nashville public schools http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for nashville public schools Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:15:25 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/nashville+public+schools Nashville Schools Examines Its 2005-2006 Performance http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance#comments Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:27:13 +0000 nashville schoolsadequate yearly progressboard of educationprogress resultspoverty schoolseducation reviewstennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance Nashville Schools Reviews Results

Every year, every school district in must examine its performance from the pervious school year. This summer Nashville Schools had to do this as well. The Nashville Schools' Board of Education, which included both the outgoing members from 2005-2006 and the incoming members from 2006-2007, reviewed the results from the Tennessee Adequate Yearly Progress. The results will help to pinpoint for Nashville Schools those areas that have improved and where continued progress is needed. Nashville Schools had both remarkable achievements in some areas and areas that continue to be a challenge. This is the third year that the majority of schools in the Nashville Schools have received a rating of Good Standing, the highest rating that can be given. The remaining schools had moved either up or down from the previous year. The number of schools in Good Standing was 81 which is the same number as last year.

Possibly the biggest gain this year for Nashville Schools is that some of the schools categorized as high received Good Standing ratings. Two schools Kirkpatrick and Napier Elementary Schools achieved a Good Standing rating for the first time since the Tennessee Adequate Yearly Progress was established. These two schools are two of the highest poverty schools in Nashville School District. There ratings reflect the effort that the students, teachers, parents and principals put in last school year.

But many schools did not receive a rating of Good Standing or even the same rating as last year. Many of these schools received a lower rating than previously. This indicates that there are still lots of areas that still need improvement. Nashville Schools has made the commitment to strive for every school to receive a Good Standing rating. Each summer the Nashville Schools' Board of Education meets to determine what steps can be taken to improve the coming school year's scores. The difficulty is that there are a variety of factors that can influence the rating. A small adjustment in one area could affect the overall standing. With this in mind the Board tries to find a way to make every school a school that rates Good Standing.

One of the biggest concerns for the Nashville Schools' Board of Education is the size of the District. Nashville Schools currently has around 74,000 students and must provide educational opportunities that meet the needs of this student population. Nashville School District includes both Nashville and Davidson Counties, so there are logistic concerns also. Nashville Schools are very confident about how this school year will proceed. The Nashville Schools Board of Education is a nine member body that is elected at the end of every school year composed of educators, community leaders and administrators. The members are elected in a public vote by the citizens of the Nashville School District. The Board believes that there is a real potential for all the schools to gain ratings of Good Standing by summer of 2007. Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Nashville schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Begin New Projects To Help Teachers And Parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:27:08 +0000 nashville schoolsinformation parentsrandallstelephone information servicetelephone message servicenew telephone systemtornadoes http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents Nashville Schools' Telephone Information Program

The Nashville Schools has started a new that offers valuable information to parents. The Nashville Schools new will offer information about such school related information as: schools that are closed due incidents of snow, or any other issues; schools on lock-down during drop-off or pick-up times; any important parent meetings; an emergency situation at any of the Nashville Schools; and attendance information.

Parents seem to want an easy system for communication between themselves and the schools. The telephone system will be an automated call out system that will call parents. The calls will be no longer than forty-five seconds to show the value of the parents' time. For school closings calls will be made about thirty minutes before the child is scheduled to be picked upped by their bus. Any calls that are about non-emergency information will be made before 8:00PM. For emergency situations calls will be made as soon as the information is available.

Nashville Schools' will be programmed with the best way to reach the parents which include home phones, business phones and/or cell phones. The Nashville Schools aims to provide information to the best possible way.

Nashville Schools Creates New Training Center with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education

The faculty and staff of the Nashville Schools will have a new training center for professional development. The new Martin Professional Development Center will be completed with a combination of private and public funds. The Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center is named for the work of Charlie Martin and the Martin Foundation.

This new facility will be located at the Eakin Elementary. The Eakin Elementary will be converted into the new training center. This Center will replace the existing Randall's Learning Center which is over 80 years old. The new center is scheduled to open in October. The new center comes after months of work by the Nashville Alliance for Public Education to secure $3.5 million in renovation funds. These renovations will create a 10,000 square foot space that can be used for a variety of purposes. Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center renovation will include creation of a media facilities improved classrooms and the buildings' façade will be replaced.

Private donations came from the Martin Foundation which has pledged $1.5 million to the project. Additional contributions from the Orrin H. Ingram Fund and the Turner Family Foundation provide another $1.5 million. Some other funds will be secured after the sale of the Randall's Learning Center property. At the announcement for the Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center, Director of Nashville Schools Pedro E. Garcia, Ed.D., Mayor Bill Purcell and Nashville Schools' Director of Professional Development Lenna Allen all spoke about how pleased they were with the project and the new Center. They later thanked the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, the Martin Foundation, the Ingram family and the Turner Family Foundation for their generous contributions and dedication to education. Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Nashville schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/tennessee/nashville/index.html ]]> Metro Nashville Public Schools Promote Unconventional Role Models http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 11:34:58 +0000 metro nashvillenashville schoolsnashville public schoolsvisible role modelsleadership capabilitiescommunity organizationslocal community http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models Nashville Schools

We're all familiar with the kinds of students who are projected to be potential leaders in high schools =96 the debate team member, the math club geek, the student council president. These are the stereotypical American leaders of tomorrow; lucky enough to have their special abilities recognized while they are still in school. But what of the other less ? The kid with a stammer who has a lot to say if he could only get the words out clearly enough, the teenage mom with unlimited potential, even the kid at the back row who spends more time in detention than in class?

