Boston Schools are right in the middle of current concerns over stagnated student scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Exam (MCAS). For the second year in a row, test score are flat, causing concern to both Boston Schools and the state of Massachusetts. The main concern is over MCAS results for grades 3-8, and especially at the third grade level. Boston Schools tend to mirror the state, with some minor differences....more
No parent wants their child to have to attend a school that is sub-standard. We all want our children to get the best education they possibly can. Even those who don't have kids in school today are interested in the success of the schools and often get involved in supporting their neighborhood schools. The reality is that not all kids get to attend the "top-notch" school. Some, many in fact, wind up in schools that are facing issues...more
Superintendent of Instruction for the California schools, Jack O'Connell, initiated an audit more than a year ago into the fiscal concerns of the Options for Youth and Opportunities for Learning (OYO) schools. The OYO is a chain of independent study charter schools within the California schools system, which are privately run but funded by the state.The OYO California schools serve students who have dropped out of the traditional high schools. They currently have about 15,000 students in 40 storefront locations across the state. These California schools students do most of their work at home, meeting with teachers twice a week. According to state records, student achievement test and high school exit exam scores are above average, as compared to other alternative high schools within the California schools system. According to a Los Angeles Times article of August 10th, only 11 percent of OYO students graduated during the 2003-2004 school year. The remainder of students that left school that year either dropped out, were expelled, or transferred to other schools.The California schools' audit was conducted by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, who...more
Can money help build character? That is what many Illinois Schools are banking on. The Illinois Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) Network will receive a grant of $471,038 to fund a four-year program character education program in the Illinois Schools. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that the...more
In the state of Tennessee Memphis Schools are lagging behind. With 80-81% of Tennessee's 4th grade students performing on grade level in both math and reading, the children in Memphis Schools are well behind in the 63-66% range. Dropout rates also plague Tennessee's largest district. 32.5% of students will drop out of Memphis Schools...more
Most people would agree that most change is for the better. Leaders of Baltimore County Public Schools hold this belief in relation to improving the 180 schools and 82,000 students they serve. They know that for students and their Baltimore Schools, working to enact change is to the benefit of all - since the district is in need of drastic student achievement. A school system that is dire straits, Baltimore Schools are in need of some major overhauling.To this end, the Baltimore Schools system and administration have adopted a new vision. This vision hopes to "accelerate student progress through effective implementation of the BCPSS master plan, focusing on quality instruction, managing systems efficiently, and sustaining a culture of excellence."Baltimore Schools have set 6 goals for themselves which they believe will help them fulfill this vision. The following is a brief description of the first 3 goals, with this author's opinion on how to accomplish said goal."Goal 1: By 2013-1014, all [Baltimore Schools] students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts, and mathematics." While this is indeed an admirable...more
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools know all about educating students. They know how to efficiently and effectively run a school system. They also know the importance of parental involvement. To that end, they have developed the slogan, "What...more
Charlotte Schools have a long history of dealing with segregation issues in public education. While current testing standards focus on the ever-present racial gap, notable efforts to address the issue were first started in Charlotte...more
Vocational trades schools have become very valuable nowadays. More and more people seem to prefer them to taking four-year degree courses. Most businesses and companies today have increasingly relied on vocational trade schools to...more
Chicago public schools have been going through a transformation designed to take the district's mammoth high schools and turn them into more intimate, student-focused environments. Educators and administrators seem to love the concept....more
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has been making progress in the Chicago Schools just as advocates of the initiative planned. Students who were transferred out of their failing schools have been replaced and settled into new...more
If you're looking for the latest and most innovative educational trends, you need look no further than Cleveland Schools. Charter schools, schools that are run privately, can be either non-profit or for-profit organizations, and can...more