Barrow grad test results weak

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Thursday, June 2. 2011

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Barrow County 11th Graders ranked 93rd out of 187 school systems in Georgia on the state graduation tests this year. Only 71.1 percent of Barrow students passed all four sections of the test on the first try. That was below the overall state average of 74 percent.

Barrow students’ strongest performance came in science where only 8.5 percent of students failed. The students’ weakest performance was in social studies where 21.8 percent failed.

Oconee County students led the area with a 92.1 percent overall passing rate while Clarke County was the area’s worst with a 57.9 percent overall passing rate.

Individual high school results haven’t been released yet by the state. The graduation test is currently being phased out by the state as more emphasis is being put on end of course tests.

For the full story, see the June 1 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Hmmm.... on 06/02/11 at 10:51 AM [Reply]

Apparently, quacking like a duck falls in the science portion of the test and not the supposed language/speech portion!

#2 Mike M. on 06/02/11 at 11:43 AM [Reply]

Shouldn't the teachers be held accountable for this obvious failure? Numbers don't lie and the numbers are telling us very clearly that the teachers' performances are woefully inadaquate. In any other profession this level of performance would not be tolerated. Again where is the ACCOUNTABLITY?

#2.1 anonie mouse on 06/02/11 at 02:01 PM [Reply]

Absolutely, the teachers should be held accountable. We certainly don't want the students to think they are responsible for paying attention in class, doing their homework and studying to make a passing grade! Bless their hearts!

#2.1.1 Mike M. on 06/02/11 at 02:26 PM [Reply]

The old saying goes "There are no bad students, only bad teachers". Does this not apply?

There was a story on here a week or so ago about some teachers having to move to different schools and the disscusion turned to teachers' pay. Some were claiming that teachers are overpaid some were saying under paid. I firmly believe pay should be based on performance. And judging by the numbers representing the teachers performance here I would say they are going to have a very tough time convincing anyone that they deserve at least what they make currently.

#2.1.1.1 Gwinnett Teacher on 06/05/11 at 10:28 AM [Reply]

Performance pay? How about performance pay for parents? I do what I can in the short time I have the child. I cannot make miracles happen when I see a child for 5 hours a week. Children are becoming more and more irresponsible and unaccountable. It's a shame...

#3 Robert Groen on 06/02/11 at 02:05 PM [Reply]

I think the phasing out of "the Graduation Test" is a HUGE MISTAKE!!!! This allows our under performing teachers and under performing students to move on! It's a mistake that our children will pay for the rest of THEIR LIVES!!!! If the are UNDER TAUGHT, and UNDER ACHEIVE, then they need to be properly edicated before they leave HS. This will end up only hurting our society In the long run. I am already scared to death when In a store you hand a cashier your money, they key it in wrong and CANNOT figure what change to give you back! How are we preparing them for life? If you are a under achiever it's OK, we will still let you move on? They will be running your government, healthcare, your banks, and your IRS! THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE!!!!

#4 mr teacher on 06/02/11 at 02:35 PM [Reply]

The test scores give a picture of how the student did over a four year period of study. These tests include recall of material from freshman World History and Math I as well as a number of other subjects. These tests measure the degree to which students recalled the taught material, not how well did the teacher instruct the student.

To measure teacher performance, you need more reliable constant measurement items. Third-party observations, content and methodology evaluations are but a few of the methods that should be employed. To measure performance just by the numbers leaves many unaswered questions. Students, by their very nature, change from year to year and from class to class. Some are more motivated than others.

The state move to measure the EOCT (End of Course Tests) instead of the current GHSGT is a more immediate and more decisive indicator of performance....both of the student and the teacher.

With the EOCT's, the scores can be evaluated to determine how well the material has been delivered. Low scores in a defined group of students can then be evaluated for why they were low and what measures need to be implemented to improve the scores.

For example; Teacher A has 25 students. 15 pass the EOCT, 5 exceed, and 5 fail to garner a passing score. Teacher B has 25 students. 15 fail, 10 pass and no one exceeds. On the face of it, one might imagine that Teacher B did a lousy job. It takes more than raw numbers to professionally and accurately measure performance.

How many special education students were in each class? What disabilities did they have and how do they affect the students' ability to comprehend the material? Were behavior issues present in Teacher B's class? Did the teachers use the state curriculum? Did the teacher receive cooperation from parents, students, administrators in preparing the students for their exams?

Mike M, numbers can be manipulated for any purpose. It takes a careful look inside the numbers to determine where the issue lies.

