Ann Arbor school board 'frustrated' by lack of progress in program to help minority students
A report on the district's Rising Scholars program Wednesday generated many questions from the Ann Arbor Board of Education.
Inequities in the distribution of resources for the program, the growing disinterest from Pioneer High School students and the district-wide lack of significant success rates was disheartening for school board members, who say they directed the Ann Arbor Public Schools administration to fix these problems two years ago.
Huron High Rising Scholars adviser Brandon Jackson helps a student in the program monitor his grades in this AAPS News photo from 2011.
From AAPS News
Thompson, who joined Ann Arbor schools last summer when former Assistant Superintendent Joyce Hunter retired, was given the task of evaluating the Rising Scholars program as her first order of business in July. Her report Wednesday showed that 100 students from Huron, 97 students from Skyline and 58 students from Pioneer are enrolled in the Rising Scholars program.
However, despite having the fewest number of participants, Pioneer receives the most designated resources to operate its program.
It employs one full-time staff member (or 1 FTE) to run Rising Scholars. This is the equivalent of about $100,000 in salary, benefits and retirement contributions, which the district pays.
Skyline has 0.75 FTE overseeing its program. Its employee also teaches English in the district. FTE costs for Skyline is approximately $75,000. Huron has 0.5 FTE. This employee spends half his time as a behavior interventionist for the district. FTE costs for Huron is $50,000.
The Rising Scholars program, according Thompson's report, began in fall 2008 as a partnership with the University of Michigan and the Center for Educational Outreach. The goal of the program was to increase the number of African American and Latino students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) and accelerated courses at AAPS. It also sought to expand diversity at U-M and to improve at-risk students' college perceptions and ambitions.
Trustee Susan Baskett said the program was designed to provide support for students who show immense academic promise, but for a variety of reasons could end up "slipping through the cracks" or believe college is not a realistic option for them. Whether these barriers to success are racial, cultural, due to a family's socioeconomic status or a family's disinterest, Rising Scholars strives to instill the value of higher education in its students.
Baskett said she just did not want to see the program get away from its original mission with too strict or high of entrance criteria.
In total, the Rising Scholars program costs AAPS the $225,000 in program management (FTEs), plus about $45,240 that was spent this year on the Rising Scholars' summer academy for 75 students and eight AAPS staff to attend.
Because the primary objective of Rising Scholars is to encourage its students to take more rigorous courses, the success of the program is measured by how many students are enrolling in AP and accelerated classes.
This year, 77 students took one or more AP course, while 150 took at least one. For accelerated classes, 134 students enrolled in one or more, and 118 took at least one, the report said.
According to the report, most of the students who participated in the advanced courses attended Skyline. Pioneer had the lowest number of students enrolled in challenging courses.
The number of students who took the AP exams, however, was minimal. "We're not doing as well as I would like us to be," Thompson said.
At Skyline, one 10th-grader took all five AP exams and passed them all. Of eight 11th-graders who took one or more AP exams, three tests were passed and eight were failed.
At Huron, two sophomores each took one AP exam. One student passed, the other did not, according to the report. Five Huron juniors took one or more AP exams and passed all 14 of the tests they took, collectively.
Three juniors at Pioneer High School took one or more AP exams. One test among the students was passed, while three other tests were failed.
School board Secretary Andy Thomas said it does not appear that having more staffing resources at Pioneer has translated into more participation from students. He said he sees the potential of the program, but the implementation has been "very fragmented and poorly executed."
Thompson said the students at Pioneer also have felt the level of frustration Thomas expressed. She said the juniors and seniors have been opting out of the program they once bought into as freshmen. "They feel the ball was dropped," she said.
Pioneer has had turnover in leadership in the Rising Scholars program. The district hired a new program coordinator in 2011-12. She stepped down after a year and the district had to hire another new coordinator for 2012-13.
Thompson said going forward, the goal will be to bring continuity to the three high schools' Rising Scholar programs and to clarify several key components, such as that this program is a "college readiness system" for youth.
Thompson already has developed a common syllabus for the program to keep all three buildings on the same page. Next, the first thing she will be doing is reallocating resources and developing a district-wide process for recruiting students to the program and for communicating the selection criteria.
