School performance, experiences, and solutions.

[wrobert]

Okay I will kick this off. Like I was saying on another thread, Walton County is 5th in the percentage of schools obtaining an letter grade A in the State of Florida. And the teachers and principals, as well as all the support staff, are to be commended for a job well done.

I spoke to a 10th grader this afternoon. Asking him about his experience at Walton High School. Keeping in mind that my son is attending there next year, and I really believe that we need to engage the students into conversation on how we can do better with education.

Okay first, he loves the school. After moving from Paxton the course offerings are much better and he is very happy. He is involved in athletics and thinks the programs are great. Loves the way he can earn credits so quickly, but hates block scheduling because the classes are way to long and the subject gets boring after a bit.

My surprise came though when we were talking about politics in general and this student had absolutely no idea who Charlie Crist was. This, to me, is a strong indication that we are failing to involve our students at some level in what is going on around them.

 

[Matt J]

Has anyone ever floated a media partnership? When I was in highschool we got a copy of the local newspaper once a week in our English glass and had an assignment that revolved around it. In addition to the lesson it also gave us a moment to find out what was going on in the city, county, state, nation, and world.

 

[reedtsu]

The lack of skills in science and social studies is something that I am hearing from parents. Our students are more proficient in reading, writing and math because that's what the FCAT focuses on, at least in the early grades. They (including the top 25%) are coming to high school lacking in science and social studies as well as higher order thinking (i.e. applying the knowledge to other areas).

 

[mdd88jd]

Can't disagree with either of your assessments. As I stated on a previous post, because the general public (and Chambers of Commerce and the like) tend to focus on those school grades and FCAT scores, that is what the Superintendent and principals think they must focus on in schools. English (not reading, they are different), Social Studies, Civics, non-FCAT science and math are simply ignored or pushed aside. Again, I am proud of what I schools did on the FCAT, but, that is only part of the equation. I will continue to fight this constant FCAT pounding. Mark.

 

[DemoLady]

Walton H.S. Students need remedial work

This study was forwarded to me by one of the candidates for Superintendent of the Walton County schools. It basically said this: Of those Walton County HS grads who enrolled as freshmen at OWCC, the following numbers needed preparatory classes in English, Reading, and Math:

2005 36 students out of 62 graduates 58%

2006 47 students out of 99 graduates 47%

2007 84 students out of 105 graduates 80%

This candidate said, "We are going backward, not forward, in the quality of students we are graduating from our system."

 

[scooterbug44]

Aren't prep classes to prepare you for college?

There is definitely something SEVERELY wrong if 80% of their graduates needed remedial classes in those subjects, but I would assume many are taking the classes to prepare them for a 4 year college, not because they are illiterates who can't add.

 

[mdd88jd]

This study was forwarded to me by one of the candidates for Superintendent of the Walton County schools. It basically said this: Of those Walton County HS grads who enrolled as freshmen at OWCC, the following numbers needed preparatory classes in English, Reading, and Math:

2005 36 students out of 62 graduates 58%

2006 47 students out of 99 graduates 47%

2007 84 students out of 105 graduates 80%

This candidate said, "We are going backward, not forward, in the quality of students we are graduating from our system."

If correct, those numbers are not encouraging. I will do some fact checking and see if they are correct.

 

[DemoLady]

If I understand the study correctly. . .

According to my information, these students had to take "pre-college" level courses to get up to speed for OWCC's regular curriculum. These are not high school level PREP courses -- which many HS students take prior to applying for college. These are college courses designed for students aren't up to speed even though they've graduated from high school.

 

[scooterbug44]

That is incredibly worrisome!!!

80% of our GRADUATING high schoolers aren't prepared enough for community college?

 

[DemoLady]

Thanks for checking out the info. . .

If correct, those numbers are not encouraging. I will do some fact checking and see if they are correct.

I was so startled by this information which was given verbally that I asked to see the study. The info was mailed to me without specific sources. This is one time I would like to be proven wrong.