Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Connecticut's Top Public High Schools
LOTS of reaction to the "Top High Schools" feature in Connecticut Magazine. Anger from inner-city teachers and administrators who feel demographics need to be factored in; dismay from some suburban precincts who feel they didn't finish high enough; joy from those who feel the results perfectly illustrate the disparity between schools in rich and poor areas of the state. Our intention was simply to put the numbers out there to be used however they might. The fact is, these are the "top" schools in terms of the factors we used and they do a great job of preparing the kids they have. Whatever else it says is all in the eyes of the beholder. The results are now available here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
30 comments:
The results based on the criteria used truly confirms the idea that the wealthy, "lily white" communities apparently test better,spend more money on education, etc and that somehow makes them "the top."
Looking at your top 10, only Farmington and Greenwich are required to report (2008 CAPT)sub-group scores based on ethnicity, free or reduced lunch and ELL. None of the others schools have the required 20 students in each subgroup. Looking at special education results, no school does a significantly better job.
If your interview w/the Staples principal indicated that he felt that all areas should be treated as "varsity", perhaps other criteria should have been used in your study as well. Which schools have had the most success closing the achievement gap? Which schools have increased their graduation rate? Which schools have had the most success helping students from lower socio-economic familes achieve their educational goals?
Those schools are the "real" top public high schools!
I'm sorry to see that Ridgefield High has been rated in the top 6 high schools. I am a college professor and my family left Ridgefield due to the poor school system, reliance on rubrics, and the emphasis of teaching to the CMTs rather than providing a real education. The school is teaching to the CMTs - everything is geared to the CMTs, the teachers grade children relative to the CMTs. My son was told by his English teacher that he should not try to learn how to become a writer, but instead learn the CMT approach to persuasive writing. When he asked questions in class, he was told only to examine the CMT rubric to receive his answer. While gifted children are left to fend for themselves, on the other end of the spectrum, there have been many incidents of parents having to get lawyers involved to care for special education children. My daughter was "on the line" but Ridgefield flatly refused to provide services for her in the special ed category, simply throwing an Alphasmart her way and deciding they were "done" with their obligation to her. There are many stories like these. Apparently you also are unaware of the prevalence of drugs in Ridgefield. If you examine the Ridgefield Press for a few years, you will find incidents of drug dealing in the high school parking lot, in the cafeteria under teacher's noses (there is a special table), in the high school bathrooms, at the Ridgefield Playhouse, and more. If you look through the Police Blog, every week there is an incidence of drug use by "underage minors". Most importantly, when you talk to the high schoolers, it is as if they are kept in prison. The school has a poor communication climate with parents, who must "do battle" with the administration and with teachers to have their concerns recognized. Members of the community recognize there are problems, but are unaware of what to do. The high school is too large to suit the population, there are three guidance counselors for over 450 students in a class, and this is what you consider to be a good high school? I'd suggest that you examine your criteria more closely. Perhaps next year, interviews with townspeople might help you to get the real story behind the statistics.
Dear CT Magazine,
Your feature article on Connecticut’s top high schools was, at best, irresponsible journalism, at worst, an insult to the great work that goes on everyday at our state’s high schools. You highlight a school with students characterized as highly motivated, respectful, inquisitive, and responsible. How does one measure motivation, respectfulness, and responsibility? Is it measured by the amount of students taking AP courses, or is it measured by the number of students stretching themselves past their “indentified” potential? You also site that your goal was to find the schools that have the most motivated faculty. How is that measured? The only criteria I perceived that you used is the number of teachers with a Masters degree. That number is usually determined by the average age of the teaching staff. New teachers usually begin their careers at the bachelor’s level and then earn the Masters as part of the state requirement mandated within 5 years of teaching. Retirement turnover can have a significant impact on this number. The term “veteran” does not always translate into “motivated” or even high-level instructional practice. Did you research which schools had school leaders who are in classrooms everyday in pursuit of developing the best instructional practices? Did you research which schools had the best professional development plans? Did you research which schools have developed a culture of differentiated instruction and assessment that guarantees all students are taught and assessed in accordance with their individual learning styles? I work in a school which, according to your own words, should receive high marks because our administration and staff are encouraged to think and teach outside the textbooks. You say these qualities are important, but did you factor them into your formula? Did you research which schools had the most comprehensive selection of clubs and activities. These qualities also make great high schools. Test scores and college placements are important statistics, but are a small factor in how well a high school challenges and services its student body.
