I don’t dsiagre with anything you have written. I think its an approach everone can get behind, even Nontcair. In entry 23 of the comments to the article: “Weinberg: Rules requiring struggling schools to replace half their teachers are misguided” writes-

“The role of public education is to teach basic skills to bona fide resident poor kids who actually *want* to learn them. Of course that’s a role I still OPPOSE but at least I could get myself to look the other way.”

I agree, the main cause of high drop-out rate, poverty and prison are external problems. Poverty is neither the cause nor an excuse. And I agree the issue begins with irresponsible people having children when they, themselves, cannot function in the real world.

So, given all of that is there a solution? I think there is. I do not believe the solution is to work with the adults. I’ve tried it, too much work, too little result, virtually no permanent result. I have worked with High Schoolers, if their attitude is right and their parents are together enough to see the value of it, they can be put on the right track. Middle Schoolers are the same as High Schoolers, but more of them have the right attitude or can be taught to have the right attitude. Still, for those who already have an unchangeable wrong attitude in Middle School, they will drop-out, get involved in crime or irresponsibly have children.

I believe the solution is at the Kindergarten, first and second grade level. I’ve worked with ‘crack babies’, ‘the learning disabled’, and seven year olds who already cuss like a sailor. I’ve never had one who couldn’t be taught math and develop the right attitude toward learning and life. The great thing about kids that age is they naturally want to learn, be a good person, and do the right thing. So much of the problem at the older grades is they have not learned and realize they are too old and therefore will never be taught the fundamentals. But for the vast majority of the little ones, no matter how irresponsible their parents are, they get sent to school. We can reach them there and they can learn. My experience is, if they learn in school, when they get older their objective will be to get out of their situation and become a functioning adult. This how I believe the problems of high drop-out rate, poverty and prison can be permanently solved in the inner city.

If this is not the solution, and there is no solution, I don’t know what to do but weep. But I believe it is the solution, so I can work rather than weep.

Poverty is not the cause of problems , nor is it an excuse. Oakland is among the most violent cities, but it is not amongst the highest poverty rates. This is an issue that begins with irresponsible people(for generations now)having children when they cannot function in the real world themselves(that is the root cause, and it will never be dealt with).

http://www.orpn.org/poverty_cities1.htm

Katy – I don’t know if you read all the comments. I’ve been following the blog for about a year, and I really appreciate your persistence and calm reporting, despite regular stonewalling by the district. Thank you.

This may be premature, but I have seen the School District’s Standardized Test Results Power Point from last night’s Board meeting. No progress. Those of us who care need to get committed to African-American kindergarten, first and second grades learning the fundamentals in math — defined as being able to add up to 9+9 — and equivalent fundamentals in English.

Only 36% of African American students in OUSD scored proficiant or advanced in math, as compared to 81% of white students. That 36% is up from 34% in 2009. No effective change.

Let’s stop expecting anything from the District and just do it ourselves. I believe this lack of basic education is the biggest reason kids drop out of school and end up on the street, which makes it the biggest reason for the murder and crime in Oakland. I don’t know why the District, the City Council, Alameda County, California and the Federal Government don’t admit this or don’t do anything about it. We need to. At the risk of being seen as self promoting, I’d ask you to take a look at our websites and see if we can bring the fundamentals to the schools, for the kids.

http://www.bridgethechasm.org/
http://www.facebook.com/BridgetheChasm

Lazear is personal for Smith and friends, hence the fearmongering and the game with numbers. They played with Lazear parents in any way they wanted (all the bs of the transition office) and they wanted them at their feet. My respect for those parents who fight and get what they want in their own right, regardless of the charter vs. public argument or who keeps their jobs.
Another alternative explanation for the powerpoint glitch is that… they improvised. It happens a lot. Hence the cascade of fiascos.

Someone wants this school, or at least what happened to this school, to disappear from public memory. Why? What’s the issue?

After watching that school board video (linked below), I realize the issue IS different. It’s not even about the school. It’s about credibility and reputation.

Apparently, the board was going to approve Lazear’s charter. But the Superintendent produced a report giving gloomy projections and numbers in a closed-door session; they considered the dismal financial report and changed their minds! Wow…

When the vote was taken, the petition was rejected. The board took a lot of heat about this change of direction. They relied almost exclusively on Smith’s budget projections. It appeared to be a gut-wrenching decision for board members.

But what if the numbers were wrong…

Only a couple board members questioned the numbers. One said she knew the “game being played”.

Credibility could be undermined, competence would be questioned, and reputations (read: careers) could hang in the balance. And that’s assuming positive intentions.

So the school disappears….

Video of related board mtg: http://ousd.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=411

Watch item 12-1062

KMurphy and the public need to really decide if they want to pursue this. Consider how lack of stability impacts systems and kids. Anyone in business or management can read these tea leaves.