David Brauer wrote: Mark, go to the state Education Department site and tell me finding detailed school info doesn't have to be dug for. I needed the department spokesman to guide me through it. The information is rich (within the limited universe of a single standardized test), but it is NOT user-freindly yet.
Mark Anderson: The Strib has a list of schools with their various "failings" a few weeks ago. That's the kind of information I want to see. If the Strib can come up with a state-wide list, I presume it isn't that hard to get. David Brauer wrote: I'd suggest reading the legislative auditor's report on NCLB and you'll have a lot more reason to think NCLB spending will also be money wasted. The legislative auditor's report notes that ALL state schools will fail steadily stiffening NCLB targets eventually. This will directly affect Mpls schools because we will get the wave first and have the least political power. The schools may be hard-pressed, but surely they don't have to all be reconstituted, "even" in Mpls. The auditor's report can be found at http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/Ped/2004/pe0404.htm. It's an education. Mark Anderson: Okay, David, I read the summary of the legislative auditor, as well as the polemic that Britt Robson referred to in his e-mail. It sounds like they both agree with what I said. It's the draconian subgroup issues that have caused the problems, as well as the vision of reaching perfection by 2014. As I suggested previously, maybe we should push the subgroup issues to a second stage, and instead focus our energies on fixing the rotten schools first. The NCLB was a clumsy attempt to solve the decades-long problem of failing students with a single draconian program. I think the principle is correct; we just need to fix the details. If the Left works with the Right to fix the program, instead of just using it to trash each other, we could use it to improve our schools. As I said before, it's the Left who has the greater concern of closing the "gap" (versus simply increasing academic achievement of those "left behind"). If we could get consensus among the Left that closing the "gap" should be the second step in the NCLB program, instead of the immediate focus on that problem, I would think the Right would agree. Both sides do want to improve the results of the schools. Why can't we use the NCLB to get there? Mark V Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
