Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where? Looking to figure out where the best spot is for her 6th grade child, a parent returning to Chicago asks whether anyone knows which elementary schools send the most kids to different high schools. Anyone know if this information is available? There was a Wall Street Journal article last week about which high schools sent the most kids to elite colleges ([url=http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-COLLEGE0711-sort.html]here[/url]), which named the Lab School as the top in the area. This sounds like the CPS version of the same idea. Any stats, or hidden gems besides the obvious when it comes to elementaries with high rates getting kids into top CPS high schools? We need to know.
Digg
Del.icio.us
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 1:56 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
"How to get into Harvard" is slightly misleading.
This story is really about how to get into and actually enter one of the schools on the list the Journal used. Most of those schools are Ivy League. Take the Uniiversity of Chicago off that list and suddenly the effectiveness of the University of Chicago Lab School ends.
The "study" is also "How to get into Harvard when your family income is in the upper two percent of the people in the USA."
Since most of the "high schools" on the list are very expensive, very private, very white, very wealthy ("most" I said, not "all") high schools, it should come as no surprise that many of the families can get their kids into "Harvard" -- and afford the tuition and fees. How many of the students are "legacy" admits? Why not break down the list by SES and race (and not just report with a straight face that some Asian countries have a Plutocracy as avid for its children's futures as the USA does).
All in all, as an indicator of the quality of a high school, the list is meaningless except as a small window into the Plutocracy and how it replicates itself.
One thing I'd like to see is a study of the class sizes in these schools.
A bet? Few schools on the list have class size maximums of more than 15. While that makes the inclusion of Northside College Prep interesting, it's doesn't provide much useful information. So -- kids at Northside get to "Harvard" as often as kids whose high schools make sure class size is always very very very very small.
This story is really about how to get into and actually enter one of the schools on the list the Journal used. Most of those schools are Ivy League. Take the Uniiversity of Chicago off that list and suddenly the effectiveness of the University of Chicago Lab School ends.
The "study" is also "How to get into Harvard when your family income is in the upper two percent of the people in the USA."
Since most of the "high schools" on the list are very expensive, very private, very white, very wealthy ("most" I said, not "all") high schools, it should come as no surprise that many of the families can get their kids into "Harvard" -- and afford the tuition and fees. How many of the students are "legacy" admits? Why not break down the list by SES and race (and not just report with a straight face that some Asian countries have a Plutocracy as avid for its children's futures as the USA does).
All in all, as an indicator of the quality of a high school, the list is meaningless except as a small window into the Plutocracy and how it replicates itself.
One thing I'd like to see is a study of the class sizes in these schools.
A bet? Few schools on the list have class size maximums of more than 15. While that makes the inclusion of Northside College Prep interesting, it's doesn't provide much useful information. So -- kids at Northside get to "Harvard" as often as kids whose high schools make sure class size is always very very very very small.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
For once, I'm pretty much (I said pretty much, not completely) in agreement with George. This is a completely elitist list, meant strictly for elitists. A more meaningful list would, I think, not just compare college admission rates, but also college completion rates. A much more meaningful number when in this day and age almost anyone can get into a college, but the true test is whether they are prepared to complete a college education.
Also, if they have to use one of these lists it would be nice for them to show which schools do the best at getting students into the top 25 or fifty universities around the country, and also to have a separate list for public high schools across the country.
This list and the article that accompany it, however, are entirely useless to the 98% of the population that cannot afford to send their children to these high schools or aren't fortunate enough to receive scholarships from these high schools, let alone the colleges listed.
Also, if they have to use one of these lists it would be nice for them to show which schools do the best at getting students into the top 25 or fifty universities around the country, and also to have a separate list for public high schools across the country.
This list and the article that accompany it, however, are entirely useless to the 98% of the population that cannot afford to send their children to these high schools or aren't fortunate enough to receive scholarships from these high schools, let alone the colleges listed.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Only 16 of those high schools are tuition-free, and I only spot five I'm sure don't require an admissions test. Those five are suburban neighborhood high schools in wealthy areas.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
The Consortium on Chicago School Research prepares reports on the progress of students in high schools which include a chart on how many of the school's graduates came from which elementary schools. For example, this is a link to the chart showing the elementary schools that sent the most students to Whitney Young High School.
http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/web_reports/littlepeople/hs2003/1810/1810.html#table4
http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/web_reports/littlepeople/hs2003/1810/1810.html#table4
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
I'm the parent who originally asked Alex for any info regarding where CPS high schools get their kids (thanks Alex for putting this out there for me).
