An Inconvenient Truth: The L.A. Times, The LAUSD, And Boston Public Schools
Sometimes what a person omits to say is more important than what he says.Consider the following passage from an editorial in the L.A. Times extolling, based on Boston's experience, the virtues of having mayors run schools:
"Today, 62% of Boston's 10th grade African American students pass the state's math test; seven years ago, only 15% did. Latino students showed even more improvement."
Did you notice the omission? They gave statistics for African American students, but not for Latino students. This omission piqued my curiosity, because the LAUSD has many Latino students, and many English Learners, so I did some quick research of my own. Here's what I found (so far):
1. Boston Public Schools' Own 2006 "Report Card" Says That In 10th-Grade Math, 53% of English Learners are "Warning/Failing," and another 29% "Need Improvement."
Gee, that doesn't sound so good. That sounds like 82% (= 53% + 29%) of the English Learners are failing 10th-grade math. Here's the district's own definitions for those terms:
"(W/F) Warning/Failing - Students demonstrate minimal understanding of subject matter, and do not solve simple problems."
"(NI) Needs Improvement - Students demonstrate partial understanding of subject matter, and solve some simple problems."
The corresponding figures for "Hispanic" were 37% and 33%, respectively, which add up to 70% in trouble. (Source: Boston Public Schools 2006 District Report Card.)
Aren't those the relevant statistics when comparing the LAUSD to other school systems? And why do you suppose the L.A. Times omitted those numbers from its editorial? Might it have something to do with the million dollars the Mayor has already raised for his lobbying efffort? A newspaper with declining readership sure could benefit from an infusion of advertising dollars, huh?
2. The Latio Drop-Out Rate In Massachussetts is 30%.
Beside considering the pass rate of the students who stay in school, you need to consider how many have, Elvis-like, "left the building." Here's what I found: "Both Losen and Melissa Colon of Iniciativa, a Latino student advocacy group, cited the exceedingly high Latino dropout rate in Massachusetts – at 30 percent, it is the second highest dropout rate in the country" (Source: Public Education Network, 2006, http://www.publiceducation.org/2006_NCLB/state/MA_Main.asp.)
Wow! That doesn't sound too good, either, does it? Now, admittedly, this is a state-wide figure. But if you're losing around 30% of the Latino students altogether, and 70% of those remaining are in trouble, well, is that really a system we should try to emulate?
3. It's the Class Size, Stupid.
To the extent Boston's scores have improved, to what do its educators attribute the improvement? Looks like class size. The Boston Public Schools' own report on its progress points out that class size in grades 1 and 2 is down from 28 to 22. Heck, there are teachers in the LAUSD who would be happy to have class size reduced to 28! (Source: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bps/transform.pdf.)
Do we really need to entrust the LAUSD's $7 billion budget to Villaraigosa to reduce class size? No. The Legislature could do that in a New York Minute, without scrambling a system struggling to educate 730,000 students a year.
Posted by Walter Moore @ 8/06/2006 09:53:00 AM
35 Comments:
Fairus.org:
In California, the $7.7 billion spent annually educating the children of illegal immigrants—nearly 13% of the overall 20045 education budget—could:
-Cover the education budget shortfall for the 2004-05 school year, estimated by the Legislative Analyst Office at $6 billion and nearly cover the $2 billion reduction this year from the Proposition 98 formula.
-Or, the remaining $1.7 billion could pay the salaries of about 31,000 teachers and reduce per student ratios, or it could furnish 2.8 million new computers—enough computers for about half of the state’s students.
-Prevent educational shortfalls estimated at $9.8 billion over the past four years that have impacted on “…class size, teacher layoffs, shorter library hours and fewer counselors, nurses, custodians and groundskeepers.” (See Los Angeles Times, March 11, 2005)
If Antonio had not so plainly shown his ambitions to use City Hall as a stepping stone to [wherever], and if he had reached out to build consensus before attacking the district, the prospects of real reform would have been much greater, and sooner rather than later....
Also, Boston is NOT Los Angeles: no other city in the U.S. has such a large non-English speaking immigrant population coming from Mexico and Latin America. If kids do not have basic language skills, it is a heck of lot harder to provide them with a good education.
The answer is not throwing more money at the public school system but rather tuition vouchers where the student has a choice. The only beneficiaries of the current system are the teachers' unions and politicians.
'Blair...and was dubbed a "genius" by Antonio Villaraigosa, the Democrat mayor of Los Angeles.'