Thompson said the selection process seems to have been communicated at all of the buildings but is not being followed properly and varies at each school. An important part of having specific criteria is to be able to tell parents why their child was recommended for the program or maybe didn't get accepted, she said.
"It is important to maintain a strong program that benefits a diverse population and garners support from parents, businesses and the community at large," she said.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Sylvanman
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 9:30 p.m.
How many generations of "minorities" are we going to nanny with millions of dollars to help bring a few forward into functioning and productive society? This money blitz started in the 1960s and, given that many minority children have children - 15 and 16 yr-olds having babies - we are now over 2 generations into the Great Society and this continues with more money always needed. Stop! Is there any personal responsibilty left in U.S.? When do we start penalizing the "parents" for their bad choices and lack of parenting so that their kids don't see this endless cycle of dependency as an option? Dependency which makes getting educated look like an "option," not a requirement to participate in this society. Society needs tough love and not this mamby pamby liberal stuff. That means cut off the money and people, even kids, will do what by today's standards, would be considered remarkable - like find a job, stop having babies out of wedlock, stay in school -- you know, the really hard stuff. We need to stop with this generation. Don't make these kids suffer but show them that governement programs and lifelong dependency are over if they are considering babies or dropping out of school.
eldegee
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:04 p.m.
Sylvanman is EXACTLY right and ON topic. In the years since LBJ's so-called "Great Society" we have witnessed the disintegration of the nuclear family, with the resulting miasma before us today. Yes, it IS possible for a student raised by a single mother to do well, but that is the exception - and numerous studies have proven this time and time again. Studies also show that the prisons are full of people from single-parent (usually just the mother) homes. So, yes, a student from a two-parent home has a MUCH better chance of succeeding in life. And that's a fact. You can look it up yourself.
Dorchester
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 10:03 p.m.
Come on Sylvanman...Try to stay on topic... Remember these kids are already doing well in school. This program is about encouraging kids to take the tougher courses. I get your anti great society argument. I'm not sure it applies to this thread.
Joe Kidd
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
To Ms Arndt, did you think to ask why Pioneer gets the most resources with far fewer students in the program? And as with all articles about this issue, I see not a single comment from a teacher. It's the teachers who do the work and have the answers, yet we never hear from them. I do not know how we could understand how the battle is going without reports from those on the front lines. Those who I respect the most.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:25 a.m.
Hi Joe, I am a teacher, and comment often related to posts that involve education or AAPS. When the program was initially started (in 2006, not 2008 as mentioned in the article), the focus was on having high achieving African American students ( 11th & 12th graders) partner up with 9th and 10th graders who might be struggling with the academic demands of the high school curriculum. They would meet with each other once a week and support through tutoring, advice, etc. After a couple of years, the program included students of all races. Once the Pioneer program partnered with U of M and expanded the program to Huron & Skyline, the name was changed to Rising Scholars, and much has changed since then. The program was started as part of the Pioneer Achievement Committee and as a senior project!
Dorchester
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
Can't we all agree that a program that nudges good students to take the tougher classes is a good thing? I have no problem discussing the funding or non funding of Rising Scholars. But all this anti Back culture innuendo on this board is ridiculous.
Sue
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 8:09 a.m.
It's not about being "anti-black", it's about being anti-spending lots of money to provide special privileges for minority students, most of whom happen to be black. Reverse discrimination is alive and well, and until all students are treated equally regardless of skin color or ethnicity, racism will continue to divide society beginning within the schools. Why not just offer this program to any student who wishes to participate in it and is willing to put for his/her best effort to succeed?
Angry Moderate
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 2:41 a.m.
No, spending to $250,000 to unsuccessfully nudge students to take tougher classes is not a good thing.
DNB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
"The number of students who took the AP exams, however, was minimal. "We're not doing as well as I would like us to be," Thompson said." From the article, it sounds like very few of these students take the AP exams. The AP exams are $100 per subject this year, and I am led to believe that the Rising Scholars program pay the exam fees for these students. It is always good when we challenge our students, and this program does appear to be successful for some students. I do agree with JA Pieper, that we need to do more for these students at an earlier age, before they arrive at high school. If you have several kids enrolled in several AP classes, the exam fees really add up. It is money well spent, in my experience, if they successfully pass the exam.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:55 p.m.
Pay the exam fees for the low income students and forget about going to Africa. Sheesh....
