[elinyc]

From my very minimal research, it seems that ALL the public elementary schools in Stamford are bad. Am I wrong? Am I missing some school that's actually good performing in Stamford? If not, can somebody explain to me how it is that schools even in the desirable and expensive parts of town (like North Stamford) so bad?

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Schools arent populate by the local neighborhood- but rather are "integrated". The state prohibited constituting to match the city overall racial makeup, so they base it on number of students with free lunch. City wide, I believe the number of free lunches is roughly 30% of the student population. As a result each school is expected to have a similar makeup. So even affluent north Stamford buses in poor kids from the rougher neighborhoods.

[elinyc]

Thanks for the info. So this is a state law meaning every town's schools are "integrated"?

[Wilton2ParkAve]

No- Stamford and a few other cities have similar constructs. The original formula was racial based, but that was struck down by state law. So they transitioned to a free lunch methodology.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

So even affluent north Stamford buses in poor kids from the rougher neighborhoods.

And vice versa from what I've seen. You can live in the richest part of town and get bussed to the "other side of the tracks".

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

No- Stamford and a few other cities have similar constructs. The original formula was racial based, but that was struck down by state law. So they transitioned to a free lunch methodology.

Norwalk and Danbury do it too AFAIK, possibly New Haven. But in Bridgeport, Hartford, and possibly Waterbury and New Haven, there's not as much racial/economic diversity so it's probably not an issue there.

[Lintu]

Also keep in mind that some of the wealthiest residents are likely using private schools.

[dazzleman]

Busing. It has ruined every district where it has been implemented.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

No- Stamford and a few other cities have similar constructs. The original formula was racial based, but that was struck down by state law. So they transitioned to a free lunch methodology.

There is criteria though on race that must be followed as well. It is something like where one school has 25% more minorities than other schools in town, the town could face forced integration measures by the state. I know Fairfield faced this with McKinley School. They got around it by redistricting and offering families in the McKinley area access to other schools in town. Most families opted to stay at McKinley. If you ask me, these laws are so stupid. They are just a political way to satisfy the school desegragation groups. They really do little but stretch already thin budgets even thinner. JMHO, Jay

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by JayCT

There is criteria though on race that must be followed as well. It is something like where one school has 25% more minorities than other schools in town, the town could face forced integration measures by the state. I know Fairfield faced this with McKinley School. They got around it by redistricting and offering families in the McKinley area access to other schools in town. Most families opted to stay at McKinley. If you ask me, these laws are so stupid. They are just a political way to satisfy the school desegragation groups. They really do little but stretch already thin budgets even thinner. JMHO, Jay

The Racial Balancing Law is ridiculous and completely outdated. It's totally binary and defines anybody a shade or two darker than I am (very light) as a "minority." McKinley is actually the sort of school that advocates of school desegragation should consider a model -- it's a school that both white and "minority" students are happy in and want to stay in. To label this school as a "problem" is idiotic.

Not to mention that the law applies within districts and lays down arbitrary markers. In districts that were economically and racially divided (such as Bridgeport/New Haven/Hartford, etc), the only effect of the law was to drive out the white middle class that sustained the cities and paid the taxes necessary to keep them afloat. This has had a negative effect on these cities for decades. And the law as sure as hell didn't improve education for its intended beneficiaries. Every place where the law has been broadly applied has horrific schools.

[elinyc]

Originally Posted by dazzleman

.

Not to mention that the law applies within districts and lays down arbitrary markers. In districts that were economically and racially divided (such as Bridgeport/New Haven/Hartford, etc), the only effect of the law was to drive out the white middle class that sustained the cities and paid the taxes necessary to keep them afloat. This has had a negative effect on these cities for decades. And the law as sure as hell didn't improve education for its intended beneficiaries. Every place where the law has been broadly applied has horrific schools.

I couldn't agree more. It seems like nobody benefits from these rules and all they serve to do is to bring down all the schools in a district (ex: Stamford). What an awful idea and a ridiculous waste of what could've been good schools in parts of Stamford. Really frustrating.