Who is refusing Common Core tests for 3rd-8th graders?

[nugov2]

$300?? What a rip off. My 10 year old's complete uniform package for his club right around $100 (2 uniforms, a practice jersey, 1 pair of shorts and 2 pairs of socks).

You're lucky, but that is for her complete uniform like yours. Her warm ups were an additional $90 and her bag with personalization was another $70. That is the standard price for all of the clubs around here.

 

[soccerdad72]

You're lucky, but that is for her complete uniform like yours. Her warm ups were an additional $90 and her bag with personalization was another $70. That is the standard price for all of the clubs around here.

Full warmup in our club is around $100, but they're optional. Bags are $50 with personalization.

 

[shelly3girls]

Why aren't they doing the paper version of the test? You are right not every district does have 1:1, but you only need if for certain grades so I'd say a few mobile labs at a school would be sufficient. Districts have known since 2010/2011 that this test was coming. If they defer the computer portion they could have had 5 years to prepare before the computer version would be needed. Our district foundation right away when this information was given that this was most likely going to happen we got to work with our district. We raised funds to finish district upgrades so all schools were wireless and we began funding mobile labs for our schools. In the 3 years I was on the exec board we raised enough money to do all of this outside of district funding through grant writing and other fundraising events. The mobile labs with 30 surface tablets and cart were around $10,000 because we were getting a bulk rate. It cost us $50,000 to finish the wireless upgrade. On average we fund $55,000 to teachers for their own grants and devote the rest of the money we raise to technology. Our schools always had regular labs, but the mobile labs are key to alleviating back ups. With one $50,000 grant(which we were able to get them and we are not even a at risk school) could potentially upgrade 2 schools that are not wireless or fund 5 mobile labs or add 150 computers to a district. Having a successful school district cannot fall on the backs of teacher and administrators alone. It takes a community sometimes working together to make sure all students have the tools necessary to achieve. If I were you I would see what you can do. Even the busiest parent can stuff envelopes with grant applications.

My children attend private school so this does not directly affect them. That said, I have researched the issue because I do care about all the students affected. We are a tiny district and I do not know what kind of funding has been available but any expense is considered great. I do know that many upgrades and significant resources were spent preparing for these tests. Parents were involved in raising funds but I have no idea how much was received. Our local elementary school received a grant which was used to purchased new computers as the ones they had were very old. I do not know why they chose to use the computer version other than possibly the additional expense knowing they would need to invest in tech advances eventually. Our buildings do not have Wifi so I would imagine installation would be expensive. I would guess that size of grants depends on enrollment so smaller districts are at a disadvantage but that is purely a guess on my part.

 

[nugov2]

Full warmup in our club is around $100, but they're optional. Bags are $50 with personalization.

So that seems on par. I am shocked that you get your's so cheap. Even when she was little and played rec it was more than $100. I just went online and calculated and it is technically $265 pre tax and shipping, so I was rounding up a little when I said $300. My ultimate point though was that it didn't surprise me a football jersey of much thicker higher quality for a HS would be in that range. I bought my 8yr old a Seahawks Superbowl jersey and it was $80 before tax and shipping. They are expensive.

 

[soccerdad72]

So that seems on par. I am shocked that you get your's so cheap. Even when she was little and played rec it was more than $100. I just went online and calculated and it is technically $265 pre tax and shipping, so I was rounding up a little when I said $300. My ultimate point though was that it didn't surprise me a football jersey of much thicker higher quality for a HS would be in that range. I bought my 8yr old a Seahawks Superbowl jersey and it was $80 before tax and shipping. They are expensive.

I see your point. Sorry for the thread hijack on soccer uniforms... o I was just a little shocked at that price for soccer.

 

[nugov2]

My children attend private school so this does not directly affect them. That said, I have researched the issue because I do care about all the students affected. We are a tiny district and I do not know what kind of funding has been available but any expense is considered great. I do know that many upgrades and significant resources were spent preparing for these tests. Parents were involved in raising funds but I have no idea how much was received. Our local elementary school received a grant which was used to purchased new computers as the ones they had were very old. I do not know why they chose to use the computer version other than possibly the additional expense knowing they would need to invest in tech advances eventually. Our buildings do not have Wifi so I would imagine installation would be expensive. I would guess that size of grants depends on enrollment so smaller districts are at a disadvantage but that is purely a guess on my part.

