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Current year’s school scores
This link at the North Beach School District web site defaults to a past year’s scores. Choose “select year” for the most recent test scores (or any previous years, back to 1996).
Here are the scores from the last two years (also will be in next week’s paper):
(Percentage of students in each class who tested at the
2009-10
Grade Level Reading Math Writing Science
3rd Grade 51.2% 46.5%
4th Grade 56.9% 47.1% 45.1%
5th Grade 58.6% 32.8% 17.2%
6th Grade 58.9% 60.7%
7th Grade 49.2% 32.2% 52.5%
8th Grade 46.0% 32.0% 36.0%
10th Grade 59.7% 28.3% 62.3% 38.1%
2008-09
Grade Level Reading Math Writing Science
3rd Grade 63.6% 56.4%
4th Grade 67.8% 35.6% 32.2%
5th Grade 74.5% 54.9% 19.6%
6th Grade 61.4% 45.6%
7th Grade 37.8% 31.1% 40.0%
8th Grade 50.7% 33.3% 34.3%
10th Grade 61.7% 27.7% 77.8% 11.6%
I think that’s 5 comments each, CAC and nursey, no more on this topic, please. You’ve both made your points, thank you.
Not following the law, as set forth in §104.34” (34 C.F.R. §104.34, Appendix A, #24) is violating the rights of all the other students. A failure to act, by placing the disruptive student in “in-school suspension” could and should lead the other parents to sue. Then the question you are putting forth can move through the system to resolve this issue. And yes, it is not the only problem. Drugs, poor parenting, and other issues contribute to the problem. Yet, this does not change the way the scores are determined. As I stated before, I suggested testing at the beginning of the class, at the end of the class, and therefore see if there has been some learning over the years. Also, testing at the start of each year tells the teacher where the student are. That way adjustments can be made to accomodate that. Also, following a class over the years gives parents awareness of their child’s performance and skill levels. If they only test randomly for each subject area, the parent is unaware of the need for additional help. That is the point of these tests. Student progress is the goal.
Cutting and pasting quotes from a website doesn’t clarify or inform as to what is actually ocurring. There is a difference between a 3 day suspension and expulsion from school. The reality is any school district that did expell a special needs student because of disrupting a class due to issues with their special needs, would lose the federal funding for that student as well as risk a lawsuit from his or her parents. Also, a special needs child that is disrupting a class because of his disability is not immediately removed from the class and transferred to another learning environment within the school. It takes time to evaluate and prove the need to remove the child from class and special steps have to be taken to ensure that childs rights are being protected. It could take 3/4 of the school year before a decision is made in regards to keepng the child in class or moving him or her to another learning environment. My point is in the mean time the regular students suffer and there is very little proof that the special needs child is any better off for staying in the regular classroom. Again I am not saying that all of a school districts lower scores are because of this I am only saying that I think it is ONE part of many problems facing the classroom of today. 40 years ago this was not an issue.
Just to clarify the Section 504 comments:
Will my child still be in the regular classroom or will he be in a “special class”?
A Section 504 eligible child will always be in the regular classroom unless (according to federal regulations): “… the student with a disability is so disruptive in a regular classroom that the education of other students is significantly impaired, then the needs of the student with a disability cannot be met in that environment. Therefore, regular placement would not be appropriate to his or her needs and would not be required by §104.34” (34 C.F.R. §104.34, Appendix A, #24).
Can my child still be disciplined under Section 504?
Yes. Children under Section 504 are still expected to follow the district’s student code of conduct. However, when disciplining a child under Section 504, schools must consider the relationship between the disability and the misbehavior if the child is going to be removed from the regular setting for longer than 10 days. This does not mean that a student with a disability cannot be sent to a discipline center or that they cannot go to in-school suspension, or be suspended from school for three days. Very strict guidelines exist for schools in discipline issues with students who have a disability under Section 504. Your campus or district 504 coordinator can assist you in this area should you have additional questions concerning the discipline of students with disabilities. Children having disabilities with behavioral components should have individual discipline plans as well as behavior intervention plans
Source: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/legal-rights/section-504.gs?content=868&page=3
I was previously edited so I will explain more fully:
No, students with disabilites that cause out bursts are not expelled for their disturbance. Regular mainstream students yes, students with an IEP etc. No, it is against federal law specifically Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
I am not saying this is the sole reason we are seeing lower scores from students in the North Beach School district but I do believe it is a component in the declining scores of students nation wide over the past 37 years since the “Inclusion Act” was implemented. If the school takes the federal money they have to play by the federal governments rules. If they expel that student they lose the federal funding that special needs student is bringing into the district.
Something needs to be done about the way schools are run from the federal government on down to the individual school districts. My whole point in commenting on the school scores was that this is not just an issue of teachers not making the grade. There is far more contributing to our declining student scores nationwide.
To Mark: Amen, I totally agree with you.
EDITED
The teachers blame the parents and the parents blame the teachers. Why not put the blame where it belongs, with the administrators that apparently don’t establish the right cirriculum and are paid the high salaries but do not know how to administrate?
