Yu Yang--is the student body predominately African American, does Yu Yang have a non-Chinese track..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yu ying is now a mostly white and asian school. Was majority african american, but no longer the case with lower grades. Yu Ying "tracks" underachieving students into non-immersion track to "catch up" for the standardized tests.

All kids in the "catch-up" track are African American. They have essentially figured out a way to track the underperforming black kids away from the white and Asian middle class kids.

There is something terribly wrong with this. They found a way to track the black kids away from the white and Asian kids. If immersion is pRt of the charter, how can Yu Ying not provide immersion to these children. I smell a rat, but it's hidden behind the walls.

ITA. I had followed the school a few years ago, as was interested for my kids. But, hadn't heard this. I would be so upset about this, whether I had a kid on the fast or slow track. Tracking elementary kids means the school is doing a terrible job. And, people complain about the tracks at Wilson. That's nothing compared to this. Way to tell a group of kids that they deserve less.

OK. What would you suggest as an alternative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ITA. I had followed the school a few years ago, as was interested for my kids. But, hadn't heard this. I would be so upset about this, whether I had a kid on the fast or slow track. Tracking elementary kids means the school is doing a terrible job. And, people complain about the tracks at Wilson. That's nothing compared to this. Way to tell a group of kids that they deserve less.

You hadn't heard about this because this is the first year it's been in place. 12 months ago there weren't even plans for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it has been mentioned briefly, but seriously, why aren't the underperforming students held back? I know the school needs to advance the student to allow for room for rising students and doing this will directly affect funding, but that seems like such a disservice.

For the same reason that any other school doesn't do it either: because there is no data to support holding children back. After K or 1st it not only does not work, it actually does harm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it has been mentioned briefly, but seriously, why aren't the underperforming students held back? I know the school needs to advance the student to allow for room for rising students and doing this will directly affect funding, but that seems like such a disservice.

Grade retention has been shown to have negative effects:
http://www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/pospaper_graderetent.aspx

[Anonymous]

And tracking has positive results? they both seem to have negative results, but one (tracking) cost the school big $$

[Anonymous]

I meant holding back costs the school big $$

[Anonymous]

Actually, the non-immersion students have a far, far better student:teacher ratio than immersion students--I suspect that the non-immersion model is costing far more than holding back would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yu ying is now a mostly white and asian school. Was majority african american, but no longer the case with lower grades. Yu Ying "tracks" underachieving students into non-immersion track to "catch up" for the standardized tests.

All kids in the "catch-up" track are African American. They have essentially figured out a way to track the underperforming black kids away from the white and Asian middle class kids.

There is something terribly wrong with this. They found a way to track the black kids away from the white and Asian kids. If immersion is pRt of the charter, how can Yu Ying not provide immersion to these children. I smell a rat, but it's hidden behind the walls.

ITA. I had followed the school a few years ago, as was interested for my kids. But, hadn't heard this. I would be so upset about this, whether I had a kid on the fast or slow track. Tracking elementary kids means the school is doing a terrible job. And, people complain about the tracks at Wilson. That's nothing compared to this. Way to tell a group of kids that they deserve less.

What a pity that we can't track you in a remedial thread for DCUM. Your objections have been addressed, multiple times, on this thread. Whereas those who make the objections, have yet to put up a cogent rebuttal. It's almost as if you can't read English. That's too bad, because you can't even blame it on having spent too much time learning Chinese.

Lol!

And we are all still waiting for someone to come up with a better alternative.

[Anonymous]

I am always very surprised that anyone would keep sending their child to a Chinese immersion program if the child was not able to master the necessary English skills, especially if the family has no particular Chinese background. It is not the choice that I would make.

[Anonymous]

The data says that if a child is not reading on grade level by the 3rd grade they will have significant trouble catching up later - so for many of these children it is already too late. For those who think it is ok to have an all black class of remedial students - I wouldn't expect you to understand. You didn't have to explain the class to your black sons and daughters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The data says that if a child is not reading on grade level by the 3rd grade they will have significant trouble catching up later - so for many of these children it is already too late. For those who think it is ok to have an all black class of remedial students - I wouldn't expect you to understand. You didn't have to explain the class to your black sons and daughters.

Would it be easier to explain to the kids that the school didn't help them at least try to catch up because they thought it was too late for them and they didn't want to offend people? The school is just being forced to do what the parents won't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The data says that if a child is not reading on grade level by the 3rd grade they will have significant trouble catching up later - so for many of these children it is already too late. For those who think it is ok to have an all black class of remedial students - I wouldn't expect you to understand. You didn't have to explain the class to your black sons and daughters.

OK, so I ask - again - what do you suggest? Since it's already too late, just forget about the kids and continue to let them (whatever color they are) flounder and get farther and farther behind the pack?

And is seems like if the class was split - 50% black, and 50% white - you'd be OK with it. Is that right? If white kids have trouble too, that's OK - but if black kids have trouble, giving them the help they need - well, that's racist. Thats completely incoherent.

Finally - it's a black thing? Really, that's your argument? White people don't understand? Isn't that last refuge for people who don't have any well-grounded, persuasive points to make? "You wouldn't understand because . . . because . . . because . . . I'm different than you!"

What is so difficult about this - kids are not put in this class because they are black. They're put in it because they weren't making it in the immersion class.

[Anonymous]

Who said it was a black thing. If the parent aren't complaining why are so many other people. I am sure the parents are doing what is right for thier child. the parents that didn't fell it was right left. This has nothing to do wit race. I wish people stop making everything a racial issue. Most things now have move to do with you SES than your race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The data says that if a child is not reading on grade level by the 3rd grade they will have significant trouble catching up later - so for many of these children it is already too late. For those who think it is ok to have an all black class of remedial students - I wouldn't expect you to understand. You didn't have to explain the class to your black sons and daughters.

I have a black daughter in the school. I do not want to have to explain why the DCC class is all black anymore than I want to explain to her why the vast majority of failing students in DCPS school are black, nor whyblack poverty is rampant in DC. Unfortunately , all these things are true. Ignoring it and letting them continue to fail just hides the painful truth and is what is often done in this city to save face. Working to meet their needs is the best approach and seems to be what Yu Ying is doing.

[Anonymous]

Listen African American parents, low tracks with low expectations DO NOT WORK.