Teachers can only work with the "product" we receive. That is, not every student is a future rocket scientist or MIT bound genius. But all are special, with unique abilities and talents. Each one has specific hindrances or bonus' that they bring to the table when they walk into the classroom.

Dr. Bruce Morgan, former President of the Bible Institute of New England in 1974 wrote a short pamphlet on the education process then. Its title was; "Don't Mess With the Assembly-Line, You'll Screw-Up the Robots!". Dr. Morgan noted that the assumption is often made that all students enter the classroom as equals (equal ability, aspirations, motivation, socio-economic status. He noted that the assumption is further made that students should come out the doors gleaming like new Fords fresh off the assembly-line, free of defects or imperfections. All students are far from that! They are each individual and different. Different goals, different abilities, different backgrounds.

So what do we do about education in our schools?

The #1 thing that a parent can do is to send us a child that is encouraged to do their very best with whatever God has blessed them with.

#2, please be supportive of your childs' teachers. Let them know in a positive way you want to help and encourage the education process.

As an educator for over 10 years, I can tell you that I can usually forecast the success of a student based on one key issue: parental support. Supportive parents are the #1 ingredient to the success of a student. When I have parents that work WITH me, I know that usually, the child will succeed.

Beyond parental support, it is also imperative that teachers receive the support of everyone in the community. It does not matter if you have a child in the schools or not. The value of your property rests on the ability of the schools to produce students that are capable of providing necessary work skills for the labor market. The better equipped the students are for an ever-changing global marketplace, the more your property can be worth, the more businesses with high value jobs will come to the county, and the better the quality of life will be for everyone.

It is in everyone's best interest that our students succeed!

#4.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 06/02/11 at 02:48 PM [Reply]

EOCT story is here:

http://www.barrowjournal.com/archives/4815-Local-students-still-struggle-with-new-high-school-math.html

#4.2 Anonymous on 06/02/11 at 03:22 PM [Reply]

This differs from comps in college how?

#4.3 MGJ on 06/02/11 at 04:02 PM [Reply]

What hog wash. Just another teacher trying to justify his job so he want be cut. Most people that reads this rag are not as stupid as you think they are mr teacher.

#4.4 Bob on 06/02/11 at 04:19 PM [Reply]

Sounds like one of Obama's speaches. Talks for about an hour and no one can remember what he says. Or they say just what the hell did he say? Just a dribble riden speach.

#4.4.1 Hart Beet on 06/04/11 at 07:43 PM [Reply]

What is a "speach"?
Never mind: spelling is for losers.

Anyway, an Obama fart is better than any words that flow from any GOP member.
Sarah Palin, darling, of the tea-tards, recently said that the purpose of Paul Revere's ride was to "warn the British" so they couldn't take our guns.
Seriously -- she said that.

And yet stupid people like you diss Obama.

#4.4.1.1 Repub on 06/04/11 at 07:59 PM [Reply]

Obama is the WORST president in the last 150 years. Jimmy Carter used to be but now Obama took that title from him. The socialist from womb to tomb idea has run its course and he has run his course too. He will be a one term president. His cool aid drinking ideas have us in the biggest whole since the great depression. Just Bush drove the car in the ditch then Obama got in the car, got it cranked, got it back up on the road … then ran it straight off the cliff. It has crashed and is in full flames now.

#4.4.1.2 t on 06/04/11 at 08:19 PM [Reply]

You said - And yet stupid people like you diss Obama.

If you voted for Obama you ain't to smart yourself neighbor!! Don't call others stupid when you helped vote such a loser into office.

I have never seen a president with less abibities than him. Now if you want a speech given Obama and Clinton is your man. If you want an economic plan they are not the men.

And if you vote for him the second time after he has driven us even farther in the hole ... you really are stupid.

#4.4.1.2.1 Hart Beet on 06/04/11 at 09:04 PM [Reply]

Gotta love it when the illiterate get theirs boxers in a twist. The level of diction and grammar in your, uh, rebuttal serves to prove my point about stupid people voting Republican. Barrow county went 60%+ for the McCain-Palin ticket, thus confirming its status as an enclave of benighted yahoos.

And, it's a tired tactic to scream "socialist!" at Obama.
Republicans have howled that at every Democrat president since Woodrow Wilson. Boy, stop the woofing!

If the GOP really wanted to cut the deficit, they'd focus on defense spending and tax cuts for the rich.
Instead they plot to gut Medicare & Medicaid. Well played, Republicans: attack the poor, jobless and weak.

And, oh, eliminating the "war on drugs" would save a ton of money! But, the self-righteous "moral" crowd won't stand for that.

