Comments on: SC Failing Schools: Inside The Numbers http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/ Politics, Sports and Pop Culture Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:39:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: baker http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52618 baker Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:25:41 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52618 Many of the rural schools have been struggling, for sure. And many have been since the folks in those communities with money took their kids out of public schools in the days of segregation. I think those district serve as an excellent example that when schools lose the support and involvement of the business community, the parents with the highest education levels, and the folks with real political power in a community, those schools are likely to suffer. The beginnings of "white flight" may have been decades ago, but I think it's reasonable to believe those schools are still reeling from it. And, somehow, I just don't think those white flight academies are all that interested in taking on poor rural black children who are struggling academically. Yet, Will Folks calls the defenders of the public system "racists"?!?! Actually, there are some legitimate grounds for debate. To completely defend the status quo might, in fact, be racist. But no one really is. No one is saying, The schools are great, we've achieved all the success we could ever imagine. No. There are teachers and, yes, administrators working very hard to find solutions. There are critics of individual school systems and of the system generally who are still public school advocates and who think PPIC or whatever they're calling the new "tuition tax credits" scheme is flaky at best. So, I suppose it depends on one's definition of "defending SC's K-12 system." And Will may have a point that there are black churches that might work with struggling black students. Of course, he touts the black churches for black students -- but doesn't seem concerned about whether those black kids would gain entry into Heathwood Hall or Hammond Academy or Jeff Davis Academy or whatever. But, sure, there may be situations where black churches could make some positive headway. Even so, this recent proposal, like PPIC, isn't weighted to helping those most in need. Why not focus all the money on helping the poorest kids? And why not GUARANTEE the money, instead of pushing tax credit "scholarships" that might or might not work here quite like they have in some other state with a different circumstances and, in fact, a different law on the books (if I'm not mistaken)? And in our poorest, most rural counties, I don't know....maybe some can pull it off....but my guess is that many, many of the predominantly black (or white, for that matter) churches have small and inadequate facilities (kitchens? basketball gyms? playing fields? computers labs? libraries?) and no means of providing transportation. Saying that you're interested in opening a school in your church and actually being able to successfully do it seem like two different things to me. But maybe we'll find out. Many of the rural schools have been struggling, for sure. And many have been since the folks in those communities with money took their kids out of public schools in the days of segregation. I think those district serve as an excellent example that when schools lose the support and involvement of the business community, the parents with the highest education levels, and the folks with real political power in a community, those schools are likely to suffer. The beginnings of “white flight” may have been decades ago, but I think it’s reasonable to believe those schools are still reeling from it.

And, somehow, I just don’t think those white flight academies are all that interested in taking on poor rural black children who are struggling academically.

Yet, Will Folks calls the defenders of the public system “racists”?!?!

Actually, there are some legitimate grounds for debate. To completely defend the status quo might, in fact, be racist. But no one really is. No one is saying, The schools are great, we’ve achieved all the success we could ever imagine. No. There are teachers and, yes, administrators working very hard to find solutions. There are critics of individual school systems and of the system generally who are still public school advocates and who think PPIC or whatever they’re calling the new “tuition tax credits” scheme is flaky at best.

So, I suppose it depends on one’s definition of “defending SC’s K-12 system.”

And Will may have a point that there are black churches that might work with struggling black students. Of course, he touts the black churches for black students — but doesn’t seem concerned about whether those black kids would gain entry into Heathwood Hall or Hammond Academy or Jeff Davis Academy or whatever.

But, sure, there may be situations where black churches could make some positive headway. Even so, this recent proposal, like PPIC, isn’t weighted to helping those most in need. Why not focus all the money on helping the poorest kids? And why not GUARANTEE the money, instead of pushing tax credit “scholarships” that might or might not work here quite like they have in some other state with a different circumstances and, in fact, a different law on the books (if I’m not mistaken)?

And in our poorest, most rural counties, I don’t know….maybe some can pull it off….but my guess is that many, many of the predominantly black (or white, for that matter) churches have small and inadequate facilities (kitchens? basketball gyms? playing fields? computers labs? libraries?) and no means of providing transportation. Saying that you’re interested in opening a school in your church and actually being able to successfully do it seem like two different things to me. But maybe we’ll find out.

