State Representative Josh Seigel and his fellow elected peers think that students shouldn't be expected to learn in old school buildings. Apparently the students at Oxford and Harvard didn't get Josh's message, and are still studying.
Our local team of elected state reps joined superintendent Birks in blaming state funding for Allentown's lack of educational performance. In recent years we were told the problem was that the top administrators were too white. It appears that since white is no longer the issue, it's now the lack of green.
Maybe Josh, Mike, Peter and Nick have to prioritize their pandering. Pennsylvania has plenty of money, and if they really think that's the school district's reason for failure, maybe a few less connected developers need less subsidizes. Maybe the state could do with a few less commissions, and their plum no-show job appointments.
As one gets older and reads the same nonsense year after year, decade after decade, I wonder how our elected officials keep a straight face when making such proclamations.
shown above Massachusetts Hall, Harvard University, built 1720
Yes, and Ivy League schools and other high academic institutions clearly demonstrate that CLASS SIZE really does affect learning success.
ReplyDeleteFor years, ASD has exceeded recommended state guidelines for maximum student/teacher ratios. Of all LV public schools, ASD’s students are most in need of more personalized instruction. Not enough positive role models in those homes.
Please! Decades ago a class sizes were much larger than they are today and the ASD was one of PA's best school district. Stop making excuses for failure, you only serve to perpetuate it. Demand and vote for competent leaders instead. Clearly theses are remedies Allentown voters fail to heed, they prefer excuses.
Delete6:31 - Don’t forget, decades ago, kids in the classroom were much more ready to learn. They were better supported at home, fed better, got more quality sleep, were far more in control of their behavior, respected rules, and felt shame in receiving lower grades. Add in a more common drug culture, sexual abuse and confusion.
DeleteASD kids, in majority, are FAR different than kids in Parkland, East Penn, etc. More one-to-one interactions with a responsible adult can help such kids.
I taught in ASD for more than 35 years, beginning in 1973. Now, retired.
I grew up going to a grade school that had in excess of 35 students in every class I had. All students were somehow able to learn and keep up.
DeleteWhat do I think the difference is?
First, the focus in the classroom was on the basics, and they were drilled into you until everyone knew and understood them. The only time things like pronouns mattered was in English class.
There was ZERO tolerance of anyone who disrupted class, and parents were kept informed of any violations. Also, parents were more involved than some are now.
Until public schools start holding students, teachers and parents accountable, expect the downward trend to continue. That’s not a hopeful message, as I think we all know that accepting accountability isn’t the current generation’s strong suit.
Want to know where ASD test scores are going? Look no further than places like Baltimore and Philadelphia. They’ve already made every mistake that ASD will try to implement over the next two decades. That’s the future unless we change it.
Focus on the basics - reading, writing and arithmetic. Save the political indoctrination for after graduation.
I taught school in Allentown in 1966. Amen to the comments describing classrooms many
Deleteyears ago. Teaching at that time was a profession that was
revered earning $5000 a year.
While the ASD and some state politicians want to waste money on new buildings, I saw the Allentown Police Department will be wasting money on new paint jobs for their vehicles.
ReplyDeleteI’ve supported the APD forever, but this bad move is it for me.
I better not hear a peep from the Police Chief at budget time about needing more money for ANYTHING. And where is the Mayor and City Council (some who are former cops) to stop this wasteful spending?
If these are their priorities, I’m out.
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/allentown-police-department-unveils-new-patrol-vehicle-design/article_ac5ce17e-3ac1-11ee-9c38-8f4bdd224e5a.html
I drive my child to Catholic school every day. Her school day starts before the ASD schools do, and her school day ends a little after ASD schools are leaving out.
ReplyDeleteInstead of more money for buildings, why not propose making the school day longer for underperforming ASD schools? Right now, that's pretty much all of them.
An extra half hour a day (focusing on the basics) would equate to an extra 90 HOURS of learning each year (assuming a 180-day school year). An extra hour a day would mean an extra 180 HOURS for the school year.
Would an extra 90 to 180 hours a year to focus on the basics help to improve test scores? In a competent district it would.
Take it even a step further: Tie the length of the school day to how students perform. That's a tremendous incentive for students, teachers, and in-school administrators to improve student performance. Set a standard to reach and reward the schools that meet it.
I have a feeling that suddenly there would be a lot of suggestions and effort at making sure kids are learning something useful and performing to their potential.
The point is that it's time to try something besides the same lame proposals that have failed elsewhere. More money for new schools won't make a difference. More time learning will.
Some years back I remember the proposal to take the worst trouble making students and put them in their own special school where their special needs could be met so as not to take away the valuable teaching time from those who wish to learn. Seemed to make sense to me, but after the uproar from the parents of the troubled students and student friends of same the plan was quickly shelved. Until we have an administration with the morals to stand up for what will actually help the students instead pandering for votes from the vocal few ASD will continue to be a horror show.
ReplyDelete