DNB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:11 p.m.
Thanks for the reply, BB. I thought that the Rising Scholars program would pay the exam fees, as a benefit for being in the program.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Parents pay the exam fees. I know this because I just paid my Rising Scholar student's exam fee for an AP test. You are correct, it is $100.
harry b
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:18 p.m.
When I read about the rising scholar program it really sounds like something a parent would do for their kid. Its seems odd that you would hire someone to do it.
JRW
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
"Pioneer has had turnover in leadership in the Rising Scholars program. The district hired a new program coordinator in 2011-12. She stepped down after a year and the district had to hire another new coordinator for 2012-13." This indicates a problem with the program.
JRW
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
"Her report Wednesday showed that 100 students from Huron, 97 students from Skyline and 58 students from Pioneer are enrolled in the Rising Scholars program." "In total, the Rising Scholars program costs AAPS the $225,000 in program management (FTEs), plus about $45,240 that was spent this year on the Rising Scholars' summer academy for 75 students and eight AAPS staff to attend." A lot of money for a handful of students in an era of cutting costs and huge class sizes. There are about 16,500 students in AAPS, and this program allocates $270,240 for 255 students, or 1.5% of the total students enrolled.
InvolvedMom
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
My son was in Rising Scholars. My understanding is that he was chosen to be in Rising Scholars because he was in the Free Lunch Program and that he scored high on standardized tests. He is white. When my son was a freshman, being in Rising Scholars meant attending lunch meeting where volunteers from U of M met with the students to discuss their grades and to see if they needed any help or tutoring. By sophomore year, my son no longer wanted to attend the lunch meetings because he would rather spend lunch with his friends. I began receiving emails asking us to participate in fundraising to send the Rising Scholars kids on a trip to Africa. I also received emails about trying to get the Rising Scholars students an opportunity to take African studies class and take classes in learning to speak Swahili. The program has definitely strayed from its original goal. My son is no longer a part of the Rising Scholars group. The failure of Rising Scholars has NOTHING to do with lack of parental involvement.
Danai
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
Actually Unusual Suspect, there are many academic and professional benefits of learning Swahili. According to a University of Virginia website... Swahili has developed into a very popular African language, taught in many leading academic institutions in Africa, Europe, America and Asia. It is offered as a subject of study in prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and many others. It is estimated that close to a hundred institutions teach Swahili in the U.S. alone. Swahili has been taught in S.O.A.S. at the University of London since the 1930s. It is also taught in Canada, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Russia, Japan, India, and many other countries.http://faculty.virginia.edu/swahililanguage/ And here is the profile of a 2012 Harvard Alum who did research in Tanzania and found that having studied Swahili at Harvard came in quite handy. http://alumni.harvard.edu/stories/i-choose-harvard-joseph
Jay Thomas
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:49 p.m.
Wow.... So it is really rising BLACK scholars... and the goal is to boost their self esteem.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
InvolvedMom, I believe our kids are friends....my kid is still a RS but is not always happy about it.
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
No, because learning Spanish has no application in a career, like learning Swahili does.
towncryer
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:26 p.m.
So when did they do fundraising to go to Latin countries since Latino's are part of their targeted demographic according to their "goals"?
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Trip to Africa and learning Swahili? That's nuts. I'd be curious what academic or professional benefits are claimed for knowing how to speak Swahili.
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
Here we go again, as the famous words go! I guarantee you, take all of the money you have from the AAPS and spend it in these small group, you will get the same results. Taking AP classes is hard work. Ask the kids who take it. All this hand holding will not take you there. All you have to do is take a look at the students who are taking AP classes and passing them. Try to emulate them. You wouldn't dare, because it will take you back to a traditional two parent family, with one parent pretty much bird-dogging the kids. It is tough grinding work. A simple case of pay me now or pay me later. However, in typical Ann Arbor that answer is not acceptable. Keep building Skyline and Community High. We are sure producing Nodel Laurates!
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
"Nodel" mean you don't have a computer.
A2Ray
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:43 p.m.
"However, in typical Ann Arbor that answer is not acceptable. Keep building Skyline and Community High. We are sure producing Nodel Laurates (sic)!" I guarantee that my student, enrolled in several AP classes, knows what a NOBEL LAUREATE is.
