US News and World Reports posted a story on the top 100 high schools in the country. Connecticut did not make the list. But a quick look at schoolmatters on which the report was compiled reveals it might be because there is no data. Self selected scoring reporting? Not good science?
Discuss.
I just checked the schoolmatters website and entered the names of Norwalk’s high schools. The enrollment data is WAY off for BMHS and for NHS, even if one looks at last year’s enrollment. If they can’t get the simple data like that right, what do they do with the indicators of student achievement when they rate schools?
With all the money that Westport spent on their enormous new high school you think they would have placed. Guess money can’t buy you everything. What an embarrassment. Only silver.
The Connecticut State BOE has incorrect numbers and now Schoolmatters. Who is in charge of reporting school info? Sadly, Bridgeport bested us.
Does anybody know who the leading independent non partison organizations are for evaluating schools other than those mentioned? The Hudson Institute use to evaluate schools on a national level in the 90s but they have focus on more international matters now.
Cambridge Report
State of CT
U.S. News and World Reports SchoolMatters
Who else?
Scholastic Aptitude Test reports for total school success of high school students and the College Board and maybe the Carnegie Foundation?
Disenchanted teachers on working conditions and calls for school reform is not a good sign which means discussions on marginal items of importance.
National Science Foundation has reports.
But a quick look at schoolmatters on which the report was compiled reveals it might be because there is no data.
I think the same was said when Norwalk was called one of the safest cities in the country.
Its odd how history repeats itself and its not even election time.
Take nothing away from the hard working police officers and teachers,simply look at who is running the show and who put them there.
Yes and how do the taxpayers hold the leaders accountable when those overseeing their duties fail. The answer to keep looking at them is inefficient and ineffective. The teachers and officers with a knowledge of how the Norwalk systems are managed apply for jobs outside of Norwalk. We wonder why Norwalk has money to success ratio problems. Basic Business Management 101 teaches management is most important factor to the effectiveness of a business and the people you hire and communication to the hired are vital to the success of your leadership. The contentment on LT and Superintendent claiming so and so is bad but not as bad as the former are leading our city affairs into the same direction as the past. The salaries and benefits our LT and Super receive are desired by future candidates and are highly competitive to the neighboring towns.
Norwalk would benefit from year-round school in which classes are interspersed with shorter vacation breaks. A lot of schools across the country are reaping the benefits. Teachers and students find it a win win solution. We have them out in California. Thought I would share.
National Education Goals Panel
Connecticut uses Educational Testing Services to test teachers for certification. The organization evaluates the quality of education nationally and internationally at all levels.
The U.S. Department of Education’s nation’s report card is found here.
Census Bureau has drop out statistics and the National Education Association may have reports.
Institution for Independent Education was and may still exist. Google came up with this link http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM06693.html
I am reminded of the Times Mirror Company that use to conduct extensive reports on education, but they sold out to the Tribune for an $8 billion dollar deal in Y2K which was the largest newspaper merger of its kind. Tribune Co is a giant, one of the Tribune Company’s daily newspapers is the Hartford Courant and they own the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, Baltimore Sun, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, 23 television stations….
I recommend keyword searches with newspaper search engines to locate national comparisons on education. Using the terms such as congressional panel, commission, education, report card, etc.
Child Trends
National League of Cities
http://www.nlc.org/topics/index.aspx?SectionID=youth_education_families
Reports on finance, economics and money matters in schools
National Endowment for Financial Education
Reports on safe, secure and peaceful schools.
National School Safety Center
Union reports on education
American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
Reports on gender issues in education.
Wellesley Center for Research on Women
Reports on qualified versus unqualified school employees is studied through the National Commission on Teaching.