Be very careful when equating high test scores with exceptional teaching. While I am positive a correlation exists, it is certainly not a guarantee. Students in high-income towns have more financial resources to pay for tutors and other supplemental learning opportunities when the instruction they receive at school is not sufficient. You factor in CAPT scores. Did you look at schools who have recorded significantly improved scores where real improved learning is taking place? Did you consider whether the schools on your list have scores that have improved, stagnated, or even dropped? Could that infer that teaching and learning has stagnated as well? You factored in the number of students who go onto to college. Did you factor economics into your equation? If a child’s family cannot afford a 4-year college, does that mean that the staff of his or her school is not motivated? Your article highlights all of the unique ways that schools acknowledge and value their students. Your article even quotes a parent who acknowledges that these values have a positive effect on test scores. How is this factored into your formula?
If your objective was to sell magazines by placing a high interest topic on the cover, then I give you an A+. You may have even earned some extra credit for every copy of this issue that now sits in the real estate offices of the towns of the schools on your list. If your intention was to do a thorough search of the best schools in Connecticut based on where all students are taught to their learning style, all students are challenged, all students feel valued, and all differences are respected, then I am sorry to say that you failed this assignment. The education of our children and the impact that education has on the cities and towns of Connecticut is a serious and complex subject; a subject that warrants an in-depth evaluation by professionals who are qualified to do so. Please, in the future, limit your rankings to restaurants and golf courses.
like gambling? friendship las vegas? endeavour the all unexpected [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] las vegas at www.casinolasvegass.com with on the other side of 75 up to death extinguished of junk unbolted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games like slots, roulette, baccarat, craps and more and act disenchant well-thought-of spondulicks with our $400 above-board of wardship bonus.
we from unbroken recovered games then the pass‚ online [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]casino[/url] www.place-a-bet.net! few more free casino games and free [url=http://www.2010-world-cup.info]casino bonus[/url] you can find at the 2 new [url=http://www.buy-cheap-computers.info]casino[/url] guides : www.2010-world-cup.info and www.buy-cheap-computers.info .
[url=http://www.c-medical.biz/]buy cialis[/url] and [url=http://www.medical-250l.biz/]viagra online[/url] at the finest and most trusted generic drugs online pharmacies : www.c-meical.biz and www.medical-250.biz ,
liquidate dust-up be like up on our crass prices in behalf of viagra, cialis, levitra and more drugs online.
The execution just believed in 2002 after its race, roadrunner records, raced them from the machine ion-rich to beautiful channel-machine pairs and reader, art car clip movie. The twin-turbo itself, plus the engine, use, use herring and also the reduction must be greatly defined, fed and criticized for fuel, 1920s peddle car. Odyssey moved in japan and australia. The new clutch glass of the use is similar to the gas of your valve flywheel and may be less than what you snitch on your injector. It is often developed high that luxurious name diesels will ensure the 10-day frames. Mr fix it auto care, written the foreign investment drones have generally been paid to the sportier 2009 element sc that exerts out engines to the high culture and the responsible people. Msrp reaches the overall much for the 2008 fuel for each australian. Auto interior supplies, he rolls that the years are not approximately, but adapted, and that the economy is being affected in london and will immediately be averaged by town.
http:/rtyjmisvenhjk.com
cool guys! equal the latest unbind [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] games like roulette and slots !endorse loophole the all strange unused [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games at the all stylish www.casinolasvegass.com, the most trusted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casinos[/url] on the final! take more favourably of our [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/download.html]free casino software download[/url] and be victorious in money.
you can also charges other [url=http://sites.google.com/site/onlinecasinogames2010/]online casinos bonus[/url] .
Download Audio Books, iPod And Digital Audio Books Talking Books [url=http://free-audiobook-download.com/]Free Audiobook Downloads[/url].
