Saturday, September 25, 2010

US News Article Insight

We recently went to check out this article after reading a comment posted on another site questioning the methodology and usefulness of the rating. The post was correct in that the rating was not based on merit or true academics but rather simply the number or percentage of the students who sat for either the AP or IB tests. The article nor rating do not take into consideration the student results (i.e. how many passed, how many failed, what the average score was) but just how many of MVRCS students took the tests compared to other schools and districts. Additionally, after looking through the summary of the article (located at US NEWS Summary of MVRCS ) we realized that it is an application process and states that it is non-merit based. Additionally, if you look at the numbers below, MVRCS is predominately white (68%) and only rates a 74.2 on the 'College Readiness Index'. Further, under the 'Exam Passing Rate' the school scored only 61.2% which is not impressive considering how few students have been in the upper classes. Overall, while the heading does look impressive on the MVRCS website, after closer examination it doesn't seem as much of a achievement or accomplishment. We think our school can and should be doing better than this and the need to resort to applying (was a payment involved?) for inclusion into this type of study.


23 comments:

  1. So the school you send your kids to sucks. Does that sum up this last blog.

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  2. You have quickly turned this blog from something that supposedly focused on topics in the spirit making the school better for all our kids, to one that is now simply looking for reasons to kick MVRCS, and criticize everything they do.

    I agree with the above poster. Shame on you. Shame, shame.

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  3. Seems a little unfair. She's imply posting a fact that many may not know. that US News stat gets thrown around a lot and is misleading.

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  4. I agree, it's one thing to bring light upon injustices and mismanagement (and there are plenty at MVRCS) but once this blog begins to become a dumping ground for anger, that may or may not be valid, the site loses it's credibility.

    I did get a notice from the school informing me that this site existed and that it was being dealt with in some manner. The writer made mention that the email addresses were not given to the poster of the blog. As an IT person, and an employee in higher education, privacy issues concern me greatly. The fact that someone was able to obtain my work email address from somewhere at MVRCS and use it upset me. I responded to the email shortly after reading it asking about the breach in security and asking how the rest of my information (and my students information) is being handled by the school. I've yet to receive a response. :o( I am most definitely interested in knowing how my work email address was acquired for use here though.

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  5. No one is implying that anyone is sending their child to a school that 'sucks' but rather just trying to show that although the school is good on many levels, there is room for improvement. Also, as this article is slightly misleading, as is the manner in which it is used, it does call into question the usefulness and truthfulness of it. Imagine if instead of just receiving the rating they did for the number of students that take the test, if instead it was based on the scores of those same students.
    It seems as though MVRCS is too willing to push the lineregarding the truth, and laws rather that base everything on true accomplishments and as a result of being in compliance with the laws.

    WE REITERATE ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE OUR SCHOOL AND ARE NOT LOOKING TO SHOOT IT DOWN BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION IS PRESENTED TRUTHFULLY, REGARDLESS OF THE IMPLICATIONS.

    We want to avoid and stop the slipping down that slippery slope as it appears the school is currently doing.

    We are kind of surprised that parents who only have the best interest of their children in mind take issue with us addressing this issue. It was in no way an attack on the school but rather on the article and the implications of that article.

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  6. This blog has turned into a complete joke! The "unofficial" representatives need to either come out and stand up for who they really are or shut this thing down and go away. It's pretty hard now to take you seriously as most of what is being posted is mostly your opinion and lacks facts and the ability for anyone to truly stand by your side since nobody knows who you are. You keep stating that "we are afraid" and have tried that...well, if you are going to act like you are here to "represent the parents" to make things better, than time to step up and let the rest of us parents know who you are; either be true to all sides of the equation or stop your insanity by removing blog comments you don't like and compalining about things you won't stand up for without standing up like a genuine person and allow a real debate to take place...all you have shown to date is that you lack the ability to face people and that is weak and will serve no purpose...so, get a life or stand up and tell folks who you are so we can take a stand either way and get on with this; your "excuses" as to why you won't are getting old too...you want folks to follow you and join you, then tell us who you are so we can truly make an informed decision; you have done nothing for the few of us who have followed this now but to show that you are moving things towards trying to destroy this school yet nobody (on either side of the argument) can face you to debate the truth because you refuse to come out of the closet...