I used to teach at a CPS high school and am very, very aware that percentages and stats are so manipulated they don't count for much. Even "graduation rates"--I, and most teachers I know, had to pass seniors who could barely read and didn't do a damn thing all year long. High schools' college-bound numbers? Who cares? How many of those kids dropped out within their first semester as it became apparent they were woefully ill prepared? Our valedictorian a few years ago did from ISU, and I only know that because I ran into her at a Target.
I have my misgivings about school report cards (Meeting and exceeding standards lumped together? And the standards are ridiculously low to begin with...) and ISAT scores (the ISAT was a new test from a new company last year--and scores statewide decreased--what does this MEAN?) and even reputation—so many schools are riding on a reputation gained years ago when the reality is no longer even close to comparison now.
I believe the best bet is for parents to physically visit schools, but again, there is only so much you can learn. A magnet school by me is certainly pretty—but the number of kids exceeding state standards goes down every year while the neighborhood school’s go up...(I realized I just wrote that the test results don’t mean much to me and am now judging schools by them, but again, what else is there to take into account? I am trying to look at everything...)
I want my daughter challenged AND well prepared for high school, and then I want her high school to challenge her AND prepare her well for college. I’m not even talking about Ivy League—I’m talking decent.
This is why I asked about where our CPS elementary children end up for high school. Where do college preps get their freshman? Lane Tech and Lincoln Park (and I have my own uneasiness about these two)? Living on the north side, I know Senn, Sullivan and Lakeview pretty well—and I wouldn’t want my kid (a bright and creative child) going to any of them. I know CPS has this information—the high school I worked at recruited kids (as I know other local high schools did)—what would it take to get it public? Why couldn’t it be made public?
Thanks to those who have already responded and in advance to all who may.
I used to teach at a CPS high school and am very, very aware that percentages and stats are so manipulated they don't count for much. Even "graduation rates"--I, and most teachers I know, had to pass seniors who could barely read and didn't do a damn thing all year long. High schools' college-bound numbers? Who cares? How many of those kids dropped out within their first semester as it became apparent they were woefully ill prepared? Our valedictorian a few years ago did from ISU, and I only know that because I ran into her at a Target.
I have my misgivings about school report cards (Meeting and exceeding standards lumped together? And the standards are ridiculously low to begin with...) and ISAT scores (the ISAT was a new test from a new company last year--and scores statewide decreased--what does this MEAN?) and even reputation—so many schools are riding on a reputation gained years ago when the reality is no longer even close to comparison now.
I believe the best bet is for parents to physically visit schools, but again, there is only so much you can learn. A magnet school by me is certainly pretty—but the number of kids exceeding state standards goes down every year while the neighborhood school’s go up...(I realized I just wrote that the test results don’t mean much to me and am now judging schools by them, but again, what else is there to take into account? I am trying to look at everything...)
I want my daughter challenged AND well prepared for high school, and then I want her high school to challenge her AND prepare her well for college. I’m not even talking about Ivy League—I’m talking decent.
This is why I asked about where our CPS elementary children end up for high school. Where do college preps get their freshman? Lane Tech and Lincoln Park (and I have my own uneasiness about these two)? Living on the north side, I know Senn, Sullivan and Lakeview pretty well—and I wouldn’t want my kid (a bright and creative child) going to any of them. I know CPS has this information—the high school I worked at recruited kids (as I know other local high schools did)—what would it take to get it public? Why couldn’t it be made public?
Thanks to those who have already responded and in advance to all who may.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
that's a very helpful link, julie -- showing which schools send kids to where. for young, it's young, beasley, bell, healy, sheridan.
how fascinating, too, that "unknown" is the largest single source of kids going to young.
i assume there are similar charts for other high schools if you dig around the CCSR site.
or, for a specific school, you could always call and talk to the admissions/intake person -- or whoever's in charge of freshmen.
how fascinating, too, that "unknown" is the largest single source of kids going to young.
i assume there are similar charts for other high schools if you dig around the CCSR site.
or, for a specific school, you could always call and talk to the admissions/intake person -- or whoever's in charge of freshmen.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Julie! Thank you! That is exactly what kind of info I was looking for, and yes, you can find the other schools on the site as well. It's dated, obviously, but it certainly is a start.