You'd cringe at the thought of these students being portrayed as leaders and nobody would blame you. In a groundbreaking new program, Nashville schools believe that this exact group of "low on achievement but high on potential" students has the capabilities to make an impact on society. So confident are schools that these students, if given a gentle nudge, can make equal or greater contributions to society that they are partnering with local to promote this belief.

Identifying Role Models at Metro

Alignment Nashville, a group that aims to bring together Nashville schools and organizations like the YMCA, and Hands on Nashville, wants to create a more organized framework for co-operation between these bodies. Earlier well intentioned attempts to coordinate Nashville schools and voluntary organizations fizzled because of the unsystematic nature of the efforts. This time around the focus is on going beyond words to actual implementation. The organization has launched a couple of programs at two Metro Nashville Public Schools targeting students who possess but are currently frittering away these abilities in other pursuits. In other words it aims to draw out the potential of at-risk teens who might not have otherwise had a shot at any roles in the school system, leave alone positions of leadership.

Creating Unlikely Leaders at Nashville Schools

This heartening initiative to empower students in Metro Nashville Public Schools who have been marginalized and draw them into leadership roles in the system works in a surprisingly simple manner. Staff is asked to nominate students they feel are currently on the fringes of the school, but could blossom given the right opportunities.

The program then aims to target these students through reading programs, discussions, maintaining journals, enhancing problem solving and team work abilities. Students are encouraged to communicate successfully and respect diversity. Although it's still too early to gauge the success of this program, authorities at Metro Nashville Public Schools say changes are already visible. Students in the programs are already assuming positions in school bodies and clubs and even at other local organizations. In the long run, Nashville schools expect this commendable program to lead to fewer dropouts, decreased school fights and an overall enhanced school environment for all. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Move To All Standard Attire For Students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students#comments Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:35:00 +0000 nashville schoolskhaki slacksmetro nashvillenashville public schoolswiggle roommetropolitan nashvillefist fight http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students Nashville Schools will have to wear standard attire. As one can imagine, the move was not made without protest, but the school board is determined that this will be the directive for all Schools for the foreseeable future.

Standard attire is not school uniform. Although the two are often confused, standard attire does not constitute a uniform. Instead the standardization outlines kinds and colors of clothes to be worn by students in Public Schools. The district will not provide the clothes nor tell parents which specific items or brands to buy.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- What does it Entail?

Standard attire will consist of blue, black or , shorts, or skirt and a white or navy blue collared shirt. The mandated attire is intended to give students a clean and professional look. Certain Nashville Schools have elected to add other color shirts which are allowed (up to 4 additional) by the school board.

In addition to color and kind, standard attire also addresses style in the following ways. All shirts are to be tucked in. Although not explicitly stated in the policy, tucked in shirts which give a neater look, might be a deterrent during fights. The loose tail of a shirt is often used to grab a student during a . In addition, pants can not be worn in a loose or saggy manner. This is done to combat the "gang" look of a lot of young men today.

There is some in the new standards of attire of Nashville Schools. As noted above, schools can endorse other color shirts including the school's colors. School logos are permitted as well. In addition, the standard attire of Nashville Schools can be suspended temporarily for things like spirit week when students may dress up for "retro day" or "cowboy day" or "mythology day" or the like.

Nashville Schools has also established a waiver process. Students can get a waiver out of standard attire for various reasons. If religious practice requires a different style of dress such as a burka or headdress, this can be permitted. Waivers are also allowed for medical reasons or special education needs.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- Will it Solve Anything?

Nashville Schools, like the schools in most cities, have been plagued by a number of issues in recent years that have led to difficulties in the classrooms. Instituting standard attire is one step that Nashville Schools hope will cut down on gang violence and socio-economic stress that is often played out in the clothes that students wear. It's a good step forward towards addressing the city's problems, but let's just hope that the powers that be in Nashville Schools see it as just one small step in a line of others that will boost performance in the educational system. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Move To All Standard Attire For Students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students#comments Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:25:02 +0000 nashville schoolskhaki slacksmetro nashvillenashville public schoolswiggle roommetropolitan nashvillefist fight http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students Nashville Schools will have to wear standard attire. As one can imagine, the move was not made without protest, but the school board is determined that this will be the directive for all Schools for the foreseeable future.

Standard attire is not school uniform. Although the two are often confused, standard attire does not constitute a uniform. Instead the standardization outlines kinds and colors of clothes to be worn by students in Public Schools. The district will not provide the clothes nor tell parents which specific items or brands to buy.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- What does it Entail?

Standard attire will consist of blue, black or , shorts, or skirt and a white or navy blue collared shirt. The mandated attire is intended to give students a clean and professional look. Certain Nashville Schools have elected to add other color shirts which are allowed (up to 4 additional) by the school board.

In addition to color and kind, standard attire also addresses style in the following ways. All shirts are to be tucked in. Although not explicitly stated in the policy, tucked in shirts which give a neater look, might be a deterrent during fights. The loose tail of a shirt is often used to grab a student during a . In addition, pants can not be worn in a loose or saggy manner. This is done to combat the "gang" look of a lot of young men today.

There is some in the new standards of attire of Nashville Schools. As noted above, schools can endorse other color shirts including the school's colors. School logos are permitted as well. In addition, the standard attire of Nashville Schools can be suspended temporarily for things like spirit week when students may dress up for "retro day" or "cowboy day" or "mythology day" or the like.

Nashville Schools has also established a waiver process. Students can get a waiver out of standard attire for various reasons. If religious practice requires a different style of dress such as a burka or headdress, this can be permitted. Waivers are also allowed for medical reasons or special education needs.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- Will it Solve Anything?

