Left In Lowell

Boston Magazine Public High School List

13 Responses to “Boston Magazine Public High School List”

1. Best4Lowell Says:
   September 6th, 2010 at 10:36 pm

   That number does include a large number of students with special needs as well as English Language Learners that other districts do not have (and certainly not quite that many). Not that that is a one-size-fits-all excuse, but it is worth consideration. And with MCAS gone, that number may improve!

2. Jim Leary Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 8:49 am

   Mimi,I appreciate the post and will read the article later this week. The Asst coaching positions “are” a successful means to reduce the dropout rate. Have a great day!!!

3. Kim Scott Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 10:25 am

   So would having library specialists that help our children learn to read and love reading at an early age.

4. Right In Lowell Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

   Jim… wouldn’t libraries and additional aids do that for the entire school body, not just the Almight Football Team? Sports are an important part of the educational experience but not at the expense of academics. What about volunteer coaches? That seems to work well for all the park leagues. Think outside the box.

5. K-R-S Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 3:07 pm

   Jim, I shall be posting later a picture of my 5th graders social studies book. It’s disgraceful. I took a picture of it and then I actually had to glue it together before putting a cover on it. Before this SC starts talking about hiring back coaches try getting some books that the kids can actually read without them falling apart. That might also lend itself to kids not dropping out of school (in the grand scheme of things).

6. joe from Lowell Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 5:10 pm

   I think Jim Leary has a point.

7. C R Krieger Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

   Back to Kim Scott, what would be the payoff of having those “library specialists” located strategically throughout the city, with books and magazines and a place for kids to go after school?  (Yes, I hate myself for using “strategically” when I mean “tactically”.)

   Sort of like a swarming of reading help, a la the idea mentioned in this comment at a Richard Howe Blog Post on Neighborhood Schools.

   Regards  —  Cliff

8. Anonymous Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

   Did anyone catch the per pupil spending column on that chart in Boston Magazine? Most schools were within a fairly narrow band but the true outlier was Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, coming in at a whopping $26k!

   I know there are some things that make Cambridge different (ample transportation, no fees for sports and clubs, tons of course selection, small class size, special education, etc.) but that figure is a real humdinger. That’s probably right in line with Phillips Academy.

   The cynic in me wonders how top-heavy the system there must be..

9. Jim Leary Says:
   September 7th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

   Wow…Thanx guys. I would opine that the coaches are important because a lot of our kids, including the 1/3 of the LHS population who play sports, do in fact need assistance staying in high school. Vol coaches are certainly part of the solution, but not an end all. Many of our our coaches give a lot of their salary back to the kids, much like many of our teachers do. Not meant to be an excuse, but an explanation. Changes need to be made and they will be made; however, it will be a little bumpy while the changes are worked out.

   The band, clubs, sports (including the almighty football team) and the many elective offerings @ LHS do in fact keep students in school…

   Stay tuned regarding the Lib/tech positions there is much more to come, hopefully by the next meeting; and “located strategically throughout the city” may be the method of successfully reintroducing same.

   Kristen, I will get resolution regarding the book issue and get back w/you. It is the first I have heard of same. Have a great night everybody.

10. Kim Scott Says:
    September 7th, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    There is no reason for volunteer coaches not to be used. The coaches have overpaid stipends and if they do not want to negotiate with the school committee then they should find their funds elsewhere. It seems like a conflict that Mr. Georges even bargains for the coaches stipends. Seems like robbing Peter to pay Paul to me? Atleast a few city wide library specialists should have been hired prior to more money going to the athletics program.

11. Jim Leary Says:
    September 8th, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Kim, thanks for your thoughts…Just an FYI; long ago,I think about 10 or maybe 14 years ago (not certain of the date), the teachers union filed to have the coaches brought into their union. It was rejected by the school administration and by the school committee @ that time. The union appealed to the state board and a decision was rendered ordering the coaches to be part of the Teachers union.

    And; before or after, as long as it we can make it happen with value to the students is all that matters to me. Jimmy

12. Sally Says:
    September 8th, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    It is so sad that the Libraries have no Librarians in them. Why not spend the money and rehire them. I agree with CR Krieger and Kim, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have books and researchers there to help the kids become lifelong lovers of reading and have the knowledge to do research properly! Especially someone certified to do it. Is it even legal to have the library aides teaching classes?? Our school system is too worried about sports!!

13. Lynne Says:
    September 12th, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Folks, comments without a nickname get deleted. It gets confusing. Pick a nickname, please.

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