Reply to Where is Carlin Springs in all of this?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Nope. Scores at Barcroft are awful. Experiment failed. [/quote]

Which means the scores were awful before the calendar and, despite posters' proclamations otherwise, they still would not send their kids to Barcroft even with the elimination of the alternative calendar.  They didn't before because of test scores and they still won't because of test scores - not because of the calendar.[/quote]

Actually test scores began a decline a few years ago and have not bounced back. I don't think it's related to the calendar (certainly the calendar has not helped in this regard). I think the calendar is something that detracts from the school. [/quote]

Test scores dropped in recent years due to the wrong leadership when the long-time principal retired.  There's a new sheriff in town this year, one with higher expectations for her students -- all her students -- and for her school.  Hopefully the test scores will rise again over the next few years.  But if people continue to expect the highest scores in the County, then they will continue to criticize the school and they will continue to opt out no matter what calendar they follow.  [/quote]

I don't think anyone expect the highest scores; they were never "high." But the test scores should be at least as good as schools with similar demographics. They are not currently.  [/quote]

What other schools have similar demographics to Barcroft?[/quote]

Barrett and Campbell are similar, and Carlin Springs as higher poverty yet higher scores. [/quote]

Having spoken with teachers at Carlin Springs, those higher test scores come at the cost of learning and curricula in the non-tested subjects.  Barrett is quite similar racially/ethnically - but what's the comparative ELL %s of those three?  Campbell's K-5 student body is even smaller than Barcroft's and they stay with the same class/teachers for two years.  Smaller schools have been shown to be better for high-poverty school achievement.  Perhaps the teacher-looping approach is an added benefit?  Of course, many will say it's the EL program.  It's likely a combination of many things - including the fact that the Campbell families are the families who have sought-out options and selected to go there rather than to Carlin Springs or Barcroft.  [/quote]

"Those three" meaning Barcroft, Barrett, and Campbell regarding the % ELL students.  [/quote]

I don't think that information is available, is it? But racially and socioeconomically, Barrett and Campbell and Barcroft are quite similar. As to size, Barrett has 100 more K-5 students than Barcroft and Campbell has 29 fewer. Nothing so far supports the notion that year-round school is an educational benefit. Seems like there are other strategies that are more effective (and I don't mean test cram like at Carlin Springs). [/quote]

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