Nashville Schools, like the schools in most cities, have been plagued by a number of issues in recent years that have led to difficulties in the classrooms. Instituting standard attire is one step that Nashville Schools hope will cut down on gang violence and socio-economic stress that is often played out in the clothes that students wear. It's a good step forward towards addressing the city's problems, but let's just hope that the powers that be in Nashville Schools see it as just one small step in a line of others that will boost performance in the educational system. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Budget Barely Keeping With Inflation http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation#comments Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:34:59 +0000 nashville schoolsbudget gamebudget cutattendanceparentsguidance counselorsabsent from school http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation Nashville Schools are bracing for a . While costs are rising at about 3.4% due to inflation and other needed costs, the increase in the overall budget is only 1.1%. Despite the Nashville Schools best efforts to insure this deficit is not felt by students-there will certainly be changes felt by the loss of 40 classroom teachers and almost 100 custodians.

While the cuts will hurt some areas of the district, the Nashville Schools will still have some winners in the . Several positions will be added, programs kept or expanded, and critical concerns addressed. For starters, there will be an overall increase in and counselors. These are two positions that are expected to improve overall student success in Nashville Schools by steering students towards appropriate programs, and by ensuring regular and consistent attendance.

The Nashville Schools will continue to fund its attendance initiative. One key part of that is the automated `phone home' program that notifies if their children are . Nashville Schools feel this is a vital program to keep parents informed of their child's attendance, and to hold parents accountable. Also, slated to be kept on the budget for Nashville Schools, is the credit recovery program for both middle and high school students. This program allows students to earn missing credits in order to move up to the next grade level and to graduate on time. The Nashville Schools have seen an overall increase in the number of students graduating on time since its implementation.

The safety officers at each high school will actually see an increase in their numbers as both parents and administrators feel that they are necessary to keep students in Nashville Schools safe. In addition to safety officers, behavior specialists will be placed in schools with the most behavior challenges to help resolve these issues and have a positive impact on the academic lives of these students. The Nashville Schools will also be adding several special education teachers to better serve special needs students. The highly gifted students of the Nashville Schools will see an increase of nine new classrooms for highly gifted students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

A control clerk will be added to the textbook department which will save thousands of dollars a year in lost and misplaced textbooks. The Nashville Schools estimate they lose thousands of dollars each year in books that the school board simply can't trace. The Nashville Schools will also see an increase in the budget for charter schools. While charter schools aide in the education of students of the metro Nashville area, they deplete funds from other schools where teachers and supplies must be kept on hand even though the student population drops. There are also slight increases in the budget for materials, technology information, routine classroom supplies and clerical supplies. The Nashville schools also made an increase in their budget to cover the inflationary costs of fuel, natural gas, and electricity. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> The San Jose Schools Struggle With Charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:25:02 +0000 california charter schoolseducational research grouppublic education systemurban school districtorganization charterbusiness charterbone of contention http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters urban school district, you can't say that the San Jose Unified School District hasn't tried a lot of different angles for success. The diversity in the San Jose Schools, with a significant percentage of Spanish and Vietnamese speaking families, can be part of the problem when communicating with parents and building successful schools. That's why the charter schools within the San Jose Schools are such a .

Charter schools are usually public schools which are independently run by a local or independent organization. Charter schools in the San Jose Schools often are freed from some of the constrictions that the regular public schools face. Is this good or bad? Well, there are a lot of opinions. For those who think that the San Jose Schools needs to be taken over privately, and run like a business, charter schools make a lot of sense. For those in the San Jose Schools we are trying to make the current system better, charter schools seem like a drain on funding that get to operate outside of the rule book. What do the results say?

Results of Charters in the San Jose Schools

A recent study of had some interesting results that may impact the San Jose Schools. An independent found that charters are better for middle school students, worse for elementary school students, and there was no consistent pattern for high school students.

What does this mean for students, parents and teachers in the San Jose Schools? A lot more indecision and confusion. Look at the Leadership Charter Schools. There's one in East San Jose, and a few more in outlying areas. Many parents are passionate about sending their children here, but the charter has continually butted heads with the local public schools. That's partially because schools lose money when students leave for another school. So the charters can cost the public schools money.



But here's what the San Jose Schools should be focusing on. There's a reason why charter middle schools seem to perform better than other middle schools. Let's not wait another 3 years for an independent research team to find out what's going on. The principals and teachers of San Jose Schools should be meeting and brainstorming to find out what the differences are. Charter and public schools on the same team. I suspect the need for preadolescents to have be in smaller and more intimate settings is going to show up as a factor. But why then, would charter elementary schools be in worse shape?

Maybe elementary schools are smaller to begin with so size is less of a factor? Maybe the elementary schools tend to be newer and by the time the kids filter up to middle the kinks are worked out? Lots of questions that need to be answered. At the moment, the San Jose Schools use the charter schools as an alternative, largely for low-income families. And with the state of education, alternatives aren't something we should give up. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/California/San-Jose/index.html ]]> Get Cheap Car Insurance In Nashville Tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:19:57 +0000 cheap car insurancecar insurance policyauto insurance policyfinancial responsibilitynashville autoresponsibility requirementstennessee department of safety http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee financial responsibility requirements; therefore, in Nashville can be obtained in a variety of different ways to meet the financial as well as your own financial needs.

