It's one thing to list and explain the problems (or symptoms of underlying problems) faced by the students, families, teachers and administrators in our public school system. It is quite another to identify, promote, implement and test concrete solutions to said problems given the very real limitations faced (i.e. funding, Board agreement and community support, etc.). I'd like to hear the specific solutions Ms. Eubanks is espousing-- and from her, not a spokesperson.
Michael Hohmann 13th Ward > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 7:50 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Mpls] K-12 SCHOOLS: Fix kids, parents, communities? > snip > > Are the schools doing a good job serving a "diverse" student > population? I > say "no." > > Can we eliminate most of the academic achievement gap between > black and white > kids, without lowering standards for kids who are now getting a good > education? I say "yes." > To do this, one must identify the biggest obstacles to closing > the gap... snip > The importance of institutional, school-based causes of poor student > performance is indicated by a study about "teacher efficacy" done by the > Minneapolis Public Schools less than two years ago. According to the > district's director of research, Dave Heistad, about 40% of the > variability > in academic achievement test scores can be attributed to teacher > efficacy. > The measure of "teacher efficacy" that is used in these type of > studies is > years of teaching experience plus relevant training and certification. > Teaching experience is the biggest factor. > > What about poverty, parental involvement, school attendance, student > mobility, and so forth? There is certainly a correlation, that is, a > statistical association between these factors and student > achievement... snip > Poverty, parental involvement and other > extra-school factors do play a role, but they are greatly exaggerated by > school officials. > There is a difference between rationalization and explanation. The > Minneapolis Board of Education prefers to rationalize. > > There is one candidate for school board this year who is offering > explanations: Evelyn Eubanks. snip >I am also treasurer of the Eubanks for School Board > Committee. > > I support Evelyn's candidacy because she can explain why the schools are > failing our kids. snip > > -Doug Mann > Kingfield _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
