Comments on: New rankings for California’s public schools

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 05:43:54 +0000

I asked Lincoln’s former principal, Caroline Yee, that question maybe five years ago. I still remember her response, as it seemed so straightforward: that kids came to school every day, prepared and with their homework done, and that she had an experienced, hard-working staff.

The school also has a strong bilingual (Cantonese-English) program, which I’ve been meaning to write about for years now. (Not to be confused with a two-way language immersion program.)

But I’m sure people at the school could speak much more knowledgeably about what makes Lincoln successful.

By: On The Fence

On The Fence — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 02:38:14 +0000

Wiley,

The answer is likely demographics, a combination of nature and nurture.

By: wiley

wiley — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 02:16:39 +0000

Seriously, how is Lincoln’s 10-10 ranking explained – given the demographics including a majority of English Language Learners? Homework? Super Star Staff? Is the school day longer? Obedient kids? Really, what is the thinking out there?

By: J.R.

J.R. — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:37:59 +0000

OUSD Parent,
I support homework under the same conditions, and I have witnessed busywork as you say which I thoroughly despise. Much of the success hinges on whether teachers follow(at least loosely)the curriculum guidelines, as I have found many teachers who deviate from curriculum too much tend to waste too much time on unimportant concepts and, or miss important concepts altogether.

By: OUSD Parent

OUSD Parent — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:44:06 +0000

I support homework as long as it’s not just busy work. Homework helps reinforce the skills learned in the classroom and teaches discipline – which is half the battle in my house.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:05:47 +0000

Wiley,
There is quality over quantity, but that takes a teacher who is on top of their game, and not just a babysitter. The education system as it exists now cannot and will not(because of all the stifling contract language and laws) provide a competent teacher in every classroom.

By: wiley

wiley — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:41:52 +0000

Lincoln- 4 pages of homework in kinder? Is that the secret of success as defined by the 10-10 ranking? Whadda think folks? Anyone read The Case Against Homework? What could other factors be?

By: On The Fence

On The Fence — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:53:10 +0000

Ann,

By saying that 95 percent of the students at Lincoln Elementary are “brown”, are you saying that they are overwhelmingly Latino? What is the racial breakdown of Lincoln?

By: J.R.

J.R. — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 07:21:19 +0000

Ann,
Nextset deals in exaggeration, he knows very well that most people(of any color)are of average intelligence. Genetics, work ethic, expectations, support, memory, cognitive ability all play roles the ability to learn, retain, and use information.

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 06:07:01 +0000

Nextset,
Are you saying that brown and black kids CANNOT earn good grades? Lincoln is NOT in the hills, is ~95% brown with ~80% of the kids on free or reduced price lunches and 3/5 kindergartens are ESL. The school sends home grocery bags of food for the REALLY poor kids!

Their formula of a lot of homework to reinforce the classroom learning, high parental and/or grandparental involvement supporting the teachers, and focusing on learning is what works. With an API of 961, EVERY child is mastering the material. Even the special ed students, in your words “dull” kids, earned an 847. The belief in Practice makes Perfect shows here and it works!