And my apologies for all those weird diamond/? things in my first post...
And my apologies for all those weird diamond/? things in my first post...
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Here is the link for the CCSR site at the point at which you can enter the elementary school to find out where its graduates went, or the high school name, to see from which feeder schools it gets freshmen.
http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/web_reports/littlepeople/selectschool.html
The main problem is that the study sorely needs updating, as it is based on 1997 graduation rates. The older selective enrollment high schools are on the list, but none of the newer ones like Northside, Payton and Jones.
http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/web_reports/littlepeople/selectschool.html
The main problem is that the study sorely needs updating, as it is based on 1997 graduation rates. The older selective enrollment high schools are on the list, but none of the newer ones like Northside, Payton and Jones.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
What is gained by knowing which elementary schools are most frequently represented in the best public high schools' 9th grade classes?
No matter which good high school's 9th grade class you look at (Young, Northside, Payton), you'll find 50+ different elementary schools represented there.
For Payton, where there are 260+ 9th graders, you might discover that 6 of these students (2.3% went to Bell), 4 (1.5%) went to Franklin, 1 (0.4%) went to Holden.
Lane Tech has 200+ elementary schools represented in its 9th grade class.
The better (and larger) the public high school the longer the tail of sending elementary schools (see "the long tail" in wikipedia if you don't know what that means).
No matter which good high school's 9th grade class you look at (Young, Northside, Payton), you'll find 50+ different elementary schools represented there.
For Payton, where there are 260+ 9th graders, you might discover that 6 of these students (2.3% went to Bell), 4 (1.5%) went to Franklin, 1 (0.4%) went to Holden.
Lane Tech has 200+ elementary schools represented in its 9th grade class.
The better (and larger) the public high school the longer the tail of sending elementary schools (see "the long tail" in wikipedia if you don't know what that means).
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Well, that's true, Long Tail, but the link may be of benefit for someone like pinkerton to look up where a specific elementary school has sent its graduates. For example, one school's graduating class may have only sent 5 percent of its students to selective enrollment high schools, whereas another one has sent 50 percent. I think that's of some value to know.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 4:33 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Exactly M. Take for example LaSalle and Stone--both magnets. LaSalle sent 29 kids on to college preps (13 to W. Young, 8 to Payton and 8 to Northside) while Stone sent NONE. And we're talking about totals from both schools being similar-Stone with 37 students and Lasalle with 38.
I realize there are a variety of issues at play--but I'd prefer that my kid be in classes for the next three years with other kids with hopes of getting into college preps. It doesn't need to be a school-full--just a few like-minded peers and families who have similar expectations and who would be interested in the same educational opportunities that I am.
I found it very interesting that two north side schools with gifted programs--Bell and Beaubien--did not have graduates attend Northside College Prep. I say this because of the area which these schools are in, not with any idea really as to which of the college preps are "better", if at all...
I realize there are a variety of issues at play--but I'd prefer that my kid be in classes for the next three years with other kids with hopes of getting into college preps. It doesn't need to be a school-full--just a few like-minded peers and families who have similar expectations and who would be interested in the same educational opportunities that I am.
I found it very interesting that two north side schools with gifted programs--Bell and Beaubien--did not have graduates attend Northside College Prep. I say this because of the area which these schools are in, not with any idea really as to which of the college preps are "better", if at all...
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Sorry, but I think that I am missing something. Pinkerton--where do you get your info? Did I miss a link? Thanks.
By the way, I was informed by the principal of Beaubien that last year 14(!) of their graduating 8th graders went on to Northside.
By the way, I was informed by the principal of Beaubien that last year 14(!) of their graduating 8th graders went on to Northside.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 5:16 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Alexander: Busted you. You said you work independently. Now you say we like to know. Who is we? Catalyst the ones in bed with the Board. That's why alot of people dont want to write here.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 5:26 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
JMM--my bad--looking at 97/98 data in error. You are right--looks like both Bell and Beaubien sent kids to NSCP (9 and 10, respectively, back in '01-'02). The LaSalle/Stone comparison was (kinda) right (by kinda I see I had "6" rather than "8" down for LaSalle kids going on to Lincoln Park, so their total should be 40).
NOT a numbers person, plus I should be working! Sorry...
NOT a numbers person, plus I should be working! Sorry...
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 9:59 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
In that report, doesn't "unknown" mean outside CPS ?
