A Technical Education Magnet?
The revised bond issue proposal put forth by C.A.R.E. at the latest BOE meeting included shifting certain funds which were to be used for athletic facility improvements under the original proposal to creation of a technical education magnet high school. When one examines the proposal closely, this is not what was proposed; rather, a "technical education high school" centered on the aviation industry, not a true technical education magnet.
If the proposal was for a true technical education magnet, I'd give it some consideration. However, as it is narrowly tailored to the aviation industry, it gives me yet another reason to vote against it.
Wichita needs to broaden its manufacturing base. Turning out more people who are trained to work in the aviation industry from a high school creates highly skilled folks who are suitable for employment in only one area (if the technical education is being done correctly), rather than graduates who have transferrable knowledge and skills. The vocational college is the place for such specialized training, not a magnet high school.
Yes, our school board is unduly influenced by the aircraft industries and are asking for more of our money to serve that master. Rushing our students to mass mediocrity in order to generate specifically skilled workers. I am sorely disappointed and very sad.
I long for the days when a person leaving high school had been provided the opportunity for a well-rounded education that would serve them well and aid them in choices for furthering their education and beginning their adult life of responsibilities. I know some work hard and still accomplish that IN SPITE of what our educational system has become.
Vaughn, where do I find test scores for public schools? Is it true they have gone UP?
As to improvements in scores, the latest information I have seen relates to the assessments administered in Spring, 2007 (for high schools, the Juniors that year, who graduated in 2008). In 2007, there was an increase at the elementary level; a smaller increase at the middle school level; and a decrease at the high school level (primarily, IIRC, on the reading assessment; the math assessment scores stayed level or declined a bit). The 2008 testing information would have been at the buildings about May 15, based on prior year's experience; but as we didn't have a Site Council meeting in May, I've not seen any data. The district performance will be made public in September, again based upon prior years' experience, at a BOE meeting. I'm sure the Eagle will report on them again at that time.
I looked at NEMHS and as I thought, the reading scores fell from prior years, which I understand happened district wide; the math scores were better, but, as I said above, I'm not sure that was true across the district. The state web site only gives the percentage of students taking the test whose scores fell within each of the five categories. Obviously, if the percentage scoring "exemplary" or "above standards" declines, with an increase in "proficient", "basic" and "unsatisfactory", the scores declined, to give you an example.
http://tinyurl.com/6dzlma
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