Well - since it seems like I'm not very good at posting long epitaphs on a consistent basis I thought I would switch to "What ifs?" I'm always thinking about different thought provoking questions (if only in my own mind) and thought it would be easier and faster for me to post these questions. All of the questions will be designed to possibly help people think about changing their mindset, in turn creating a more positive environment and place to live. Of course, once more people actually start reading this blog I can always post your positive stories - I just don't have time to post long things that I have to type up and remember, etc etc.
So, hence the first question is WHAT IF I change the format of this blog - will more people start reading?
Showing posts with label Peoria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peoria. Show all posts
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wow - has it really been close to 3 months since I posted last - yikes - life has been busy. Now if things could go straight from my mind to the pages of this blog I'd be posting a lot more often. Lucky for you, no one has invented that type of "blue tooth" - yet! Speaking of inventions and positive things in Peoria - The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. I'm not sure how this segment "Will it Play in Peoria?" came about, but I love it! Here's a link to the first in the series of segments they have done so far http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=653914114. I've watched all of the segments so far and they're great! It's positive press for Peoria and it's entertaining. I hope these segments continue. So far 4 different people each time from the area showcase newer products. The owner of Cyd's, local councilman, small business owners and of course the second episode includes Mayor Ardis.
Check it out and see if you agree whether or not each product "will play in Peoria."
Thursday, December 6, 2007
ISAT Results in Peoria
OK - I have got to say that some people may look at the ISAT results from last year and not see positive results. I would like to say though that I think several of the school have very positive results even if they didn't meet AYP. http://www.isbe.net/nclb/default.htm Here's a link in case you'd like more information.
Anyway, back to the positive - when looking at the results for the schools in the City of Peoria specifically, many people will talk about the percentage of poverty in each school (basically the number of children who receive free or reduced lunch). Well I wish that could be broken up even more to show the percentage who receive free lunch only. Harrison for example then is probably 97% free lunch and 2% reduced. Many of the other schools would have similar statistics and there is a difference between groups in the low income catagory and don't get me started on the differences between generational poverty (like the families who live in Taft, Harrison, etc) and situational poverty.
So without getting too wordy (and if you'd really like to learn more about the challenges children who live in poverty face you can read the work of Ruby Payne) I want to say that several schools did much better than the numbers may say. I think the fact that a school like Kingman, with 87% low income (probably 70% free lunch), has steadily increased their percentage of kids meeting or exceeding standards is awesome! Then add to this their almost 60% mobility rate - just imagine what the teachers could do if all of the kids stayed at the school for the entire school year. So basically, when you look at everything that teachers and staff at Kingman and many other schools have to overcome to help children succeed, the fact that children exceed is a huge positive! Personally, as a parent, if I saw that my child's school had a small low income percentage and ISAT scores in the 70's or 80's, I'd wonder about the quality of education my child was receiving. Small low income and low mobility schools should have much higher scores - just look at what Northmoor has done with a low income percentage of close to half the student population, yet their ISAT scores were right at 90%.
So - to me - add everything up and the test scores are positive - they show that children and educators are working very hard and are achieving!
Anyway, back to the positive - when looking at the results for the schools in the City of Peoria specifically, many people will talk about the percentage of poverty in each school (basically the number of children who receive free or reduced lunch). Well I wish that could be broken up even more to show the percentage who receive free lunch only. Harrison for example then is probably 97% free lunch and 2% reduced. Many of the other schools would have similar statistics and there is a difference between groups in the low income catagory and don't get me started on the differences between generational poverty (like the families who live in Taft, Harrison, etc) and situational poverty.
So without getting too wordy (and if you'd really like to learn more about the challenges children who live in poverty face you can read the work of Ruby Payne) I want to say that several schools did much better than the numbers may say. I think the fact that a school like Kingman, with 87% low income (probably 70% free lunch), has steadily increased their percentage of kids meeting or exceeding standards is awesome! Then add to this their almost 60% mobility rate - just imagine what the teachers could do if all of the kids stayed at the school for the entire school year. So basically, when you look at everything that teachers and staff at Kingman and many other schools have to overcome to help children succeed, the fact that children exceed is a huge positive! Personally, as a parent, if I saw that my child's school had a small low income percentage and ISAT scores in the 70's or 80's, I'd wonder about the quality of education my child was receiving. Small low income and low mobility schools should have much higher scores - just look at what Northmoor has done with a low income percentage of close to half the student population, yet their ISAT scores were right at 90%.
So - to me - add everything up and the test scores are positive - they show that children and educators are working very hard and are achieving!
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