Comments for Pick Six at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 41 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Fri, 24 May 2013 15:07:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10862 By the way, Rajun Cajun, I have some of the same questions as to how prudently our tax money is being spent, and I intend to find out. - Dudley E. LaBauve, III Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:41:21 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10861 The 67.7% Lafayette Parish graduation rate in question is the Cohort Graduation Rate, which means 67.7% of high school graduates in Lafayette parish actually graduated on time, or in 4 years. The number is supposed to be adjusted for students who left the parish, joined the parish, became deceased, etc. If the number has been accurately adjusted, it means approximately 1/3 of our high school students fail at least one grade in high school or have dropped out. I have also attached an article which goes a little more in detail about the 50 states and the push for nationwide standardization of calculating graduation rates. Louisiana began using this formula in 2006. It is up to the schools and districts to properly account for student entrance and exit and properly report it. If that is not happening, then the 67.7% graduation rate is bogus. http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0807GRADCOUNTS.PDF - Dudley E. LaBauve, III Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:26:15 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10852 Thank you for the link to the study, Ragin Cajun. I didn't have time to read all of it yet, but I will try to do so later. You have a valid point. The reason that many of us do not trust statistics is because they can, indeed, be manipulated to reinforce almost any message. To my knowledge, not one of the incumbents has disputed the 67.7% graduation rate. Furthermore, my past teaching experience leads me to be more inclined to believe that number as opposed to 90%. - Linda Larkan Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:59:25 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10848 http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lvIXIiN0JwE&b=5112895&content_id={97DAD231-8913-4F9A-A104-3DE91E8DE9D5}&notoc=1 I found a study titled "Rethinking High School Graduation Rates and Trends" at http://epi.3cdn.net/861259be5536440dd3_wvm6bgv02.pdf It is very thourough, and it shows that high school graduation rates from 1962 to 2004 have risen steadily. From 40% to 90% for black non-hispanics, from 70% to 90% for whites. The black-white gap in high school graduation has steadily decreased over time as well. This is nationally, and the article meticulously explains how it arrived at these numbers, and how it agrees with other studies that come to the same conclusions. Nationally, it's not a problem. I was shocked to see this because it goes against everything I've heard all my life about public education in America. I am very curious to see how Lafayette Parish graduation rates are calculated. I wonder if the graduation rate quoted by this article (Pick Six on the Independent), and the candidates, is possibly artificially low for the same reasons that the authors of this study discuss. You should all read this study if you care at all about this issue--either nationally or locally. - ragin_cajun Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:39:07 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10835 My link to “Turning Around Low-Performing Schools” keeps getting truncated when I post it. Try this instead: http://bit.ly/daxWtf. It may work since it is already been shortened using bit.ly. - Linda Larkan Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:14:47 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10832 You've made some excellent points, Ragin Cajun--and I don't have all of the answers. In regards to how the money is spent, a review of the budget would answer those questions. Although I searched the http://www.lpssonline.com site, I did not find the budget. It may indeed be there. If it isn’t, I challenge the new board to make it procedure to publish it. I suspect that it is possible that well-intentioned individuals have unknowingly contributed to wasteful spending. The combined experience of this group of “Pick 6” candidates, which includes business and financial experts, is precisely why The Independent has recommended them. I’m sorry that the link to “Turning Around Low-Performing Schools” in a previous post of mine didn’t work. Try this instead: http://www.sedl.org/pubs/catalog/items/secc-eb-4-3.html. Then follow the links to “View online” and then “Go to free resource.” Please let me know if you still can’t access the article. You might also appreciate “Risk factors for dropping out” at http://www.focusas.com/Dropouts.html. It is taken from the book, From At Risk to Academic Excellence: What Successful Leaders Do by Franklin P. Schargel, Tony Thacker, and John S. Bell. The section about “School-Caused Risk Factors” is especially thought-provoking. High drop-out rates are not new--or unique to Lafayette. However, that is no reason to ignore the problem. I think our community has lost its patience with underperforming schools. Other communities have turned their schools around, and with the right leadership in place, we can, too. - Linda Larkan Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:48:29 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10823 Ms. Larkan -- Obama said this morning "the fact is that our per-pupil spending has gone up during the last couple of decades even as results have gone down" Why is that? Where has that money gone? If schools are underfunded pretty much everywhere, and teachers are underpaid, then where is all that money? - ragin_cajun Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:21:56 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10822 Ms. Larkan-- I've asked others and gotten no response, so I'll ask you. WHY are so many kids not graduating? Do you think that current state, or federal laws, will need to change to fix this? What were graduation rates for Lafayette Parish Schools in the 80's? Has the graduation rate plummetted in the last 10-15 years in Lafayette Parish? I can't read the article