Separating Fact from Fiction in our schools

Separate Fact from Fiction in our schools
This is a good opinion piece in today's PI. The two authors have a calm tone and good outlook. You should also check out the two sound off letters that accompany it on-line.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh, Melissa. That was such a well-written article and encouraging perspective. As an educator myself, I get caught up in the hysteria.

We do have schools in trouble. Those of us in the north end must recognize that something must be done to help the schools which are having problems if not failing. But, yes, many (if not most), of our schools are doing well; and, we teachers, parents and administrators are working hard to keep them operating successfully.

Let's continue to be cooperative, collaborative, and compassionate. And let's certainly take the long view in trying to determine the next step.
12/15/06, 2:20 PM
Anonymous said…
Take Van Dyk's assertion that Seattle parents are fleeing city schools for the private sector or for such superior school systems as Bellevue's. It is hard to square that with the reality that Bellevue's parents are just as likely as Seattle's to send their kids to private schools. Van Dyk might also be surprised to learn that enrollment in Seattle schools has held steady for 27 years.

Since Seattle is now the 24th largest city nationally according to the 2000 census & has grown 9% in population from 1990 to 2000, shouldn't we expect the Seattle schools to retain the percentage of the populace that was educated in public schools 27 years ago, rather than just the numbers?

Seattle has a smaller percentage of the population under 18, than the county, the state or the country.( and it is falling)
If we are such an attractive place, why would that be?
Why do we have so many more private schools ( with wait lists) than even existed 20 years ago.
Where are all these educated residents ( 53% have college degrees) sending their kids?

What measure are you using to determine our schools are successful?
Graduation rate? WASL pass rate?
12/19/06, 2:54 PM
Charlie Mas said…
Why does Seattle have fewer children than the rest of the county, the state, or the nation? Because Seattle is an urban area. Urban areas, such as Seattle, typically have fewer children than suburban or rural areas.

Not only are we an attractive place; we are an urban place. Duh!

Why more private schools? Because we're a whole lot bigger and harder to move around in. In addition, we're a whole lot richer than we were twenty years ago. These factors have all increased the demand for private schools. In addition, the trend in parenting has turned to very active, the economy has become more competitive and has moved away from people without education, all of which also increases the demand for private schooling. More schools have appeared in response to that increased demand.

Where are all of these people sending their kids to school? Some to public school - particularly when they have access to a high quality program - and some private school. Duh!

How to measure a school's success? What measure would YOU like to use?
12/19/06, 6:22 PM
Saad Amir said…
This option you have given and interesting for the students.It provide necessary help to the students.
Thanks...
regards, saad from
Sri Lanka Institute of Architects
12/12/11, 2:45 AM
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