Although overall for many years CPS elementary students have left when it's time for high school (because of the concerns pinkerton so eloquently describes), the top few do draw kids from private grade schools.
And yes, that Consortium report certainly needs to be updated. I'm a south sider without kids, but have thought for years that if I had a kid I would be looking at Sheridan Magnet in Bridgeport if that kid couldn't test into a gifted center. My understanding of the CPS elementary elite is gifted centers and classical schools are at the top, then magnets (but those are very mixed--you can't assume just because it says magnet it is good), then neighborhood elementary schools, but again, they are very mixed--some very good, some struggling.
Although overall for many years CPS elementary students have left when it's time for high school (because of the concerns pinkerton so eloquently describes), the top few do draw kids from private grade schools.
And yes, that Consortium report certainly needs to be updated. I'm a south sider without kids, but have thought for years that if I had a kid I would be looking at Sheridan Magnet in Bridgeport if that kid couldn't test into a gifted center. My understanding of the CPS elementary elite is gifted centers and classical schools are at the top, then magnets (but those are very mixed--you can't assume just because it says magnet it is good), then neighborhood elementary schools, but again, they are very mixed--some very good, some struggling.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
don't be crazy, ha haa! -- "we" refers to all of us who read this blog. as in, "we need to know." or, sometimes, it refers to the "royal" we, as in, "we were thinking in the shower this morning that it would be a good day for us to cut our nose whiskers." but that's about it.
Thu Dec 6, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
My Child goes to KIPP on the Westside. The 8th grade class from last year are going to school all over the city and state. Something I hope my child will be doing in the next two years. The the current 9th graders are going to the following schools...Two students are at Loyola Academy , 1 at Latin, 1 Francis Parker, 1 Lake Forest Academy, 1 at Fenwick, 1 at Culver, 4 at Holy Trinity, 1 at Culver, and 1 at Moosehart.---all on full scholarships. Also there are 4 at Lincoln Park Honors, 2 Whitney Young, 1 at Walter Payton, 1 at Lane, 1 at Vun Stuben, 3 at King, and 2 at Linnbloom. This class had about 50 kids in it, and they won about 1 million in scholarships, now that's what I am talking about.... The rest of the students are attending awesome charter schools around the city.
Fri Dec 7, 2007 at 2:21 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
One of the things parents might ask is whether the elementary school has a program for preparing seventh graders (to let everyone know the "price" for "mistakes" in seventh grade data setting) and eighth grade for the application process itself for the selective enrollment high schools. It's as important to have a counseling program for seventh graders who know to drag themselves to schools even when sick as it is to review the application for every eighth grader and make sure the deadline is not missed.
But why should Chicago have made that necessary for parents south of Howard St., generally east of Harlem Ave (on the northside), and north of 135th St.? The fact that we've all been put inside a Skinner box (or a squirrel wheel) instead of having seen equity (not exclusion) as the goal of a public school system is the scandal this season, and every other day anyone takes a long hard (and hopefully harsh) look at CPS. This system is a model of cynicism, inequity, and, at base, race and class discriminations that we should be working to eliminate, not perpetuate.
But the microcosm has to be dominant once the trains are line up, doesn't it?
With now two weeks until the deadline for the lengthy application, any family that doesn't know about December 21 has to be able to find out from somewhere.
Where?
The question is also Why?
No family in Evanston, Oak Park River, Glen Ellyn, Winnetka, or Northbrook is being forced into this "forced choice" dialectic as a child gets to the halfway point in seventh grade and then eighth grade. Seventh grade is the key year, with eighth grade the application year, remember.
For English Language Learners and their families, who is helping their children get the applications in on time? What about the children of the growing number of homeless families? Or those whose families are now held together with so many jobs that some family members are introducing themselves to each other when they meet, rarely?
The creation of any public school sub-system that includes people based on any criteria, from test scores, grades, attendance, and a "placement test" (like the CPS selective enrollment high schools) to race, ethnicity, and income (like a country club) is designed to exclude. Public education's soul struggle has always been about how to expand inclusion. Even though Chicago's magnet, college prep and selective enrollment public high schools include some of the best high schools in Illinois, the price the city has paid by excluding the majority from these schools (and not sustaining the curricular, extra curricular, and other facets of the general high schools) has been something that will be paid for across generations. The decision of this administration to destroy the community high schools has also been a decision to destroy communities, and the two have been going hand-in-hand in their most grotesque iteration with the high school closings (and flippings, virtually all to charters that exclude) of the past three years. At Austin, Collins, and Calumet public high schools that included anyone in the community are now exclusive by-application-only "public" schools. This has been done based on screwball pretexts, not after a debate about healthy policy.
