Long Island School Districts and Diversity: Percentages (New York, Hempstead: property taxes, gated)

[ny,ny]

Originally Posted by nbres

You got it all wrong...

Does your definition of diversity only include Blacks and Hispanics? Asians don't count? Why?

All I'm trying to do is have a civil discussion about diversity on Long Island. The only point that I am stressing is that diversity is increasing on Long Island. All I can say is look at the statistics - too many White Long Islanders are in some sort of denial about their own neighborhoods and/or school districts. They seem to believe that their neighborhood is still in some 1950s time warp, but the reality is different.

The point about the only Five 95% White districts is just to underscore my point about increasing diversity. Forty years ago almost all of Long Islands districts were over 95% White and now just Five. How can anyone claim that diversity is not happening and that de facto segregation (while still widespread) is breaking down finally.

My main thrust with this discussion anyway relates to an earlier post about consolidating Long Islands School Districts. Of course that drew tremendous opposition from people who fear integration. So I am just showing that whether school consolidation happens or not diversity will find its way into every school district on Long Island. So those who oppose consolidation are going to lose their 90% White school districts anyway. Its time Long Islanders put aside this system of maintaining 120 separate school districts and just consolidate down to two county wide districts.

School consolidation? Heck if you want that look at Wake County NC, no neighborhood schools down there, kids get bused miles away from their homes. They do it under economics instead of race, but no matter how you look at it's a mess.

School districts are one of the most democratic forms of government you can find. You can run for, or vote for the board. You vote for your budget, board meetings are open to the public. People move to LI from the city to get away from consolidation.

What's with your preoccupation with the school districts, I just don't get it?

[llama8]

NC which has consolidation is ranked as the worst school system in the USA with the worst test results. Meanwhile, LI has some of the best school districts in the nation. Interesting??

[queenschic]

What about Hicksville? It doesnt appear on the list. Does it have anything to do with it being "union free", not sure what that means...Where can i get this information for hicksville?

[nbres]

Originally Posted by queenschic

What about Hicksville? It doesnt appear on the list. Does it have anything to do with it being "union free", not sure what that means...Where can i get this information for hicksville?

Hicksville is 56.5% White as of 200-2007 school year. I expect to see it become a majority-minority district very soon, poosibly as early as 2009.

[nbres]

Originally Posted by llama8

NC which has consolidation is ranked as the worst school system in the USA with the worst test results. Meanwhile, LI has some of the best school districts in the nation. Interesting??

Who says North Carolina has the worst schools in the country? Where is your supporting data for such a statement? What tests were used?

Yes Long Island does have some of the best schools in the country, but do you really think that every smart kid that grows up to be a doctor, scientist or lawyer comes from Long Island?

Do you not think that maybe there are lots of other great school districts throughout the US and that some of those great districts are county wide consolidated districts?

[nbres]

Originally Posted by ny,ny

School consolidation? Heck if you want that look at Wake County NC, no neighborhood schools down there, kids get bused miles away from their homes. They do it under economics instead of race, but no matter how you look at it's a mess.

School districts are one of the most democratic forms of government you can find. You can run for, or vote for the board. You vote for your budget, board meetings are open to the public. People move to LI from the city to get away from consolidation.

What's with your preoccupation with the school districts, I just don't get it?

My preoccupation with the school districts is that we are getting killed with property taxes.

[nbres]

Originally Posted by queenschic

What about Hicksville? It doesnt appear on the list. Does it have anything to do with it being "union free", not sure what that means...Where can i get this information for hicksville?

Go to the Hicksville School District Website or go look up its New York State Report Card.

Unfortunately or fortunately, it all depends, Hicksville is now known as little India.

[llama8]

Originally Posted by nbres

Who says North Carolina has the worst schools in the country? Where is your supporting data for such a statement? What tests were used?

Yes Long Island does have some of the best schools in the country, but do you really think that every smart kid that grows up to be a doctor, scientist or lawyer comes from Long Island?

Do you not think that maybe there are lots of other great school districts throughout the US and that some of those great districts are county wide consolidated districts?

The US Chamber pf Commerce School Report card.

Although I have to admit, NC did move up to a C- on the report card. They used to be much worse. I am a teacher...NC was sort of a joke as far as school systems went. It is nice to see them moving out of the failing range. Unfortunately SC still has a D- on the report card.

CA, NM. and Was DC were the worst.

[GigiBowman]

I think what it comes down to is people that grew up in totally white communities some 20 years ago.....grew up to think that "good" means "white".
Growing up in Queens, school was always "diverse". And no one grew up racist
Buttom line is...do you want your kids to grow up in the real world or some protected environment so when they reach adulthood they can't deal with the fact that the world outside isn't what they have known their whole live. Kids get a good education when their parents pay attention. A community where the parents are involved is a good community. Period. And good parents come in many colors. Good parents aren't necessarily "white".

[nbres]

Originally Posted by GigiBowman

I think what it comes down to is people that grew up in totally white communities some 20 years ago.....grew up to think that "good" means "white".
Growing up in Queens, school was always "diverse". And no one grew up racist
Buttom line is...do you want your kids to grow up in the real world or some protected environment so when they reach adulthood they can't deal with the fact that the world outside isn't what they have known their whole live. Kids get a good education when their parents pay attention. A community where the parents are involved is a good community. Period. And good parents come in many colors. Good parents aren't necessarily "white".

I agree with that, but perception creates reality on Long Island. If an area is perceived to be "not good" then it is doomed.