#4.4.1.2.1.1 k on 06/05/11 at 01:43 PM [Reply]

Yelp you are a complete idiot. Obama loving, cool aid drinking, old folks scaring, socialist, and liberal. I guess you believe in redistribution? What a crock. Just a way to take money from the working class and give it to the lazy, freeloaders. Guess you must be one of them too. Just another mind lost to the socialist. Hope you like wearing the diaper on your head because you and Obama will let them over run America soon.

#4.4.1.2.1.2 Danny on 06/05/11 at 04:29 PM [Reply]

This is priceless. A socialist liberal living in Barrow County making fun of a Republican. In a red state it does not matter what you believe blue boy. Learn how the President is elected by the majority in each state and how the electoral college works for each state. You look stupid arguing with this other person who is clearly mentally your equal.

#4.4.1.2.1.2.1 Eugene V. Debs on 06/05/11 at 08:05 PM [Reply]

You need the electoral lesson. Georgia's stupid red state
republicans didn't prevent Obama from being elected. He won. And when he is re-elected in 2012, you can cry some more. Tea-tard republicans are stupid losers. Very sore losers at that. But what can you expect from brain-dead hicks? They love Sary Palin & the wasiller hillbillies!

#4.4.1.2.1.2.1.1 DuWayne on 06/06/11 at 06:23 PM [Reply]

Always being the ever mean DemoRats aren't you? That is all the DemoRats know to do when all their policies are failing ... be mean. Obama is a failure.

#4.4.1.2.1.2.1.2 k on 06/06/11 at 06:38 PM [Reply]

You are right blue boy bozo. But he DID NOT carry GA. So your vote DID NOT COUNT! The majority was red so the Electoral College voted RED NOT BLUE!

#4.4.1.2.1.2.1.2.1 Eugene V. Debs on 06/07/11 at 01:50 AM [Reply]

The majority that counted was the majority of Electoral College votes (not the majority of Ga votes).
Try and see the big picture: Obama stomped the phony McNasty and the cretin Palin. Get over it, and get used to the probability of his re-election in 2012. You can bash Obama all you want, but he IS the president. Learn to live with it.

Tea-tards are so tea-tarded that they don't realize that by nominating loons in Nevada and Delaware that they cost the GOP control of the Senate in the 2010 mid-term election. Angle and O'Donnell were hysterically funny losers. The operative word being loser.

Keep it up, tea-tards. It would be a laff riot to see Obama crush Palin. Perhaps he could give her a history lesson on the midnight ride of Paul Revere.

In his second term, he might succeed in getting 'single payer' passed. The froth that the GOP would spew over that would make the 1960s brouhaha over civil rights look like a garden party.

#4.4.1.2.2 A on 06/04/11 at 09:36 PM [Reply]

What the heck are abibities?

#4.4.1.3 Steve on 06/05/11 at 01:47 PM [Reply]

Person don't have to spell to read that your are a socialist and a cool aid drinker. Must be one of those uneducated Democrats.

#4.4.1.3.1 Paul Revere on 06/05/11 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

You can't even form your ditto-head insults correctly; that would be Kool Aid. Plus, if I were you, I wouldn't accuse anyone of being "uneducated." At least not until you learn to write in the English language.
Excuse me, I have to ride out and warn the British not to take my guns; you know, fulfilling the Palin directive.

#4.4.1.3.1.1 Your Neighbor on 06/05/11 at 03:55 PM [Reply]

Ride on out there socialist. Can't stand it when the lady can beat your guy. What will you cry about when he is not elected.

#4.5 a parent on 06/03/11 at 08:59 AM [Reply]

I agree with mr teacher's assessment 100% - and the person who posted that Barrow and Oconee county demographics are similar is way off base. Just go to www.greatschools.org and compare the 2 systems. For example, North Oconee High has 17% of student population ranked as economically disadvantaged; Winder Barrow High stands at 37%. Two of the middle schools in Barrow county rank 50% of the student population as economically disadvantaged.

#4.5.1 gagirl36 on 06/04/11 at 05:46 PM [Reply]

And even those numbers are out of date. This school year there were about 60% of Barrow County students receiving free/reduced lunches.

#5 mr teacher on 06/02/11 at 03:13 PM [Reply]

Mike B.,

Thank you for referencing the article on the EOCT's.

Across the state, districts are grappling with the issues in the math curriculum in different ways. Because students learn differently and teachers teach in different ways, the state has allowed for a number of options in this area.