David Cahill
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.
Continued lack of progress for minority students. This has been the same story for decades. Nothing ever changes.
leaguebus
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:57 a.m.
David, do we give up on them?
towncryer
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.
But then why does AAPS put so much stock in charlatan consultant Glenn Singleton? His whole spiel is based on white teachers not being able to teach black students because of cultural differences. Naturally, they then needed to pay him a lot of money to try and convey these cultural differences while also pointing out everyone's deep-seated racism (well, not everyone's, just caucasians).
Stephen Landes
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
GoNavy - I agree with you, but the Progressives will never accept cultural differences as a root cause. If they accept that then they are agreeing that all cultures are not equally good or valid. In an age when children aren't supposed to compete, because if there is one winner others may feel bad, we can never hold up anyone or a way of doing things as examples to emulate.
GoNavy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
It's the culture. Not the students. Same culture producing the same results decade after decade. Salvation lies within for this culture.
Elijah Shalis
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
Stop focusing on race and focus on socio-economic family status. Then you will notice number improve.
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:24 p.m.
In other words, family values????? Too politically incorrect for you!!!
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
The AAPS has made this type of program pretty much its sole mission over the last couple of decades. They've eliminated the white male from management. They've eliminated discipline of minority students. They've thrown millions of dollars at outside "consultants" who know very little about child development. And yet the "gaps" only get bigger. At what point do they realize that their actions are actually causing harm by teaching minority students that they are not responsible for their own failures? If you don't discipline students for abuse, they will move on to bigger and more serious crime. If you don't force parents to prepare students for kindergarten, they will be so far behind when kindergarten begins that teachers won't have anything to teach. If you don't force students to accept personal responsibility, they will be ill-prepared for the real world when the time comes for them to be adults. You can and should have programs that identify students who have promise but are not achieving. But limiting this to one race with a few token "socio-economic" cases ensures that it's nothing more than a money suck. All students are individuals and must be treated as equals.
Consent
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3 a.m.
Sorry MS, but your first paragraph distracts from whatever point that you are trying to make. A lack of white males does not equal a lack of skill in management. It appears that you are implying that only white males can be successful leaders, and my experience shows that this assertion is wrong. As far as discipline for "minority students" being eliminated, you have missed what public records reveal. This continues to be an area of serious concern, as disproportionately minority student suspension rates are higher than non-minorities, whatever that term may mean. Contrary to your assertion, suspensions among minorities is an area that the AAPS has continued to focus on year after year, and, unfortunately, had little success. The part about outside consultants seems more fair. However, the statement that "millions" have been spent seems unrealistic. Do you have numbers for this? Finally, the story is about the Rising Scholars program. Are you opposed? Supportive? Your intro strays from the story line. If you care, I believe that administrators should be judged not on their gender or skin color, and that discipline for poor behavior be given with a blind eye to what group(s) a student belongs to, and that the Rising Scholar program be continued in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
AAPS leaders have stated in the past that they will work to have principals come from the minority that is reflected in the achievement gap, and their statement indicated this is the way to eliminate the gap. Maybe this can offset the lack of parental involvement, and make a difference. My experience is that it is currently reinforcing the no disciplining of specific students!
Jay Thomas
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:41 p.m.
@easy: White males and Asians (male or female) are just clearly not interested in pursuing a career in education. What else could it be? lol
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
Elijah - so how many White male prinipals are there in A2, or for that matter Asians? If you were to emulate the successful, wouldn't you expect at least one Asian as a leader.
Elijah Shalis
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.
Are you suggesting there is something special about while males lol
Me717
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
Good point: What is AAPS using as a "passing" grade for the AP tests. You can enroll students in accelerated and AP classes but that doesn't mean they will be successful. The process needs to start earlier.
Tanzor
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
Throwing money at the issue of low performing students will not solve the problem. Over the last decade AAPS has spent millions of dollars on this effort with little results. It all about parents and life style, if they don't force their children to do all homework and help them when they struggle then nothing the school can do will help. I struggled in school and achieved above average grades, my father would accept nothing less. He was non relenting in his efforts help me. If didn't do my homework or attempted to deceive him regarding my school work there would be hell to pay. Bottom line, there will be students that under achieve and there's nothing AAPS can do about it.
leaguebus
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:55 a.m.
