Another school program I don't know how I feel about.

[sbell111]

I wish that our school system had a program like this a hundred years ago when I was in school.

 

[RitaZ.]

Sounds like a good program to me.



In many cases the schools are forced to do too much. It's impossible to completely focus on the three Rs when Johnnie and Susie can't behave and don't have the skills necessary to succeed in the classroom and in life. Unfortunately "another group" doesn't exist for many students. The school environment is their only hope.

Absolutely!

I like to see people succeed, not fail. I don't like to see children being punished for their parents' mistakes. I think it's great that such a program is offered to at risk students. As long as one person cares, all hope is not lost. All it takes is one teacher to change a child's life.

I don't resent these children for having access to a free program. I think it's shameful to call them losers.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

That is 4 1/2 hours for 3 very important things. You have the kids for approximately 7 hours. 1/2 hour for lunch and you still have two left for science, history and a special. Piece of cake. I suspect the children will be abundantly better off to have that time to be physically active during the day. It should be interesting how it affects attention span, etc. You should be grateful for this rather than complaining about it.

Thank you for telling me how to do my job. Are you a teacher? Have you had classes in child development? You'd be surprised how quickly those minutes go by. The point is, they are taking away more and more of our instructional time, and yet we are expected to fit in the same amount of material. Add in the scheduled health screenings, required assessments, transition time (bathroom breaks, walking to and from specials, etc), counseling, etc. etc. and the time slips by before you know it. I'm not saying we need to take away recess completely, but at the rate our state is handing down these mandates, there will be no time left for true instruction.

In my classroom we are very active. My kids do all kinds of physical activities to learn, but that apparently does not count toward their 90 minutes a day. I do not appreciate being told what I should or should not be.

 

[Tink888]

OP - I understand exactly where you are coming from.
While I agree that at risk kids need intervention, it is once again irritating that the kids who do things right and the parents who do things right have no programs to boost them up or to help them get ahead and if they do they are rarely 3 days a week and almost never FREE.

Its all about the losers in society and the good kids are left to their own devices.

Wow! Nice way to label KIDS! Already they're losers huh? That's lovely.

OP I get what you're saying. Sometimes it does seem like a lot of school resources are directed at the students who struggle and there isn't anything for the students that don't have issues.

I don't have a problem with programs like this one though. If a school can offer something to target at-risk kids and help them succeed in school through additional tutoring, mentoring, etc, then I'm all for it. In the end it benefits not only that student, but the school, the other students and the community as a whole.

I'm fortunate that my kids don't need those programs and I'm able to provide them with not only my time, but the extra things as well. Not every kid has that, and most of the time, it's not the fault of the kid.

 

[Liberty Belle]

OP - I understand exactly where you are coming from.
While I agree that at risk kids need intervention, it is once again irritating that the kids who do things right and the parents who do things right have no programs to boost them up or to help them get ahead and if they do they are rarely 3 days a week and almost never FREE.

Its all about the losers in society and the good kids are left to their own devices.

Losers? We're still talking about children here, right?

 

[Gammaresource]

Thank you for telling me how to do my job. Are you a teacher? Have you had classes in child development? You'd be surprised how quickly those minutes go by. The point is, they are taking away more and more of our instructional time, and yet we are expected to fit in the same amount of material. Add in the scheduled health screenings, required assessments, transition time (bathroom breaks, walking to and from specials, etc), counseling, etc. etc. and the time slips by before you know it. I'm not saying we need to take away recess completely, but at the rate our state is handing down these mandates, there will be no time left for true instruction.

In my classroom we are very active. My kids do all kinds of physical activities to learn, but that apparently does not count toward their 90 minutes a day. I do not appreciate being told what I should or should not be.

I am a college professor who works with teaching students. Good enough for you? I will say again that I'd bet grant money that the school sees an improvement in behavior and those beloved test scores. As far as being told what to do, well get over it. There are guidelines in every job I can think of.

 

[LisaNJ25]

OP - I understand exactly where you are coming from.
While I agree that at risk kids need intervention, it is once again irritating that the kids who do things right and the parents who do things right have no programs to boost them up or to help them get ahead and if they do they are rarely 3 days a week and almost never FREE.

Its all about the losers in society and the good kids are left to their own devices.

Real nice attitude

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

OP - I understand exactly where you are coming from.
While I agree that at risk kids need intervention, it is once again irritating that the kids who do things right and the parents who do things right have no programs to boost them up or to help them get ahead and if they do they are rarely 3 days a week and almost never FREE.

Its all about the losers in society and the good kids are left to their own devices.