When I took math some 35 years ago, my first high school teacher was knowledgeable, but unbending and not sympathetic to her students. I learned little and struggled alot! The next year, I had a very different experience. The other teacher was just as knowledgeable, but a very caring and patient person. I still struggled, but the subject became something I could overcome. Both used the same textbook, overheads, lesson plans and after school tutoring schedule. Difference? One knew the material. The other knew HOW to communicate empathy with the struggling student.

#6 Student on 06/02/11 at 03:38 PM [Reply]

I think Mr. Teacher just schooled everyone...

#6.1 Jack Legg on 06/02/11 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

The problem with failing students is not with the teachers. You cant teach someone who does not care to learn. The parents of the failing students are to blame behind the students and the teachers only after that.
Parents.. teach your children the importance of an education, drill it into them from an early age, do anything you can to help them be able to learn.
Do not berate them for every little thing and sit around drinking, and smoking crack and having sex with your cousins.Children simply cant learn in that sort of environment.
PARENTS OF BARROW WAKE UP AND GET SOBER.
Get a leg up in 2012

#6.1.1 MGJ on 06/02/11 at 05:01 PM [Reply]

Jack remember what Ronald Reagan said “there you go again”. This fits you. It is all three’s problem, the teacher, the parent, AND the student. If the teacher can not motivate the student then they need to ask the BOE or the State for help giving them the tools to motivate these students. Put it on the next ballet and I will vote for it.

#6.1.1.1 Jo Jo on 06/02/11 at 06:51 PM [Reply]

Can't handle the job Mr Teacher? QUIT!

#6.1.1.1.1 anonymous on 06/04/11 at 10:30 AM [Reply]

Seriously, are you kidding me?

He said NOTHING about not being able to handle his job.

#7 mr teacher on 06/02/11 at 06:16 PM [Reply]

MGJ,

What "tools" would you suggest be asked for from the BOE or State?

At the high school level we have the following:

1. Before and After school tutoring FREE for each student that wants to come. Schedules are posted in the halls and available from any core subject teacher.

2. "CALL". Under CALL, the student is advised to show up for extra help during lunch time to make up unfinished work, lessons the student is behind in, or getting help in understanding an area the student is having difficulty in. When a student receives a notice to attend CALL, they must show up or answer to an administrator for why they skipped. They then spend some time in ISS completing the missed work.

3. All teachers will stay and help a student with extra help. A student simply needs to ask and help will be arranged.

4.E2020. This is a program used to for students to make up failed coursework (either a unit or complete course). Computer labs are available to get the needed assistance.

5. The publishers all have online assistance to their textbooks. The Department of Education has a website with all of the standards and study guides for the specific End of Course Tests.

6. PLC. The Performance Learning Center is specifically designed for students that are struggling in their classes. Classes are small, and it is a self-paced environment.

7. 9% unemployment, 10% in Barrow County, as a country we fall behind more than a dozen other countries in math and science. The job market is a global competition. Our students no longer compete against each other. They now compete against hungry, eager minds in far away places.

What do we need for "tools" to help motivate the students? Here is a real shocker for you from a teacher: Not more money (while its aways nice to pay the mortgage on time!), but simply more POSITIVE support from the community. That alone would help us to help the students.

Again, to those who already show their support, I thank you and appreciate what you do for us.

#7.1 MGJ on 06/02/11 at 06:35 PM [Reply]

Then mr teacher if you have all these tools at your use ... why are the grades still lacking? Gee you must do a poor job using them. Now lets here you have another Obama style rant again. It is never the teachers fault. Has to be the parents or the BOE. Can't be yours. blah blah blah the message never changes. Not my fault.

#7.2 George on 06/02/11 at 06:49 PM [Reply]

You think these students read this newspaper? How would they know we were giving the schools support. The parents don't read it either so they want tell them. They can't read mr teacher. Have a rally in downtown and the ones that are failing want show up to that either. So your cry falls on death ears. Sounds good there mr teacher ... but it don't work. It still is everybodies fault. Yours included.

#7.2.1 anon on 06/02/11 at 10:11 PM [Reply]

Death ears? Hahahahaha!

#7.3 Jack Legg on 06/02/11 at 07:19 PM [Reply]

well mg if it sounds like Im repeating myself"there you go again" its because I dont have software on my computer that will allow me to draw you a picture.

#7.3.1 MGJ on 06/02/11 at 07:39 PM [Reply]

How about crayons? Just messing with you jack. You the MAN.

#8 anonymous on 06/02/11 at 06:50 PM [Reply]

And let the teacher bashing begin!

#8.1 Steve on 06/02/11 at 07:43 PM [Reply]

If they would shut up crying then they would not be bashed. Seems teaching means never being held responsible. Sounds like be a weatherman where they never except a bad forecast as their faults either.