Antonio= Major Kiss Ass
But just think how many contracts the mayor and his appointed school board could hand out, and how many pay raises to favorite unions... All of the recipients of this largesse, of course, to then repay the kindness by way of big $$$ to his next campaign(s).
It doesn't really matter who runs the LAUSD it will still be an inefficient monopoly. The whole think should be blown up into little community pieces, sold off to the highest bidders and let the free market and competition take over. Then the teachers union needs to be put on notice. Give parents choice of schools via vouchers and you will have far better schools in about 6 months.
Villaraigosa's "reform program" gives him the prextext he needs to form an "issue" committee that is NOT subject to the same $1000-per-customer limits as mayoral campaign committees. This lets him accept, for example, a $500,000 contribution from the chairman of Univision.
Using the million(s) he raises to campaign "for the children," he can broadcast his face on TV's throughout the state to build name recognition and familiarity for his coming mayoral and gubernatorial campaigns.
Plus, if he gets his bill, he gets his hands on another $7 billion EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
As for vouchers, I don't think those are politically feasible yet. I think the closest we can come is charter schools.
The Great Raid
The most dangerous rescue mission of our time is a story that has never been told.
http://www.miramax.com/thegreatraid/
Unions now hate Antonio. Word is he's treated them horribly except that is for DWP workers. All the other unions are doing nothing but bad mouthing him. One went so far as to put a piece in their newsletter. Funny these are the same people who campaigned and helped get him elected.
What newsletter f'n liar
Why is it that everyone is only focusing on Hispanic Students, not speaking English. The Adult school I attend has some Hispanic English 2nd language students,the majority are oriental adults who do not speak English, Russian, and new Iraqian adults who speak no English,among these many other Adults who come from many other countries and speak none or very little English. Why is it Hispanics only in the news?
Will someone tell this bimbo to stop wearing her makeup like a cheap Chola. These elected Latina women constantly amaze me with their horrible sense of style, dress, demeanor.
As if Romero, Antonio and Fabian didn't do anything sneaky they hve the audacity to criticize.
dailynews.com......Romero asked whether the district violated state open-meetings law when its superintendent-search committee met in private and without advance public notice.
3:14 p.m.
Did you also hear Villagrossa's outragious statement when Blair was here? He actually quoted a London newpaper as stating "Villaraigosa is the Latino Tony Blair"!!!!!!
The worst part is that Villagrossa actually believes it!!!!!!!!!!!
Villagrossa has to be stopped at all cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is the most dangerous person on the planet!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walter Moore...you are right on with the millions for face and name recognition, except that has been his ONLY game plan from day one! I am so sick of seeing his ugly face every day on the news...I could become violent!!!
However, it is working against him!!! Everyone is so sick of him and the illegals...he is slitting his own throat! By the time '09 rolls around, there will be 10M more illegals and CA will riot against them and Villagrossa.
Taxpayers will revolt and throw this bum out!!!!!!
August 07, 2006 8:38 AM,
There is no such thing as a 'Chola'. There are only sluts that suck Cholo dick. The ones that do their make up the way you described.
Cholo dick lover...
"I could become violent!!!...Everyone is so sick of him and the illegals...CA will riot against them and Villagrossa...Taxpayers will revolt and throw this bum out!!!!!!"
I'm with you, sister!!!
Let's destroy the terrorists illegals before they blow us up!!!
Taxpaying native Californian super-patriots like us need to stick together!!!
The illegals have Katyusha rockets from Hizbu'llah pointed at our homes!!!
Taxpayers revolt against the illegal terrorist communist goldless heathens from Mexico!!!
Fuck the Mexicans and the brownie wetbacks!!!
If you are speaking of a real taxpayer revolt there would me many other reasons for one. What is the point of being so angry at the Mexicans? Get angry at all of the voters who voted for all of these people in power. Mexican Nationals can not vote. Americans of Mexican Ancestry, are the voters, also other Americans of many ethnic backgrounds, are the voters, Not Mexicans.
I'm sure you are mistaken about Boston, is that not where the Pilgrims landed.
11:14
You must be naiive. Mexican nationals DO vote...albeit illegally! Why do you think they have the million vote drive going on? Do you think anyone asks them for ID in the barrios?
How do you think Villagrossa got elected? Voter fraud is rampant in LA.