But isn't that the way it is all the way around? Default on a morgage and get a lower rate while the rest of us suckers pay what we contracted for. Pay on your credit card monthly and get slapped with a fee because you are too reliable. No car can;t afford one? Well we'll get you that and a cell phone free of charge (if you live in Ma). I know what the op is saying. As a teacher I see first hand that these programs are great but what about the kid who does not qualify? When do we give him somthing. Just becuase those of us can pay our bills and control our kids does not mean that we can pay for the little extras that might take a student to the next level. My son signed up for a Kaplan SAT program which was worth 800.00 at his hs which was being given away for free to 30 kids. I was not poor enough to get it for free or rich enough to afford it. So he lost out. It did not mean he did not need it or could not have benefitted from it. I live in both worlds and see that inequality comes in all forms. My son is working his ... (0ver 40 hours a week)off to go to a state school .....a HUGe state school and he is one of only 800 students who pay admission. OH and he is not living on campus like the subsidised kids...he cannot afford it and neither can I!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I am a college professor who works with teaching students. Good enough for you? I will say again that I'd bet grant money that the school sees an improvement in behavior and those beloved test scores. As far as being told what to do, well get over it. There are guidelines in every job I can think of.

I meant by you. Frankly, I think the state is wrong to step in and tell us that we have to be parents to our students- and yes, that is the message all the teachers at our schools are getting. However, we will make it work.

I also do think it's wrong for everything to be based on test scores that are affected by many factors that have nothing to do with the efficacy of the teachers or schools, but that's the model we have right now so we have to do the best we can. I was attempting to explain why these programs become necessary and why it is not as easy to address every single issue in the classroom like others have said.

 

[kellyg403]

I think it sounds like a good program. Not everyone comes from a good home. I am VERY thankful that I have been able to provide all the things my children have needed and then some, free or not.

I would think 'loser' is a pretty broad term for a pretty abundant amount of sad stories. My son has a friend whose parents, for a lack of better words, are addicted to drugs. He and is younger brother have been living with their grandmother who happens to be 75, a widow and living on a fixed income. Not too long ago I saw them in the store I work at and he was the most excited 12 yo on the planet. See, his grandmom had 11 dollars left on her foodstamp card and he got to use every penny to buy snacks for the trip to Busch Gardens with the chorus for a concert performance. Yes, he does have some issues and would qualify for the program you mention but a loser? Heck no..just given the rough shot at life. And I tell you another thing, this 'loser' child will be going on the 3 day 8th grade fieldtrip next year along with some spending money if he follows the rules courtesy of myself. I have never in my life ever come home and been more thankful at my lot in life no matter how rough some spots have been. To see a child like that sparkle for 11 dollars in food stamp money because that is all she had to give him.

I say kuddo's for a program targeted to children who need a little extra. Every one deserves a chance.

Kelly

 

[DizBelle]

Education comes from more then just multiplication and reading. Some of these kids - children with Special Needs, children with learning issues, children that come from less then stellar homes - sometimes just need a more positive experience.

If you do not have a positive opinion of yourself then no matter what you do - you never feel good about who you are and what you are learning. These are kids we are talking about here that are disadvantaged in some way.

For my child his entire school day just tells him that he is not good enough no matter how hard he tries. We have an after school program (that happens to be open to anybody) and what they do there has helped his self esteem a great deal.


People should be greatful that their child does not qualify and thankful that there are programs in place to help children feel better about themselves and education.

(bolding mine) Then why in the world are you keeping him in this school if it does nothing but tear him down?

From the OP:
Criteria to qualify to be in The Edge include:

The student has been retained in their school career.
The student failed two or more core classes in the previous school year.
The student has attendance issues that have significant impact on the student's success.
The student has behavior problems and referral issues.

So Johnny is told that if he passes all of his classes and doesn't have attendance or behavior issues that he won't get to come back to the program. How hard will Johnny try to pass and attend if he knows his sports, games, and arts and crafts will be taken away if he does? My guess is not very hard.

 

[sbell111]

But isn't that the way it is all the way around? Default on a morgage and get a lower rate while the rest of us suckers pay what we contracted for. Pay on your credit card monthly and get slapped with a fee because you are too reliable. No car can;t afford one? Well we'll get you that and a cell phone free of charge (if you live in Ma). I know what the op is saying. As a teacher I see first hand that these programs are great but what about the kid who does not qualify? When do we give him somthing. Just becuase those of us can pay our bills and control our kids does not mean that we can pay for the little extras that might take a student to the next level. My son signed up for a Kaplan SAT program which was worth 800.00 at his hs which was being given away for free to 30 kids. I was not poor enough to get it for free or rich enough to afford it. So he lost out. It did not mean he did not need it or could not have benefitted from it. I live in both worlds and see that inequality comes in all forms. My son is working his ... (0ver 40 hours a week)off to go to a state school .....a HUGe state school and he is one of only 800 students who pay admission. OH and he is not living on campus like the subsidised kids...he cannot afford it and neither can I!

