Reader comments
28% of Utah schools 'left behind'
28 comments | Read story
Tab L. Uno | 6:40 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
No Child Left Behind is making progress...by exposing the public education
system to be riddled with deficiency schools, public education is finally being
exposed to the crucial public light of day something that individual parents and
students have not been able to do for decades. Thanks to federal legislation,
quality of education is beginning to become the norm not the exception. Instead
of grade inflation, graduating high school student who can't write or
function academic-wise in the real world. Public educators and those who
support public education should rejoice in Utah that finally the concerns of
many parents are now being addressed by this federally mandated law. Until now,
the frustrations of these parents have been transformed into a breeding ground
for private school vouchers since to them the public school system was seemingly
closed to their concerns about the quality of education at some schools. Now
lagging public schools cannot avoid the scrutiny of the school districts and the
public. The next crucial step, however, remains - that of addressing the
academic problems exposed in these public schools. Unless they are, private
schools will continue to become a tempting alternative for parents and children
concerned about their education.
anonymous | 8:23 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
You obviously don't understand the No Child Left Behind law. Teachers are
being held accountable in unfair ways. For example, a school can not make AYP
based on the attendence record of their students. Could you please explain to
me how this is a teacher's responsiblity? We are asked to get every
student in our classroom on grade level even if they enter three years behind
academically. Teachers are not magicians and students don't always learn
at the pace that the federal government wants them to. Learn the law before
endorsing it. You might just see what an impossible situation that educators
are being placed in.
Cowboy Love | 8:40 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
The no child school left behind would hopefully increase the schooles capacity
of students to gett a good learning. I was aproduct of utah school system, and
can say without doubts that my education should maybe have gotten more
attenshun. Hopefully our schools wont be left behind anymore, and the students
can get better schholoning, like my kids, and take it to the next level in
college. Funding does help more, like they have more money in the east coast
for schools and learning. Please help us help ourselves!
Comments continue below
Mark | 9:03 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
NCLB would be a good law if some penalties were imposed on PARENTS. How about not allowing a parent the privilege of claiming a child on their tax return if the parent does not show up to parent-teacher conference at least once a year or get the child to school at least 90% of the time?
Parents want vouchers so they can make choices? Let's really make them partly responsible for their children's educational achievement!
utah teacher | 9:09 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Our public schools are full of students who are lazy, undisciplined,
disrespectful, and simply don't care. How are these variables the
teacher's fault? Perhaps if parents and families weren't failing our
students, more schools might have a fighting chance. NCLB does nothing to make
the student or the parent accountable--only the teachers and the schools are
under the microscope. I teach in a school with over 90% free or reduced lunch
students. Our average 7th grade reading level is between a 3rd and 4th grade
level. How is that my fault when parents and elementary schools are sending my
school students who can't read at grade level? At parent teacher
conferences, I rarely visit with more than 5 parents. Is it my fault that
parents are not more involved with their child's education?
To school admin and teachers | 9:26 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
You're doing well. More can be done, however, to email parents to invite
them into the school (e.g. parent teacher conferences). Automated telephone
callers should also be used to invite parents to important functions and to
teach them to use the systems already in place (e.g. online grades/assignment
databases). Connections, connections, connections. And accurate information.
Karen | 10:16 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Even with multiple methods of informing parents about conferences, it's
next to impossible to contact those whose phones have been disconnected, who
don't have email, and whose letters are returned saying the address is
wrong. (We often discover these problems just days after a student enrolls.)
We contact these parents eventually, but they make it difficult for us. :-)
We contact these parents eventually, but they make it difficult for us. :-)
I agree | 10:20 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Please, please,please listen to the above comment about e-mail. Why
doesn't every parent have access to a class website, with all of the
information needed. With all of the homework? Why are we wasting so much paper
with take home notes that get lost? I have piles of papers from my kids. It
gets confusing. It would be so easy to just look on line and print up the
stuff that has to be turned in.
I didn't realize... | 10:21 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
...that our public schools were doing so well that allowing a voucher system
would cause a measurable decrease in quality.
If you're almost down to zero, there's not much room to drop.
If you're almost down to zero, there's not much room to drop.
