You just might NOT be qualified to live in SW Florida IF..... (Fort Myers: loans, house)

[121804]

Originally Posted by TedTAce

Oh by the way.... for people who deem school districts as unacceptable for cosmetic reasons (like their FCAT's) without experience in them I have to say this: Watch the movie October Sky.

How is the FCAT cosmetic?

It shows the standardized test scores of children who attend the school. It shows the average competency of reading, writing and math skills.

Most are not going to debate that standardized testing is part of the agenda of NCLB. And many, if not most, are quite against NCLB due to how the focus has come off of "education" and into "teaching to the test". There have even been legal issues with Collier County adjusting FCAT scores to show higher scores.

A pattern emerges when you research Lee County and Charlotte County schools. Unfortunately for Lee County they have school choice, which started with good intentions, but has caused numerous headaches for everyone.

FCAT scores only tell part of the story of SWFL schools. It's a good appetizer.

Everyone has the "brain surgeons come out of the worst public school" stories to share. And just b/c your child attends a school that scores quite highly does not mean they are next in line to run a Fortune 500 company.

But, if a parent is ok with moving to an area that has no desire, intention, or any money to improve its school system, that's their choice. When you move to an area that caters to retirees and snowbirds, schools are not priority nor do many in the community care.

It's hard to find a community that has below par schools but all other public services are above standard. Job cuts in schools, job cuts in police forces, job cuts in EMT, job cuts in service dept...the list snowballs once it starts....

Is this just held to SWFL? Absolutely not. Are not some of the most affluent cities in the countries facing several public education problems. Definitely. But the forum is about SWFL

FCAT scores definitely give an idea but not the whole story.

But as Hiknapster says & for those of us who've been on the board for awhile...so many come on who have children and never inquire about the schools...their answer "I'll just work with my children" or "I'm sure the schools are just like anywhere else"...ahhh, no, they are not...

I'm not a fan of standardized testing, but 60%- 70%'s in 3rd grade reading...continually...that's not good...that shows a problem is somewhere.

FCAT scores or standardized testing scores in any state should never be the "tell-all", but they do tell something.

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Just for fun I did a google search on "The worst schools in America"
Of the 100 worst, Not One was in SW Florida, only three in the state at all, one in central Florida, one in Miami and the third in Orlando.
On the other hand, eight of the worst were in Milwaukee, less then an hour from my home. so even IF schools were a concern for us, SW Florida is still an improvement.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Sorry, It was I, Mr Cool, who made the last comment, don't tell my wife, she was the state spelling bee champ in grade school, and my writing is her pet peave. Besides, that's the way we talk here in Wisconsin, hey dare!
Anyway, don't laugh, I have no problem cleaning houses or doing landscaping to make a little extra cash (That I keep losing in the stock market) That's one of the other things we have here in Wisconsin. Work ethic!!!!! Mr.Cool

For the same reason Americans have allowed WALMART to close whole industries and destroy small business, it's a nickel cheaper

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by 121804

I'm not a fan of standardized testing, but 60%- 70%'s in 3rd grade reading...continually...that's not good...that shows a problem is somewhere.

FCAT scores or standardized testing scores in any state should never be the "tell-all", but they do tell something.

School I pulled my kid out of:

Rayma C. Page: Reading 74.5% Math 71.3%

School she is in now:

Sterchi Elementary: Reading 94.0% Math 94.8%

See why we loaded up and moved on out? And you're right. It isn't just the scores. Oh, the stories I could tell...

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by Boompa

For the same reason Americans have allowed WALMART to close whole industries and destroy small business, it's a nickel cheaper

WHAT!!!

[121804]

Test Scores for Charlotte County Public Schools | GreatSchools

Charlotte County
Grade 3

Reading
78% (2009)
78% (2008)
77% (2007)
80% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2009.

Math
83% (2009)
80% (2008)
81% (2007)
75% (2006)

Grade 5 FCAT

Reading
79% (2009)
73% (2008)
75% (2007)
72% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2009.

Science
50% (2009)
49% (2008)
49% (2007)
37% (2006)
The state average for Science was 46% in 2009.

Math
65% (2009)
67% (2008)
62% (2007)
55% (2006)
The state average for Math was 62% in 2009.

Grade 10

Reading
41% (2009)
42% (2008)
40% (2007)
36% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 37% in 2009.

Math
73% (2009)
75% (2008)
70% (2007)
72% (2006)
The state average for Math was 69% in 2009.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2008-2009


Grade 11

Science
37% (2009)
42% (2008)
36% (2007)
38% (2006)
The state average for Science was 37% in 2009.

The high school scores are straight out scary as is the state average at tested grade levels.

And good news:
"In Lee County, the winner of the day was Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, where consistently high scores were blown out of the water when every one of its third-graders met standards on the FCAT math exam, topping the 94 percent average that held steady in 2007 and 2008. Students scoring at or above grade level in reading hit 95 percent, falling 2 percentage points from last year." FCAT 3rd-grade reading: Lee shines, Collier still lags behind curve » Naples Daily News

Question asked is how much is rote memorization and how much of it will be retained? But, the scores are a much needed positive for an area who could use some good news.

Again, scores don't say it all...but if a city wants families to move or stay, offering quality education helps.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Just for fun I did a google search on "The worst schools in America"
Of the 100 worst, Not One was in SW Florida, only three in the state at all, one in central Florida, one in Miami and the third in Orlando.
On the other hand, eight of the worst were in Milwaukee, less then an hour from my home. so even IF schools were a concern for us, SW Florida is still an improvement.

Yet, your kid turned out pretty well, now didn't she?

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Yet, your kid turned out pretty well, now didn't she?

Well thank you, Yes she did, but her high school had less than 200 students, her graduation class had 41 kids. She didn't get much "extra" of anything, just basics. (Deerfield high school)

[kristin4]

just a quick check of a nearby school.

Grade 11 - PSSA Results (2008)
About the PSSA
What is it?
The PSSA is an annual test used to measure a student's mastery of the state's grade-level academic standards. The PSSA also evaluated how well school programs enable students to master the standards.
Which grades and subjects?
Students are assessed in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math, and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing.
How is it scored?
Students are rated at one of four levels: below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.


Math

On the 2008 PSSA, 36% of Louis E Dieruff High School Grade 11 students met or exceeded standards in Math. This is lower than the Allentown City School District average of 38%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 56%.
School


36 %
District


38 %
State


56 %



Reading

On the 2008 PSSA, 42% of Louis E Dieruff High School Grade 11 students met or exceeded standards in Reading. This is lower than the Allentown City School District average of 43%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 65%.
School


42 %
District


43 %
State


65 %



Writing

On the 2008 PSSA, 82% of Louis E Dieruff High School Grade 11 students met or exceeded standards in Writing. This is higher than the Allentown City School District average of 76%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 86%.
School


82 %
District


76 %
State


86 %






As you can see, there are issues everywhere, not just Florida schools.
This is one reason I homeschooled my children and the reason why they are now in AP and gifted classes.

I find most public schools are lacking, but then again, the government is running it. Every other job in USA is a merit type job, you do good, you get paid and keep your job. Public schools pay people for not doing the job and you are guaranteed your job. How screwed up is that? What about the children?

I am sure the school choice thing was started for good reasons, but if they can't include good private schools, including cyber, religious etc...in those choices, it is really no choice. It is still the government.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Well thank you, Yes she did, but her high school had less than 200 students, her graduation class had 41 kids. She didn't get much "extra" of anything, just basics. (Deerfield high school)

Not always, but sometimes small schools can be good.