IN a forum usually filled with complaints and character assassinations,, I thought I would share some GOOD news,, perhaps its a model that other schools can learn to duplicate

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/il01_rush/pr_100615.shtml

HAH!!!

I congratulate them on the performance.

However, the key words in the first part of that article are that it was done by a CHARTER SCHOOL.

Charter schools are great things....but there is always a HUGE disagreement about where they should be allowed.

I know that here in Michigan, charter schools had a hell of a time even getting started because of resistance from the PUBLIC schools.

yeah, I really think people get too caught up in ego and needing to take credit upon themselves and divert blame upon others.


I dont know when the country last had leaders (community and political) who worked TOGETHER instead of constantly pointing fingers. I was raised that one of the best ways to learn how to accomplish a goal is by observing someone who has. Perhaps education will catch on and start observing the models that are succeeding.

Charter schools, necessary as they are, are under attack by the NEA and the other assorted 'teachers unions' because they pose a threat to government indoctrination centers that pass themselves off as the 'public school system'. Charter schools and private schools will ALWAYS outperform the dysfunctional and superceded 'public school' model.

seems weird how they had a 50% dropout rate just a year ago, to this year 100% college acceptance... thats a huge turnaround, for any school. no dropouts, and they all made it to college... just seems a little fishy...

Part of that is low College standards ...
anyone with the money can get in.

but these children didnt come from families with money,, that was what was so amazing,,

Public school rule here is, after the 8th grade, classes are taught in English only. Supposedly.

I personally know a 16 year old anchor kid who does not speak and refuses to learn English.

Somehow, he was put up to the 10th grade.


As far as complaining and blaming.
I have learned to address the problem then, discuss solutions.

Many libs deny there are problems and scream foul, among other terms.

this is not the case with Urban Prep,, it was only founded in 2006 , with 150 freshman and 95 (or 63%)went through to graduate. The dropout rate and the college acceptance rate might be indicative of those who stuck to the program compared to those who didnt.

The students also repeat an oath each morning.

We believe. We are the young men of Urban Prep. We are college bound. We are exceptional, not because we say it, but because we work hard at it. We will not falter in the face of any obstacle placed before us. We are dedicated, committed and focused. We never succumb to mediocrity, uncertainty or fear. We never fail because we never give up. We make no excuses. We choose to live honestly, nonviolently and honorably. We respect ourselves and, in doing so, respect all people. We have a future for which we are accountable. We have a responsibility to our families, community and world. We are our brothers' keepers. We believe in ourselves. We believe in each other. We believe in Urban Prep. We believe.


Students are also assigned mentors, a crucial factor when the most attendees are from single mother households and live is bad neighborhoods. Urban Prep staff are given cell phones that students or parents can call day or night.

more at http://www.wagist.com/article/urban-prep-charter-school-sees-100-college-bound-rate-first-graduates


I also believe one on one mentoring makes a huge difference as opposed to latchkey children from single mother homes just being PUSHED through an approved curriculum

OMG!!!

YOU are actually questioning something that was touted by a Democrat???

Oh now THAT is rich.

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Tell ya what, dude.

Try getting yourself into the University of Michigan ( one of the premier colleges in the country ) based strictly on the fact that you have have enough money to pay the tuition.

They would laugh you out of the admissions office.

This is a BIG achievement in fact it is worth - well I'll quote the resolution:



I firmly believe that our entire educational system desparately needs to be revamped.

The success of the Urban Prep students is proof that our system fails in comparison.

What we don't know is the cost/benefit ratio of this 4 year year college prep education.

Also, as Msharmony indicated, we don't know the beginning number of students, compared to the end result.

What my 10 minute research indicates goes along nicely with the student oathe that Msharmony posted. There is definately a lot of psychology used in the program, which can fail in the face of great peer pressure. Getting these students into on-campus quarters and away from their home environment would be the best situation, hopefully that will be the case with the majority, especially considering the 4 million in college grants and scholarship awards being invested in and by the students.

I hope someone invests in a long-term follow-up. This small group has been extremely well mentored which is not typical of college environments. They have also flourished within a small community in which the same goal was advanced to each individual. Again, this is not typical of a college environment.

Regardless, I hope it plays out with the best results, becasue we definately need some new educational models and we might find some guidence through the Urban Prep program.