Wow. That's some post. I can't tell if you are arguing that the program should be available for free to all students or that it shouldn't be available to any. Of course, either option would mean that it wasn't available to any because it would become too expensive if everyone was included. Therefore, I guess you are arguing that there should be no programs to help these kids.

If that's your argument, I disagree.

 

[sbell111]

(bolding mine) Then why in the world are you keeping him in this school if it does nothing but tear him down?

From the OP:
Criteria to qualify to be in The Edge include:

The student has been retained in their school career.
The student failed two or more core classes in the previous school year.
The student has attendance issues that have significant impact on the student's success.
The student has behavior problems and referral issues.

So Johnny is told that if he passes all of his classes and doesn't have attendance or behavior issues that he won't get to come back to the program. How hard will Johnny try to pass and attend if he knows his sports, games, and arts and crafts will be taken away if he does? My guess is not very hard.

My guess is that you are not understanding why Johnny is having the problems in the first place.

 

[Mom2Nick]

(bolding mine) Then why in the world are you keeping him in this school if it does nothing but tear him down?

From the OP:
Criteria to qualify to be in The Edge include:

The student has been retained in their school career.
The student failed two or more core classes in the previous school year.
The student has attendance issues that have significant impact on the student's success.
The student has behavior problems and referral issues.

So Johnny is told that if he passes all of his classes and doesn't have attendance or behavior issues that he won't get to come back to the program. How hard will Johnny try to pass and attend if he knows his sports, games, and arts and crafts will be taken away if he does? My guess is not very hard.

The school doesn't tear him down - he tears himself down. That is one of many things children of Special Needs face and one of many things parents and educators try and turn around.

 

[DizBelle]

My guess is that you are not understanding why Johnny is having the problems in the first place.

Believe me, I understand why Johnny is having problems in the first place.

 

[luvmy3]

This sounds like a great program as long as they get rid of everyother one put in place to help the same students that will take advantage of this one. Adding another program to the ones that don't work (if they did this won't wouldn't be needed) does nothing but drain taxpayer dollars away from other needed things.

 

[Pigeon]

Dh is a high school teacher, and his school is constantly having programs like this. They cost a great deal of money and other resources and produce marginal results.

I can certainly understand the desire to help kids who need help. I understand the desire to cut the drop-out rate. I can understand early and continued academic intervention. I can understand tutoring. I can understand summer school (which I think has great merit).

At some point in the equation, the kids need to want to learn something and they need to make a modicum of effort to do it. Otherwise, at the end of the day, these programs are both a distraction and a gigantic waste of resources. These programs tend not to change the fundamental problem at all.

 

[DizBelle]

There are also those parents that will "encourage" their child to fail two classes and will "engineer" excessive absences so they can get that free after school day care three days a week.

You CANNOT tell me that there won't at least be a few of these.

 

[mamacatnv]

They may be children but kids with behavior issues in many cases have made the decisions to not comply. Why should that be rewarded?

If the program was available to all students I have no issue but it's not. Its only available to those kids who cannot or will not behave, comply etc.

I know there are tons of hard luck stories out there and that kids have horrible living conditions, however, when did that become my problem to fix at the expense of my kids? No, I am not heartless I am trying to be realistic. Our society is not perfect and we cannot fix it by throwing money at it.

I also realize that a lot of this is driven by NCLB and is not necessarily an attempt to truly help these kids. It is all about the numbers and hey, I get that, the government tied the educators hands with NCLB but lets be honest, we are once again putting the needs of the problem children ahead of the needs of everyone else.

That to me as a parent is frustrating. My son has student loans because he is not poor or at risk or special needs or a minority or the child of someone who is poor or at risk....he is the child of middle class working parents whose college fund got slammed like everyone elses.

The system does not treat our children equitably and the "losers" get way more breaks, help etc. I don't happen to agree with this, I think it is wrong.

 

[Gammaresource]

That to me as a parent is frustrating. My son has student loans because he is not poor or at risk or special needs or a minority or the child of someone who is poor or at risk....he is the child of middle class working parents whose college fund got slammed like everyone elses.

The system does not treat our children equitably and the "losers" get way more breaks, help etc. I don't happen to agree with this, I think it is wrong.

Those "losers" don't usually start with an even playing field to begin with so let's talk about "fair."

And the fact that your son has student loans is related in what way? Who else should be paying for his education?