Comments on: Why aren’t some high school grads prepared for college?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:32:17 +0000

Here’s information about a new Biliteracy Seal, which could help improve college readiness: http://bit.ly/NbyadL

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:33:03 +0000

Here’s a funding competition that could help boost student achievement, but it looks like MDUSD did not apply: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:13:35 +0000

Here’s a blog post that compares Contra Costa County districts’ graduation and dropout rates: http://bit.ly/NZPOlC

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:53:50 +0000

Here is a story about “summer learning loss,” which can set students back, if they aren’t challenged during the summer: http://www.contracostatimes.com/twitter/ci_20911690/mt-diablo-school-district-students-celebrate-national-summer

And here’s a photo slideshow featuring students from Riverview Middle School who traveled to Sacramento today for a National Summer Learning Day rally: http://bit.ly/L9zg5t

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:25:12 +0000

Here is a West Ed report about how to better prepare students for college: http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/rs/1241

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 02:18:18 +0000

Here is a story about the lessons learned — and optimism — of three Clayton Valley HS seniors who advocated for the charter conversion to bring better educational opportunities to students who will follow them: http://bit.ly/KgOmXa

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 02:11:08 +0000

Anon: Although I’m not positive, I believe you’re right. I know that Josh was also very involved in the music program at Foothill MS and he even taught trumpet to middle-schoolers after he got to high school.

By: anon

anon — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:03:12 +0000

Theresa,
Thanks for sharing about Josh’s music accomplishments. I am assuming he benefited from the opportunity to participate in music classes in elementary school. Just one more thing that has been taken away from today’s students.
The current students in MDUSD do not ever get the opportunity to expand their horizons through their daily education, and it truly breaks my heart.
And yes, I do everything in my power to change it, and will keep trying!

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:07:51 +0000

On a positive note, here’s a Northgate HS grad who was very well prepared for the Berklee College of Music, after winning many awards in the Northgate HS Jazz Band: http://bit.ly/KYsJut
Adding to his list of accomplishments, he was just named a “2012 Yamaha Young Performing Artist” for jazz trumpet.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 02:13:14 +0000

Here’s a story about discipline problems at Oak Grove Middle School, which shows that constant disruptive behavior prevents student learning: http://bit.ly/K3yqaE.

Oak Grove is the lowest-performing middle school in the district and one of the lowest-performing middle schools in the state. Glenbrook Middle School, which closed last year, was also one of the lowest-performing schools in the state. Some students from that school are now at Oak Grove, which has caused “issues,” according to one teacher.