Passion for words buoys students, school [In Jeb's FL, another low-income "D" school is moving up]

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 9, 2002 | Leslie Postal

[exnavy]

FYI ?

[exnavy]

FYI I am the father of two highschool age daughters, exceptionally bright and wonderful young ladies. Popular, also. The standards in the public school system have dropped significantly in the last 50 years. My older sister is a school administrater, my mother is retired MEA, my baby sister is elementary teacher. I'm talking first hand knowledge of four different public schools in Mi. PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE THE PITS.

[exnavy]

you don't need a reason, that is why it's called "faith".

[summer]

Re your post #41 - Yes, you criticized FL without apparently knowing much about it. And, according to your profile page, you don't live here.

So -- "FYI."

Now, maybe you'll know something about FL -- the place you criticized without knowing anything about. I think that is pretty clear WITHOUT an explanation!

[summer]

schools in Mi.

You posted on a thread about a new law signed by the governor of FL. How do you and all the family members you listed know anything about education in FL? I suspect you don't. Thus, your rude comment on that thread.

[summer]

BTW, I do not mean to sound rude to you. It's just amazing to me that negative comments about education in FL often come from people who KNOW NOTHING about the state! Very interesting how you become an expert on FL without (a) teaching in FL, (b) having any kids in the FL school system, or (c) setting foot in FL schools. Fascinating how you know what you claim to know! :)

[Cannoneer]

Summer: been away from FR for some time sadly. Your threads on the successes in the Florida educational system are very refreshing. I have two daughters that have BENEFITTED immensely from their Fl public education. One graduated this year and the other will begin her Junior year in the fall. I have found that their educational successes were from an effort like a three legged stool. Teachers - Students - Parents. Saddly, I have found the Parent leg of the stool missing in so many students lives. The parent is the key to supervising their child's education, encouraging community and extracariccualr activities; i.e. sports, music, church etc. The parent catalyst, when missing, more often than not can mean failure even with the best of programs. Fortunately the FCAT program puts the learning problems in the face of the adults directly responsible for education; parents and teachers. For the individual who previously bemoaned his own public education, I wonder how involved his parents were? Keep up the good work summer.

[summer]

Thanks for your kinds words to me, Cannoneer. I have heard from a number of FL parents on this forum who echo your thoughts -- education is getting better and better in FL. All the necessary changes won't happen overnight, but the changes are taking place.

And, you really nailed the winning formula: that "3-legged stool" of parents/students/teachers. I've never heard it put that way before, but I strongly agree with what you said.

I was talking to some teachers just today in fact, and one teacher told me, sadly, she wants to leave a school where she has taught for 7 years because she can not handle the lack of interest by the students' parents any longer.

Also, I hate to say this, but over and over, I hear teachers discuss the following sentiment: the best communities for parental involvement in tough, low income neighborhoods are often the Hispanic communities, because the family will get involved in education -- even if they don't speak English. They will come to the school, show up at conferences, and try to help.

And, the most difficult communities are often the African-American communities because of the lack of parental support, and the fact there are few fathers in these homes. Consequently, a school's success story like the one in this news article actually does become very big news, because this school is succeeding despite the odds that are stacked against it. Kids learning to read shouldn't be news, as one poster said, and I still agree; however, in a school like this one, it's a real uphill battle every step of the way.

Without parental support, everything is tougher, for both the student and teacher.

Thanks again for your post. I really appreciate you taking the time to write what you did! :)

[summer]

You might find post #47 interesting -- from a FL parent. :)

[exnavy]

Correct me if I am mistaken, the first article was slamming Jeb Bush for dropping the accreditation of public school administrators?

[exnavy]

Hellooooo, are you out there?

[exnavy]

Can you please help me out here, are you in support of your gov or not on the accreditation of administrators?

[summer]

Well, I wrote a very lengthy response to that question on that thread. See my reply #1. And, again my apologies if I sounded rude to you. I did not meant to sound that way. Sometimes I just get a little bit frustrated!

[summer]

And, here's that thread, in case anyone else wants to read my reply #1 on it, or know what we're talking about:

'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' -- Part 17: Jeb's NEW requirements for FL public school principals: NONE

[exnavy]

But that doesn't answer my question, you are a public school educator. My hat is off to you that is a noble profession. And I am sorry if I gave you or any one frustration about the Fla public school sys. Like all parents, I have not got a warm fuzzy feeling about the public school sys. in the USA.

[summer]

No problem, exnavy. And, I deliberately didn't answer your question on this thread, because I am hoping you will be inspired to click on the above link and read my entire answer! BTW, this is not intended to frustrate YOU! :)

[summer]

My hat is off to you that is a noble profession...

And, thank you for your kind words! :)

[summer]

Also, thank you for serving our country in the navy, as my hat is off to you! :)

[summer]

Like all parents, I have not got a warm fuzzy feeling about the public school sys. in the USA.

PS I happen to support all educational environments, including homeschooling.

[summer]

This is the kind of success that is driving the Dem Leaders bonkers here in FL...