Two questions I wish the DOE would address
1. If the DOE is using state test scores to judge students, schools, teachers, and principals, how can it stomach forcing schools to cut extra tutoring (among other programs and services) just six weeks before the state math exam?
2. Assuming that the DOE understands that it's in the city's best interests to keep middle-class families here and attending public schools, why is it that the two new enrollment initiatives — for pre-K and kindergarten and gifted and talented programs — are designed to push families into zoned schools they've sought to avoid?
The cynic in me already has answers to both of these questions, but I'd love to know what others think.
2 comments:
Perhaps the DOE believes that forcing families to send their kids to their zoned schools will result in Middle Class families getting involved to better local schools rather than those families flocking to schools that are already doing well.
I belive that middle class famlies will either
a) Relocate within the city near better schools
b) Get out of the city to get their kid a better education
c) Pay to send their kid to a private school
I have just gone through the double whammy of high school and middle school applications. I know several families who have relocated because of the middle school situation. For me, relocation has always been a consideration.
I do think there is a push by the DOE to attract middle class and high performing children to underperforming schools in the hope that the schools will be improved. This was certainly the sense I got three years ago when 20% of District 15 fifth graders did not get accepted to any of their choices.
The bottom line is that parents who have resources or other alternatives are not going to send their children to an underperforming school.
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