#9 Anonymous on 06/02/11 at 07:54 PM [Reply]

There are a lot of really bad teachers and there are a lot of really good teachers.

Just a few observations from an outsider looking in:

1)Johnny has a cell phone; momma texts him DURING class. Teacher takes up cell phone; momma becomes irate. After all she GAVE the cell phone to Johnny so she COULD texted him.

Who's at fault? Teacher, Parent, Student?

2)Mary ask to go to the bathroom, five minutes into class and right after lunch. Teacher tells her no, should have gone at lunch. Mary states "My momma said if I ask and you don't let me go, I can walk out of class"

Who's at fault? Teacher, Parent, Student?

Shall I go on? I've got a whole list; could write a book.

I think the failure rate in Barrow is shared equally with the parents, teachers, students and administration.

Do I think changing to a charter school system will solve the problem? No, just mask it.

#9.1 Anon on 06/02/11 at 10:15 PM [Reply]

The demographics in Barrow County and Oconee County are the same? Are you kidding me?

Parents in Oconee County are MUCH more supportive and involved in their children's education, as a whole, than parents in Barrow County. I know teachers in Oconee County and I know that they don't have nearly as much trouble getting parents involved as teachers in Barrow County do.

Does Barrow County have some parents that are interested and involved? YES, absolutely! But, overall, there is a lack of involvement and that is a problem.

#10 Mike M. on 06/02/11 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

Mr. Teacher, you put forth a compelling argument however the one glaring flaw in your arguement and one you fail to mention is; roughly 30% of our students can not recall what they learned during the first three years of high school. One would only have to compare our students with those of Oconee Co. where they have a failure rate of 7.9% compared to our 28.9%. Are their students really that much better???? NO, because the demographics are almost identical with Barrow and Oconee counties meaning we pull students in from the same pool of potential students. Thus concluding that the mitigating influence of our substantial failure rate is our teachers vs. Oconee's.

Futhermore if the student body which was tested has made it through to the 11th grade then it would be safe to assume the student body as a whole has been decent students (going to school, making passing grades, etc..) So one could easily conclude that either one of these three situations exist, perhaps all little of all three that would explain such a high failure rate:

1. The teachers failed to properly teach the students in a way that they would retain the information.

2. The teachers failed to properly identify struggling students and place them on a path that would ensure their success.

3. The teachers "passed" bad students on to the next grade instead of properly dealing with them.

No matter how you look at it a 30% failure rate is unacceptable and is a clear indication that the teachers failed the students.

#10.1 gagirl36 on 06/02/11 at 09:11 PM [Reply]

Where did you get your info on demographics and that we pull students from the same pool?

#10.2 r on 06/02/11 at 09:37 PM [Reply]

Mike, you're just plain nuts.

The demographics are SO different from Oconee County it's like night and day. Oconee average housing prices are almost double Barrow's. Oconee's average income is much higher than Barrow's.

The demographics just don't match up at all. That, in an of itself, is the biggest difference between the two counties and their school system.

#10.3 Not the Teachers on 06/03/11 at 09:21 PM [Reply]

Uhm it is the PARENTS that support social promotion, not the teachers. PARENTS do not want a 16 year old 8th grade boy in the same school with 12 year old 6th grade girl nor do they want a 13 year old 5th grader hanging out in elementary school. So those kids gets the social promotion until HS. Then they drop out.

Also - the state BOE keeps making the curriculum harder each and every year. Just go look at a study guide for Math III and compare it to a study guide for the math section of the GRE, the HS class is harder.

#11 Mike M. on 06/03/11 at 11:37 AM [Reply]

Must I do all of the research? It's really difficult to have an engaging discussion if only one party is informed and intelligent enough to actually research before making a comment. But none the less here is a web site that draws infomation gathered from the latest census. http://www.dca.state.ga.us/CountySnapshotsNet/countysnapshot.aspx?stype=2&cicoid=1007007

Who am I kidding you won't take the time so I'll sum it up for you.

Barrow - 84.8% white, 9.7% black, 3.2% hispanic
Oconee - 89.6% white, 6.4% black, 3.2% hispanic

Barrow - 28.4% younger than 18
Oconee - 30.2% younger than 18

Barrow - 6.8% of the households are single mothers
Oconee - 6.1% of the housholds are single mothers

Barrow - 01 to 05 drop out rate 5.5%
Oconee - 01 to 05 drop oiut rate 2.5%

Although you are exaggerating about the home values between Barrow and Oconee that means nothing in this discussion. However the most revealing statistic is DOLLARS SPENT PER STUDENT. See below for a comparison and you may be surprised.