]]> By: Gillon http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52551 Gillon Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:40:37 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52551 Few would deny that much of the public education 'in this state's rural areas is a disaster." Neither would many deny that there are too many bureaucrats who have responsibilty for these schools "who live high on the hog with their six-figure salaries, travel budgets and expense accounts." Okay, if the problem is that simple, why not just get rid of these bureaucrats and replace them with competent educators? But I suppose as long as you have a close-minded governor who might promote that who could care less about public schools, that will never happen. (Has he ever even visited one in his six and half years in office?) Also, if the voucher system in some form is ever implemented, how do you ensure that you won't have those same type of bureaucrats working in the private school sector, human nature being what it is? Few would deny that much of the public education ‘in this state’s rural areas is a disaster.” Neither would many deny that there are too many bureaucrats who have responsibilty for these schools “who live high on the hog with their six-figure salaries, travel budgets and expense accounts.” Okay, if the problem is that simple, why not just get rid of these bureaucrats and replace them with competent educators? But I suppose as long as you have a close-minded governor who might promote that who could care less about public schools, that will never happen. (Has he ever even visited one in his six and half years in office?) Also, if the voucher system in some form is ever implemented, how do you ensure that you won’t have those same type of bureaucrats working in the private school sector, human nature being what it is?

]]> By: fitsnews http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52463 fitsnews Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:19:56 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52463 "Questions," Simple - it would help those children by creating a market for new choices. Sort of like the 50,000 kids in PA that are getting help this year. Options are necessarily going to be limited when there is absolutely no market. Silly rabbit. As just one example, there are hundreds of black churches in this state that would love to start schools - they just don't have the money. This would change that, while at the same time giving the public schools more resources to spend per child. What could be wrong with that? Well, other than it angers all the educrat scammers who have been making millions by perpetuating failure all these years. Public education in this state's rural areas is a disaster - it is corrupt, wasteful and designed to keep kids in academic shackles while bureaucrats live high on the hog with their six-figure salaries, travel budgets and expense accounts. It's a joke. Anyone defending SC's K-12 system is a racist and an idiot. Remember that. Write it down. Take a picture. -FITS “Questions,”

Simple – it would help those children by creating a market for new choices.

Sort of like the 50,000 kids in PA that are getting help this year.

Options are necessarily going to be limited when there is absolutely no market. Silly rabbit.

As just one example, there are hundreds of black churches in this state that would love to start schools – they just don’t have the money. This would change that, while at the same time giving the public schools more resources to spend per child.

What could be wrong with that?

Well, other than it angers all the educrat scammers who have been making millions by perpetuating failure all these years.

Public education in this state’s rural areas is a disaster – it is corrupt, wasteful and designed to keep kids in academic shackles while bureaucrats live high on the hog with their six-figure salaries, travel budgets and expense accounts.

It’s a joke.

Anyone defending SC’s K-12 system is a racist and an idiot.

Remember that. Write it down. Take a picture.

-FITS

]]> By: Questions http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52459 Questions Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:07:10 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52459 Have any journalists surveyed the private schools to determine whether they'd accept low-income minority students who might or might not test on grade level? And would they take the voucher as payment in full? Any journalist willing to accept the challenge, please start with the Robert E Lee Academy, which as of 2007-08 enrolled 603 students, 596 of whom were white. Or Pee Dee Academy (97% white), Cold Springs Mennonite (100%), New Prospect Christian (98% white), King's Acacdemy (95% white), Dillon Christian (95% white) or Patrick Henry (97% white). These are not isolated examples - this is what private education looks like in SC. So for real, how would this program help low income minority children??? Have any journalists surveyed the private schools to determine whether they’d accept low-income minority students who might or might not test on grade level? And would they take the voucher as payment in full? Any journalist willing to accept the challenge, please start with the Robert E Lee Academy, which as of 2007-08 enrolled 603 students, 596 of whom were white. Or Pee Dee Academy (97% white), Cold Springs Mennonite (100%), New Prospect Christian (98% white), King’s Acacdemy (95% white), Dillon Christian (95% white) or Patrick Henry (97% white). These are not isolated examples – this is what private education looks like in SC. So for real, how would this program help low income minority children???

