Thanks to a blog reader, I have .pdf's of the Special Education audit.
Audit Letter:
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-nXkuyxohZNMGM1ODNhNzQtMDI1Zi00ODEzLWIzZmYtZjAxY2E0NmViMWEy&hl=en
Gifted Education Audit
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-nXkuyxohZNNTU5NjBjY2EtZTI3MS00ZWQzLTljZmYtZGEzYjJlMjA1N2My&hl=en
Special Education Audit
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-nXkuyxohZNNGUxM2I0NGQtNmZmMy00MzQwLWI0MjctMDVjOGE4MzBjYTYw&hl=en
Then there is the letter than came home from the High School math department - I am guessing it is in reaction to the concerns raised at the school board meeting. I scanned it to post it here:
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-nXkuyxohZNYmEzYzFhOTUtNjQzNS00OGIzLWFhYmItNTZmM2UxNThlMzMx&hl=en
I am not sure who approved this for distribution, but I found it to be offensive. If you weren't aware of what occurred at the school board meeting, you might be pleased with the attached tips, strategies, etc. as a step forward. However, if you really read the letter, it seems to place the blame of the problems that have occurred on the students and the parents. The second sentence of the letter, "Mathematics can be a challenging subject and requires dedicated effort on the part of each student", seems to imply that student in the past have not been dedicated. The phrase "teachers cannot do the work for the students" is particularly offensive. No one has ever said that the teachers should do the work for the students. All of the students I have known who have been frustrated with their math classes have wanted to do well, wanted to understand the subject, and wanted to do their own work. As a parent, I have done ALL of the things "suggested" - as though we weren't already doing them. Most parents I know do those things for EVERY subject their child has. No where in the letter does the department mention what has already been admitted by the administration in a school board meeting - that there are major issues in the math department. I'm getting really tired of the excuse that "students aren't motivated". Then why are they motivated to pass English, History, Science and Electives? Chemistry and Physics use a lot of math - yet students do well in those subjects. Do students really come out of 8th grade at an "Advanced" level for the PSSA's & suddenly no longer want to do well in math? I doubt it.
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I also take this letter as offensive. The phrase "teachers cannot do the work for the students" is a very offensive sentence, to be written in a letter, which is being sent out to the parents. There have been major issues with the math department for a long time. Maybe the teachers need to get motivated?
ReplyDeleteI think it is offensive AND coersive, sign this and the school is absolved from any responsiblity for your child's struggles. I would encourage NO parent to sign this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comment by J.S. about not signing the letter. I did refuse to sign and return the letter. I explained to my son what my position was and why I refused to sign the letter. I also told him that if he is reprimanded for me not returning the letter, that he should ask the teacher and/or school to contact me. I never heard anything else about the unsigned letter. However, when I signed on to my son's PowerSchool account, I saw that he received and "F" for failing to return the letter. Completely unacceptable in my opinion! My refusal to sign the letter in NO WAY reflects my son's ability in math and therefore should not be used in computing his grade. He also told me that his name is still on the board as one of the few who did not return the letter. Should he really be singled out and embarrassed in front of his peers because his parents do not agree with a letter that did not even come home on Octorara letterhead?
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