Comments on: Michelle Rhee: Blueprint for urban schools?

By: Frustrated

Frustrated — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:56:20 +0000

I did not catch that Woodruff was closing. It is sad and yet, fiscally it is the right thing to do. The k-8 school concept is good news. Perhaps the slowing economy can prove a good thing for District 150 in that the Board is forced to make tough decision, like closing a high school, that are long overdue.

What about freezing or cutting administrative pay?? At last read they were debating whether or not to withhold raises?? Please!! Companies with much stronger financial footing than District 150 have already come to the decision to freeze and/or cut pay and bonuses. Surely that is the next announcement forthcoming???

By: Sharon Crews

Sharon Crews — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:09:08 +0000

No, the closing of Woodruff High School–merging Woodruff students into Peoria High. The mainstreaming is definitely crazy, too.
The only good thing about tonight’s news is the return to some K-8 schools.

By: Frustrated

Frustrated — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:51:24 +0000

Sharon- What are you referring to — the incredible number of work comp claims or the huge push to main stream children into classes in which teachers already have their hands full with what are deemed “regular” learners. If I was a primary or secondary teacher at Dist. 150 I would weep!

By: Sharon Crews

Sharon Crews — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:14:26 +0000

Be sure to watch the 10 o’clock news for the latest District 150 insanity!

By: nontimendum

nontimendum — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:29:10 +0000

Michael, you’re eligible for up to a $500 tax credit on your Illinois return that is designed to return to you part of what you pay for D150 and don’t use. If you are sending your kids to a Catholic school in Peoria, the tuition and books fees will more than qualify you for the full $500.

By: Frustrated

Frustrated — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:38:27 +0000

Michael – You are living proof of why District 150 is failing and why so many residents of the area select private school to educate their children. You want instruction that challenges your children and that is something District 150 in most cases has difficulty offering due to it diverse population. Education must be more customized within the District to attract and retain families.

By: kcdad

kcdad — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:50:11 +0000

Michael Michael Michael… ALL children, all human beings want to learn. The only ones that seem to get labeled as bad learners do so because what they want to learn is not what the school wants to teach them… like things that are important to them.
Did you see the statement by Albert Einstein about force feeding a beast of prey to kill its appetite for meat?
It is not coincidence that children stop asking “why” and “how come” and being genuinely curious about the world after being “taught” what schools have to teach them.
Its no coincidence that free schools and other alternative schools are considered UN-American because they reinstall this curiosity and questioning.
Sharon, I don’t want classless education, I want a classless society.

By: Sharon Crews

Sharon Crews — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:57:54 +0000

Michael: I don’t know how my point of view has gotten so confused,or did you just start reading my comments on this particular post? I am a strong advocate of an alternative school for the very students about whom you are talking. Jeff Adkins-Dutro and Hedy Elliott-Gardner, who are running as president and vice president of the union, feel very strongly about such a school as well. Your last statement is a complaint I’ve been making to District 150 board members and administration for a long, long time. The situations you describe are the reasons that we “union” teachers have a difficult time having success–do you think we choose to work in those conditions, conditions which do limit opportunities for kids who want to learn.

By: michael

michael — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:28:14 +0000

Why do all the kids, both good and bad, need to go to the same school. If a child has made it clear that they have no desire to learn, then why would you put them into a class were they will ruin any hope for an education for all those who want to learn? This is why my children do not go to public school. To often public school is about teaching to the bottom of the class. The teacher spends all her time on trouble makers and children who have fallen behind or have no desire to learn. The bright kids and those who do their work are left to sit in boredom. In the end no one really gets an education that is worth much.

By: Sharon Crews

Sharon Crews — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:03:22 +0000

11Bravo and Michael: I think we’ve all put ideas out there–and now it’s getting confusing. For instance, I don’t remember mentioning the term or idea of “matching funds.” I believe that private schools do a better job because they have the power to choose their students (and please don’t tell me that they don’t). So you and I neither one have any idea how most private schools would deal with the academic and behavior problems that I believe keep schools from succeeding. None in Peoria have come close to trying. When you can prove that Peoria Christian and Peoria Academy, for example, can motivate and lift up students who make public school teaching difficult–then I’ll buy all your theories.
We already know the results of the present system–I agree that there is very, very much wrong. We just may disagree as to who is at fault. And we all seeking solutions The voucher system, charter schools, no unions, no teacher tenure might work–but no one knows yet.