Montana Schools Doing Well

Here's some good news for you, Matt (0.00 / 0)

Moving in the right direction at least.  That is at least until Congress fails that as well, or the Supremes overturn it.

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by: Rob Kailey @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 22:23:06 PM UTC

This is a joke, right? (0.00 / 0)

See: http://data.opi.mt.gov/WebRepo...

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by: Craig Moore @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 22:54:58 PM UTC

Ummm (0.00 / 0)

Warning: mssql_query(): Query failed in D:WebReportCardimprovementstatus.php on line 69
REQUEST FAILED! Search failed on first query or first table. Please contact technical support.

Care to try that link again?

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by: Rob Kailey @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 23:17:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Link correction (0.00 / 0)

The direct link doesn't work.  Go here:  http://opi.mt.gov/ReportCard/

For Report Type select "Improvement Status"

Select Report Level "State"

Hit the report create button.

Those results are NOT doing well.

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by: Craig Moore @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 23:19:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, and this is why we should be pursuing Race to the Top (0.00 / 0)

Disclaimer:  I can only speak for myself as a school board trustee, not the other 5 trustees, nor the district.

I must say that I was very disappointed to read yesterday in the Missoulian that OPI chose not to compete for the first round of the Race to the Top grant program being administered by the Department of Education.  This grant would have brought $25 - $75 million into the state education system, in exchange for some changes to how we run our schools (merit pay, curriculum standards, another attempt to turn around failing schools).

Now, IF these results really are Montana "doing well", and if you include other recent achievements like all day kindergarden or increasing the ANB money (which still isn't enough) then we would be competitive for the Race to the Top grant.  Our school could certainly use the extra money, and most of the changes the program mandates are changes that are needed anyway.  

Yes we're doing better. But our OPI Superintendent chose to sit this round out instead of using every available resource improve schools.  This is a failing we should not accept.  

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by: Farmer Lawyer @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 01:59:05 AM UTC

Is this Bobo Nasalsound in disguise? (0.00 / 0)

Sorry, pal, but you're a moron!  There ARE no schools in Montana that need "turning around", bozo!  Now, YOU claim to be on a school board, mr. liarywer. SO, big fella, tell us just WHERE your school is failing!  You see, I think you're full of sh*t.  Put up or STFU!  WHERE is YOUR  school failing that it needs turning around?  Merit pay?  Get real.  Montana is NOT alone in rejecting this crap because the LAST thing Montana schools need is MORE federal control! We kinda LIKE our local control of schools. Where are you from????? Obviously not Montana.  For if you were, you'd know our schools are doing just fine.  YOU are a "failing that we should not accept", a moron with an agenda!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 03:16:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

? (0.00 / 0)

Really?  With your background you couldn't come back to Farmer's comment with something reasoned and logically explained?

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by: jhwygirl @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 05:36:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I thought I did! (0.00 / 0)

I have been in probably thirty schools in Montana.  And you know what?  I have seen NONE that are "failing"!  So yes, that makes this fella a moron with an agenda.  When pat robertson ran for prez and lost, the rightwing re-grouped and re-assessed their strategy.  They decided that they had started to big. They decided that they needed to start small and grow.  School boards were one of their primary targets. Up to that point, only concerned parents interested in seeing their kids have a decent school were the only ones who ran for school board.  But after the robertson loss, the rightwing moron crowd attacked local elections with vengeance.

And THAT is what I suspect this fella's all about.  A rightwinger with an agenda.  They have NO interest in public education.  In fact, their ultimate motive is to have it abolished.  Hence, all the inferences that there is something terribly wrong with education in Montana.  Well, there's not.  It's just fine.  We don't NEED any "race to the top".

And merit pay?  That's a joke.  That'd be like paying a coach based upon how many wins he has during a season.  It's stupid.  It's nonsensical.

So, I asked this fella a very reasonale question.  He CLAIMS to be on a school board, and he SEEMS to imply that his school needs "turning around".  So, I want to know specifically WHERE his school is failing!  Is that so wrong?

And while he's at it, he could EXPLAIN in specific detail his method for basing pay on merit.  HEY, if he's gonna make the accusations, the reades MERIT a worthy response. But  I  don't think mr. liarwyer's got one in'im!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 05:54:53 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Larry try this (0.00 / 0)

Go to:  http://opi.mt.gov/ReportCard/

Scroll down a bit.  Now choose any of the various schools that serve primarily Native American children.  Create various reports given the options.  When I did it I was not impressed with the results that these schools were doing well.  Perhaps they are doing a tad better, but the overall performance is a disgrace that needs addressing without the wishful thinking.  