The policy question is quite separate from what individual families do in the face of a systematic reality like Chicago has created since Daley took over. (Half the "college prep" high schools are creations of the Daley years; the exclusive charter high schools being created as we speak here are even of more recent vintage).
The exclusion of the "bottom" so systematically from those schools is the real touchstone for the soul of the city.
Or, as the parent James Tucker (South Side Occupational) said to the Board in October (quoting words relevant to this season, no matter what your faith or lack of it), "So long as you have done so unto these, the least of my brethren..."
But why should Chicago have made that necessary for parents south of Howard St., generally east of Harlem Ave (on the northside), and north of 135th St.? The fact that we've all been put inside a Skinner box (or a squirrel wheel) instead of having seen equity (not exclusion) as the goal of a public school system is the scandal this season, and every other day anyone takes a long hard (and hopefully harsh) look at CPS. This system is a model of cynicism, inequity, and, at base, race and class discriminations that we should be working to eliminate, not perpetuate.
But the microcosm has to be dominant once the trains are line up, doesn't it?
With now two weeks until the deadline for the lengthy application, any family that doesn't know about December 21 has to be able to find out from somewhere.
Where?
The question is also Why?
No family in Evanston, Oak Park River, Glen Ellyn, Winnetka, or Northbrook is being forced into this "forced choice" dialectic as a child gets to the halfway point in seventh grade and then eighth grade. Seventh grade is the key year, with eighth grade the application year, remember.
For English Language Learners and their families, who is helping their children get the applications in on time? What about the children of the growing number of homeless families? Or those whose families are now held together with so many jobs that some family members are introducing themselves to each other when they meet, rarely?
The creation of any public school sub-system that includes people based on any criteria, from test scores, grades, attendance, and a "placement test" (like the CPS selective enrollment high schools) to race, ethnicity, and income (like a country club) is designed to exclude. Public education's soul struggle has always been about how to expand inclusion. Even though Chicago's magnet, college prep and selective enrollment public high schools include some of the best high schools in Illinois, the price the city has paid by excluding the majority from these schools (and not sustaining the curricular, extra curricular, and other facets of the general high schools) has been something that will be paid for across generations. The decision of this administration to destroy the community high schools has also been a decision to destroy communities, and the two have been going hand-in-hand in their most grotesque iteration with the high school closings (and flippings, virtually all to charters that exclude) of the past three years. At Austin, Collins, and Calumet public high schools that included anyone in the community are now exclusive by-application-only "public" schools. This has been done based on screwball pretexts, not after a debate about healthy policy.
The policy question is quite separate from what individual families do in the face of a systematic reality like Chicago has created since Daley took over. (Half the "college prep" high schools are creations of the Daley years; the exclusive charter high schools being created as we speak here are even of more recent vintage).
The exclusion of the "bottom" so systematically from those schools is the real touchstone for the soul of the city.
Or, as the parent James Tucker (South Side Occupational) said to the Board in October (quoting words relevant to this season, no matter what your faith or lack of it), "So long as you have done so unto these, the least of my brethren..."
Fri Dec 7, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
George, I'm sorry, but while I share your concern for equity of access to decent high schools for everybody, I don't share your affection for the neighborhood high school in Chicago. I've lived in Chicago for nearly 20 years now, and in that time the neighborhood high schools have not graduated even half of the students who came through their doors.
While there are many fine teachers who have given their lives in tough conditions to try to help kids there, so many young people have fallen through the cracks that I have to ask whether there is a better way.
While there are many fine teachers who have given their lives in tough conditions to try to help kids there, so many young people have fallen through the cracks that I have to ask whether there is a better way.
Sat Dec 8, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
By destroying the community's high schools, CPS, under Mayor Daley, is wiping out both history and current cohesion. It's not accidental. There are a dozen simple things that could have been done to repair the city's general high schools since "school reform" began in Chicago (pick your start date: 1988; 1995) and virtually none has been done.