There are so many different requirements out there for educational grants. Some are specific to what they can be used for, some for socioeconomic background and some with very little requirements other than a detailed description of what you will purchase along with what they will be use for. We were able to get a technology grant last year to implement multiple STEM action labs in our middle school. The majority of the technology and programs that our students have are provided through funds not from the school district, but from fundraising efforts of the parents. We have both a district foundation and each school has what most people know as a PTA. Ours pays for the stipend to have clubs(chess club, Art club, tech club, math club and minute to win it), holiday parties, assemblies(usually 4 a year), a book for each child on their birthday, Teacher appreciation events each quarter(usually lunch and a gift card), specific school upgrades(This year we spent $5,000 updating indoor recess toys and another $5,000 on books for the library) and then we purchase items for our school store. Our students are rewarded tickets as part of their positive reinforcement program that they can spend in the store once a month. It is small trinkets, but also all staff members volunteer to offer something that cost more tickets that the students can by. So for example you could save all of your tickets for several months and buy lunch with the Principal or play a board game with a teacher. My kids love that!

The real point though is the really amazing activities and extras our students have is b/c of a community working together.

 

[sam_gordon]

$300?? What a rip off. My 10 year old's complete uniform package for his club right around $100 (2 uniforms, a practice jersey, 1 pair of shorts and 2 pairs of socks).

Same here.

 

[htmom]

What happens if the community isn't willing to work together? My step daughters school had a pta that disbanded because the 3$ fee was "too high" for most parents it was held together by two parents for three years. Seventy percent of the students come from the projects and are below poverty leve . So do we just let these schools flounder?

 

[nugov2]

What happens if the community isn't willing to work together? My step daughters school had a pta that disbanded because the 3$ fee was "too high" for most parents it was held together by two parents for three years. Seventy percent of the students come from the projects and are below poverty leve . So do we just let these schools flounder?

That's the million dollar question isn't it. That is the biggest problem with education in our country, parents think the burden should fall on the schools alone. I mean look at all the people just on this thread complaining and spewing data, yet won't list one contribution they make to helping their district succeed. If parents and even other community members(because it does impact everyone...better schools, better property values) don't want to get involved there is sadly only so much that can be done. I wish I knew what the answer was, on paper a voucher system seems like a good idea. Only that system doesn't seem to work out so well when carried out. By allowing students to leave their area and go to an area with more support seems like a no brainer, yet it just doesn't seem to work. I don't have the answer to that. I think that school districts failing need to pair up with a successful district(but then who has the time to mentor another school...right?) to learn what they can do to improve. The answer is time and effort and lots of it by people outside of the schools, but sadly that won't happen and people who have money will move to the communities where taxes are higher and schools are better while others who don't have the money will struggle and slip through the cracks. All I know is that each person has to make a decision to help solve problems or do nothing. I choose to help solve the problems in my district. Maybe as the crisis grows others will decide to do more besides online petitions and opting out.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

I'm not trying to sound rude but you obviously don't know anything about sports or very little from this post. You do realize many pro athletes didn't attend D1 schools? You should also realize there are many kids playing divisions other than D1 that are better than D1 players? And like I said earlier, thousands of kids wouldn't be able to attend college if they were not offered assistance to play at a smaller school. Plus, many athletes do better academically at a smaller school than they would at a bigger school. I don't see colleges giving out money to come play recreational basketball or baseball.

I am all for fitness and staying active post high school or college, but around the areas I have lived in for the past 20 years, rec leagues are for those who were weak athletically in high school and now can compete with the rest of the weak athletes as adults while getting actual playing time. I know this isn't always the case everywhere. Just what I have seen in multiple cities.

You're from Indiana, right? In urban areas there are often rec leagues for men and women after high school- soccer, hockey, flag football, then there is always biking, running and swimming, which adults do on their own. I remember watching the adult soccer players on the fields near the Washington mall. Those guys were always good.

If athletes think they are so great but can't make a good D1 team, they can always walk on in the pros or try out for a farm team. It's not worth spending millions upon million for the few D2 players who become good pro players. Around here, the good D2 players often have records or were busted down from D1 for infractions- drugs, arrests, etc. Why support that with tax money?

And my tax money shouldn't be a scholarship fund for marginal sports players or a jobs program for old high school jock/coaches. If I want to give money to a scholarship fund, I'll choose which one. The state shouldn't choose for me.

 

[Happy Snowman]

You're from Indiana, right? In urban areas there are often rec leagues for men and women after high school- soccer, hockey, flag football, then there is always biking, running and swimming, which adults do on their own. I remember watching the adult soccer players on the fields near the Washington mall. Those guys were always good.

If athletes think they are so great but can't make a good D1 team, they can always walk on in the pros or try out for a farm team. It's not worth spending millions upon million for the few D2 players who become good pro players. Around here, the good D2 players often have records or were busted down from D1 for infractions- drugs, arrests, etc. Why support that with tax money?