9:57
You are obviously one of the wetbacks who doesn't want to leave!!! I think I saw you on March 25 holding your Mexican flag and shouting anti-American, racist remarks.
MS13 has more terrorists than Hezbollah ever dreamed of! There are only 5000 terrorists in the Hezbollah army versus 50,000 gangbangers in LA. I'll take Hezbollah any day! Asshole!!!
This is not about the students or LAUSD. It's all about a former Mexican gangbanger, pseudo "politician" with an GPA of 1.4 who wants to corrupt the State.
There is no such thing as an "honest Mexican". Villagrossa is just a Mexican cur who is laying down with a pile of fellow Mexican fleas.
And all of you anglo-Saxon phony politicians and the nazi governor should be ashamed of yourselves. If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas!
Call the exterminator to terminate the Terminator and all of the Mexican cockroaches, or this city will have to be torn down.
It's obvious that most of you name calling ignorant individuals are uneducated, and now I understand why you feel so bad, you did not get an opportunity to expand your vocabulary. Just so that you know Boyle Heights, and E.L.A. are part of the U.S.A. and the same rules apply everywhere. After all even your Nazi Govorner is now siding with Antonio.
It's obvious that most of you name calling ignorant individuals are uneducated, and now I understand why you feel so bad, you did not get an opportunity to expand your vocabulary. Just so that you know Boyle Heights, and E.L.A. are part of the U.S.A. and the same rules apply everywhere. After all even your Nazi Govorner is now siding with Antonio.
Yes, they do ask for an I.D. in the Barrios. Yes, I can tell that you are a man about town probably never leave your block. And for the man who lives in Pacific Palisades and thinks he's safe from the Mexican Invasion,your only about 15 minutes away. All you people who try to ignore the situation take a helicopter ride, or you can call it a reality check. You are surrounded!
Are you sure you would like to destroy all terrorists, lots of people look at us, The U.S.A. as terrorists now, specially in these particular circumstances where are siding with Israel, and have supplied them with much of the military equipment that they are using to "defend themselves".
1:10 p.m.
I just noticed your remarks about the Mexican invasion being about 15 minutes away from the Palisades.
Let me hasten to tell you that I have lived in the same house overlooking the bluffs in the Palisades for the past 40 years. I guarantee you, ,my friend, that Mexicans will NEVER be allowed to set foot in our community. They are welcome to clean our toilets and tend our gardens, but that is as far as it goes.
And the same goes for Malibu, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, Bel Air, and all the coastal suburbs.
We lose no sleep over the prospect of becoming Mexicanized. You could never pull it off!!!!
So enjoy your barrios!
I just hope that the rest of the city wakes up and takes action. I really feel sorry for everyone who has to endure the third worlders.
Wow! I know you don't live there, because if you did you would know me, and alot of others like me, and I've got news for you, and you will soon find out its true, we have been living there for a very long time. You must only associate with your imediate nieghbors.
Reading your comments about lying down with mexicans who are fleas. You must like it fine, in between all these Mexicans because here you are, and we were here a long time before you. This was Mexico. So you must be all flea bitten.
In our sold out U.S.A, I got the money I got your House, no matter where it is. Your Nazi threats are outdated. Get into the Millenium. How old are you 100.
If you loose no sleep over becomomg Mexicanized, why are you commenting, and using words like barrio. Seems as though you are worried about it. As a matter a fact your all loosing alot of sleep over it. Maybe you feel deep down inside "Los Angeles" City of the Angels will always be Mexican, and there is nothing that will change that. In which case you should not worry about it.
"Cholo Tribe" When the Indian Tribes come down to the City of Peru, and walk among the City Folk they are called "Cholo" it is a tribe who live up in the "Andies" mountains.
3:51-5:31,
http://www.spellcheck.net provides free spell-checking if you're interested.
Oh 9:06 -Such hysteria.
He is only the most dangerous person in California, not on Earth.
The answer to solving LAUSD's problems are so simple. We don't need mayoral control although a break up would be nice.
1. TEACHER'S UNIONS = LAZY WORKERS
2. END CHARTER AND MAGNET SCHOOLS AND MAKE ALL KIDS GO TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL. IF EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR NEIGHBOR KIDS, IT FOSTERS A BETTER COMMUNITY. IT TRULY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE.