Barrow - $6,793.00 spent per student
Oconee - $6,225.00 spent per student
State avg. - $6,603.00 spent per student

So in closing Barrow county and Oconee county demographics are almost identical and we do pull students in from the same pool of potential students. Not only does Oconee county teachers excel when compared to ours in Barrow county but they do so with less money. So let's put this in layman terms. If all things being equal (demographics of the students), then the only differance is the teachers. And like I said before numbers don't lie and they're telling us that the teachers have failed the students. Is it really that hard to see?????

#11.1 Tom Thumb on 06/03/11 at 04:13 PM [Reply]

Mike M I thank you. You have just ended this argument as far as I can see. People having more money vs people with less money HAS NO creditability why students don't study. This is the second time this subject has come up lately in this newspaper. I keep reading what the teachers are saying and who they blame. They always blame every possible person they can but themselves. I have YET to see any teacher come up with a solution that would "fix" the problem. We have discussed the reason the schools are failing to death. Now how do we fix the problem? What are their recommendations to fix these problems? What is the BOE and Barrow County going to do to get these grades up. Stop the blame game and lets come together and find a way to educate this kids. The teachers need to stop crying and start educating the community as how to HELP educate these trouble kids. It is everybodies problem. Not just the student, teachers or parents. It is everybodies!!

#11.2 r on 06/03/11 at 06:35 PM [Reply]

Figures lie - Liars figure.

You've selectively picked numbers to prove your point, yet you ignore the most important ones.

Barrow per capita income - $23,800
Oconee per capita income - 31,462
32% higher in Oconee. 32%!

Barrow Median Household income - $45,019
Oconee Median Household income - $55,211
23% higher in Oconee. 23%!

Income levels are a much better indicator of educational success than racial breakdown, average age, or even dollars spent per student.

So in closing Barrow and Oconee demographics are NOT identical. You've used selective numbers to state your case, but not the most important.

C'mon Mike, try harder.

#11.2.1 Anonymous on 06/06/11 at 09:04 PM [Reply]

Okay, I'm going to jump into this argument. The difference in the median income is only a difference of $10,192. That really isn't much. It simply means there is a bigger gap between the wealthy and the poor. Being poor IS NOT a reason for doing poorly in school. There are plenty of wealthy students who think they don't have to work hard because of who mommy or daddy is.

The per capita income is difference is only $7662. Again not that big a difference.

Your statement liars figure and figures lies applies more to your argument than the other guy.

Barrow County students fail is due to the school system itself. The teachers follow the leadership of their department heads, who follow the leadership of the school administration (principals, etc) who follow the leadership of the BOE.

You want to improve the graduation rate of the students in Barrow - you need to vote out the board members whose ideas haven't worked for years and will continue to not work.

#12 Fortitude on 06/03/11 at 01:23 PM [Reply]

You have to take into count the income level is greater in Oconee County per capita. Barrow has 65% of its students on free and reduce, what is Oconee's. I wonder if income plays a role in how well the students do, i.e parents who care about their children will sit down and study with them, compared to just send them off and let the system teach the students the 8hrs they are there

#12.1 Mike M. on 06/03/11 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

By your way of thinking only people of means make good parents and folks who are no so fortunate make lousy parents? Is this what your seriously thinking?? If so that's beyond absurd.

But either way income level has no bearing once you take into account the fact that Barrow Co. spends more per student than Oconee Co. and for argument sake the funds provided for free and reduced lunches comes from federal funding so it is not figured into the equation because no county or state money is used to fund it. So please explain how a student who is gets free or reduced lunches is more prone to failing than one who pays.

Again, put blame where you want but the facts remain the same and they are the teachers have failed to teach.

#12.1.1 Candace on 06/03/11 at 04:31 PM [Reply]

Mike, I am not a teacher but the parent of students who have done fairly well in Barrow county schools. I am not rich but I make enough money to expose my kids to all kinds of different experiences-like travel, 3 meals a day at home, computers, gameboys, games, books, time with them and such. Apparently, that does make a difference because all the teachers I have ever talked to say the kids that get the most exposure to other places and events do better in school. You can look at Barrow county when you drive around and it looks poor. There is no where to work here. My husband and I have worked out of the county our entire working careers. We live here because the cost of living is less than Gwinnett. I think you are right-we need a solution but to say that economics of the family plays no role may not be exactly right in all cases. You do know your facts though about the demographics-that is for sure.

