Comments on: In-Depth Look: School Grades For Area Schools

By: an observer

an observer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:42:45 +0000

The way to stop the “fake Floridians” or Alabamians from entering the Florida school syatem should be easy….have someone who is bias go out and search out every address given and see if there is actually a house or some type of livable residence there with THEIR name on all of the bills. As far as the schools in Atmore go….say whatever you may about them, mr. Byrd has taken ECMS to new heights and he did it ASAP. There have been teachers there over the years that I saw personally who did no teaching what so ever. When computers were put in the classrooms, all they did was sit at their desk all day and email, go online, play cards etc. there was a lesson on the board for them to read and answer questions…most kids don’t ever read a lesson, they go straight for the questions and go back and look the answers up. This no child left behind crap is just that, crap. For years now they have been passing students to the next grade and i know some that couldn’t read a lick. If you can’t read, you aren’t going to be able to learn. They have to eventually pass some due to thier ages, but some still can’t read, can’t comprehend. Those kids shouldn’t be passed on to the next grade, they should have parental confrences and either put the child in some sort of program for slow learners or take them to a special school. I now one year in Atmore , they took all of the special ed kids and put them in regular classes (and honors classes) and their scores affected the scores of all of the students as a whole. This killed some of the kids in honors classes. Seems as though our kids are our futures, but seems like no one involved in education really cares. all they care about (not all) is the paycheck, the vacations and the benefits. I do know a particular teacher years back LOVED teaching and the kids and she was GREAT at what she did. Most every student in Escambia County middle school that took her for math passed the high school grad math part of the test the FIRST time. I never thought of taking my kids to Florida schools. I know this is about Florida schools, but my point is, there is no reason for these parents to go over the line. If their kid wants to learn, they can.

By: Whoaaaa!!

Whoaaaa!! — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:52:38 +0000

taxpayer,
I agree with you!! What an example for their children–lieing to officials to manipulate the system. How embarrassed the children must be knowing everyone knows your parents lied. From what I hear, the school district will be sending people out to check each and every address in question …. and hopefully find the crooks taking away from the legitimate Florida students. Look at the additions Bratt and Ernest Ward have to add to accomodate the few new LEGITAMATE students. Isn’t this the same as supplying false information to obtain welfare, food stamps, etc? It is false information to obtain Florida scholarships and athletic priviledges. Felony?

By: NN

NN — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:08:35 +0000

Here’s an idea for those who think cameras would solve the problem: Let’s put cameras in the homes of all the parents and students who complain it’s the teachers’ fault for the child’s failure. Then we could determine just how much time that student spends on homework and/or studying for tests–and how much time the parents spend encouraging their children that school is a priority.

By: taxpayer

taxpayer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:34:46 +0000

According to the local principals and school district officials there are no “fake students” attending their local schools. As long as they have a power pole in someone’s yard, their name on someone’s power or water bill, a lease agreement written by local attorneys in Bratt, or a new Florida drivers license, they are most certainly a “legitimate” student with all rights and privleges, and by the way able to receive our tax payer funded bright futures scholarships. Since they are changing the rules regarding proof of residency, they are requiring a Florida drivers license, the local principals, with a wink and a nod, are advising parents to get their Florida license in addition to the Alabama license they already have. Bratt elementary would probably have room for the Carver students if they would run the invading hoard out of town. We just think schools’ scores are bad this year, just wait.

By: Whoaaaa!!

Whoaaaa!! — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:01:33 +0000

I certainly hope their are no :Alabama residents” or “fake Florida” residents complaining here about Northview?! You know who you are and I do too. Go back to your own schools.

By: wondering

wondering — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:43:15 +0000

One more parent: This is where you(and others) need to get involved. Call the school board and Supt. Let them know that you are tired of classes being cut at NHS. As long as they can cut them and nobody complains they will keep cutting. Mrs. Weaver has to fight a battle each year to keep classes from being cut, and once they cut them you don’t get them back. The people were made all kinds of promises when they built NHS and the school district has not done but one thing and that is cut. Nobody in Pensacola has a clue about running a small rural high school. They promised that we would have for our students what they have in Pensacola and it never has happened. We are treated like second class citizens on the northend and it is time for it to stop. The teachers at NHS do their very best with what they have,granted some don’t pull their share but the majority do the very best for your children and would love to do more but our hands are tied by the people in Pensacola. Don’t complain at us, we are on your side. We know that it is unfair to your children and our students. And by the way to the one writring about hiring a math tutor

By: one more parent

one more parent — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:47:16 +0000

My son and a friend of hid did most of the teaching of the precal class they were taking. I called the assistant principal at least twice a week to try and get something done. Finally my son made the comment that the teacher had it narrowed down to 2 students’ whose parents were likely to be ‘telling on her’ and since it wasn’t doing any good I should stop. He made an A, received a lot of scholarships, and is doing well in his career.

What is upsetting is that NHS no longer has any dual enrollment classes – they had 6 when the school opened. They don’t teach AP classes becauses as I was told, none of the students passed – sounds like it might be time to ‘reteach’!

Students and parents do play an important role in their education. It can not all be blamed on Century either. Other high schools in the county require their teachers to tutor those students who need extra help, or just want to make sure they are doing their homework correctly, twice/week. Maybe this would be a good idea for NHS. Arrange transportation to a single drop off spot so thos students from Century could also take advantage.

By: Chief parent

Chief parent — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:38:35 +0000

I have a child in northview you would never know it but he would rather go somewhere else . And I tell him to do his best and I am proud to say he does! A very smart boy and if he knew people would’nt judge him he would tell you himself what a joke Mrs.Weaver is and some of the things that school is NOT ment for and you old snubers can say thats life or it didnt hurt me or what ever the passing thought you are having it dont make it right!! I support camera’s EVERYWHERE in school except the restroom. But guess what district wont ever have enough money to busy paying teachers who do NOTHING. With that said I would like to thank the few teachers that teach for the love of our children.

By: NN

NN — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:46:06 +0000

Well said, Northview Grad. Not only do teachers have to focus on a “set curriculum,” they also have to follow the federal guidelines mandated by No Child Left Behind (documenting data, pacing guides, AND standardized testing). Granted, not every student learns at the same pace nor by the same techniques, but I am so proud to read from a recent high school graduate that students must also assume responsibility in the learning process. I guarantee that those students who willingly read, study, and THINK on their own instead of believing that the teacher should spoon-feed all material to them will be better prepared for college–and life.

P.S. I know I will get grief about the “spoon-feed” remark, but before you respond, ask yourself how much time your child spends on reading, studying, and thinking a problem through BEFORE he/she says “I don’t understand!” or “The teacher doesn’t explain enough.” Sure, there are incompetent teachers just as there is imcompetence in any profession; but, honestly, we all know most students will do only what is expected of them, and from what I’ve read, that expectation is to blame the teachers and/or administration.

By: Northview Grad

Northview Grad — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:20:13 +0000

The problem with stopping to make sure that every student comprehends the material completely is that not everyone will “get it” and material that needs to be taught in a class will have to be skipped. The teachers are given a set curriculum and expected to teach everything that is outlined in that curriculum. They are not allowed much leeway in the courses, or at least from what I can tell. Leaving the students to deduce the material on their own prepares them for college because there is not someone to look over your shoulder at the collegiate level. I understand that more instruction is required at the high school level, but the student has to be willing to work at understanding things themselves. It was not all that long ago that I was there. Overall the FCAT is not the solution for measuring progress, and I feel that there are better measures of a schools effectiveness.