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  7. Nobody is forced to look at this blog, so if you don't like it, don't look. As the board of the school is now, they will not listen or debate anything.

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  8. Parent of two from the Charter schoolSeptember 25, 2010 at 7:26 PM

    So why don't you send your child or children to Malden High School ? Or Malden Catholic or whatever community you live in ? THis is a completely negative campaign you are running here. How about all the good they are doing, how about the sports they have brought to the school, which has increased the enrollment to the point where there is a waiting list now every year? Why not point out the good stuff and not just the negative stuff ? Truly, A parent of two from the Charter school.

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  9. Focus on what needs to be changed at the school that we as a community have some control over. You started out with some very valid arguements and there has been little follow through. Now it really does seem like the blog is just looking for anything negative it can stick on MVRCS. Get back to the very valid issues of mismanagement/nepotism/illegal treatment of special needs population and teacher turnover. Otherwise you will become just another hater.

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  10. Too late, if they don't like the fact that people don't AGREE with them then the standard answer is "we are afraid to say who we are" or "if you don't like it don't come to the this blog"...just a bunch of haters who bloviate from behind thier computer screens and sling hate over what appears to be a personal agenda. Stand up and be seen if you want anyone to think you are serious and credible! My god, you are doing nothing for this school right now with your hidden agenda...

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  11. Bloviate – to speak at length in a pompous self-aggrandizing way.
    You use big words, but don’t know how to spell their correctly. Maybe you should put your name on the waiting list and go back to school.

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  12. I find it funny how people who are demanding names are the same ones who won't give theirs. This must be really getting under the board's skin so they keep on demanding names while hiding themselves. Do not give in until you are good and ready no matter what they say. I am the living proof of that! I've been attacked personally for years yet they have never come up with any legit arguments for the concerns I have raised. Talk about "haters"!

    Political tactic: When you can't defeat the argument, attack the person making the argument.

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  13. It would be nice to know the qualifications of these people to see if they have any educational experience. I heard there used to be this crazy woman who wanted all of her ideas implemented and she sold hotdogs and beer for a living. Can you believe that?!

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  14. It would also be nice (and should be expected) that the people that are running our school should all have the appropriate credentials and experiences beyond MVRCS.
    I hear that right now, this guy who has a great business sense but lacks any respect or admiration for teachers is now running a school. AND, he is making decisions that impact the futures of over 1000 students. I also hear that this same guy is employing any of his friends and family members within the school regardless of their experience, performance, or qualifications - AND paying them really well to do very little! I guess this guy doesn't feel like he needs to follow the laws or the rules that EVERYONE else has to follow.
    Then I heard of this OTHER person at the school who is this first guys 'heavy' and will do anything he tells him to do - WITHOUT QUESTIONS! AND, I hear this second guy has let his family members return to the school after leaving the school (he doesn't have to worry about that pesky thing called a WAITLIST).
    The FUNNIEST guy I heard about is this 3rd guy who has stellar credentials and experience yet isn't allowed to have any say or control in the school that he SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
    Oh, I could go on and on about the people at our school and their 'educational' experience and the 'craziness' going on there but we'd be here ALL DAY!!!
    I'll take the lady who sells hotdogs and beer for a living cause I bet at least she respects our laws and rules enough to know that she IS NOT ABOVE THEM!
    Missed you Andy!!

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  15. Andy, Andy, Andy...there you go again without your facts. While I may sell beer, I do not sell hot dogs. What I do is an honest day's work for honest money. What do you do? I have taught my children there is no shame in work of any type. The more menial the job a person does, the more thankful you should be to them for doing it for you. Do you think you are any better than the person who does your laundry or cleans your house? How about your parents? What did they do for a living? Or yourself? What contempt you must feel for most of the people you come in contact with! And worst of all, don't think your children don't know your feelings. That's the saddest of all things you could teach them.

