What's Wrong With Dekalb County? (Columbus, Macon: credit, home, school district)

[Saintmarks]

DeKalb was considered the creme de la creme in Georgia as far as efficient county run government and excellent county run school system not that long ago. The reputation is not in comparison to an area like Detroit, but with a comparison its own past. The way it does compare to Detroit is how far it has fallen from what it once was. From best to average or slightly below is a big slide.

It is too suburban to ever have the blight of a Detroit, but still, residents should be concerned with their government and their school system enough to challenge the status quo. Dunwoody and Brookhaven have come into existence in large part because of the failure of DeKalb. Chamblee has more than doubled through annexation. Lavista Hills, Tucker, Druid Hills to Atlanta.... the ball will continue to roll.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by Tammy_West

I appreciate you providing this information. But someone will read this and automatically assume that every school in Dekalb county is bad. This is not true. Since you mentioned Decatur (which is in Dekalb county btw) I will compare DATE to the top great schools rated public middle school in North Decatur. These are the 8th grade test scores from 2014

English Language Arts
DATE 100% Proficiency
Renfroe Middle School (North Decatur) 97%

Math
DATE 82%
Renfroe 89%

Reading
DATE 100%
Renfroe 99%

Science
DATE 78%
Renfroe 86%

Social Studies
DATE 89%
Renfroe 93%

These numbers are basically splitting hairs, but to be exact that's Renfroe 3, DATE 2. However, on Great Schools Renfroe is rated a 9, and Dekalb Academy is rated a 4. Why is that?

High Schools

Decatur High School (top rated high school in what you're describing as the top rated district in the state)
Arabia Mountain High School (a top rated high school in what you're describing as the lowest rated district)

9th Grade (other grades are not available on Great Schools for these schools. Don't know why)

Literature
Decatur 96%
Arabia 96%

Integrated Math 2 (2013 numbers)
Decatur 77%
Arabia 65%

Biology
Decatur 94%
Arabia 87%

Economics
Decatur 89%
Arabia 98%

Now to be fair, Decatur high School is rated a 9, Arabia Mountain an 8. But again, when you lump that school in and just say Dekalb county is the worst, people will not even look at individual schools. And those numbers certainly don't look like one school is in the worst school system in Georgia.

I think that some of the most recent greatschool ratings are messed up--the sample sizes from some tests are unusually small for some schools and probably not representative school achievement (and messing up one score in one minor test area can have a large effect on rankings)--I am guessing that this is due to Georgia transitioning out of the CRCT tests.--so, no, I would not trust the school ranking sites right now.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by demonta4

I'll agree with this. They are missing many amenities such as parks and recreation, sidewalks near schools, and paved roads. Many parts of the county look like they're in decay. Not saying it's actually in decay, but you get a depressed feeling whenever you drive through. (Except for Decatur)

Except for Decatur...and Druid Hills...and Lake Claire...and North Druid Hills...and Oak Grove/ Sagamore...and North Briarcliff...and Dunwoody...and Tucker...and Brookhaven...and LaVista Park...*sigh*

[Tito_d]

Originally Posted by Tammy_West

I appreciate you providing this information. But someone will read this and automatically assume that every school in Dekalb county is bad. This is not true. Since you mentioned Decatur (which is in Dekalb county btw) I will compare DATE to the top great schools rated public middle school in North Decatur. These are the 8th grade test scores from 2014

Decatur is not part of Dekalb county and has its school system.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Tito_d

Decatur is not part of Dekalb county and has its school system.

Decatur is DeKalb County's seat. Hello?

[Tito_d]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Decatur is DeKalb County's seat. Hello?

You can call the City Schools of Decatur at 404-371-3601 and ask them if you don't believe me. The City of Decatur provides most services (Police, Fire, 911, parks,..) and relies on Dekalb county for a couple.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Tito_d

You can call the City Schools of Decatur at 404-371-3601 and ask them if you don't believe me. The City of Decatur provides most services (Police, Fire, 911, parks,..) and relies on Dekalb county for a couple.

How does that make it not part of DeKalb County? I sure as heck paid DeKalb taxes when I lived there.

[jeoff]

Yes, the City of Decatur is part of Dekalb county.
No, the City of Decatur not what folks are talking about in reference to "What's wrong with Dekalb county?"
Yes, there is a significant racial component to that.
No, it is not all about race.

[WannaBeinBoston]

Generally I laughed at how completely moronic the people that are in leadership positions in DeKalb County are - black or white - this is not about race. How stupid do you have to be to shake down a vendor (Burrell), ask your subordinate for a loan (May). What about the Commissioner from Dunwoody who charged thousands of dollars on the County's credit card for personal expenses. Lack of judgement = morons!!

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Tammy_West

High Schools

Decatur High School (top rated high school in what you're describing as the top rated district in the state)
Arabia Mountain High School (a top rated high school in what you're describing as the lowest rated district)

9th Grade (other grades are not available on Great Schools for these schools. Don't know why)

Literature
Decatur 96%
Arabia 96%

Integrated Math 2 (2013 numbers)
Decatur 77%
Arabia 65%

Biology
Decatur 94%
Arabia 87%

Economics
Decatur 89%
Arabia 98%

Looks like Arabia is rolling.