#12.1.2 anonymous on 06/04/11 at 10:36 AM [Reply]

Just because someone makes more money does not make them a good parent, just like someone who makes less money is not automatically a bad parent.

However, income still plays a role in student achievement. Not because someone who struggles financially is a bad parent... but because a family in poverty sometimes has to focus on things other than their child's study habits and grades, such as putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. Many parents of children living in poverty simply don't have the time to be involved in their child's education.

There are bad parents and good parents at every socioeconomic level.

#13 Tired of the blame crap on 06/03/11 at 04:18 PM [Reply]

Enough is enough! What is the solution? It does not matter how we got here ... we are here. How do we go forward from here.

#13.1 The Onion on 06/03/11 at 07:04 PM [Reply]

I think all children should be eligible to drink, drive, and vote from the age of four on up. However, if those same children get sick, then I believe it is their sole responsibility to pay for their own healthcare. Children should not be coddled with the support of their parents' hard-earned money. And children who can't handle that should be thrown immediately into debtors prison, performing menial tasks until they have paid back their ebt to society and are once again ready to participate in our robust free-market economy. But at the same time, we must make sure that whatever prison they are sent to has plasma screen TV's and Wi Fi in every cell, and that the inmate are encouraged, by highly paid professional psychologists, to express their feelings in improv role-playing classes and short-fiction workshops. Because if I even suspect that prisoners are receiving anything less than top-shelf treatment, I'll be the first to show up with a picket sign marching for their rights. Rapists and murderers are people too, just as cats and dogs are. So, in conclusion, the African-American community will never receive justice until there is an armed insurrection against Whitey in the streets, Pepsi-Cola should run our government, the elderly are our greatest national resource except for child labor, which I support, slavery should be legalized, as well as rape, and if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! It's not the governments job to pamper you and hold your hand unless you want funding for a massive public arts project that involves a giant pile of human feces shaped like an American flag, in which case nothing should stand in the way of your First Amendment rights. I only wish there were more people out there as open minded as I am.

#13.1.1 The Onion Peeler on 06/03/11 at 08:52 PM [Reply]

WHAT A Crock!!! Get your clothes in a bag and head out weirdo! The only thing you have is snakes in your head!

#13.1.1.1 Sad on 06/04/11 at 04:48 AM [Reply]

Dont respond to those kind of comments. Thats why they are posted. Just ignore it and those kind of people will go away. They just want to get a rise out of you

#14 K on 06/04/11 at 07:01 PM [Reply]

The fact still remains ... you are paid to educate these students. If you can't or don't want to then move the hell away where we may could find a replacement that is welling to teach them. That is what you get paid for. It is not the BOE, BOC or parents job. It is yours ... now teach. Sounds like BC have a whole group that can't teach or reach these kids. Move on. You are not earning your money.

#14.1 Jack Legg on 06/04/11 at 08:08 PM [Reply]

K , I think that if you hired all of oconees teachers away and fired all of ours that you would still get the same results we have been getting.
The problem is not the majority of teachers, sure some are bad in any system. The problem is the kids themselves. A teacher can talk all day every day and pour knowledge into their brains , but when they get home and see momma and daddy smoking crack and drinking beer, and telling them that they dont need no education, who do you think they are going to follow.
I said the problem is the kids , its really the parents. So what is the solution?.
Take all of the failing ,disciplinary problem kids out of the regular schools, put them into their own environment and give the other kids a chance to learn.
get a leg up in 2012.

#14.2 r on 06/04/11 at 08:08 PM [Reply]

You sound like one of those parents who put their kids into school and say, "Okay, they're here, educate them." it doesn't work like that, bub. It is the parent's job, not to educate, but to ensure that their children are prepared, have studied, and understand the concepts of subjects they have taken.

It takes a little bit of work to be a parent. With your attitude, it's no wonder our children aren't passing more.

#14.2.1 K on 06/04/11 at 08:31 PM [Reply]

Well r you aren't to smart sounding either. Be a man and do the job you are hired to do. If you can't quit. The parents aren’t any smarter either. They were educated at WBHS too. So they don’t know how to help. It rests on your shoulders. Like it or not. Cry or not. Blame everybody but you. You get PAID to teach. Shut up and teach. If you don’t want people to diss the teachers … then the teachers need to shut up and quit crying on this blog and after a while we will move on. In today society if you cry like them you will get eaten alive.

Now come back with some redneck WBHS counter. Have some self respect. If you accept a salary … then do your damn job. Stop crying.

#14.2.1.1 r on 06/05/11 at 08:45 AM [Reply]

Guess what, genius....I'm not a teacher. But I DO have children in public schools. And I was educated by the public school system. I've seen students graduate from WBHS, enter prestigious universities and graduate, and enter the business world to become successful individuals.