The following are ways you can meet Tennessee's financial responsibility requirements:

=95 An auto insurance card (the kind you keep in your glove compartment)

=95 Other written proof (such as a file or binder) from an Tennessee auto insurance company affirming you have a policy that meets financial responsibility requirements

=95 A certificate issued by the (DOS) affirming you've posted a cash deposit or bond that meets financial responsibility requirements

=95 A certificate issued by the Tennessee DOS affirming you've qualified as a self-insurer (to provide insurance/money yourself)

Cheap car insurance in Nashville will come from whichever one of the above financial responsibility choices works best for you. Remember, if you aren't in a financial situation that allows you to post cash deposits or bond, or self-insure, there's nothing obsolete about a good old fashioned Nashville . You can still save month on those, too.

=95 Make your insurance premium payments quarterly, or every six months, rather than every month. This can help cut down on additional fees.

=95 Raise your deductible. Even though this means you'll have to pay more money out of your own pocket in the event of an accident, raising your deductible also means you pay a cheaper Nashville car insurance premium.

=95 Purchase multi-line insurance. If you already have an insurance policy from a particular company (for example, a homeowner's insurance policy), find out if you can purchase an affordable Nashville , too. Many insurance companies offer discounts for purchasing more than one line of insurance with them, which means you could end up saving money on both insurance policies. The sites that I recommend http://ezquoteguide.com/car/ Cheapest Car Insurance http://www.myquoteguide.com/Multi-Line.shtml Fast Car and Home Quotes ]]> Discover Flying http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying#comments Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:11:36 +0000 discovery flightemailgary bradshawhttplearning to flyjourneypilot http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying Discovery Flight Available

Have you ever thought about ?

March 1 (Nashville TN) -- .com has announced a new introductory flight program called Discovery Flight. This program is sponsored in part by Pilot Journey, hundreds of flight schools, and several corporate sponsors. The goal of the Discovery Flight program is to share what learning to fly can do to change lives by introducing them to aviation.

The Discovery Flight consists of a real flight lesson, a Discovery Flight online seminar and a Discovery Flight Plan e-book, all delivered instantly via from www.pilotjourney.com . The Discovery Flight coupon, online seminar and e-book are all free and entitles someone to purchase a flight lesson at a local flight school for $99, "this is lower than the actual cost of providing the lesson" according to , president of Pilot Journey. "Even if a person never uses the coupon, the seminar and e-book are still free since payment is made only to the flight school if the flight takes place"

"This program is important" says Bradshaw. "this is not just about having just another hobby, this is about doing something that will change someone's life" Asked what he means Bradshaw states that learning to fly seems to have almost a spiritual effect on people, in that it increases self-esteem and cause people to have a can do attitude about other things in life.

There are over 600,000 pilots in America, along with 2,000 flight schools and yet this adventure is still not known to most people. The thought is that one has to be rich to learn to fly. Most pilots actually rent airplanes and fly with others for family vacations, meetings and just plain fun, according to the website. About The Author: Gary Bradshaw is an evanglist for learning to fly at Pilot Journey in Nashville. The company's website is http://www.pilotjourney.com ]]> Are More Charter Schools In The Chicago Schools Future? http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:15:01 +0000 public charter schoolspublic charter schoolchicago schoolsmargaret spellingsbush administrationofficialspresident of the united states http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future president of the United States, he and his administration have instituted many federally mandated changes for public schools across the nation. Now, according to , education secretary for the , there may be more that directly affect the and the state of Illinois. Currently, the states of Illinois, Michigan and New York have the lowest caps on the number of s allowed. Illinois has the lowest cap of 60, then New York with a cap of 100, and Michigan with 150.

At one of the charter Chicago schools in late January, Spellings stated that the president wants all school districts across the country to change their restrictions on the number of public charter schools allowed, giving school districts, like the Chicago schools, the ability to convert as many failing traditional schools to charters as they wish.

Chicago schools' see this as a positive move. Over the years, they have aggressively pursued the conversion of failing schools to charters. The Chicago schools currently have 29 of their allowed 30 charter schools in place and running. With a current 185 low performing schools, the Chicago schools' officials see conversion to public charter schools as a possible solution to improve the schools' performance. Otherwise, their only option is to make major staff changes, since they can only convert one more traditional school to charter under current state guidelines.

Chicago schools' officials believe that more drastic interventions are required to make these failing schools successful. Charters within the Chicago schools have more freedom over their curriculum, budgeting and scheduling than traditional schools do. They also have more accountability to the Chicago schools.

Opponents to the Bush Administration proposal for changing the state's public charter school cap believe the president is going too far. Legislators involved in drafting Illinois' cap are some of those opposed to the proposal. The state's teachers' union also is against the proposal.



Representative Monique Davis, who is a Democrat representing Chicago (and the Chicago schools) and vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, stated in response to the proposal that the legislators of Illinois believe, as many others across the nation, that charter schools still are in the experimental stage. Expansion of the number of public charter schools should be held back until they prove themselves as a viable and successful alternative for the future. They just are not there yet.

Regardless of what the Illinois legislators believe, the proposal will soon be in Congress. If the bill passes, it takes the matter out of state hands, since the federal government can impose whatever mandates they desire when contributing federal funding to schools. This means the Chicago schools' officials may soon be able to enact some serious interventions for their 185 low performing schools. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Chicago schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/illinois/chicago/index.html ]]> Public Versus Private New Orleans Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-versus-private-new-orleans-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-versus-private-new-orleans-schools#comments Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:20:01 +0000 new orleans public schoolsgoing to new orleansunscathedart computer labsfingers crossedhurricane katrinaprivate school http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-versus-private-new-orleans-schools private school and have to send their kids to public schools and keep their . For still yet others, scrimping and saving to send little Johnny and Suzie to private school is their top priority. Sure, for most private schools, there are lots of benefits: smaller class sizes, a wider array of programs available such as Latin or Montessori, and the quality of amenities the school has to offer (pool, track, state-of-the-, etc=85) are all examples.