Former New Yorker | 11:05 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
As someone who grew up on the East Coast and raised my children there for a
time, I can honestly say that the school system here in Utah is horrendous in
comparison to those schools back east. Who's to blame? Both government
and parents. Changes need to be made. Parents of school-aged children need to
demand better educational standards for their children, BUT they must also be
willing to pay for it. When we had new schools built here, the parents
complained because their taxes were going to go up $500--over the course of five
or ten years. My school taxes in New York were over $3,000 a year.
say what? | 11:08 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Exactly what is "Cowboy Love" trying to say with all those gramatical
and spelling errors. If he thinks he received a bad education in Utah,
doesn't he first bear the responsibility for having not learned what was
taught him?
Utah Native | 11:35 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Cna't parents get off of their butts and contact the schools? Whose kids
are they anyway?
JR | 11:58 a.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Intelligence isn't based on money, but parents are first accountable then
the teachers 2nd. I have been very frustrated with the education limitations
in the grade schools and discusted when teachers put a football team ahead of
the history class they are assigned to teach. Many teachers are dedicated to
their jobs and are successful but many are what I would clasify as College
failures so they become teachers and their hearts are not in it. All the money
in the world doesn't make a successful teacher. The School Districts cost
the class room more than they are worth, just look at the Jordan School Board -
time for Parents to step up to the plate and assist in educating your own
children and assist the teachers in the process.
DBG | 12:27 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
@Karen
Communication only works when given PROPER NOTICE. 24 hour notice of these "events" is not adaquate.
@JR
Very nicely said.
Communication only works when given PROPER NOTICE. 24 hour notice of these "events" is not adaquate.
@JR
Very nicely said.
Ogrepete | 1:15 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Amen about the piles of papers sent home being confusing. I'd much prefer
a website to check once a day that would have a list of what needs to get done,
what's coming up, etc. Seems some schools do this, others don't.
I had a California education in LA County. When I arrived here in 1994, I was absolutely amazed at the variety of efforts to challenge students here that are NOT made in California (AP Classes, Honor Classes, etc.).
The Lowest Common Denominator approach was very apparent to me while attending school. Those California schools had a horrible time just trying to get kids meeting the basic requirements, and didn't have enough time, money or energy to challenge the bright ones. I think Utah's public schools do a much better job of that.
I had a California education in LA County. When I arrived here in 1994, I was absolutely amazed at the variety of efforts to challenge students here that are NOT made in California (AP Classes, Honor Classes, etc.).
The Lowest Common Denominator approach was very apparent to me while attending school. Those California schools had a horrible time just trying to get kids meeting the basic requirements, and didn't have enough time, money or energy to challenge the bright ones. I think Utah's public schools do a much better job of that.
YES on vouchers | 1:50 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
About time we support vouchers. Nothing changes the school system faster than
competition, just like the private sector. Let's support vouchers and
public schools will set higher standards.
I was a teacher in a public school, teachers need continuing education. Too many who use their same old lesson plans for 15 years, same test, same everything, same boring lessons....yes to vouchers!!!
I was a teacher in a public school, teachers need continuing education. Too many who use their same old lesson plans for 15 years, same test, same everything, same boring lessons....yes to vouchers!!!
Concerned | 2:14 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
It just illustrates the deep rooted beauracratic problems with the public
education system when the state associate superintendent is "quite
pleased" with 28% of schools not making adequate progress toward seventy
some-odd percent of students being proficient at the basics! What a sad state of
affairs. School vouchers are needed for those of us who are simply fed up.
Cowboy Love | 3:02 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
I do take offense to "say what" comments. Just because I had a few
errors, doesn't mean that my opinion doesn't count. I was a solid
"C" student in high school, and don't need your judgmenetal
attitude towards people of lesser intelligense. Besides, MS Word fixes all my
spelling mistakes :)
Good grief! | 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
I'm getting VERY tired of parents whining about schools.
First, there is nothing on this earth that an school administrator or teacher fears more than a mad momma. A herd of mad parents can give educators a coronary! Make yourselves heard you gutless wonders! You OWN the public education system, your tax dollars built it. TAKE OWNERSHIP!
Second, It is the parent's job to communicate their concerns to the teachers. If you don't know what is going on in a class, and really want the teachers to have a website, call the principal and DEMAND that your children's teachers post homework and learning materials to a website. Call some other parents and organize. It is called democracy folks!
