High School Test Scores

[scooterbug44]

I guess I don't understand the high importance placed on teaching the FCAT "content" - we had statewide standardized tests and there was no special prep that I was aware of.

IMO if you are doing a good job of educating kids they should be passing the tests w/ no problem - right?

Math, grammar, spelling, reading, basic history - these are not subjects where a good basic education won't help you pass a test.

 

[beachmouse]

Hey, I have always thought that every class should be taught as though it was a honors class. By designating a class "non-honors" are we not automatically lowering expectations for those students? Just a thought.

It fundamentally ignores that kids learn different ways and at different speeds. As someone who always tested at the good far pointy end of the bell curve, I can't say how much I loved finally getting into high school and honors classes where I wasn't utterly bored out of my mind because the teacher had to go at such a slow speed and keep repeating everything ten different ways for the normal speed learners.

I could rant forever how much the education system in this country neglects the true gifted & talented kids (not just the ones that work hard) but that's another topic.

 

[Susan Horn]

It fundamentally ignores that kids learn different ways and at different speeds. As someone who always tested at the good far pointy end of the bell curve, I can't say how much I loved finally getting into high school and honors classes where I wasn't utterly bored out of my mind because the teacher had to go at such a slow speed and keep repeating everything ten different ways for the normal speed learners.

I could rant forever how much the education system in this country neglects the true gifted & talented kids (not just the ones that work hard) but that's another topic.

So could I but it never got results, so our kids went to (and one still is attending) a top-notch out of state boarding school with high standards, academic and otherwise. Very fortunate we've been able to do this -- it is insanely expensive and not an option for everyone, certainly was not our first choice; which is why I try to stay involved and continue seeking improvement in our schools here for all students.

It really is sad to see the gifted and talented kids not have their brilliances recognized, addressed, honored, cultivated. The usual pattern, for boys anyway, that I have observed, is for them to start cutting up and getting into trouble out of boredom. Then they get the rep of being trouble, and the chance of ever getting appropriately challenged in the classroom is farther off than ever. Sometmes I've seen this with girls also, but more often they push themselves to adapt and find a way, or get quiet and move in a depressive direction.

It is a crime the way we abuse our best and brightest, IMHO, not just against them but against the nation as a whole because we as a nation will not benefit from the amazing contributions they might make if properly educated.

I better not get started. Yeah, that's me not even warmed up on the subject yet.

 

[hkem1]

So could I but it never got results, so our kids went to (and one still is attending) a top-notch out of state boarding school with high standards, academic and otherwise. Very fortunate we've been able to do this -- it is insanely expensive and not an option for everyone, certainly was not our first choice; which is why I try to stay involved and continue seeking improvement in our schools here for all students.

It really is sad to see the gifted and talented kids not have their brilliances recognized, addressed, honored, cultivated. The usual pattern, for boys anyway, that I have observed, is for them to start cutting up and getting into trouble out of boredom. Then they get the rep of being trouble, and the chance of ever getting appropriately challenged in the classroom is farther off than ever. Sometmes I've seen this with girls also, but more often they push themselves to adapt and find a way, or get quiet and move in a depressive direction.

It is a crime the way we abuse our best and brightest, IMHO, not just against them but against the nation as a whole because we as a nation will not benefit from the amazing contributions they might make if properly educated.

I better not get started. Yeah, that's me not even warmed up on the subject yet.

I completely agree as someone who has had to leave the high school for an out of state boarding school. Its a problem that the school is so focused (even though they feel like they need to be because of funding) on FCAT that teachers have to teach the test and everything is catered towards students that struggle on a state standerized test that a lot of smarter or more focused students think is very easy. Those smarter students are the ones that really get left behind in this district and it makes a solid high school and more importantly good college education almost seem impossible.

 

[ShallowsNole]

hkem1,

Was application to the Collegiate High School at NWFSC (or OWCC, as I still know it) or dual enrollment at NWFSC not an option for you, to allow you access to a more challenging curriculum but to still live at home? Or was boarding school your choice?

 

[hkem1]

hkem1,

Was application to the Collegiate High School at NWFSC (or OWCC, as I still know it) or dual enrollment at NWFSC not an option for you, to allow you access to a more challenging curriculum but to still live at home? Or was boarding school your choice?

The collegiate high school was definitely something I considered and I would recommend it to a lot of students. Things that made me hesitant to attend are that its like most high schools ends at 3 in the afternoon so i wouldn't be able to get back to south walton in time for any athletics or most after school activities and top schools are definitely looking for students involved in their schools beyond academics. Another general concern I had is that although I am sure the classes are more challenging than South Walton i doubt NWFSC class rigor compares to that of a top university so I worried I would go to college and not be prepared for the work load. Which is what I think a lot of south walton students will experience.