But what about cities like New Orleans? There, they have to rebuild their school systems from the ground up; wiped everything out, schools included. Even if New Orleans Schools had made it through the storm , for a time there were no students to attend them. The city has a unique opportunity to restructure their entire New Orleans Schools educational system; what an exciting prospect!

Dividing up the area into two districts, the public sector of New Orleans Schools is working to not only get schools going again, but to also make sure that they are doing it right. Feeling that this division of management will allow for more flexibility throughout the city, leaders are working to ensure that all students who return to public New Orleans Schools will get the chance to continue in their educational careers. For students whose families are sending them to , this restructuring is a beacon of hope. Their children may get the chance to continue learning, and they will do so in newer, safer environments. Their lives have been torn apart by wind and rain; they've lost their homes and their livelihoods. They deserve the consistency that Schools can, hopefully, provide.

For some families, enrolling their children in a private New Orleans Schools is the decision they've made for their students. The rebuilding of an entire city is a great way for private New Orleans Schools to get a foothold in the city. While the public schools must work through the bureaucracy to get things done, private schools must go before their board of directors and perhaps the building permit office in order for changes to occur. Definitely a shorter process, it allows for private New Orleans Schools to open their doors to students. Not only are churches and private institutions leaders of private New Orleans Schools, corporations and groups of parents are getting together to form charter schools. For many families, these quasi-public New Orleans Schools are the way to go. They can choose which school philosophy works for them, which ones they can afford to attend, and go from there.

So, whether you choose private New Orleans Schools or public ones, you and your family have options. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Louisiana/New-Orleans/index.html ]]> Number Of Charter Schools Increasing Over Traditional Tampa Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools#comments Thu, 26 Jul 2007 03:15:01 +0000 public charter schoolscharter schoolfirst chartergovernor jeb bushtraditional schoolsstudent test scoresapproaches http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools governor Jeb Bush co-founded the first within the state of Florida, when most educators across the nation thought of charter schools as nothing more than a fad. Now, there are more than 350 charter schools within the state of Florida; there are 38 across the Tampa Bay area with several in the Tampa Schools area =97 private and public. The movement has mushroomed across Florida with charter school enrollment expected to top 100,000 students this year.

Yet, if you ask the average adult on the street, most have no idea what a charter school is. Though many charter schools are private businesses that operate under the guidelines of the state school board, many were converted to and still under the direction and control of the school districts, such as the Tampa schools.

Charter schools are given more flexibility from many of the regulations that apply to the traditional Tampa schools in exchange for greater accountability. Charter schools can be as different as day and night in their mission, vision for their students, to curriculum and teaching methods, and administrative structures, as well as their overall philosophy.

Each charter within the Tampa schools area must prove that their students are continuously improving academically from year to year. If they fail (indicated by on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)), they are closed.



Any individual or business that wishes to create a charter school can. Successful new approaches to education by some charter schools are copied by others. The primary philosophy of these schools, however, is that one curriculum and one way of doing things is not correct for every student.

The success of the charter schools within the Tampa schools' area has forced the Tampa schools' leadership and educators to re-evaluate their traditional schools, giving students and parents more educational choices from which to choose.

Clearly no longer just a fad, the Tampa schools lose many students (and the funding that goes with each student) to charter schools each year, and the numbers are on the increase. The Tampa schools now have 12 public charter schools converted from their traditional schools. Ten are lower grade levels and two are secondary. A few have middle school grades included.

Charter schools within the Tampa schools' area, as well as across the nation, continue to produce mixed results. Since their inception in Florida, 78 have closed, and nearly 30 percent were in the red financially a few years ago. Charters traditionally average 11 percent less funding per student, and their students generally score slightly lower on the FCAT, though they are improving.

Most charters within the Tampa schools' area have a greater proportion of minority students than the traditional schools. Many are located within the inner city communities, where all schools face their biggest challenges. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Tampa schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/florida/tampa/index.html ]]> New York City Schools Include Charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:35:01 +0000 charter schoolscharter schoolopen charternew york cityphilanthropiststraditional public schoolsstudent performance goals http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters s have been formed. For many Schools families, charters appear to be the way to go.

Virtually anyone concerned with the state of New York City Schools can open a charter school. Parents, teachers, principals (whether they are from public New York City Schools or private ones), community leaders, and nonprofit organizations are all examples of the types of folks who schools in response to a perceived lack in quality public education.

But what is a charter school, anyway? Most people have heard about them, but are unclear or confused as to what they are, exactly. Charter schools are created by a contract (or "charter") with the New York City Schools system. They are held to the same standards as more , but operate with a greater autonomy than regular schools within the system. The purpose of the charter school is to offer new resources, personnel and ideas to education, as well as to give the families of New York City Public Schools a greater choice.

Charter schools are under the umbrella of the New York City Schools district, and are held directly accountable for meeting specific . If the charter school fails to meet these criteria, their charter can be revoked or not renewed. In return for these higher standards, these schools are exempt from New York City Schools regulations such as curriculum development, staffing, and budget.

There are 6 reasons why numbering charter schools among the options for families with children attending New York City Schools is a good idea. Charter schools have unique educational goals that are innovative and desirable:

- Charter schools within the districts of New York City Schools are responsible for increasing the learning opportunities and achievement of all students, most especially high-risk students =96 ones in danger of dropping out or who have a low reading ability, for example.