And my tax money shouldn't be a scholarship fund for marginal sports players or a jobs program for old high school jock/coaches. If I want to give money to a scholarship fund, I'll choose which one. The state shouldn't choose for me.

But TAX MONEY ISN"T GOING TOWARD THESE THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[htmom]

That's the million dollar question isn't it. That is the biggest problem with education in our country, parents think the burden should fall on the schools alone. I mean look at all the people just on this thread complaining and spewing data, yet won't list one contribution they make to helping their district succeed. If parents and even other community members(because it does impact everyone...better schools, better property values) don't want to get involved there is sadly only so much that can be done. I wish I knew what the answer was, on paper a voucher system seems like a good idea. Only that system doesn't seem to work out so well when carried out. By allowing students to leave their area and go to an area with more support seems like a no brainer, yet it just doesn't seem to work. I don't have the answer to that. I think that school districts failing need to pair up with a successful district(but then who has the time to mentor another school...right?) to learn what they can do to improve. The answer is time and effort and lots of it by people outside of the schools, but sadly that won't happen and people who have money will move to the communities where taxes are higher and schools are better while others who don't have the money will struggle and slip through the cracks. All I know is that each person has to make a decision to help solve problems or do nothing. I choose to help solve the problems in my district. Maybe as the crisis grows others will decide to do more besides online petitions and opting out.

But in a community where making sure your kid has dinner is the priority, where does school fundraising fit in? You are preaching to the choir here kind of because I was the president of my son's pta, and I also headed two community yard sales where we had school bake stands, and school spirit wear tables. (And before the question gets asked why I don't do it for my stepdaughter, there are reasons, I'm sure most blended families can attest to)

 

[nugov2]

But in a community where making sure your kid has dinner is the priority, where does school fundraising fit in? You are preaching to the choir here kind of because I was the president of my son's pta, and I also headed two community yard sales where we had school bake stands, and school spirit wear tables. (And before the question gets asked why I don't do it for my stepdaughter, there are reasons, I'm sure most blended families can attest to)

The same way finding time to sit in front of the tv fits in and taking your kids to sports fit in. I don't accept the excuse that making sure dinner is the priority so fundraising doesn't fit in. I know not all families play sports, but most low income areas around here have low/no cost sports and their kids do. Or they are watching tv or whatever else they like. Everyone has time in their life to help out if it is important enough to them. Just like you said, you have time to help your stepdaughter, but for your own reasons can't take the time and that is the attitude of others is that they feel their reason if valid too. I know not one person can do everything, but everyone can do something. As I stated spend an hour a week writing grants. Once the initial proposal is written all you have to do is make copies and stuff envelopes. You do see low income areas finding ways to bring communities together when people making it their priority. Our school even gets decent money from box tops and since it is usually cheap processed foods that have them on their products it shouldn't be too hard to clip them. Only the person has to care enough to spend 10 seconds clipping that box top and then sending it in. It isn't that some people are too busy and their top priority is that their child has dinner, it is just that bettering the education of their child isn't enough of a priority to devote what free time they have to it.

 

[htmom]

The same way finding time to sit in front of the tv fits in and taking your kids to sports fit in. I don't accept the excuse that making sure dinner is the priority so fundraising doesn't fit in. I know not all families play sports, but most low income areas around here have low/no cost sports and their kids do. Or they are watching tv or whatever else they like. Everyone has time in their life to help out if it is important enough to them. Just like you said, you have time to help your stepdaughter, but for your own reasons it isn't a priority and you don't want to take the time and that is the attitude of others and I'm sure they feel their reason if valid too. I know not one person can do everything, but everyone can do something. As I stated spend an hour a week writing grants. Once the initial proposal is written all you have to do is make copies and stuff envelopes. You do see low income areas finding ways to bring communities together when people making it their priority. Our school even gets decent money from box tops and since it is usually cheap processed foods that have them on their products it shouldn't be too hard to clip them. Only the person has to care enough to spend 10 seconds clipping that box top and then sending it in. It isn't that some people are too busy and their top priority is that their child has dinner, it is just that bettering the education of their child isn't enough of a priority to devote what free time they have to it.

Please do not assume it is not a priority of mine. I stated very politely that there are reasons why. You make yourself out to be a holier than thou individual by making a statement like that.

