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| Grade Configurations; "They" didn't ask but what do you think? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 13 2006, 09:24 AM (984 Views) | |
| fyi | Nov 13 2006, 09:24 AM Post #1 |
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Principal
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I posed a question a while back on this forum regarding why LPS chose to put the 9th graders in the high school. Someone responded that it was the best way to utilize their buildings at the time. I'm assuming it wasn't done to improve academic achievement. The 5/6 configuration also was designed to best utilize the district's resources---and save money. It did not alleviate overcrowding at our middle schools and high schools. Faced with declining enrollment due to the LI, I think the district not only has to address what will best utilize their resources, but they must also consider what configuration the majority of parents in this district prefer. Prior to the rollout of the LI, parents had concerns about placing the 6th graders with the middle schoolers. I wonder if parents had the same concerns about placing the 9th graders with the highschoolers? Here's what I like (in order of preference): k-6~7-9~10-12 k-8~9-12 k-5~6-9~10-12 k-5~6-8~9-12 k-4~5-8~9-12 I'm not sure which configuration would address both issues---best use of resources and parental preference----but I think parents need options in this district. Maybe offering (1) k-8 school. Maybe (1) in each triad? I believe a "new" demographic committee should form--one made up of a parents with kids in the district---to determine what is best for the district. What are your preferences? |
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| my_kids_mom | Nov 13 2006, 09:37 AM Post #2 |
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Principal
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K-8 9-12 It worked for me and my husband. |
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| kristin | Nov 13 2006, 09:41 AM Post #3 |
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Principal
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k-6~7-9~10-12 I believe that high schools that have 9th grade would have more drop outs.(my opinion only).By the time the kids get to 12th grade they have lost intrest in the School. Also with middle school only having two years is not enough.Seems like you just started and its time to move on. You never really get to feel a connection with the School. That is how alot of parents feel about the 5/6 and 7/8 now.Why invest any time in the School when the kids will be out before ya know it. |
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| Pete | Nov 13 2006, 10:22 AM Post #4 |
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Principal
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Qualifying that we have approx 16-20 schools comprising grades K through 8, my preferences in order: K-8, 9-12 K-7, 8-9, 10-12 K-6, 7-8, 9-12 |
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| 2tots | Nov 13 2006, 10:44 AM Post #5 |
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Principal
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I would prefer K-8, 9-12. |
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| jodygirlh | Nov 13 2006, 10:52 AM Post #6 |
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Principal
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My preference boes back to what Livonia was in the 70's and early 80's: k-6. 7-9, 10-12 Only two transitions, and the little ones get to stay little a while longer. |
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| Momforone | Nov 13 2006, 10:54 AM Post #7 |
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Principal
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Me Too on the K-6, 7-9 10-12. This would also help with the over crowding in our High schools. |
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| 2tots | Nov 13 2006, 10:56 AM Post #8 |
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Principal
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I could live with that. |
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| loyaltolivonia | Nov 13 2006, 11:01 AM Post #9 |
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Principal
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Ditto this, but if not, I would go for a k-8/9-12. My feeling is that the kids are ready for high school by 10th grade. I still feel that 9th graders are too young for high school. I know people will argue that the 9th graders 'these days' are more grown up than way back when, but I think it is only that way because we have forced them to grow up by putting them in high school in 9th grade! Pretty much the same thing now with our 5/6 graders. Parents are saying their kids feel more 'grown up' in the mega schools, but it is only because they have been forced into it
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| Elisa | Nov 13 2006, 11:30 AM Post #10 |
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Principal
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To address overcrowded high schools, many districts here have "Freshman Centers." They are buildings designed for 9th graders only and are located on the high school campus. They continue to have access to everthing within the entire high school including clubs and sports. I feel that these centers have some value in smoothing the transition to high school. Most of the research I have read seems to point to the 10-14 year old group as the most affected by grade configuration. There is growing support for k-8 and any configuration could certainly include one as a school of choice. It would be a draw to the district. As a school of choice, they would also be able to incorporate some updated, researched-based curriculum. Although, much research points to properly structured middle or "elemiddle" schools such as 5-8 or 6-8 as having a positive impact on student achievement. The research on 7-9 seems to show a correlation between drop out rates and the age of student upon entry to high school. I believe it was an Alspaugh study that showed a higher rate of drop out for those entering high school at 10th grade as opposed to 9th grade. "Elemiddle" schools serve the needs of young adolescents, aged 10 to 14, in any combination of grades 5 through 8, as part of an organizational structure that includes lower grades. Research has shown that middle schools with 6-8 grade spans and K-8 schools are most likely to implement child-centered programs, practices, and policies than schools with 7-9 or 7-12 grade spans. (MLH) (David Hough) It is a lot to take in and consider. |
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| NFarquharson | Nov 13 2006, 11:39 AM Post #11 |
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Principal
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Ideally, I would like to see K-8 neighborhood schools and 9-12 high school. |
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| 49chevy | Nov 13 2006, 12:03 PM Post #12 |
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Answers questioned
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That's exactly what I'd like to see. Just like when I was in school. It worked well. |
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| Zeke | Nov 13 2006, 12:12 PM Post #13 |
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Principal
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I agree. It would be the ideal to me. |
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| fyi | Nov 13 2006, 12:43 PM Post #14 |
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Principal
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The LI did not address overcrowding at the high schools, gave us overcrowded middle schools, and mega-sized elementary schools What were they thinking?
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| 49chevy | Nov 13 2006, 12:48 PM Post #15 |
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Answers questioned
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They were not...... |
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What were they thinking?
9:08 AM Jul 11