Students leave our school system every year and go on to live successful lives. Ultimately, the teachers put the information out there. It's up to the students to process and learn. Don't blame teachers. If you do, you are scapegoating them from the reality of today's ineffective parents.

#14.2.1.1.1 k on 06/05/11 at 11:11 AM [Reply]

Look here NON-genius, compare how many graduate and go to all the great places you proclaim compared to the surrounding counties. It may surprise you. Even the worst counties have people that move on to colleges.

#14.2.2 K on 06/04/11 at 08:36 PM [Reply]

Nope, don't have kids anymore in the school system. When I did they were sent to private school and got a real education. They were taught by teachers that had the same degree as the ones here in BC. They didn’t cry or blame the world.

#14.2.2.1 Candace on 06/04/11 at 10:12 PM [Reply]

Private schools don't keep under performing kids in their schools because they don't have to. Public schools have to teach everyone. If you take out the 29% of kids who didn't pass the graduation test in the public schools here then we would look like we had no problems at all. I don't know the percentage of kids who are from poorer families who failed the graduation test so I can't really say if it is economics or not. But from my experience helping out (when I could) at my kids schools here in Barrow county, it seemed to be kids from less fortunate(for want of a better word) families. Kids that were being raised by single parents and grandparents and just plain families with problems needed a helping hand so the teacher could teach the class. Our real solution here is we need those kids who don't get much exposure to different things in life to get some by being exposed to mentors, situations, places that will broaden their minds. I think the reason Barrow teachers think they aren't getting much parental support is that most of us are working middle class people who are at work when school is going on. We do have some people who are able to help out but most of us have to go to work. I am not sure what the solution to that is since we are all losing jobs left and right, but I do know that they need help with the 5-10 who are behind so they can make sure the other 20 learn the material. I also know there are a few bad teachers among the many good ones and somehow that needs to be dealt with too without calling them all bad. Teachers hold your heads up and do as good a job as you can. We don't all think badly of you. Parents and community step in and do what you can to give our kids a hand up. It will serve us all in the end. Even the kid who doesn't do well in school but ends up being an aid helping you to the bathroom when you are sick is doing an important job in this life. We don't all have to be brain surgeons for our job to mean something to someone.

#15 p on 06/05/11 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

I have never seen or heard of any profession that cries like teachers. You better never leave teaching. You have no one but yourself to blame in private jobs. You would be fired if you under perform.

#16 weetart on 06/06/11 at 09:24 PM [Reply]

I am going to settle this debate. It's all about IQ. Rich people i.e. smart people have smart children. Poor people i.e. dumb people have dumb children. Of course this hypothesis is not 100% accurate, but overall will hold true.
With a county full of $130,000.00 started homes, these results can only be expected.
I say lets blame the developers or maybe the bankers who loaned them the money

#17 Anonymous on 06/06/11 at 10:50 PM [Reply]

Most of the time, it is the parents to blame... Children are to be taught at a very early age, with everything, including the importance or school. I find it hard to blame the children when they are raised in homes where the parents really could care less about helping their kids with their homework.. We don't have much, but started taking my child at the age of 1 to the library.. He learned very early the love of reading and books.. We didn't expect his love of learning to begin in Kindergarten !! It started with us, we want more for our son, and he is now 13 and thriving in school.. We have great schools here and great teachers as well. And yes, most of our schools here in Barrow do have tutoring, if you can get your kid to school 30 minutes early !!

#18 Metro on 06/07/11 at 03:05 PM [Reply]

The Board of education needs to be FIRED! Along with every last teacher in the school system! THis is OUTRAGEOUS! Do you see how much these worthless bums are being paid to provide a less than sub standard education?

For chrissake even ATLANTA schools are doing better!

What a disgrace! FIRE THEM ALL!

#18.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 06/07/11 at 03:18 PM [Reply]

Hmmm, what Atlanta schools are you talking about? The Atlanta Public School System was not better. Some suburban schools were better. Let's be specific here in the evaluation.

#19 Bobby Jo on 06/09/11 at 07:02 PM [Reply]

Got the answer ... lay off and close down the BOE. Lay off all the board members. Then make all the schools private schools. Let the parents "pay as you go" for their kids. Pay by the month for their kids to go there. Bet they would take more interest in their kids then. Then when their kids graduate they would quit paying. And all the rest of us don't have to pay for the failing school system.

#20 Arthur on 06/09/11 at 07:38 PM [Reply]

I AGREE BOBBY JO!!

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