I think the school district does have a choice in who they hire. They also have the ablility to advertise for the skills and education they desire. Therefore, the school district could be proactive and hire teachers that have the special ed training. Money does not automatically get you more. Many school districts are hampered by long term teachers that may have qualified based upon prior standards and needs but are inadequate for modern standards and needs. Yes, either the state or the school district could test the teachers. I am sure if there is a will there is a way to facilitate this. Now, when it comes to money, there are many people who want to enhance their skills and therefore go for education on their own dime. It happens all over the place. Just because the standards are raised it does not require the school district to pay for it. Many people in all walks of life take courses to advance themselves. Even the city has stopped paying for the education of employees. They may get more money if they have the extra degree, but the city is not paying for it. Many corporations are the same. As to working in the classroom, I was an adult educator. They are many times worse than the children. And yes, these students are expelled. You might want to check your facts on that. Disruptive students can be and are expelled. The alternative schools are there. WAC 392-121-182 Alternative learning experience requirements sets for the method. It is currently used in our school district for some of these students. It may take more effort, but the district can meet all the students’ needs. Those that are disruptive and those that are not.
Teachers with masters degree only have special education training if that is the course they are studying and being certified in. A master degreed teacher doesn’t necessarily equal a special ed trained teacher. I think it would be great if all of our teachers were master degreed, I think it is no coincidence that those school districts with more money also have more master degreed teachers. I also think it would be a great idea to yearly test the teachers. Who do you propose will be doing the test, the state? And then if the local teachers here prove their proficiency, then what?? No matter what it is going to involve more money into the school district isn’t it? To poo-poo the issue with inclusion is very easy for you to do. I challenge you to actually go into a classroom with these students and see for yourself. And no, these students are not expelled or put in other facilities if they are disruptive. With the inclusion act schools are not allowed to do that with children who have disabilities. What other facilities are you talking about????
I think the data here is over the last two years. One might also look at the data provided at: http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/SideBySide.aspx?schoolId=81&OrgTypeId=3&reportLevel=District&orgLinkId=81
Simply click on the down arrow and select a school district around us. Let’s choose Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Ocosta, and Montesano. All you do is hit go next to it. Then select the next district and hit go again. Compare the data. Compare the last line on the data. You will notice a significant difference. Yes, students may be disruptive in the classroom. Parents have less time to spend with their kids. However, not everyone had mom and dad at home. Many have stepped into the schools. However, when they do so it is usually to deal with a bullying issue. They also find that their visit is sanitized by school officials and carefully controlled. The issue of autistic children has replaced ADHD now. Before children simply hyperactive. Previous to taht there was dyslexia. Each generation has had some disorder identified or used to explain issues. Each generation has had their Dr. Spocks. The question here is only what the last few years of data show for our school and the schools around them. It also brings into question the quality of testing. Does the testing answer the question most parents want to know? That question is how Johnny or Susie are doing year over year. Their children. Did they learn anything this year? Yes, parents are to blame some too. However, our school district ranks at half the number of teachers with masters degrees compared to the school districts around us. It is that additional training that teaches them how to teach special education children. It teaches them methods to control a classroom. It teaches them the new methods and tools to engage the children. Maybe there should be annual teacher testing too. Let’s see how well they know the subjects they are teaching. It is not just the teachers. It is not just the parents. It is not just the students.
As to disruptive students, the system does allow for the suspension and expulsion of students. If they are throwing chairs and placing other students at risk, the system does place them in other facilities.
I am so sick and tired of ignorant people who haven’t even stepped in these schools let alone volunteered or helped out in the classrooms putting all the blame for poor results on the teachers and then comparing the scores to students 40 years ago. Alot has changed in 40 years. 40 years ago the majority of mothers were able to stay home with their kids full time as the husbands were the breadwinners. Mothers were there to help with homework and be involved in the PTA. Now we have a society were both parents are working sometimes 2 jobs each to make ends meet and time that 40 years previously that at least one parent would have had to go over homework and drill flash cards just isn’t there. We have some excellent teachers in this school system. Some are veteran teachers of 20 plus years. So comparing students results 40 years ago to today is like comparing apples to oranges. How about instead of spending your time blaming the teachers you actually go down to the school and volunteer some time to help the teachers out. Or yes, pay some more tax money so they can hire more teachers aides to help the special needs kids that are included in regular classrooms along with the “regular” kids, whether their disability disrupts the class daily and hinders the others learning or not. This is called “inclusion” and oh yeah, 40 years ago they didn’t have that. Do you realize or even have a clue how many autistic children we have in this school system, we are talking kids that are oblivious to those around them, who throw chairs and scream etc., have to be taught in the same classroom as the others and the teachers are required to try and teach them even though they are not special ed trained and most of their time is spent trying to get the kids back on task after they are constantly interrupted. Think about that the next time you put your blame on the teachers!!!!
Thank goodness for the trend toward internet schools! Did you know that we had that? I’m not sure what grades are covered. Of course it is still controlled by the state, but the idea will spread to all types of support groups, extracurricular interests, deeper studies, more ideas, progress..woo hoo!
Three quarters of 5th graders can read and 55 % can do math. All others are doing even worse than this.This is a very poor showing compared to 40 years ago. Do the 5th graders have the best teacher out of a very mediocre set?
The children are not to blame nor are the taxpayers who give millions to this school system and get such poor results for their money. What do the voters do? Do they bite the bullet and not vote any more money to this very poor school system that can spend money but not educate?
good point CAC
Now parents, look at the data year over year for your child. See if they are improving. The problem with how they present the data these days is that it shows the data by grade. They should show it by graduation class. That way you would see how you are progressing over the years. Here you have to keep going back to the previous years to see how your then 3rd grader did and then now your 4th grader did. You can have a smart 3rd grade one year and a lesser group the next year. Also, what happened to 9th grade. What happened with testing writing and science over the years? Testing at 5th grade and then at 8th grade leaves a real gap. The students should be tested when the arrive each year. Then they should be tested at the end of the year to see if they have improved. That would show achievement and teacher skills.