- These special New York City Schools also encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods. Within the confines of the traditional public school classroom, teachers have fewer options with how they go about their jobs. Simple issues such as class size or available resources can considerably tie their hands.

- Charter schools obviously provide a greater amount of choice for parents and students of New York City Schools.

- Also, charter schools can provide motivated educators with the means to pursue their beliefs and ideas.

New York City Schools strive to offer its students the best possible education, and the choice of attending a charter school is one way to do so. Charter schools can offer their children a wider variety of opportunities. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/New-York/New-York-City/index.html ]]> Public School Rankings http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-school-rankings http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-school-rankings#comments Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:34:59 +0000 public school rankingscore academicsforest firessapsuckersu s armyopen doorsexcellent school http://www.artwoo.com/article/public-school-rankings forest fires!" Well, let's add another one, shall we? "It's important for YOU to consider !" when considering a move to a new city or state.

Yellow-Bellied =96 This is not some new teaching technique, but points to something unique. Public School Rankings can show you which schools have something different to offer, and how well they do so compared to other similar programs. While you should never choose a school for your child based solely on the fact that it is unique and out-of-the-box, schools that rank high in Public School Rankings and that have unique, diverse programs in place indicate that they are concentrating on ensuring the best possible education they can give.

Looking at Public School Rankings will also give you valuable information on how well these schools are performing in . Test scores are a big part of Public School Rankings, and high scores will definitely show which schools have students who are earning high marks. A unique program at an situated near the top of a Public School Rankings may be just what you are looking for, so don't forget to consider where the school in question falls in Public School Rankings .

=96 Preparing yourself with information gathered by studying Public School Rankings of schools in the area you are considering will help out when you tour schools and visit classrooms. Principals and teaches will appreciate your knowledge about how their school has performed in Public School Rankings , but be sure not to come off as a know-it-all about the school you are visiting. Coming to the school informed with the school's placement in Public School Rankings will show that you are interested in the school you are considering, and that you will make sure to be a partner with educators in the schooling of your child.

Updated Information =96 Researching the Public School Rankings in the city or state you are thinking of moving to is simply logical. While it's good to talk to other parents in the area you are heading for, keep in mind that they can only speak from their own experiences. I once had a teacher tell me not to place my daughter in our school's gifted program because her brother hated it; and she was a grandmother! Her experience and information was outdated, to say the least. Word of mouth is indeed a valuable tool to determine which schools are good, but don't discount the information you'll get from Public School Rankings. These rankings are an unbiased report on how a school is performing.

And don't forget, only YOU can choose the school (based in part on Public School Rankings ) that is best for your child! Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/index.html ]]> What Can The Washington DC Schools Teach Us? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-the-washington-dc-schools-teach-us http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-the-washington-dc-schools-teach-us#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:15:02 +0000 washington dcdc schoolsschool vouchersracial achievement gapironicallyextreme povertyexacerbate http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-the-washington-dc-schools-teach-us extreme poverty, the Public Schools face a struggle that epitomizes the state of education in this country. While the elite and affluent live in the best districts, or send their children to private schools, many students in the Washington, function in poverty and need.

Why does this matter? The discrepancy between the haves and have-nots in the Washington, DC Schools mimics that which has led to the glaring in the country. Recently, studies reporting on the gap percentages in all states have gotten a lot of attention. Also, reports on the correlation between income and achievement have received a lot of press. Although I don't think any jaws are dropping; the question for Washington, DC schools isn't if poverty leads to low achievement, it's what to do about it.

Methods in the Washington, DC Schools

The initiatives that the Washington, DC Schools implement are an important barometer for the rest of the schools in the country. If efforts work, they will be duplicated. If they fail, it is a cause for concern, and considered a waste of money. Vouchers are one big issue. Due to declining enrollment in the Washington, DC public schools, and a desire to offer school choice to low-income students, a federal program offering $7,500 was offered to needy students in the Washington, DC Schools.

Not everyone is fond of this method because they are afraid it will actually encourage more students to leave the Washington, DC Schools for charter or private schools. Many feel this could degrade the quality of the system. , this is the same concern when affluent and educated families leave the public school system. The Washington, DC Schools loose both per pupil funding and the most involved parents when this happens. Vouchers may the situation.

However, this may be just the thing to motivate schools to improve. Just like in business, competition can be a good thing.

Needed Construction in Washington, DC Schools

Washington, DC Schools are also a mirror to the nation is in terms of adequate space and buildings. As old schools deteriorate, the district is challenged to renovate them. Recently, this became a focus of the district. 120 schools are either being renovated or built at this time. Part of the effort involves reconfiguring these Washington, DC Schools for better efficiency. For instance, feeder 6-8 middle schools are being put on campuses with the appropriate high school. The location of administrative offices and special education facilities are being reconsidered to make better use of the space, and to better meet the children's needs. Other districts around the country are following the results of these changes closely. The successes and failures of the Washington, DC Schools will have consequences felt by a lot of students in the nation. Washington DC Public Schools Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Washington-DC/Washington-DC/index.html ]]> New Orleans Schools Reach Out To Parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-orleans-schools-reach-out-to-parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-orleans-schools-reach-out-to-parents#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:15:01 +0000 city of new orleansparents guideincome parentshurricane katrinapublic educationmapsachievement gaps http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-orleans-schools-reach-out-to-parents city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Schools. Inner city and racial that had been ignored before were impossible to ignore once the districts had to be rebuilt. The biggest challenge in rebuilding the New Orleans Schools seems to reflect the overall problem with in the United States. While everyone seems to have an opinion, no one really knows the best way to educate our children.