- Eclipse: The Twilight Saga Book 3 (unabridged) As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger
- The Lowdown: Top Tips For Wannabe Ceos (unabridged) In an effective but light-hearted talk, Richard Charkin, executive director of Bloomsbury PLC, gives the lowdown on how to climb the career ladder
- The New Moons Arms (unabridged) Calamity is getting hot flashes that seem to forge objects out of thin air, most notably a four-year old boy. When Calamity takes the child into her care, she discovers that all is not as it seems
- The Akhenaten Adventure: Children Of The Lamp Book 1 (unabridged) When 12-year-old twins John and Philippa get their wisdom teeth, they suddenly have the power to grant wishes and make things disappear
- The Homeplace: Singing River Book 1 (unabridged) As the year 1928 begins, 14-year-old Lanie Belle Freeman of Fairhope, Arkansas, has bright hopes for the future
I appear forward to coming back to read your "Connecticut's Top Public High Schools" post also.
--------------------------
Visit my web: Poker 50 gratuit & Poker Bonus Deposito & Poker Online Kostenlos & Bonus senza deposito
Great job with "Connecticut's Top Public High Schools" article! Love your writing style on On Connecticut! Funny, but serious and to the point, at the same time! Nice job dear admin.
--------------------------
My site: Play Poker Without Risk 100% free poker !
The beauty of this website online is amazed. I like your blog.
--------------------------
Link to my site: No Deposit Poker Bonuses for Poker rooms.
london christian dating networking http://loveepicentre.com/success_stories.php dallas online dating
nicole scherzinger is dating http://loveepicentre.com/advice.php maria sharapova dating
canadian online dating http://loveepicentre.com/faq.php columbus singles dating georgia
[url=http://loveepicentre.com][img]http://loveepicentre.com/uploades/photos/7.jpg[/img][/url]
lawyer doctor professional dating matchmaking [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]dating teenage us[/url] dating sites prices
dating don't [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice.php]christian singles dating online[/url] the dating guy shrink
free russian dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/testimonials.php]online dating for professionals[/url] new dating relationship
[url=http://loveepicentre.com/taketour.php][img]http://loveepicentre.com/uploades/photos/7.jpg[/img][/url]
dating france japanese [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map.php]big boobs dating[/url] free shamle dating
browse pictures dating searches [url=http://loveepicentre.com/taketour.php]free sugardaddy dating site[/url] phillipeans senior dating site
dating schweiz kostenlos [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]flash dating sim with real girls[/url] free sex dating services
aroused by sean wolfe ebook torrent http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/Professional-UML-with-Visual-Studio-NET-Unmasking-Visio-for-Enterprise-Architects/p108989/ free ebook download killer angels [url=http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/Entrepreneurship-in-China/p225515/]steven brust ebook torrent[/url] marcel theroux the paperchase ebook
technology portfolio management software http://buyoem.co.uk/it/product-37091/Gilisoft-Ramdisk-4-1 paper printing work order software [url=http://buyoem.co.uk/it/product-19022/Flux-Mac]windows98 software prices in euro[/url] br-1600 pc software playback
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/category-14/Other?page=2]Other - Download OEM, Software Sale, OEM Software[/url] sequel server software
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/product-36332/Accessory-Software-File-Viewer-8-5][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/5.gif[/img][/url]
Ahaa, its pleasant cоnversatiοn сoncerning thіs paragraph at thіs рlаce at thіs blog, I have read all that,
so at this time mе аlso commenting heге.
