Entire Sr. Class of All Male, African-Amer. Public School Accepted to 4 Year Colleges

[als463]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, so please let me know if I did. Didn't it say that at the beginning of their senior year, a large portion of the class could barely read? If that is the case, how did they pass their senior classes and make it that far through the process? It sounds that if a school acknowledged a large portion of their kids could barely read by the time they got into their senior year of high school, this school has been "pushing" their students through the system. That is a shame, if that is the case.

If the school did such a disservice to these young men, I feel sorry for their futures at such good universities.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by als463

Maybe I missed it somewhere, so please let me know if I did. Didn't it say that at the beginning of their senior year, a large portion of the class could barely read? If that is the case, how did they pass their senior classes and make it that far through the process? It sounds that if a school acknowledged a large portion of their kids could barely read by the time they got into their senior year of high school, this school has been "pushing" their students through the system. That is a shame, if that is the case.

If the school did such a disservice to these young men, I feel sorry for their futures at such good universities.

At the beginning of their FRESHMAN year, a large portion could not read AT GRADE LEVEL.

[als463]

Originally Posted by agzg

At the beginning of their FRESHMAN year, a large portion could not read AT GRADE LEVEL.

That's funny because I just read this:

"Only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at grade level as freshmen, said Tim King, the school's founder and CEO."

That tells me that while only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at a level as freshmen, there might be a possibility that many of them read BELOW that. Maybe instead of finding reasons to try and make me look stupid, you could read what was written.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by als463

That's funny because I just read this:

"Only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at grade level as freshmen, said Tim King, the school's founder and CEO."

That tells me that while only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at a level as freshmen, there might be a possibility that many of them read BELOW that. Maybe instead of finding reasons to try and make me look stupid, you could read what was written.

I missed the memo where "Cannot read at grade level" means "can barely read." For all we know, based on what the article said, that could be an 8th grade level instead of a 9th grade level, and the article said nothing about the seniors reading below a freshman level AS SENIORS.

Maybe someone should be tested for reading at their own grade level, where distinctions are made via modifiers.

[als463]

Originally Posted by agzg

I missed the memo where "Cannot read at grade level" means "can barely read." For all we know, based on what the article said, that could be an 8th grade level instead of a 9th grade level, and the article said nothing about the seniors reading below a freshman level AS SENIORS.

Maybe someone should be tested for reading at their own grade level, where distinctions are made via modifiers.

Oh good..another pissing contest. Maybe some schools (like Gannon) allow people who can barely read into their institutions. I can't say the same for my school.

If you think it is acceptable to not read at grade level and then get accepted to a 4-year university, that's great. As a former reading tutor, I have a hard time believing that they went from not reading at their grade level to getting accepted to such good schools without a little "help" from the school. I am interested to see how these students do after a year at these schools. In fact, I hope after 4 years they graduate. I truly think they may have a hard road ahead of them.

I don't really agree with all of Rasputen (sp?) says but, he/she made a good point that not being able to read is unacceptable at any age. No, I don't agree that we should make fun of those who can't read. I think we should be concerned about the schools that continuously push these kids through without giving them the help they really need. I think that is where the real stories is.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by als463

I think that is where the real stories is.

Says the reading tutor.

[als463]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Says the reading tutor.

Good, you're here. I'm sure you agree with the fact that we should allow people to get pushed through the system because of the color of their skin. Yes, I was a reading tutor, until I moved to New York. In fact, I helped a kid get his GED to help him join the military. He is now serving his country. I also helped a mother of 3 get out of the "system" of Children & Youth and also get her GED. She is now a student at a local community college. Can you say the same?

[agzg]

Originally Posted by als463

Oh good..another pissing contest. Maybe some schools (like Gannon) allow people who can barely read into their institutions. I can't say the same for my school.

Seriously? This is just laughable.

Originally Posted by als463

If you think it is acceptable to not read at grade level and then get accepted to a 4-year university, that's great. As a former reading tutor, I have a hard time believing that they went from not reading at their grade level to getting accepted to such good schools without a little "help" from the school. I am interested to see how these students do after a year at these schools. In fact, I hope after 4 years they graduate. I truly think they may have a hard road ahead of them.

I don't really agree with all of Rasputen (sp?) says but, he/she made a good point that not being able to read is unacceptable at any age. No, I don't agree that we should make fun of those who can't read. I think we should be concerned about the schools that continuously push these kids through without giving them the help they really need. I think that is where the real stories is.

Find in any of my posts where I said not reading at grade level was acceptable for freshmen at the college level.

