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Sun-Times Top 100 K-12 Schools in Illinois
(23 posts)-
Posted Sunday Nov 1, 2009 06:30 #
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When out oldest was about to start Kindergarten we left Pierce Downer for Central in D96.
Posted Sunday Nov 1, 2009 21:49 # -
KimJ, Is there more the story?
Posted Sunday Nov 1, 2009 22:08 # -
Yeah Mike, pretty vague post there!
We thought Central was a better school.
Pierce Downer is ranked.Since we all agree our schools are the best, I wonder what the definition of "best" is?
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 07:09 # -
I don't think one can come up with a definition of "best." The school ranking game--be it for grade schools, high school, colleges or professional schools--is replete with different groups using different criteria to come up with their list. Wasn't R-B ranked by Newsweek as one of the best high schools in the state? If I recall, that criteria was based on the number of students taking AP tests--never mind if they passed them or understood the material. R-B's a good school, but top in the state?
Likewise, weren't the Riverside grade schools rated among the top in the state a year or so ago as well? I have an easier time believing that than I do the RB rankings, but my guess is that there are many different criteria one could use to rate schools, and that the results will differ depending on what criteria are applied.
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 15:46 # -
The education a child gets begins and ends at home. If the parents don't take the time/make the effort to get the kids interested in learning, no amount of work from the teacher will matter (in fact, it is probably more detrimental to the class as a whole).
A majority of the schools ahead of ours are magnet schools or in areas where educated family heads are involved in the process (higher property value towns). I believe the majority of our students benefit from this same environment (thus our top 10% finish), but our teachers can only do so much.
I was impressed with the fact that our numbers increased over last year - that should be our benchmark.
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 19:11 # -
Like it or not, our property values are based on (in addition to other factors, like mature trees) on our excellent schools.
As a new home buyer/new parent, would one choose the home in the ranked school district in Downers Grove, or choose the home in unranked Riverside if all other criteria are equal?
Is there a point when we demand excellence in return of our voting to increase our taxes regarding the schools? Do we believe in these rankings only if we are ranked?
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 21:15 # -
Good point, KimJ. We support our schools and our teachers and administrators very well. We must demand something in return--like excellence in education. We certainly are paying enough for it.
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 21:22 # -
Sounds like PAR4 and JohnM are satisfied. It is their right.
I am not.
One wonders if they are satisfied with leaky roofs, as described at Blythe (above). Either way, if a school board allows that (especially with many hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank), should it be trusted with learning?
I agree with the predicate of Kim's rhetorical questions.
Posted Monday Nov 2, 2009 21:25 # -
Chris,
I never said I was satisfied, and I absolutely agree with you that we can and should expect more. My issue is with the ratings chasing that is so prevelant in education. Riverside Brookfield is a prime example--Balderman found a way to game the system and turn Riverside Brookfield into a top-ranked school, despite the fact that the criteria was dubious.
I'm well aware of the link between educational achievement and property values, but I also think that our schools are doing a good job. Could they be better? Sure. However, I don't think ratings tell the whole story.
Posted Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 09:20 #
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