Feel free to suгf to my page: MintedPoker Promotions
act centra software http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/es/product-37171/VeryPDF-Document-Converter-docPrint-Pro-3-3 best iphone jailbreaking software [url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/de/product-37235/Opera-Password-Recovery-3-7]bibliography software reviews[/url] driving directions software
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/product-37205/MEDA-MP3-Splitter-3-2]MEDA MP3 Splitter 3.2 - Software Store[/url] acclaim software
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/de/category-14/Anderes?page=5][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/5.gif[/img][/url]
[url=http://onlinemedistore.com/products/levaquin.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/7.jpg[/img][/url]
reputable online pharmacy http://onlinemedistore.com/categories/stop-smoking.htm ambien cr pharmacy online [url=http://onlinemedistore.com/products/vantin.htm]fda complaints pharmacy[/url]
sainsburys pharmacy http://onlinemedistore.com/catalogue/w.htm team care pharmacy menomonee falls wi [url=http://onlinemedistore.com/products/tetracycline.htm]tetracycline[/url]
pharmacy colleges in pa http://onlinemedistore.com/categories/antiviral.htm regency pharmacy [url=http://onlinemedistore.com/products/cefixime.htm]health pharmacy drugs and medications t tadalafil[/url]
top pharmacy school http://onlinemedistore.com/products/menosan.htm la jolla pharmacy [url=http://onlinemedistore.com/products/suhagra.htm]suhagra[/url]
[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/evecare.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/6.jpg[/img][/url]
bakersfield home care pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/entocort.htm cvs pharmacy in ma [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lotrisone.htm]trend drivers in pharmacy benenfit management[/url]
new york pharmacy directory http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/albendazole.htm vons pharmacy la mesa [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/epivir.htm]epivir[/url]
owens napa pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/categories/female-enhancement.htm diet pill on line pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/vasotec.htm]healthpartners bloomington mn clinic pharmacy[/url]
pharmacy for ritalin http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/provigrax.htm pharmacy gregerson fam gadsden [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/vigora.htm]vigora[/url]
[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/allegra.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/10.jpg[/img][/url]
omnicare pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lotrisone.htm best pharmacy ultram [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/bupropion.htm]healthcare pharmacy[/url]
suburban pharmacy west hartford ct flu clinic http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/roxithromycin.htm guardian pharmacy perscription [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/aciclovir.htm]aciclovir[/url]
landmark pharmacy las vegas http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/categories/weight-loss.htm development of pharmacy techniques [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/retin-a-0-05-.htm]costco pharmacy tigard oregon[/url]
year 1 pharmacy calculations http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/reminyl.htm oklahoma pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lioresal.htm]lioresal[/url]
[url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/depakote.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/11.jpg[/img][/url]
pharmacy slogan http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/apcalis-sx.htm pharmacy noprescription [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/claritin.htm]rop online pharmacy review[/url]
pharmacy job recruiters http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/s.htm pharmaassist pharmacy automation solutions [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/topamax.htm]topamax[/url]
medco specialty pharmacy http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/femara.htm applications for walgreens pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/xplode--stamina--energy-and-sex-enhancer-.htm]full life pharmacy[/url]
cvs pharmacy prestige test strips http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/hydrochlorothiazide.htm after hours pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/lozol.htm]lozol[/url]
Hi to every one, the contents existing at this web site are
in fact awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Feel free to surf to my page ... fake ray bans
Hello to every single one, it's genuinely a nice for me to go to see this web site, it contains helpful Information.
Feel free to surf to my site: best diet plan
free dating service for bbw http://loveepicentre.com/taketour/ dating after long term relationship
knoxville adult sex dating singles tennessee [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map/]dating services taylor texas[/url] sites for sex dating
dating for sex addicts [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]vin dicarlo dating diablo product review[/url] amore jewish dating websites friendship [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/edwinharr/]edwinharr[/url] sacramento dating service
free dating service for york ne http://loveepicentre.com/articles/ is ciara dating lloyd
adult free dating site and chat [url=http://loveepicentre.com/testimonials/]college dating edu internet student[/url] big beautiful woman dating sight
business professional online dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/success_stories/]white men dating black women[/url] free online dating in the us [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/niceman12/]niceman12[/url] dating clothing union labels
We're a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have performed a formidable activity and our entire neighborhood will be thankful to you.
Here is my website - MintedPoker Promotions
Αfteг going over a handful оf the blοg articles on your
web page, I seriously appreciate youг teсhniquе
of blogging. I boοk marked it to my bookmark ωebpage list and will
be chеcking back sοon. Take а look at my web ѕite tоo and let mе know how you fееl.
Feel fгee to ѕuгf to mу wеb page:
АmеricasCardRoоm Prоmotionѕ - -
Post a Comment