I guess Tanzor wants us to build more jails? Just give up on the kids who dont have the parental support they need to do will in school and when they graduate or dont graduate, ship them off to prison. Spending money does help these kids, not every one, but its less jail cells to build later on if we can help a few.
Dorchester
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:49 p.m.
Easy.. Not sure what your point is..Are you saying kids who have decent grades shouldn't be encouraged to take the tougher classes? What is your criteria for entry into an advanced course?
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
Dorchester - It DOES NOT take much to have a good GPA in AAPS schools. AP classes on the other hand are another matter. I f you want to see success, take a look at the IB school in Ypsilanti and see the demographics. You know it will be a successful school
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.
Tanzor - you go it right. Your Dad would have had your "hide" in other words!
Dorchester
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
Tanzor... AAPS is throwing money at students with decent GPAs (not low performing) and encouraging them to enroll in the tougher courses.
themommer
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
"Baskett said she just did not want to see the program get away from its original mission with too strict or high of entrance criteria" If ... "the primary objective of Rising Scholars is to encourage its students to take more rigorous courses" and,... "the success of the program is measured by how many students are enrolling in AP and accelerated classes."... wouldn't lowering the standard of entrance criteria almost guarantee even more failure?
Dorchester
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
It's my understanding that the kids enrolled in the program are good students with decent GPAs. The goal is to encourage these students to take the tough (AC/AP) courses.
Chester Drawers
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
AP tests are scored 1 (worst score) to 5 (best score). What score is considered 'passing' here?
Chester Drawers
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
Yes, I realize this. As a matter of fact, some of the most selective universities do not grant any credit at all for AP tests. My question refers to what the district is calling a passing score for the purpose of determining the success of the Rising Scholars program.
DNB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
I've got two in college now, that graduated from Pioneer. They took several AP courses and exams. Passing score depends on the university you are attending, from our experience. One of my kids had 3, 4, and 5's on AP exams, and they were all accepted. At another university, they did NOT accept a 3 as a passing score from my other kid, only 4 and 5's. I've got two at Pioneer now, so we'll see how the AP exam scores play out in the future.
dotdash
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
I believe 3, 4, and 5 are passing scores.
say it plain
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
Given Community High School's apparent success at "preparing students for their post-secondary experience" (as per their mission statement on website), perhaps we should send select "rising scholars" there! That appears to work so well...look at Community's college placement rates and ACT scores! Why bother with those AP and AC courses when Community's successes show they are not necessary, indeed, even an impediment to success?
Angry Moderate
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 2:32 a.m.
Community students take AC and AP classes. They are also disproportionately white and wealthy, unlike the "Rising Scholars."
Clay Moore
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:48 p.m.
"Whether these barriers to success are racial, cultural, due to a family's socioeconomic status or a family's disinterest, Rising Scholars strives to instill the value of higher education in its students." The elephant in the room is invisible only because nobody wants to acknowledge that it's there. The elephant's name is "FAMILY". It's not a coincidence that 75% of minority households are headed by single mothers, and many of them are barely out of their teens who didn't complete high school themselves. For decades millions of dollars have been wasted trying to overcome student disinterest and lack of ambition. Without a two parent family to help instill values, ethics, morals and self-discipline many minority youngsters are attracted to the quick rich schemes of life on the street. If only half as much money was allocated to solving the real cultural/societal problem the current programs might have half a chance of succeeding.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:43 a.m.
Student disinterest and lack of ambition are becoming much more of an issue these days. It seems that there are several children in a classroom who will not work unless the teacher is there guiding them through every item. It I leave such a student to go work with other children, I find nothing has been done while i work with others. The district has had certain people telling us that we need to spend more time with our struggling students, as the capable students will learn on their own. I find this insulting, and believe that all students deserve my time. Oh, and just to interject a little piece of reality, it is not just because children are from a single parent family, it is what is done with the children that makes the difference. I raised my kids as a single parent, and since I put them first, they were always ready to learn.
Danai
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:58 p.m.
Either the US Census is waaaaay off, Clay Moore, or you just made up the 75%. Even if you meant to say that 75% of female headed households were minority, that too is incorrect. Maybe I'm reading the data incorrectly but if you could provide a source for the 75% I would appreciate it.