That said. I can see you really don't understand the problems faced by some of these districts. It is very nice "you" do everything for your district. I personally have done homevisits in this area, I have seen kids at six-eight years old getting themselves ready for school and walking themselves because their parent has to leave for work earlier. Kid gets home to an empty house. Mom gets home around sixish (depends on the bus because there is no money for a car) brings dinner from the local bodega (sometimes healthy sometimes not so much) sits down, eats dinner and goes to bed. Tv? Ha! Many of these families don't even have a tv!
If you lived closer I would invite you to work at the food bank my father runs for a week. See what some of these families are up against.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

But TAX MONEY ISN"T GOING TOWARD THESE THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You, actually, are wrong again. This is the most recent statistic I can find, but:

The NCAA collects annual data on revenues and expenses of athletics programs from its member institutions. In the reports for 2012, of the more than one thousand college and university members of the NCAA, only twenty-three institutions reported that their athletic programs ran a surplus, with revenues greater than expenses. Those twenty-three institutions were all in D1-A.

 

[nugov2]

Please do not assume it is not a priority of mine. I stated very politely that there are reasons why. You make yourself out to be a holier than thou individual by making a statement like that.

That said. I can see you really don't understand the problems faced by some of these districts. It is very nice "you" do everything for your district. I personally have done homevisits in this area, I have seen kids at six-eight years old getting themselves ready for school and walking themselves because their parent has to leave for work earlier. Kid gets home to an empty house. Mom gets home around sixish (depends on the bus because there is no money for a car) brings dinner from the local bodega (sometimes healthy sometimes not so much) sits down, eats dinner and goes to bed. Tv? Ha! Many of these families don't even have a tv!
If you lived closer I would invite you to work at the food bank my father runs for a week. See what some of these families are up against.

You are misreading my statement, I was saying by your own admission you are choosing not to help for reasons you don't want to get into. I made no judgement about you or your reasons for doing so. It was just a factual statement based on what you said. I am saying that people who work two jobs are saying I'm beat I need a break, but sometimes you are in a situation where you can't get a break. Some parents raise kids with no issues and some with many health issues. Should that parent strapped for time trying to work and keep their child healthy give up and say I am doing too much? No, they keep fighting even if it means no sleep. I know many with that particular struggle and if it means sitting up at 2 am doing research and getting only an hour or two of sleep they do it. It isn't everyday they have to, but they may spend a few days a month putting in more time to keep fighting for their child and just like a child's health is important so is their education.

I do understand the problems, but I also understand that no person on this planet doesn't have an hour to spare if it was something they really wanted to and tv was just one example of an activity that someone does.

Another place you have totally misread is making it seem like I am saying I do everything. I said my community in all of my posts. I do not think I am a holier than thou do gooder who does everything.

I know what these families are up against, but I also think if you want something to change for your kids you have no choice but to find time to change it. Just like food is a priority so should education. Obviously there are tons of success stories of adults who talk about how they couldn't have done it without there parent(s) support. Working long hours but still finding time to support them in school and their academics.

ETA I just reread my post and I shouldn't have used the word priority. So I apologize. That came out the wrong way. Obviously if you cannot help that is different, but not what we were talking about. My issue again is just everyone has time if they want to.

 

[htmom]

Firstly: It is not my choice.
Secondly: a walk in someone else's shoes might make you understand better. I'm not going to debate with someone who feels education is on the same level as food, sorry.
And I have worked in education, both of my parents were educators as well.

 

[htmom]

I'm not saying it is not important, just that some schools have different advantages and to try and make them all "equal" is never going to happen.

 

[nugov2]

You, actually, are wrong again. This is the most recent statistic I can find, but:

The NCAA collects annual data on revenues and expenses of athletics programs from its member institutions. In the reports for 2012, of the more than one thousand college and university members of the NCAA, only twenty-three institutions reported that their athletic programs ran a surplus, with revenues greater than expenses. Those twenty-three institutions were all in D1-A.

I don't know a lot about this specific subject, but I am pretty sure your tax money is only paying for sports at a college if you attend that college. There is no tax paid by a non college student to run athletic programs. The universities are basically taxing their students to pay for the programs by charging higher fees to students. If they are a big school with huge revenues from their programs the tax is small, where the programs are not lucrative the tax to students could be much higher.

Found this article that might help:

http://www.changemag.org/archives/back issues/2011/january-february 2011/game-change-full.html

 

[Happy Snowman]

You, actually, are wrong again. This is the most recent statistic I can find, but:

The NCAA collects annual data on revenues and expenses of athletics programs from its member institutions. In the reports for 2012, of the more than one thousand college and university members of the NCAA, only twenty-three institutions reported that their athletic programs ran a surplus, with revenues greater than expenses. Those twenty-three institutions were all in D1-A.

That doesn't mean TAX MONEY funds the rest.....