Delta Blues
The Washington Post set out to identify, according to NCLB math and reading test scores, the poorest performing school in the poorest performing state, the school that lands on ”the bottom of the heap.”
But instead of simply awarding the dubious distinction, the Post’s article, “By the Mississippi Delta, A Whole School Left Behind,” takes a head-spinning twist.
See, even with abysmal results, Como still made AYP, the Post reports, because of Mississippi’s low cut scores and because the school’s small size exempted it from some NCLB sub-group reporting requirements.
And by making AYP, Como doesn’t qualify for any of the assistance the law is supposed to provide to improve low-performing schools.
Como is where NCLB’s worthy goals meet reality, not only in a definition of progress that passes small schools in need of help. For instance, there’s the mandate that every child be taught by a highly qualified teacher, and then there’s the reality of a district that can’t pay competitive salaries.
For children at Como and similar schools, how exactly is NCLB helping?
2 Comments on “Delta Blues”
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November 1, 2007 at 11:53 am
I live in Como and I have two sons that attend the school in this article. It is one attempt to make people aware we are here and need help. I am not represenative of this community, as I have the money to leave and forget Como exists. However, the cycle that began so long ago is one that seems to be one put in place to purposely hold this small city down. Those in the position to make change only take advantage of the illiteracy that runs through it’s veins. They make promises, take trust, take charge, take the little money they do have and then take turns running it into the ground. “The Panolian” has reported corruption and greed in reference to the school district. Como is now “broke” and has the IRS on their tail. Still, the people will trust the same folks that put them in the hole to get them out. My family represents the less than 1% of white folks in the North Panola Consolidated School District and they don’t care much for me. I have traveled and have something to compare them to. I know something is terribly wrong here. The Whitehouse, the “Honorable” Govorner, and Senators don’t care. It took me two years to even get an evaluation from this district accept my 8 yr old son’s enrollment. It’s taken three, and counting, to get the accomodations and modifications needed to give him an FAPE. The administrative system here just do as they please, or are products of their own educational system and don’t know how to do their jobs. This place is like no other, and I don’t think the community will know their options until someone shows them what their options are. It goes so much deeper than NCLB, as it just doesn’t apply here either.
November 2, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Although the school district I live in does receive funds via NCLB, it is like looking in the lion’s mouth (with no prop) when trying to find a trail for the monies spent. And when one questions about the programs that should be in place, I’m sent on a wild chase of sorts. The director of Title I, instead of advocating her position refers me back to the school. As an individual, it’s difficult to make people aware of the corruption that lies in NCLB’s noble intentions. There are 300+ students in my child’s school that are being left behind under the very same auspices that vowed not to. Our city has had its share of federal authorities stepping in because of shady dealings will officials yet no one can seem to connect the dots. I too have the capacity to leave but I think incessantly about the children who are being systematically left behind. My only wish is that I had some alliance which to shed light on the other side of this, at best, ineffective program