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
Clay Moore is right. Call what he says BS, however it would have help you a lot more if your Dad was around. The dad is pretty much essential. You may be ok for one generation, howeever when Dad is not around for multiple generation - you are asking for trouble
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
While the statistics show this is the case, many single parents make it work anyway. The focus should be on helping parents understand, during pregnancy, that their actions during the first 1-3 years of life have more impact on junior's chances of success than decades of school. By the time kids reach kindergarten, it's too late. And we blame the schools and hire idiots like Green anyway. That's a shame.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:09 p.m.
I call BS. I was raised by a single mother and I am successful. One good single parent CAN do the job. My mom did! I do believe that family (whether that is two parents, 1 parent, grandparents, or some other configuration) HAS to be involved and interested in the child's education.
alan
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
I really think that your headline is terribly misleading. The program is not for minority students as you clearly state: "Whether these barriers to success are racial, cultural, due to a family's socioeconomic status or a family's disinterest, Rising Scholars strives to instill the value of higher education in its students".
alan
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
Then why would they state in the article that it's not? And why the sarcasm?
easy123
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.
Come on - it is for under performing "minorities"
dotdash
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
Given the tracking that starts in middle school in the AAPS, you can't just fling kids into AP classes and expect them to perform well. AAPS is actually pretty good at identifying academic potential, and if kids (of any race) haven't been identified as stand-outs before high school, it may not be doing them any favors to put them in AP classes. Maybe a few, at the boundary of appropriateness, but a hundred per school? Why have tracking if you just second-guess and circumvent it later?
stevenhs
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
What is the difference between "one or more" and "at least one" as quoted from the report?
jmcmurray
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
I was just skimming through the comments to see if anyone had asked this.... No answers, though, huh?
mibadger
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
..."the program was designed to provide support for students who show immense academic promise, but for a variety of reasons could end up "slipping through the cracks" or believe college is not a realistic option for them. Whether these barriers to success are racial, cultural, due to a family's socioeconomic status or a family's disinterest, Rising Scholars strives to instill the value of higher education in its students." I have a friend whose child is involved in Rising Scholars at Skyline. While she is a minority, the program description above does not apply to her in any way, shape or form. Perhaps part of the success of this program at Skyline (and Huron?)is due to the fact that there are more minority students in Rising Scholars who are from involved, upper middle class families with college-educated parents than there are at Pioneer?
Danielle Arndt
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
mibadger, this actually came up at the board meeting last night. There was a concern from some trustees that the intent of the program was being corroded. They said it would appear that a few of the students in the program currently, such as the Skyline student who took and passed all five AP tests, could have succeeded without the help of Rising Scholars. The board was concerned the program was becoming akin to a gifted and talented program for minority and low-income students, rather than a support program for students who have potential but could fall through the cracks in a typical classroom. Robyne Thompson's next steps are expected to correct and help address these issues through consistent record keeping, recruiting processes and acceptance criteria. Thanks for your comment!
Jim Mulchay
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:45 p.m.
"The goal of the program..." is stated as (1) increase the number of African American and Latino students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) and accelerated courses at AAPS; (2) expand diversity at U-M; (3) improve at-risk students' college perceptions and ambitions; Maybe the concentration should be on the third item ("improve") as a primary goal with the others coming as a by-product of the improvement. And as stated in an earlier post - get the students earlier (elementary, middle school); And if the U-M's diversity (or lack of it) is an issue - what are they providing to the program? Any thought of mobilizing community religious institutions to aid in after-school "extra learning / reading" programs?
jcj
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:18 p.m.
"Any thought of mobilizing community religious institutions to aid in after-school "extra learning / reading" programs?" The parents of those at risk students would probably not mind this. But the majority of the "educated" in Ann Arbor would probably have a problem with it.
gary
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
"You can lead a horse to water....."
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
I always thought it was, "You can lead a horse to drink, but you can't make him water."
Dog Guy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
Step two: Shove horse's muzzle in water. Step three: Stand behind and suck water into the horse.
