Nice, but there are schools that still work in the Arkansas Ozarks.
But if you dont want the paddle that hangs in the office to be used on
your kid, you havta fill out a form. No bully would let a parent wimp
him out like that.
But after being hauled to the office a few times, they have attitudes
adjusted, and the schools are orderly. This with teachers who get the
second lowest pay in the nation.
When people started clammmoring for testing, then gov. Clinton agreed,
and started testing... the teachers. The friends and kin of school board
members were dismissed and had to go to work for a living. Get out an
Atlas, and look up the small hill towns like Alma, Bentonville, Clinton,
Deer, Eureka Springs,... and so on thru the alphabet.
http://normessasweb.uark.edu/schoolperformance/School/School.php?Sch=B&Submit=Co...
has the test scores. Dropout rates in the single digits. Graduation
rates above 90%%, attendance rates near 95%%. Classes that routinely score
1/2 to 1.5 years ahead of grade level.
Part of it is that these are small family farm kids. When they get home
they dont get a TV remote in the hand, but a pitchfork. They have chores
to do, and we know exercise sharpens the mind.
There is no fast food out here. There are family gardens. The kids dont
get raised on sugar cereals, junkfood, and soda.
Synergy sets in. Teachers that like to teach like kids paying attention.
Teachers that are competent like working with other competent teachers
and accept lower pay to enjoy that. Smart parents see where the schools
work, and move here for the sake of their kids. This means a smarter
workforce despite the reputation of stupid hillbillies. Transnationals
have moved into these towns, and now manufacturing jobs have INCREASED.