But yes going to boarding school was my choice but only after difficult decisions and concessions of living at home were made.

 

[melscuba]

So could I but it never got results, so our kids went to (and one still is attending) a top-notch out of state boarding school with high standards, academic and otherwise. Very fortunate we've been able to do this -- it is insanely expensive and not an option for everyone, certainly was not our first choice; which is why I try to stay involved and continue seeking improvement in our schools here for all students.

It really is sad to see the gifted and talented kids not have their brilliances recognized, addressed, honored, cultivated. The usual pattern, for boys anyway, that I have observed, is for them to start cutting up and getting into trouble out of boredom. Then they get the rep of being trouble, and the chance of ever getting appropriately challenged in the classroom is farther off than ever. Sometmes I've seen this with girls also, but more often they push themselves to adapt and find a way, or get quiet and move in a depressive direction.

It is a crime the way we abuse our best and brightest, IMHO, not just against them but against the nation as a whole because we as a nation will not benefit from the amazing contributions they might make if properly educated.

I better not get started. Yeah, that's me not even warmed up on the subject yet.

Is there not a program for the talented and gifted? Here in Atlanta, the kids are put on an entirely different track once identified as "Talented and Gifted". Basically, these kids have their own wing of the middle school and are tracked into the AP/College level courses for High School. In asking about the "TAG" program for the elementary school, I was told the program was called "Quest" and these kids were identified and serviced. WHy would this program not continue into High School? I think it's the law that each child is entitled to the least restrictive environment... this includes kids on the high end of the spectrum as well. I would argue that a classroom that can not handle the individual learning pace of my gifted child is not offering her the least restrictive environment. Anyone care to comment?

 

[hkem1]

Is there not a program for the talented and gifted? Here in Atlanta, the kids are put on an entirely different track once identified as "Talented and Gifted". Basically, these kids have their own wing of the middle school and are tracked into the AP/College level courses for High School. In asking about the "TAG" program for the elementary school, I was told the program was called "Quest" and these kids were identified and serviced. WHy would this program not continue into High School? I think it's the law that each child is entitled to the least restrictive environment... this includes kids on the high end of the spectrum as well. I would argue that a classroom that can not handle the individual learning pace of my gifted child is not offering her the least restrictive environment. Anyone care to comment?

Small rural districts like Walton cannot support such programs with the current budget cuts. When they have to cut something gifted programs are among the first to go. Here are some quotes from real experts.

"Rural districts like us, we've been literally bleeding to death," said Gary Tyrrell, assistant superintendent of the Mountain Grove School District, which has 1,550 students. The formula for cutting back in hard times was straightforward, if painful, Mr. Tyrrell said: Satisfy federal and state requirements first. Then, "Do as much as we can for the majority and work on down."

Unlike services for disabled children, programs for gifted children have no single federal agency to track them. A survey by the National Association for Gifted Children found that 22 states did not contribute toward the costs of programs for gifted children, and five other states spent less than $250,000

In Michigan, state aid for gifted students fell from more than $4 million a year to $250,000. Illinois, which was spending $19 million a year on programs for fast learners, eliminated state financing for them. New York was spending $14 million a year on education for the gifted but has now cut all money earmarked for gifted children, saying districts should pay for them out of block grants. Nearly one in four school districts in Connecticut have eliminated their programs for gifted students.

Basically school districts have no money but they get money based on having kids pass a below level test so they spend money on that and dont care about GAT students because they will get the money for them either way.

 

[hkem1]

Schools, Facing Tight Budgets, Leave Gifted Programs Behind - The New York Times

This is an interesting article on this subject

 

[melscuba]

Schools, Facing Tight Budgets, Leave Gifted Programs Behind - The New York Times

This is an interesting article on this subject

It's inflaming! I don't want to get on my soapbox about equality. Instead I am going to refocus on SWHS. I can say that I have met some wonderful full time residents who live along 30-A. They use and support the public school system of Walton County. I can't imagine these parents NOT pushing SWHS for higher standards. In the meantime, while we decide about moving to SoWal, I will watch and continue to ask questions about the school system. I have heard a lot of concerns on this board.... every school system has them. What I am looking for is the proactive approach this county needs to take to ensure quality education for its high school level students. I see progress in the elementary and middle schools. The ball is being dropped at the high school (on paper anyway). Who's going to pick it up and what changes are going to be made?