Some advice to the Dartmouth Teacher's Association and their supporters on discussing the AP grant which the union's leadership rejected. When you are in a hole, stop digging!
You can read the arguments in the Standard Times made by the union or supporters here, here, and here.
Dr. Mallett has sent me an email that reflects ...
...some of my thinking on the issue. He wrote, As a professional educator who has been working for decades to promote college credit for studious high school students I was amazed and appalled at learning that the DEA voted to reject a grant which would provide a $600,000 grant to support Advanced Placement education at Dartmouth High School. This issue must be brought to the people of Dartmouth before any future school contract negotiations are finalized.
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In addition to the great loss in educational opportunity to out students, the taxpayers must be made aware of the present and future monetary losses resulting from DEA's vote. Willfully passing up an opportunity to better the education of present and future students incontrovertibly is contrary to the best interests of our students and in stark opposition to the best standards of the profession.
Not only does the potential loss of $600,000 in aid to our public school system impact every Dartmouth taxpayer, but such a lost opportunity also means potential economic losses to parents and DHS graduates in that accrual of college credits in high school translates into significant reductions in college tuition. Students with transferable college credits can either take fewer credit hours in college, perhaps graduating earlier and at less cost, or it can enable students to take more advanced undergraduate and/or graduate level courses to their competitive advantage in tight job market. Earlier graduation is possible for those with advance placement credits - enabling some to graduate with fewer college loans to repay as they emerge into a difficult economy.
Students, parents and taxpayers of Dartmouth should be deeply disappointed by the shamefully selfish actions and attitudes of the DEA!
Jack Mallett, Ph.D
His arguments make the collegiality argument seem like some pretty weak tea. What do you think?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Stop digging
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7 comments:
Dr. Mallett is right on. I've been writing about this for over two weeks and I'm burnt. I hope people will continue to support the DEF and the PTOs who give selflessly to the schools. The Beach Bum Ball is this coming Saturday at the Howland Place.
What about the guy who wrote in yesterday about the deeper thinking behind the decisions. Let's admit, usually wealtheir kids take AP courses. Their parents push for them to enroll in as many as possible, these are also the well traveled and participating in many activities and causes. These kids don't need to shave $5000 off their education bill, they will go on for the Masters and PHD. So make the argument on challenging courses not opting out of courses for cost savings.
Mom of #, you are overreacting to this. People will still give to education. Stop making this more than it is.
According the head of the DEF there has been a marked dropoff in the donations after the decision became public. Since the teachers turned down the money people are saying "I guess they dont need it".As to the deeper thinking the Union has said it was merit pay. Someone gets some extra and others dont and their mad. the teachers union does not want merit pay because then all the teachers are accountable to either supervisors or scores. Welcome to the real world.
No I'm not saying that all rich kids are the smart ones or the only ones that take AP, but the AP course discussion can't be centered around pressuring kids to get highest mark, or pressuring them to succeed to avoid parents paying for college courses. This is a recipe for harming children. It is true that welathier communities have more AP and more kids in them, fact. More pressure too.
The DEA rejection kind of confirms the sound judgement of those who voted against the school overrides.
Looks like the DEA just shot the schools in the foot.
The AP grant would be costing the town money. The grant writer mentioned that the town would pay 50% of the $100.00 per student/teacher. I would like to know the real truth as to how much this grant would cost the town over the 5 year period, We can't afford a dime for the AP grant that only applies to a small amount of the students. All the schools need books and technology for all.
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