My point WAS, and still is, that "not reading at grade level"=/= "can barely read."

I'm adding a new point:
We all know you're a self important bitch. You still have a lot of learning to do about phrasing your opinions in such a way that you won't get such an immediate and negative response. If you don't care about that, or prefer to bitch about everyone hating you because you "speak the truth," then you can be on your merry way - just be aware that it's your choice to make.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by agzg

I'm adding a new point:
We all know you're a self important bitch. You still have a lot of learning to do about phrasing your opinions in such a way that you won't get such an immediate and negative thought. If you don't care about that, or prefer to bitch about everyone hating you because you "speak the truth," then you can be on your merry way - just be aware that it's your choice to make.

Well, damn, okay then.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I knew I'd love this thread when I saw who the last few posters were.

Signed,
DrPhil's Side Minion

LOL--and I'm not to blame for the turn of this thread. I'm just riding on coattails after the fact.

Originally Posted by als463

What do you think happened here? I think it is sad that we can't just say that an entire class of public school students has been accepted to a 4 year college. Why do we have to push that it is an "all-male, african-american" group of students.

I don't know many schools (public, to be honest) that have 100% of their students go off to college. Because we phrase it the way it has been phrased, we are making note that we don't think "all-male, african americans" from a public school can make it to college. Why does it have to be a race thing? Why does it have to be a gender thing? If it was an "all-female, caucasian" group of students from a public school, no one would bat an eyelash. Why is that?

By harping on the age and gender, we are saying that african-american males are destined for worse. I get that a great percentage of them go to prison or join gangs (from what the article says) but, that is their own fault. If you end up in prison or join a gang, it isn't because of your race, it is because you made those choices.

Good for these young boys, but I hope they got through school on their own accord and not because the school pushed them through, just so they could say this.

There's a lot of inconsistency in this post.

No, African American males are not destined for worse. People confuse disproportionate involvement in crime, lack of education, and unemployment to imply destiny. For instance, the average African American male is not involved in crime. Therefore, being an African American male is not a "plight" nor is it ridden with hardtimes and negativity.

With that said, personal choices matter but it's more than just personal choices. We are talking about aggregate effects here. But, I sense that I'm typing to a brick wall right now.

[als463]

Originally Posted by rasputn

Rasputen was banned so that spelling won't work.

Sorry. I hadn't paid much attention to the spelling. I just hope you don't get banned. Please watch certain terms you use or people may get upset. Other than that, if you consider people "lazy" and not necessarily the "n-word" you might get more people to listen. I doubt that, though, with some of these people.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by als463

I just hope you don't get banned. Please watch certain terms you use or people may get upset.

Way to feed the troll AND stand up against racism in one shot!

Wait till he finds out you're "Latina"!

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by als463

Other than that, if you consider people "lazy" and not necessarily the "n-word" you might get more people to listen. I doubt that, though, with some of these people.

^^^^ awww...it's too easy.

I will pass on this one.

[xp2k]

Originally Posted by als463

That's funny because I just read this:

"Only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at grade level as freshmen, said Tim King, the school's founder and CEO."

That tells me that while only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at a level as freshmen, there might be a possibility that many of them read BELOW that. Maybe instead of finding reasons to try and make me look stupid, you could read what was written.

Either way you're wrong because you originally said:

Originally Posted by als463

Maybe I missed it somewhere, so please let me know if I did. Didn't it say that at the beginning of their senior year, a large portion of the class could barely read?

Sooo...I dont see why you cant just simply acknowledge that you were wrong.

Originally Posted by als463

If you think it is acceptable to not read at grade level and then get accepted to a 4-year university, that's great. As a former reading tutor, I have a hard time believing that they went from not reading at their grade level to getting accepted to such good schools without a little "help" from the school. I am interested to see how these students do after a year at these schools. In fact, I hope after 4 years they graduate. I truly think they may have a hard road ahead of them.

I dont think its acceptable to not read at grade level and then get accpeted into a 4-year university, but I dont understand what that has to do with this conversation.

I also dont understand why it is so hard to believe that over FOUR years, these teenagers where able to improve their reading skills...thats the point of going to school..so that you learn more.

When you finished high school, were you equally as stupid as when you began?

Also, please stop pretending that your volunteer work as a reading tutor gives you insight into being an educator. If it were that easy, then teachers wouldnt need to be specifically educated and certified and any yahoo off the street could do it.

As far as not believing that people can become smarter (in regards to reading), have you ever considered that maybe you just werent a good tutor.

I am teaching right now and I can tell you that students can improve drastically in even a week if you can change their attitudes about learning.