Please give us impatient people a timeline when this lack of academic progress will improve and we will give it a chance within reason. After all the levy passages and all the new programs talked about by the school board, all the new schools that were built, and all the "new program implementations" we have heard about, the schools performance hasn't really taken off in an upward manner, has it? Comes a time when you think you have put enough money towards something and reached a point of no return on investment. That time is upon us, don't you think? In your estimation, how much time should we give Rasmussen to change what Price has left us? 1 year- 2 maybe?

The discipline is a real problem for the teachers in the classroom. The deterrent is just not there and the students think the penalties are a joke. What do we do Smartman, to have the problem kids fear the consequence of breaking the rules? Since corporal punishment has been done away with, you tell me what the deterrent will be. I want the repeat offenders to feel some pain and the parents hauled into court to feel some financial pain and some jail time if needed. What do you want done?

Vet, I hear what you are saying. I'm not trying to start an arguement with anyone. I believe we all want the best. I know there new programs in place that seem to be working. You ask about a timelime. That is a question that may be better suited for Ms. Andrews or Dr R. Ask this question at a board meeting. They may have an answer.

Well--it starts with the parents.

spiderjohn wrote: Well--it starts with the parents. Children need to be prepared for schooling and to learn from BEFORE the first day that they enter into the system. They should WANT to be there--prepared and begging to learn. Their parents should be 100% focused on just that also. It should be the primary focus of their lives. You only get one start--getting it right can mean everything.