Instead, the programs have been punitive and run from the outside. Every one has been an insult to the majority of the teachers and other staff in those buildings, and overall the programs have virtually guaranteed that anyone with sense (student, teacher, principal, other) will steer clear of those places. But there is truly nothing in public education to take their places, and every fantasy alternative has proved to be just that.
We have sowed the wind and are reaping the whirlwind. And now that Chicago is in this another ugly "model" for corporate America, we'll be both paying to and apologizing for these sins for generations to come, not only here but from Oakland to New York City. Public schools are supposed to include, not exclude, and yet with each new "reform" Chicago creates schools that exclude, then blames the last schools that are forced to include for not being able to solve the problems for the children and young adults facing the greatest challenges in life (challenges which then come into the school).
As to blaming CPS's general high schools for problems outside of teachers' and schools' control, how the heck can you do it if you have had any real world "alternative school" experience. Those kids who wound up over the years in the alternative schools were challenged for the most part in every way and you know that as well as I do. So it's OK to blame the last schools they wound up in?
If your logic were to be applied to the alternative schools, then "Youth Connections" (the archipelago of "alternative" high schooly thingies) should be shut down. Why? Because it is the one "school" with the highest murder rate in Chicago's "public" system. Without Youth Connections, the CPS murdered student reality is much lower.
Instead, the programs have been punitive and run from the outside. Every one has been an insult to the majority of the teachers and other staff in those buildings, and overall the programs have virtually guaranteed that anyone with sense (student, teacher, principal, other) will steer clear of those places. But there is truly nothing in public education to take their places, and every fantasy alternative has proved to be just that.
We have sowed the wind and are reaping the whirlwind. And now that Chicago is in this another ugly "model" for corporate America, we'll be both paying to and apologizing for these sins for generations to come, not only here but from Oakland to New York City. Public schools are supposed to include, not exclude, and yet with each new "reform" Chicago creates schools that exclude, then blames the last schools that are forced to include for not being able to solve the problems for the children and young adults facing the greatest challenges in life (challenges which then come into the school).
As to blaming CPS's general high schools for problems outside of teachers' and schools' control, how the heck can you do it if you have had any real world "alternative school" experience. Those kids who wound up over the years in the alternative schools were challenged for the most part in every way and you know that as well as I do. So it's OK to blame the last schools they wound up in?
If your logic were to be applied to the alternative schools, then "Youth Connections" (the archipelago of "alternative" high schooly thingies) should be shut down. Why? Because it is the one "school" with the highest murder rate in Chicago's "public" system. Without Youth Connections, the CPS murdered student reality is much lower.
Sun Dec 9, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
"... so many young people have fallen through the cracks that I have to ask whether there is a better way."
former alt teacher:
Leaving the general high schools to sink is the better way?! I agree w/ George's version.
former alt teacher:
Leaving the general high schools to sink is the better way?! I agree w/ George's version.
Sun Dec 9, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
As a parent, I really don't care what test scores or grades my child gets in CPS, because I've seen how bogus the numbers and assessments are.
What I care about is if he's learned anything. If his skills and abilities have improved. If his knowledge has increased. And, all, to the highest point of his POTENTIAL.
I don't care how he compares to other students (for example, Learning First score comparisons are meaningless to me). Unfortunately, his educational options in CPS seem completely controlled by bogus numbers.
What I care about is if he's learned anything. If his skills and abilities have improved. If his knowledge has increased. And, all, to the highest point of his POTENTIAL.
I don't care how he compares to other students (for example, Learning First score comparisons are meaningless to me). Unfortunately, his educational options in CPS seem completely controlled by bogus numbers.
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Just wanted to let y'all know I am still looking into this issue. I appreciate everyone’s feedback, though the posts about how the system, as it is, is unfair and exclusionary (though I agree...generally)don’t address my request for literally, factual data. It is certainly not all I’m looking at but this data IS in a database—why isn’t it easily accessible or provided? I’ve already had one high school admissions person say he couldn’t provide me with the information and several requests go unanswered. I do have some leads, and I’m documenting my process—it may be an interesting journey. Stay tuned!
This whole process though seems ridiculously confounding. I read with interest Maritza's questions/concerns re: applying to high schools—she is ME in a few years. I can only assume this information is so diluted and difficult to sift through because the reality is that choices are extremely limited and CPS can’t possibly accommodate what they say they can—or what they legally are required to provide. So you just give up after a while. I know of plenty of parents who simply lie—from race to address—and I know of one woman who was shunned from a school for squawking about how the principal was admitting kids because she “messed it up” for the families “in the know”.
