Reply to Lewis HS: Is it really that bad?

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Reply to "Lewis HS: Is it really that bad?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think it might be helpful for people to understand how things work in regards to education in a high-poverty high school environment.

Teachers teach their lesson. That lesson is not altered based on a student's understanding or poverty level. There is no special geometry class for low-income individuals where the kids learn only half of what high-income students learn. Teachers teach. If a student needs extra help, there are after-school sessions and advisory sessions.

Poverty or language barriers do not change the lesson being taught, be they regular or advanced classes. Poverty and language barriers CAN change the outcomes of the classes, as those students are more likely to struggle. But that does not mean that YOUR kid will struggle.[/quote]

Maybe there should be.  Years ago Justice (then Stuart) had success breaking down Algebra into a two-year sequence.  Then Gatehouse types intervened because maybe they worried about a special sequence for mostly struggling low-income kids.  Now, of course, we've got Reid trying to pretend lots of sixth graders should be taking Algebra.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-administrators-killed-fairfax-schools-math-success/2014/05/25/26632d46-e0a1-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html

You can still take advanced classes at a Lewis or Justice.  [b]But if the number of kids interested in those classes is much smaller, there's a greater likelihood of scheduling conflicts[b].  [/quote]

So, would you be in favor of offering all of the same classes at Lewis that are offered at WSHS, even if the classes are very small, even if it’s only 5 students in a class? Or would you complain that FCPS was “wasting” money on Lewis, “especially when you pay more taxes”?

I get that parents want what is best for their kids. Lewis parents want that as well. There may not be a way for FCPS to ensure a robust extracurricular experience in all activities at Lewis because of its small size and the makeup of the student body, but it can ensure that every Lewis student has access to the exact same classes as at nearby schools. The taxpayers just have to pay for it.

And, no, I’m not a Lewis parent, just someone who is disgusted at the lack of attention it has gotten.[/quote]

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