Find out what this AP grant really was!

There have been many erroneous things said about the AP grant that the Dartmouth school system turned away. I think much of it is misleading and none more so than the letter in today's Standard Times.
Go and look for yourself at what these grants have been able to do. This link is about other school districts in Massachusetts that did accept the grant and their results. Follow this link to find out what the AP grants are intended to do. Follow this link to find out who funds the grants and why.
Today's letter in the Standard Times by Mr. Koot is either ill informed or disingenuous. The AP grant program has a proven track record across the country. Read for yourself ...

... what the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has accomplished.
In closing his letter, Mr. Koot says,

"unfortunate that The Standard-Times has chosen to judge Dartmouth High School, and educational progress as a whole, through the lens of a fundamentally flawed and ideologically driven AP grant program without doing a bit of homework on the issues. The title of its editorial on the subject was "An 'F' for Effort." Unfortunately, The Standard-Times deserves an F, for it failed in its duty of investigating and reporting on the issues in a serious manner. Is it possible that The Standard-Times editorial on this issue is all ideology and no evidence?"

ET TU, Mr. Koot? What grade did you earn?
Click here to read on!

Stop digging

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.

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?

Click here to read on!