Comments on: Do the Math on PK-8 http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/ Covering the beat of Portland Public Schools Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:36 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Zarwen http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/comment-page-1/#comment-714 Zarwen Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:12:31 +0000 http://ppsequity.org/?p=80#comment-714 The Trib ran this story on the topic today, which includes a quote from our host: http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=120759950071587800 The Trib ran this story on the topic today, which includes a quote from our host:

http://www.portlandtribune.com.....0071587800

]]> By: Zarwen http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/comment-page-1/#comment-711 Zarwen Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:05:34 +0000 http://ppsequity.org/?p=80#comment-711 Excellent recap, Terry. I remember at a school board meeting in Jan. 2007, Doug Morgan explained the move to K-8 by saying that they needed to "reduce the district's footprint" and "do it in a way that would raise achievement." I have yet to hear anything from anyone at the District contradicting Morgan's remarks from back then. You all know the rest of the story. Excellent recap, Terry. I remember at a school board meeting in Jan. 2007, Doug Morgan explained the move to K-8 by saying that they needed to “reduce the district’s footprint” and “do it in a way that would raise achievement.” I have yet to hear anything from anyone at the District contradicting Morgan’s remarks from back then.

You all know the rest of the story.

]]> By: Terry http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/comment-page-1/#comment-710 Terry Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:27:48 +0000 http://ppsequity.org/?p=80#comment-710 Another of Vicki Phillips' "fig leaves" on K-8 reconfiguration was the supposed achievement gains to be had in elementary style classrooms. That was clearly a miscalculation, and a misinterpretation of test scores at grade 8 which are typically lower than those for third and fifth graders. Phillips blamed middle schools for the achievement decline. That's simply not true. Eighth grade tests are harder and cover much more sophisticated skills in reading and math than the tests at the lower grades. It should be noted that the bigger test score drop off occurs at grade 10. By Phillips' logic, we should then reconfigure all schools to a K-12 model. Of course, test score accountability is all bunk anyway, in my humble opinion. Another of Vicki Phillips’ “fig leaves” on K-8 reconfiguration was the supposed achievement gains to be had in elementary style classrooms.

That was clearly a miscalculation, and a misinterpretation of test scores at grade 8 which are typically lower than those for third and fifth graders. Phillips blamed middle schools for the achievement decline.

That’s simply not true. Eighth grade tests are harder and cover much more sophisticated skills in reading and math than the tests at the lower grades.

It should be noted that the bigger test score drop off occurs at grade 10. By Phillips’ logic, we should then reconfigure all schools to a K-12 model.

Of course, test score accountability is all bunk anyway, in my humble opinion.

]]> By: Steve Rawley http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/comment-page-1/#comment-694 Steve Rawley Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:17:44 +0000 http://ppsequity.org/?p=80#comment-694 That may be the real reason, but aren't they obligated to pretend it's for some other reason? The Phillips fig leaf was that it would enable them to offer more "enrichment" at lower cost. That's pure bunk, of course; the opposite is true. So what's the public rationale for carrying forward now? That may be the real reason, but aren’t they obligated to pretend it’s for some other reason?

The Phillips fig leaf was that it would enable them to offer more “enrichment” at lower cost. That’s pure bunk, of course; the opposite is true.

So what’s the public rationale for carrying forward now?

]]> By: Zarwen http://ppsequity.org/2008/04/06/do-the-math-on-pk-8/comment-page-1/#comment-691 Zarwen Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:58:53 +0000 http://ppsequity.org/?p=80#comment-691 What is the purpose of the PK-8 transition? To close more schools down so that more properties can be sold off. THAT is the real reason, and was from the beginning. Of course, you will never get anyone at PPS to say so, so I wonder what rationale they would put up if forced to answer your question. What is the purpose of the PK-8 transition?

To close more schools down so that more properties can be sold off. THAT is the real reason, and was from the beginning. Of course, you will never get anyone at PPS to say so, so I wonder what rationale they would put up if forced to answer your question.

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