Helping Parents Adapt to the New Orleans Schools

Many former students of the New Orleans Schools are still scattered in other cities around the nation. But for those who returned to the emerging new system, the past school year has been confusing and often frenzied. Low- and parents with little education are rarely comfortable in academic settings. But these are the people who the New Orleans Schools need to reach out to most.

A coalition of community groups has come together to create a parents' guide to the new New Orleans Schools. The New Orleans Parents' Guide to Public Schools contains a ton of information on the school options available, how to obtain lost documents, childcare, and picking the best school for your child.

The guide lists all 69 of the new New Orleans Schools, , photos, how to register, and transportation for each. The goal of the guide is two-fold. First, it aims to make parents more comfortable with the New Orleans Schools. Second, it tries to make accessing the information they need as convenient as possible. A list of locations where parents of children in the New Orleans Schools can pick up the book is available at http://www.nolaparentsguide.org .

The book's editor, Aesha Raheed, said, "Empowering all of our families is a critical step for us to redesign public education in New Orleans. We're focused on student achievement and academic outcomes. We have an opportunity to push us in that direction. We're redefining what the expectations of public education are... and making sure our students get the best education they can."

Challenges of Low Income Populations

Educators in New Orleans Schools are intimately familiar with the challenges of educationing "at-risk" populations. Children who come from poverty, who have poorly educated parents, or absent parents, or live in dangerous environments, are more likely to suffer from attention issues, undiagnosed learning disabilites, and to struggle in school. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, many of these children in the New Orleans Schools are now dealing with post-traumatic shock issues as well.

The one unexpected benefit of the devastating hurricane is that the New Orleans Schools are being rebuilt from the ground up. Administrators, educators, and parents of the New Orleans Schools district are creating new public schools, charter schools and other initiatives designed to provide all children with adequate public education. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Louisiana/New-Orleans/index.html ]]> How To Find The Most Affordable Nashville Tennessee Home Loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans#comments Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:27:08 +0000 tennessee home loansnashville tennesseemortgage brokerbuying a housetime consumingmoney in your pocketfighting traffic http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans Tennessee home loans, you already know how difficult and that can be. Let's face it, this is one big city and there are a lot of real estate professionals out there, all vying for your business.

But does it have to be this way? Does it have to be time consuming and even confusing? The answer is no.

Rather than investing hour upon hour as you attempt to visit one after another, you can now use the Internet to find the best broker that can service your account. It is not as hard as it may appear. Not if you begin with a few thoughts in mind.

First of all, and this is important, when you begin searching for a mortgage broker make sure that you work with one who has years of experience in securing the best and most affordable home loans. There is a reason why this experience is important to you as a buyer. Companies with years of experience will most often have more access to different programs and options. What this means to you is a wider choice of options, and that can mean real savings, in real dollars, each and every month. There is little argument that for most families and individuals alike, is the biggest investment that they will make in their lifetime.

Every increase in the rate that you agree to is more money out of your pocket each month. Likewise, every decrease in rate that you agree to is more each month. The only way to move between these two is through having a wide choice of options from different lending agencies, and that is where your mortgage broker comes in. Experienced brokers will have access to many more options than the newer brokers when it comes to offering the best Nashville Tennessee home loans.

Second, it is important to find a broker who will be there when you need to ask questions or have something explained to you. Just because they are accessible through online methods does not release them from the responsibility of having a real person available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Look for a company that offers a toll-free phone number that is manned during normal business hours. They should also have an email address for you to use, but you want phone access, as well.

Third, make sure the broker offers several programs. Not everyone has perfect credit and that should not necessarily keep you out of the market. If your credit is less than perfect, look for a broker who can work with you.

One great place to begin is with The Mortgage Depot at http://www.tmdloan.com, where you can find a lot of useful information on Nashville Tennessee home loans. Visit today to learn more. http://www.tmdloan.com is a Nashville Tennessee Home Loan lender with many years of experience in the industry. ]]> Magnets In The St. Louis Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools#comments Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:15:01 +0000 public education systemmagnet programsmagnet schoolsmagnet programmagnet schoollanguage immersionlottery system http://www.artwoo.com/article/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools s are both alternatives to the traditional model of St. Louis Schools.

St. Louis Schools offer charters, independently run institutions, as one version of school choice. The problem with charter schools anywhere is that you never know what you're going to get. Various local and national organizations run charter schools, and their success rates have been all over the board. I'd recommend that any parent looking at a charter in the St. Louis Schools only do so if it already has a good success rate, or you know families who are happy with it.

How are Magnet Schools Different from Charter Schools?

St. Louis Schools also has a wide spread . A magnet school is one with a specific focus like math and science, or . It's common for a magnet school to be housed inside a larger school, but they can also be independent. Unlike a charter school, a St. Louis Schools magnet is fully part of the and must abide by all the same rules. While this does mean some consistency, it also means some challenges.

The other difference is that students are accepted in a St. Louis Schools magnet by a . There are some groups that get preferences: continuity with another school, siblings who attend, and neighborhood kids are the top three. This can cause some problems as students clamor to get into the most popular St. Louis Schools .

One of the biggest benefits to the St. Louis Schools magnet programs is that you tend to get a high level of parent involvement because parents have to take action to get their children into these programs. If a parent really wants his or her child in a Montessori or Arts magnet, they're more likely to be involved once the child is enrolled.

