Global Test Scores

[Tom523]

Less government in the schools is the answer! Let the Feds. give the people the money to run their own schools. When the people take over the schools, they can select the curriculum and the administration. Let me ask you one question. How many Rank 1 teachers are teaching in your school district? A rank 1 teacher is a fully qualified teacher that has a masters degree. The problem is that the schools are getting the money from the FED's. and squandering it. A local high school in my county was short on teachers. They received more money from the govt. to hire more teachers. They hired four assistant principals, and secretaries for the assistant principals, one of the secretaries is the wife of one of the assistant principals, and two assistant coaches. The school board is corrupt! The principal who is now recently divorced has been dating one of his teachers in his school since at least the beginning of the school year. This kind of administration has to go!

[Chubminnow]

Just a little off topic but I have been told by school districts in the past that they have to spend "X" amount of money NOW so they don't have their budget reduced next year. I'm sure it's the same with most gubment funded programs.

There's 100% truth to what you wrote Don...at least in Jefferson County that's how it is anyway. Spend it or else they don't get as much next year is the way they do things. In fact, when the school board comes up with next years budget (at the end of June), they shoot for the moon and put every possible project known to man on the "budgeted" wish list, knowing full well they won't get all of it.

[Col Forbin]

There's 100% truth to what you wrote Don...at least in Jefferson County that's how it is anyway. Spend it or else they don't get as much next year is the way they do things. In fact, when the school board comes up with next years budget (at the end of June), they shoot for the moon and put every possible project known to man on the "budgeted" wish list, knowing full well they won't get all of it.

You and Don are right on with this. Too many schools are too concerned with trends and "the next big thing" that will improve test scores. Many are so overly concerned with what a successful neighboring district is doing that they completely overlook what is currently being successful in their own and building on it. There are way too many trends in education. It seems every year since I have been a teacher (in several different districts) we have bought into some fad and sunk alot of money into time, trainings and implementation. I do have to say my current district is doing a good job at maintaining the good things that have started, and cutting some unsuccessful programs/strategies.