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by: Craig Moore @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 15:40:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

? (0.00 / 0)

Wow, Mr. LK, such vitriol.  You've always struck me as a bright man, but you sir need to lay off the sauce. I must say that if you are a product of 30 public schools then we certainly have problems - starting with vocabulary and civility.  If you were one of my kids, talking to a stranger like that, you'd be sent to bed early with no supper and you'd be banned from blogging for a week.  Should you reconsider your attitude, I will accept your apology - otherwise you can stay in the dark about where I am a trustee.

Secondly, I've campaigned for many Democrats (but not exclusively) in local, statewide and national elections.  I'm a trustee in the same school I grew up in.  So get off your milk crate and lose your holier than thou attitude and remember that just because you disagree with someone, it doesn't make him your enemy.

Next, don't put words in my mouth.  Maybe you didn't learn to read well during your schooling but I said our schools are "doing better" - and I stand by that.  Nowhere did I say schools are failing. Let me be clear, I'm not implying that our schools need turning around, I'm saying our schools need a course correction.  I maintain that our Democrat OPI Super chose not to pursue additional money that would help in that effort, and we as Democrats, as parents and as voters should be questioning that choice.

Now, you claim that our schools are doing just fine.  Well unless your school happens to be Coal Strip or Hellgate, then you're clearly ignoring the funding insufficiency at the core of these matters.  Our school has cut its budget annually for the last 3 years, we've cut classes, we've cut extracurriculars, cut teaching positions, field trips, and more.  This only hurts our students, as their experience becomes more limited, their world narrows and they become less competitive for future educational and career opportunities.  

Our school, more than anything, has slipped into the same ambivalence of your argument.  We don't expect excellence, we accept mediocrity.  Only 30% of our 10th graders passed the math CRT, but "that's okay, the test is irrelevant".    

And you speak of local control, but wake up, there's barely any local control left.  Between the union and the superintendent, very few seismic changes can be made without their consent.  Sure we can hire a new basketball coach, but the truly meaningful changes come only with their agreement.  I'll give you an example: last year a 4-day a week was considered as a cost saving measure.  Our administration and our union were both greatly in favor of this move.  But to me, this seemed like a step in the wrong direction.  Our kids need more school, not less.  I was willing to explore a 4-day week if it was joined with changing the calendar to a year round schedule.  That set off a firestorm and the talk was shut down immediately.  The same was true of curriculum changes (which are run by the consortium), funding changes (by our legislators), and policy changes (worded, framed and implemented by administration).  We wouldn't be giving up anything for the Race to the Top program; it's already been given away.

You want me to address merit pay - I'll do so simply: in no other profession can you continually perform poorly year after year and still get a raise.  Similarly, we have teachers who work 12-14 hour days, work weekends and holidays in a backbreaking effort to pull up those who've fallen down, and to challenge those who are ahead - with only recognition as a reward.  They shouldn't be making $40k a year, they should be making $100k a year.  But our school can't afford to pay them that.  Maybe with some of Race to the Top money we could.    

Mr. LK, you have a fire in you that burns brightly and I would welcome a respectful, lively discussion with you.  But your rage detracts from your argument - and unless you calm down I think you'll quickly find that no one is listening.  

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by: Farmer Lawyer @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 15:41:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mr. Farmer, (0.00 / 0)

I do sincerely apologize for my name calling.  I wrote in a moment of rage and outrage after reading the Supreme Court decision effectively creating a fascist state in this country.  I will return to the debate a little later, for in your second post there are some assumptions that are completely fals.  Until later.

LK

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 20:37:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I too am outraged (0.00 / 0)

And I appreciate your apology.  Plains, Montana - 2 years as a Trustee.  Step-parent of 2, father of 1.  

I await your response.

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by: Farmer Lawyer @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 21:19:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why am I not (0.00 / 0)

surprised? What a racist comment about American Indian and White students! But then her stated goal was to increase funding for American Indians at the expense of the rest of the State.

Did we not increase Mexican American students achievement? Or other Montana minorities? Or was it just those two races? I am sick and tired of all this racist BS!  

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by: MTLiberty @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 02:40:38 AM UTC

Quit with the fake outrage, jerkoff (0.00 / 0)

But then her stated goal was to increase funding for American Indians at the expense of the rest of the State.

I'll pay you a hundred dollars if you can produce one actual quote of Juneau actually saying that.

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by: Rob Kailey @ Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 05:15:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]