3. MANDATORY UNIFORMS.
4. NO MORE KINDERGARTNERS GOING ALL DAY LONG SO THEIR PARENTS HAVE BABYSITTERS.
5. SMALLER CLASSROOMS FOR ALL GRADES, NOT JUST K-3.
6. NEVER BUS A KID FROM THE USC AREA TO THE VALLEY OR FROM THE VALLEY TO DOWNTOWN. THE POOR KID NEVER GETS OFF THE BUS.
7. END THE OUTRAGEOUS LAUSD POLICIES OF "NO RUNNING ON THE PLAYGROUND" OR PICKING UP PAPER IF YOU WERE "BAD".
8. NO, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT THE ANSWER.
9. MANDATORY PHYS ED, MUSIC AND ART.
10. MORE FIELD TRIPS.
11. SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SO NO KID GETS JUMPED BY GANG BANGERS.
12. STOP TEACHING TO THE TESTS. KIDS CAN LEARN AN AWFUL LOT BY PLAYING SCRABBLE. MAKE IT FUN.
13. STOP SHOWING VIDEOS ON "FREE DAYS".
14. BRING BACK CIVICS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
15. MANDATE JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS TO MENTOR YOUNGER KIDS.
16. ELIMINATE HOMEWORK. IT'S SENSELESS, TIME CONSUMING AND CAUSES RESENTMENT AND THE PARENTS RESENT IT.
17. NO KID SHOULD GRADUATE WITHOUT HAVING TO DO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
18. THE SCHOOL DAYS SHOULD BE LONGER INSTEAD OF THEM HAVING HOMEWORK.
19. KIDS SHOULD ALL WALK TO SCHOOL IF IT'S LESS THAN 2 MILES.
20. BE ABLE TO FIRE BAD TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WHO HUMILIATE STUDENTS ARE BAD.
21. FLUNK KIDS IF THEY HAVEN'T MEMORIZED THEIR MULTIPLICATION TABLES BY 3RD GRADE.
22. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THEIR HANDWRITING SKILLS. IT'S HARDLY INDICITIVE OF THEIR HIGHER LEARNING SKILLS.
23. YOU DO NEED TO PARENT IN A WAY, TEACHERS. TOO BAD YOU DON'T NEED A LICENSE TO PARENT, BUT YOU DON'T.
24. ELIMINATE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. SEND KIDS TO THEIR NEAREST PARK FOR ORGANIZED SPORTS RUN BY REC AND PARKS.
25. TAKE DOWN YOUR FENCES.
26. BRING BACK PRACTICAL CLASSES SINCE ALL KIDS AREN'T GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE. WE STILL NEED PLUMBERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, AUTO MECHANICS, WELDERS, ETC.
This is so simple that monkeys could do it. Why is the mayor and LAUSD and all those other legislators making this so difficult? Ask the ones who know. The parents. Oh wait, I don't think anyone wants to ask us. They know better than us because they are "politicians".
Heads Up Those In The 45th Assembly District: Last night at the Mayor's Town Hall meeting at Sacred Heart in Lincoln Heights, I saw two candidates.
One was outside picketing, and the other was inside, giving a 3 minute oration on how wonderful the mayor is and how great the take-over plan is.
VOTE FOR SAM. Sam was outside holding a picket sign and walking with BAMN. Have to give that girl credit. She's been faithful to the cause, and even though she's an underdog I'm going to vote for her as a protest vote.
Pinche Kevin sold out to the Mayor and publically acknowledged that he's willing to let our kids be a political science experiment.
Dime con quien andes y ya te dire a quien eres. Pinche es un lobo en la ropa de el cordero.
Fascism, Nazism Antonio has turned Los Angeles’ Chicano Movement into a Big Brother City. How sorry I feel for the community of Lincoln Heights where parishioners of Sacred Heart Church were turned away and placed outside the Auditorium to watch a Power Point Presentation with repeated propaganda messages urging the poor populace to support the Mayor’s Plan to take over the LAUSD.
Four (4) Bus loads of outsiders were transported into the Auditorium in an attempt to make it look like the community of Lincoln Heights supported his mess. Antonio felt very confident in this stage set-up but marked these words; the community dislikes and distrusts “Vendidos” (sell outs).
Antonio Villaraigosa has wedded himself to the big developers to sellout the community and creates a fascist state where free speech is completely destroyed. How long we have waited to have one of our own, and now that we have him, he is nothing but a sell out, ruthless, cunning, clever and deceptive. He forgets that the History of Mexico is full of his type and eventually they disappear as soon as the next dictator attempts his coupe.
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