I am a single parent making less than $50K and living in an area where the neighborhood school is not a good choice for my child. I love that my neighborhood and its school are ethnically diverse, but less then 20% of 4th graders last year (my child’s peers) exceeded standards. That means a lot of the resources, time and energy will be spent on remediation and that means my kid, enrichment options, like-minded peers, higher-level thinking skills, etc. will not be focused on. I find it almost offensive that I can quickly and easily find what the racial make up of a school is but not where their kids go on to high school...(ok, rant over).
This whole process though seems ridiculously confounding. I read with interest Maritza's questions/concerns re: applying to high schools—she is ME in a few years. I can only assume this information is so diluted and difficult to sift through because the reality is that choices are extremely limited and CPS can’t possibly accommodate what they say they can—or what they legally are required to provide. So you just give up after a while. I know of plenty of parents who simply lie—from race to address—and I know of one woman who was shunned from a school for squawking about how the principal was admitting kids because she “messed it up” for the families “in the know”.
I am a single parent making less than $50K and living in an area where the neighborhood school is not a good choice for my child. I love that my neighborhood and its school are ethnically diverse, but less then 20% of 4th graders last year (my child’s peers) exceeded standards. That means a lot of the resources, time and energy will be spent on remediation and that means my kid, enrichment options, like-minded peers, higher-level thinking skills, etc. will not be focused on. I find it almost offensive that I can quickly and easily find what the racial make up of a school is but not where their kids go on to high school...(ok, rant over).
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Damn those diamond/? thingys! Anyone know why this happens if I pasted from a word doc??
Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 8:59 AM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Pinkerton
From direct experience and not from numbers or other data-
I know of one school that is doing well, offers enrichment, has good leadership, exceptional teachers and is a small junior high school (7th and 8th grade) and takes kids only within neighborhood boundaries. That school is Albany Park Multicultural Academy. My children attended there and I couldn't have been more satisfied. The neighborhood is another issue though so do your research.
IF you are worried about where they sent their kids to high school, you need to call and talk to them. I know that last year and so far this year, the school worked hard for their students during the high school application process and last year they continued to work after the process too.
I know from previous posts that you said Lane was not a place you were considering, but from experience, it is a great place for kids to be regardless of the recent issue and it is not overcrowded in the sense that each child gets the attention they need when they need it.
From direct experience and not from numbers or other data-
I know of one school that is doing well, offers enrichment, has good leadership, exceptional teachers and is a small junior high school (7th and 8th grade) and takes kids only within neighborhood boundaries. That school is Albany Park Multicultural Academy. My children attended there and I couldn't have been more satisfied. The neighborhood is another issue though so do your research.
IF you are worried about where they sent their kids to high school, you need to call and talk to them. I know that last year and so far this year, the school worked hard for their students during the high school application process and last year they continued to work after the process too.
I know from previous posts that you said Lane was not a place you were considering, but from experience, it is a great place for kids to be regardless of the recent issue and it is not overcrowded in the sense that each child gets the attention they need when they need it.
Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Which Elementaries Send The Most Kids Where?
Last week I was at a party and met a girl who is a freshman at Lindblom who lives a little north of me. She went there thanks to advice from the counselor at Seward Elementary and so far really likes it. (The neighborhood is still rough--she is driven to school and would be afraid to take the bus.)
I was glad to know the Seward counselor is encouraging kids with high but not astronomical scores to put Lindblom or King as a first choice on the selective enrollment applications. I believe my neighbor said she got a total score of 690 last year in the selective enrollment calculations. (By the way, anybody know exactly how that formula works? test scores--both ISAT and the selective enrollment test, grades, attendance, right?) For Northside or Young you need 900 or more, right? Lindblom took her because it was her first choice.
I was glad to know the Seward counselor is encouraging kids with high but not astronomical scores to put Lindblom or King as a first choice on the selective enrollment applications. I believe my neighbor said she got a total score of 690 last year in the selective enrollment calculations. (By the way, anybody know exactly how that formula works? test scores--both ISAT and the selective enrollment test, grades, attendance, right?) For Northside or Young you need 900 or more, right? Lindblom took her because it was her first choice.
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. District 299 reserves the right to delete or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule, and to ban anyone who violates this rule. Reader comments are limited to 500 words.
