Greenfield Schools - Dropout Factory (Springfield, Holyoke: appointed, crime, lawyers)

[willdufauve]

French Colleen, apparently you're in California. You don't seem to have a clue what you're talking about, or what the situation is here, so it's a little out of order to be chastised and told to "get busy" by you.

Franklin County is the poorest county in Massachusetts. Parents don't have the time, education or inclination to get involved and most aren't familiar with what good schools would look like even if they could have them. It's easier and better for the academically oriented student to choice-out.

Greenfield is a blue collar working town and i don't think welfare is the major factor. Being provincial, socially isolated, xenophobic, afraid of change (even for the better) and racist are the factors holding the area back.

Auto shop and carpentry programs in Massachusetts are usually at regional and county wide vocational-technical schools. Local school systems don't duplicate those programs in-town because they're cost prohibitive.

[wheelmannn]

I believe hampden is the poorest county in massachusetts.

[willdufauve]

Hampden has the greatest overall number of poor people in western Massachusetts. Makes sense because it has two large cities - Springfield and Holyoke - while Franklin County is relatively unpopulated.

Franklin County has the lowest median income per capita in the state and the highest percentage of people below the federal poverty line (also the highest family violence rate and one of the highest dropout rates). Franklin County also has the most unattractive people in Massachusetts.

The highest number of people with incomes below the federal poverty line still would be Suffolk County, but not the highest percentage, and they dress much better.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by willdufauve

Auto shop and carpentry programs in Massachusetts are usually at regional and county wide vocational-technical schools. Local school systems don't duplicate those programs in-town because they're cost prohibitive.

I think she mean those classes as electives only. Many schools in MA offer them just like music, computer, drawing or pottery.

Originally Posted by willdufauve

There's a lot of social problems in Greenfield H.S. too. Bullying is a serious problem, drugs, and teen pregnancy.

I think all schools have problems... even the well to do schools have bully, alcohol and drug problems... may be just in a smaller scale. You know... sex, drug and rock+roll...

[wheelmannn]

I'm sorry Will but your numbers just arn't right when it comes to franklin county.Both hampshire and hampden counties have a higher percentage of people below the poverty line.

[willdufauve]

Originally Posted by smarty

I think all schools have problems... may be just in a smaller scale. You know... sex, drug and rock+roll...

All schools may have similar problems. But not all schools have been described as "dropout factory" schools in the John Hopkins study, and not all schools have been designated as under-performing by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

The DOE designates only a very small handful of schools in the state as under-performing. Greenfield and Gill-Montague have been under-performing, or in danger of under-performing, for years and haven't really gotten it together to make the necessary structural changes.

[willdufauve]

Originally Posted by wheelmannn

I'm sorry Will but your numbers just arn't right when it comes to franklin county.Both hampshire and hampden counties have a higher percentage of people below the poverty line.

Let's see your data.

[wheelmannn]

I agree with you about the greenfield schools.It's just mostly about your thoughts on franklin county.Franklin county almost mirrors hampshire county in every way.Median income is almost the same.Percentage of people living in poverty-hampshire county 12.1%,franklin county 12.2% and hampden is 16.7%.Greenfield has gone down hill in the last 10 years and doesn't appear to be getting any better but it's not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. I think franklin county is one of the nicest places in the state to live.

[willdufauve]

"Nicest places" is just so vague. What does nice really mean? If the schools are abysmal, it's not a nice place for students. There's no broadband here so it's not too nice if you have dial-up. Taxes are going through the roof and well paid jobs are scarce so it's not nice for many young families and seniors on a fixed income.

If "nice" is fresh air and scenery, I can agree with you there. I live in the most scenic spot in my town. As long as I don't go in town I'm happy.

[askaboutme8908]

Franklin county is NOT one of the nicest parts of the state.... MAYBE scenery wise but not even i live in a high crime area in greenfield, its trashy an filthy, this whole city is really unless you travel on the outskirts where it is really nice! if greenfield was as large as springfield it would b much worse than springfield because it is small now and has higher crime rates than cities larger then it such as northampton and amherst! greenfield is ****ttttttttttttttttttttttttttt