]]> By: BIN News Editorial http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52417 BIN News Editorial Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:51:02 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52417 really help really help

]]> By: BIN News Editorial http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52416 BIN News Editorial Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:47:45 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52416 Notice that sic(k) willie never writes anything original about the voucher scam? He just cuts and pastes the boiler plate pooh from Howie's flunkies. Voucher pooh from Howie's carpetbuggers and the Voice for Voucher Scams. Pretty clear that sic(k) willie has become a carpetbugger. Wonder how Howie is funneling money to him? Directly or through his money changers? But back to really helping all children. As we have said over and over, vouchers would do nothing to help those who need help the most. In fact, the voucher scam would only leave those who need help the most even further behind. That's why vouchers are such a scam. BIN News Editorial Staff Flair and Balanced Notice that sic(k) willie never writes anything original about the voucher scam? He just cuts and pastes the boiler plate pooh from Howie’s flunkies.

Voucher pooh from Howie’s carpetbuggers and the Voice for Voucher Scams.

Pretty clear that sic(k) willie has become a carpetbugger. Wonder how Howie is funneling money to him? Directly or through his money changers?

But back to really helping all children.

As we have said over and over, vouchers would do nothing to help those who need help the most. In fact, the voucher scam would only leave those who need help the most even further behind. That’s why vouchers are such a scam.

BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced

]]> By: GnuBerry http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52368 GnuBerry Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:10:10 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52368 Once the testing frame applies not just to students but also to schools, then schools can, metaphorically, fail--and be punished for failing by having their allowance cut. Less funding in turn makes it harder for the schools to improve, which leads to a cycle of failure and ultimately elimination for many public schools. What replaces the public school system is a voucher system to support private schools. The wealthy would have good schools--paid for in part by what used to be tax payments for public schools. The poor would not have the money for good schools. We would wind up with a two-tier school system, a good one for the "deserving rich" and a bad one for the "undeserving poor." -George Lakoff Once the testing frame applies not just to students but also to schools, then schools can, metaphorically, fail–and be punished for failing by having their allowance cut. Less funding in turn makes it harder for the schools to improve, which leads to a cycle of failure and ultimately elimination for many public schools. What replaces the public school system is a voucher system to support private schools. The wealthy would have good schools–paid for in part by what used to be tax payments for public schools. The poor would not have the money for good schools. We would wind up with a two-tier school system, a good one for the “deserving rich” and a bad one for the “undeserving poor.”

-George Lakoff

]]> By: nettie http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52367 nettie Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:56:47 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52367 right on. right on.

]]> By: GGIH http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52363 GGIH Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:45:31 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52363 The parents are too poor to move to another attendance zone or enroll in private school, but they pay enough in state taxes to qualify for the tuition tax credit under Ford's private school tax credit legislation? They can afford to front the money and wait for the tax credit? They can provide transportation and breakfast and lunch? A private school wants to educate their kids? Please. Has it ever occurred to anyone on this blog that if we spend more to educate poverty-stricken children, it's because they cost a whole lot more to educate? You can spend $8,000 in Irmo and $9,000 in Allendale and never get close to the root of the problem. The parents are too poor to move to another attendance zone or enroll in private school, but they pay enough in state taxes to qualify for the tuition tax credit under Ford’s private school tax credit legislation? They can afford to front the money and wait for the tax credit? They can provide transportation and breakfast and lunch? A private school wants to educate their kids? Please.

Has it ever occurred to anyone on this blog that if we spend more to educate poverty-stricken children, it’s because they cost a whole lot more to educate? You can spend $8,000 in Irmo and $9,000 in Allendale and never get close to the root of the problem.

]]> By: JBV http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/04/21/sc-failing-schools-inside-the-numbers/#comment-52361 JBV Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:32:42 +0000 http://www.fitsnews.com/?p=19154#comment-52361 You've got my vote if you limit vouchers to the poor and minorities - however - everything proposed so far would mostly benefit the rich. You’ve got my vote if you limit vouchers to the poor and minorities – however – everything proposed so far would mostly benefit the rich.

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