Third, the reason the papers come home with the kids: teachers are dealing with loads of idiot parents who can't access a website or don't speak English. So the "flock shot" with a written message is necessary.
Fourth, parents demand athletics so schools have to warehouse a bunch of coaches. Some are good teachers, some are not. If you want to change things, separate athletic teams from the public ed. system. Make athletics community-based. It is what is done in Europe... You know, the places with the schools that are kiccking our American backsides!
First, there is nothing on this earth that an school administrator or teacher fears more than a mad momma. A herd of mad parents can give educators a coronary! Make yourselves heard you gutless wonders! You OWN the public education system, your tax dollars built it. TAKE OWNERSHIP!
Second, It is the parent's job to communicate their concerns to the teachers. If you don't know what is going on in a class, and really want the teachers to have a website, call the principal and DEMAND that your children's teachers post homework and learning materials to a website. Call some other parents and organize. It is called democracy folks!
Third, the reason the papers come home with the kids: teachers are dealing with loads of idiot parents who can't access a website or don't speak English. So the "flock shot" with a written message is necessary.
Fourth, parents demand athletics so schools have to warehouse a bunch of coaches. Some are good teachers, some are not. If you want to change things, separate athletic teams from the public ed. system. Make athletics community-based. It is what is done in Europe... You know, the places with the schools that are kiccking our American backsides!
Amused | 4:25 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Cowboy love has quite a sense of humor.
Simple Answer | 6:24 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
If they all fail, then NO ONE is left behind...
(That's why we don't fund education in Utah, trying to comply with NCLB)
(That's why we don't fund education in Utah, trying to comply with NCLB)
Think About It | 6:26 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Two people have eight kids, get a tax write-off for the eight kids and
don't pay taxes...
...and funding for education comes from where???
...and funding for education comes from where???
Why did the school fail? | 7:58 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
To have every child on grade level is a wonderful goal...who wouldn't want
that? But before you condemn the state and the entire public education system,
find out specifically why a school failed. In your eyes, a failing school may
be an excellent one. Eight-eight percent of the students at a school could pass
AYP, but because of a small subset of twenty students of which 46% didn't
pass (mind you, that is nine failing students) the whole entire school would
receive a failing grade. Should the nine students that failed be given extra
attention, sure, but should a school be given an F when an overwhelming majority
of students pass the test and nine of them fail? To me, the answer is clear.
Who failed? | 9:43 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
Cowboy Love: God help your kids!
Why didn't we think of it before | 9:56 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
From listening to the pro-voucher camp and their minions, school vouchers are
the answer for everything.
Johnny can't read - school vouchers. Johnny doesn't have a choice but to attend the local school full of inept teachers - school vouchers. Johnny's test scores aren't quite what we think they should be - school vouchers. Johnny's teacher doesn't pamper him like his "well meaning" mom and dad - school vouchers. Johnny's class has too many children - school vouchers. Johnny can't stay awake in class because he was up half the night playing Xbox - school vouchers.
I want my kids in Private school but I just can't bring myself to actually pay for it on my own - school vouchers.
Johnny can't read - school vouchers. Johnny doesn't have a choice but to attend the local school full of inept teachers - school vouchers. Johnny's test scores aren't quite what we think they should be - school vouchers. Johnny's teacher doesn't pamper him like his "well meaning" mom and dad - school vouchers. Johnny's class has too many children - school vouchers. Johnny can't stay awake in class because he was up half the night playing Xbox - school vouchers.
I want my kids in Private school but I just can't bring myself to actually pay for it on my own - school vouchers.
Former Utahn | 11:03 p.m. Sept. 17, 2007
The state of Utah has been left behind economically as well
Escalante's Fan | 5:21 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007
Teachers, see the movie "Stand and Deliver", then explain to us again
how the lazy, undisciplined, disrespectful and uncaring students and parents are
preventing you from doing your job.
Love Teachers | 10:18 a.m. Sept. 20, 2007
It isn't necessarily either teachers or parents failing the children. Too
powerful teacher unions and school districts choosing poor curriculums and
textbooks while blindly refusing to look at quality alternatives that charter
& private schools have proven successful are hurting everyone. There are
books & programs out there that are so excellent that even an x-box kid can
succeed. Let's set everyone up for success by learning from each other and
building on our progress rather than fighting about the wrong things, being
defensive and holding on to feathers.
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