Comments about ‘We need solutions, not more transparency’

Is the 'government' responsible for the failure of our schools?

That question has to be answered correctly before our children will ever receive an education.

Mr. Florez wants us to believe that the root of the problem is the government. I don't believe that. The governor is not in the classroom. The legislature is not in the classroom.

Who is in the classroom? The teacher is in the classroom. The teacher is responsible for what happens in his or her classroom. The teacher is accountable.

Is money the problem?

I don't think so. At the high school just across the street, Some teachers are paid very well and some are just starting out at the bottom of the pay scale. Do the students in the classrooms of the well-paid teachers receive a better education? Test scores don't show that. Test scores show that both teachers are doing about the same job.

Is that a failure of the student, the test, the teacher, the administration, or the government?

Or is it all of the above?

Has anyone asked whether the students want to learn?

Grading schools can be a good idea if the grade they are given is just part of the picture. To make it effective, all schools need to be judged on exactly the same criteria. When that is done social and ecomonic factors need to be taken into consieration. However the most important thing is that when schools are graded they are given feedback immediately and given specific areas and targets to work on. For example, students do not know how well they are progressing. To improve in this area your school needs to do the following.... .

This parents an idea on how well the school is doing, it also gives teachers and Heads specific measurable targets that they can focus on to improve their teaching and their school and ultimately the education of their students.

Having taught high school for two years, this is all I know - everything depends on the teacher, and everybody and everything dumps on him. What a position to be in!

Why not give all the money wasted on studies, to the schools were it could do some good.?

The school grading proposal is just another tool for public school bashers. Don't grade, support.

Thank you for a great column. So, let's talk about a few solutions. First: end social promotion. Use end of the year tests to determine if a student advances to the next grade level. If possible allow students to advance early. Second: Go to a year round schedule and use the time in between quarters to provide remediation for students who are struggling. Third: any student who misses 25% of any quarter is immediately removed and can return at the beginning of the next quarter. Fourth: grade teachers on the percentages of those students who pass those benchmark tests. Provide a basic salary and bonuses based on passing rates. Let's use these ideas as a starting point for discussion, if you are interested.