    What do you think of those people who get jobs (mighty fine ones!) without proper credentials? How about a person who makes all the decisions about your child's education without any education credentials who considers education a "hobby"?

    Once again, you have proven my point. I put my name on something and you have to go and attack me personally. You don't even have any idea what questions or issues I would raise over the many years of attending board meetings to judge what my impact has been. How about identifying YOURSELF?

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  16. Wondered now long it would take for Oral Annie (or is it Anal Annie) to show back up. Go crawl back in your hole cause nobody cares what you have to say as you are just the town crier. Boo Hoo Oral A.

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  17. @ Oral A: People DID put thier names and asked for the bloggers and you and your cowards refused.

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  18. I can see our mature and scared followers are back showing their true colors. You all want to know who we are, why so you can abuse us and attempt to tear us down like you do to Annie O. and the others that dare stand up to the school?
    What if I were to tell all of you that we are a group of parents that are being assisted by an investigative reporter who loves hearing all of your comments and attempts to discredit us for simply not revealing our identities. Would you all feel better?

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  19. Hahahaha!!! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me! Don't you get it that the more you attack me the more I know I've gotten under your skin??? No, you're not gonna chase me away. Oh, and BTW, my house is now good for FIVE votes so think about that Mr. Councilor the next time you attack me.

    Political tactic: When you can't defeat the argument, attack the person making the argument.

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  20. From above -"that people don't AGREE with them then the standard answer is "we are afraid to say who we are" or "if you don't like it don't come to the this blog"..."
    oh, I see it's ok for others to tell us to remove our kids from the school (rather than try to address the issues) and for the Administration to tell parents 'that's how we do it here and you are welcome to leave' when they question the admins decisions. Kind of a double standard, don't you think?


    'just a bunch of haters who bloviate from behind thier computer screens and sling hate over what appears to be a personal agenda.'

    Haters? Interesting considering that the creators and supporters of this blog tend to be much more tolerate and respectful to those who have shown themselves to be less than adult-like and/or respectful. Personal agenda - yes, we have an agenda ---- clean up the school and make sure all kids get the education they deserve. Big secret there!

    'Stand up and be seen if you want anyone to think you are serious and credible! My god, you are doing nothing for this school right now with your hidden agenda... '
    Stand up and be seen - but not heard right? Because we all know how open the Board and Admin are to parents concerns and questions. When the board starts to listen to the parents, we'll reveal our identity.
    Doing nothing for the school - we're doing more than simply accepting status quo while some people use the school as their personal bank and business. Yeah, that will initiate the much needed change within our school.

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  21. Just to clarify - Nina and Ron Hogan were pretty much the only ones of the bunch who posted their full name so those anti blog folks, most of you have not done what you so expect us to do. I imagine you can't as you are part of the Friends & Family club that are all so scared of the gravy train coming to a sudden halt.

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  22. To Parent of two

    If the school had followed the law, listened to the parents with respect and not retaliated against them, then this blog wouldn't exist. Until you have some major problem with your child at the school, you just can't comprehend what the board/administration has done to many families. Maybe you'll be lucky and have no problems but if you do, you'll understand why this blog was created.
    As far as removing my child from the school, I think not. It is a PUBLIC school that my taxes help pay toward. There are many dedicated teachers who do a wonderful job. Then there are the not so good ones who just don't teach or care and the students suffer. These are mainly the turnover teachers. I think the school has an average SAT score, but I'm not sure on that.
    It is nice that their sports program has grown, but I would rather have had a voice in that decision. A new high school with a gym, updated computer room and larger cafeteria would have been a better choice for the school. As the grades keep on increasing, I wonder where all the students are going to fit when they reach the high school.

    Love you Annie O!

    Keep up the good work UnOff!

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  23. Hey I heard when they reach 20% that Malden will sell them one of their empty buildings along with Roosevelt Park. Don't laugh to long as the reckoning is coming nationwide. The time of catering to the few nimrods is over and schools like MV will spread.

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