Now this can be a sticky point with St. Louis Schools magnet programs. The reasons that magnets were developed were to encourage desegregation by luring better educated families into inner-city schools. So a lot of the St. Louis Schools magnets aren't in the best locations. But many parents decide that the program offered is important enough to make the commitment. Usually neighborhood students have the options to attend the magnet in their area. But the magnet system has caused some controversy as far as who gets into what school.

Overall, I think the St. Louis Schools magnet system is a great piece of the educational picture. I would encourage parents to look at programs like the athletic magnet aimed at middle school students, the engineering program, and the international studies magnet. This is a good way to introduce a child to a specific skill set that will set him or her apart from peers in future years. And despite the struggles of the St. Louis Schools, the magnets are generally well run, and worth looking into. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Missouri/Saint-Louis/index.html ]]> Baltimore Schools Lose In Court -- Ruling Favored Charter Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools#comments Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:27:05 +0000 baltimore schoolsreiteratedstudent chartervaguelyvastpatterson parkcity neighbors http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools City Neighbors and Public, two charter schools in Baltimore, appealed the ' per student funding formula to the state board. The board ruled in their favor, and the Baltimore schools appealed the board's decision in the Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's second highest court. Early this month, the court ruled in favor of the charter schools, requiring Maryland school systems to spend as much money per student at charter schools as they spend at their traditional schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded, but they operate independently under contracts with local school boards. Of the 24 charter schools in the state of Maryland, 17 are located in the Baltimore schools system.

The Baltimore schools' per student funding formula differs between their traditional schools and charter schools. Traditional schools receive the equivalent of approximately $11,000 per student. Charter schools receive $5,859 per student in cash, with the remainder received in services provided to the schools by the Baltimore schools system, such as special education and food. City Neighbors and Patterson Park Public contend that this formula limits their ability to choose how to provide services to their students, and the court agreed.

After the court handed down its ruling, the Baltimore schools board met in executive session, issuing a worded statement. It that the Baltimore schools remain a strong supporter of charters schools, but believe the recent court ruling will hurt the traditional schools by imposing a financial hardship on the majority of them. The statement further noted that the ruling could result in traditional schools receiving less per student funding than the charter schools. Additionally, the statement said that the board is fully committed to complying with the law, but it leaves open the possibility of an appeal by stating that the Baltimore schools board "feels obligated to fully consider its legal options."

After the statement was released, City Neighbors board President Bobbi Macdonald stated that they were not asking for more money, only equity within the Baltimore schools system. City Neighbors attorney Will DuBois underscored the fact that both the state board and the court agreed on a funding model that achieves the parity sought by the two charter schools.

The charter schools hope to meet with the Baltimore schools to discuss the court's ruling. They would like to move forward with the Baltimore schools board toward the interest of all Baltimore schools students. Meanwhile, the Baltimore schools board Chairman Brian D. Morris stated that the Baltimore schools currently is analyzing the financial impact of the court's ruling. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Baltimore schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Maryland/Baltimore/index.html ]]> Minneapolis Public Schools Lose Students To Charter Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/minneapolis-public-schools-lose-students-to-charter-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/minneapolis-public-schools-lose-students-to-charter-schools#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:25:01 +0000 minneapolis schoolsblack studentsminneapolis public schoolsplummetedcharter schoolslurchbarely http://www.artwoo.com/article/minneapolis-public-schools-lose-students-to-charter-schools Minneapolis Schools

Minneapolis schools are being faced with the prospect of empty school buildings as more and more students flee the system to in the district. Minneapolis schools' enrollment figures have to just 36,000 this year - that's almost half its capacity of 50,000 students. Schools in the north side have felt the pinch the hardest with a 44 percent drop in enrollment over the past five years. All indications are that there is no stemming this tide and Minneapolis schools have already announced plans to close 5 schools leaving more than 2000 students in the , desperately scrambling to find new schools.



The Exodus of Blacks and Minorities from Minneapolis Schools

A bulk of the students that chose to leave belongs to high poverty black neighborhoods and other minority communities. The statistics reveal a strong yet disturbing trend. In the '99-'00 academic year, more than 48,000 sought admission in Minneapolis schools. Compare this to the bleak picture painted for 2008 when enrollment from black students is expected to touch 33,500.



Most black students prefer to enroll at charter schools in the district which have perceived higher standards than public Minneapolis schools. This problem of "black flight" is, authorities agree, a serious problem for Minneapolis schools. Surveys in the African American community show that black parents in general tend to be dissatisfied with the quality of education in Minneapolis public schools. Not that they have any reason to feel differently. In 2005, barely 29 % of black students in the eighth grades in Minneapolis schools managed to pass basic math tests and just 47% could manage to scrape through the reading tests. Graduation rates for black students at Minneapolis schools were some of the lowest at fifty percent.

Besides blacks, Asian students are joining the growing movement out of Minneapolis schools.

Moves to Stem the Tide at Minneapolis Schools

The success of charter schools can be traced to a number of factors. School sizes are smaller, and it is generally believed that teaching staff are more in tune with students' requirements and are better able to meet these needs. Minneapolis schools have begun to realize that immediate steps have to be taken to avoid the current migration of students. School authorities have proposed initiatives that require schools in the district to offer additional emphasis on music, arts, and language besides improving their core academic curricula.

It's hoped that raising the bar on academic learning will stem the growing tide. Even if the schools do not succeed in attracting students back to their fold, one hopes that at the very least they will be able to stop students leaving in masses. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Minnesota/Minneapolis/index.html ]]>