you posted, but I'd like to read it. Or any other articles you think might explain to me. - ragin_cajun Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:05:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10815 "I will contact Mr. Davis to see if he will run for district 44 representation." ------------------------------- That would be dumb. Mr. Davis wins school board seat, and leaves one year later to run for another office? You want that kind of representation? I think Greg Davis would have more class than that to ask voters to elect him to an office then leave 1 yr later, costing the taxpayers money to have a special election. Is that how things are done in CA? If so, no wonder ya'll are bankrupt. - you want career politician Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:12:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10812 Oops...I meant to say that I WAS biased. - Linda Larkan Sun, 26 Sep 2010 10:01:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10810 The Independent has demonstrated tremendous leadership in printing this article. My hat is off to you guys. Thank you for taking a stand. I’m, admittedly, not biased in this election. Dudley LaBauve is my fiancé, and I couldn’t be prouder of him for stepping up to serve. Through this process, I’ve had the opportunity to visit with the other “Pick 6” and hear them speak at the candidate forums. I firmly believe that these six men can provide the catalyst for change. One respondent has asked, “How bad are our problems?” The article mentions a 68% graduation rate. That means that, of our students who begin the ninth grade, 68% of them will graduate from high school. This does not count any of the kids who drop out prior to the ninth grade. As someone who has taught middle-school for five years, I can testify to the large numbers of students who drop out prior to the ninth grade. Many students, unfortunately, merely bide their time until they turn 16 and are legally able do so. Some stop attending school long before that. There is no spin. The problems are severe. In response to comments as to how much influence the school board could have, with the limitations of state/federal laws and social forces, I say that other school systems have had these same limitations, and yet, they have been SUCCESSFUL. We have to stop accepting mediocrity, folks. We can do better than this. I like this article from the Southeast Comprehensive Center at Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL): http://secc.sedl.org/resources/newsletter/ebulletin/eBulletinv4n3.pdf. The title is article is “Turning Around Low-Performing Schools.” At the top of the list of best practices is a recommendation for a change in leadership. Your vote for the Pick 6 candidate in your district would start that process. - Linda Larkan Sun, 26 Sep 2010 07:09:29 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10777 Ms. X, Ballot well cast. I will contact Mr. Davis to see if he will run for district 44 representation. I bet he get some jobs and industry to invest in 44. By the way, has SLICK RICK HARDY answered yet for not paying years of taxes on those 2 businesses that he owns? BRING THAT CLOWN TO ANSWER! - LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:10:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10774 You have picked a winning team! I have taken advantage of early voting and voted for Greg Davis in my district. If successful, he will need the support of the other fine canditates the Ind has picked. Thanks... - Ms. X Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:57:33 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10764 little blonde, Go watch the other little blondes on the FOX NOT NEWS CHANNEL. - LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:24:54 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10760 My goodness people, stick to the topic.... Pick Six article.. - little blonde Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:51:40 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10757 Rinkelstein, Quit getting your news information from the FOX NEWS PRETTY NEWS MODELS. As I've said before, if you are weak at the knee to see pretty models, check penthouse and playboy. FOX NEWS MODELS ARE JUST PRETTY FACES, NOT NEWS GATHERERS. Ca is so broke,DMV is open 4 days a week and state workers must take 1 unpaid day a week and police officers do not respond to little crimes like burgalry and police are toying around with charging for responding to calls. Again,STOP GETTING YOUR NEWS FROM FOX NEWS MODELS. - LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:42:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10754 LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA, that is why CA isn't completely bankrupt. - Rinkelstein Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:33:02 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10751 Rinkelstein, WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR!! DUH UH - LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:06:47 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10750 Yeah LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA, the liberal policies of CA are really working for you out there eh? Aren't you guys in the 85th (? could be longer) day without a budget. Didn't CA sell off some of it's state parks to make up their budget gaps. I am also pretty sure that your governement workers have been furloughed a couple of times this year. Your housing market is in the crapper and so is your unemployment rate. Keep voting liberal buddy. I have been dying to own a piece of Yosemite. - Rinkelstein Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:01:35 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/6964-pick-six#comment-10748 LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN LAFAYETTE, I know you want to be me-hell, everybody wants to be like me. LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN LAFAYETTE, get your own identity. RAGIN CAJUN, Lets watch VITTER CHASE HIS PROSTITUTES. LOOK AT THIS VIDEO OF VITTER LEAVING THE CHEAP HOTEL AFTER PERFORMING ORAL SEX ON HIS PROSTITUTE. http://forgottencrimes.com/?gclid=COiV2YXynaQCFQY-bAodawLaEg - LAFAYETTE NATIVE RESIDING IN CA Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:09:45 +0100