Billy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
Children "learn" the best when they are "taught" by their parents. Period. The children that have such trouble learning simple things like reading and writing in school are the same children who's parents spent ZERO time with them trying to educate them on such things. Every moment you spend with your child you are educating them. If you child speaks with poor grammar and sounds illiterate......guess who they learned that from....the people they grew up around.... These programs might be a 'good idea' but what they really do, is draw attention to the bigger problem...which is that PARENTS don't want to make any kind of effort in raising their children and expect the state to take up that charge. There is only one place we should be pointing a finger at in the lack of education of children....and that is at HOME.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:15 a.m.
Billy, what you say is so very true. Parents of successful students spend time with them, having conversations, talking about what they are doing, reading to them. It is not that WE are sitting down with flash cards, we just know how to use everyday experiences as pre-learning, and in this way, children are ready to learn when they start Kindergarten. Some of our parents do not know what to do, or are too busy to take the time to do these simple things. AAPS will not support pointing the finger back at the parents in any way, it is the responsibility of the teachers to make up the difference. Although we try so hard to make up the difference, it is so disheartening to always be blamed for the lack of success some of our students are experiencing in school. Keep spreading the message when ever you can, parents can make a big difference!
local
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:02 p.m.
Billy has valid points, but it has to be a collective effort to help these kids. If people are claiming it is only the schools responsibility then these kids will never achieve. Schools are being put into a position of doing it all for these kids and that seems wrong in my opinion. Home has to play a bigger role in these kids life's, if it doesn't, they are destined to fail.
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
No, ormad. It doesn't take a college grad to make sure your child's homework is done, to make sure your child gets to school on time, to teach your child the difference between right and wrong, to communicate with your child's teacher and stay abreast on academic progress, and to seek help for your child when it's needed, and to make sure your child isn't hanging with the wrong crowd. Ask any teacher - those are all critical to a child's education, and only the parent can do those tasks.
alan
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
Your premise is reasonable Billy but your conclusion seems to be that we have no responsibility to improve the situation for that child and the cycle should just continue.
towncryer
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
I agree with your sentiment Billy, but in reality, until that changes, it falls on the schools. It is the powers-that-be now who must find a way to balance helping these children without enabling them to just skate by and hopefully break the cycle. I just think the powers-that-be waste too much time on "feel good" approaches and how things "appear on reports". I am still wondering what is the equivalent of Rising Scholars in the lower grades? I know middle schools offer homework assistance after school but I doubt those that really need it are using it, and if not, why not and how do you change it?
ordmad
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
Great. Your parents aren't well educated so you, poor child should suffer so the cycle can continue. Shameful.
Jimmyc
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
So then should the district shirk any responsibility because the parents are lacking their parenting responsibilities? The district must step in to help CHILDREN when parents can't or won't.
DonBee
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
Ms Arndt - The 0.5 FTE costs $50,000 so an FTE costs $100,000. The way you have written the story an FTE at Huron is half the cost of an FTE at Pioneer. A Full Time Equivalent is one person doing a full time job. The board materials gave the costs for the part of the time the FTE was involved in the Rising Scholars program. The way you have written the article - we should close Pioneer and move all the students to Huron because teachers cost half as much at Huron.
Chester Drawers
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 9:14 p.m.
Ah, Don, (may I call you Don?) good catch. I was the one who wasn't reading carefully.
DonBee
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 7:24 p.m.
Mr. Drawers - Love your handle. If you read the article you will note it says "FTE cost" The sentences are misleading in the way they are written. I understand what Ms. Arndt was trying to say about an 0.5FTE costing $50,000 but that is not what she wrote.
Chester Drawers
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
DonBee, You're almost always 100% spot-on, but, in this case, I think you misread the numbers. The article indicates that only 0.5 FTE is allocated to Rising Scholars at Huron (the employee's other 0.5 is as a Behavior Interventionist). Pioneer dedicates one full-time FTE to the program.
antikvetch
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
Maybe it's time for the board to accept that there are things that wishful thinking and other people's money can't readily fix...
towncryer
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
"Robyne Thompson, new assistant superintendent for secondary education, assured the board at the end of the meeting "it would not happen again" "...................translation: on a paper trail
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:48 a.m.
Rising Scholars Programs seem likes a good idea, but why aimed only at minorities? Shouldn't a program like this serve high risk students of all colors and socio-economic backgrounds? I also Pieper, programs like this should start earlier; districts have MEAP and other testing data available to help identify struggling students!
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:58 p.m.
Bachelors and Masters. Momentary lack of common sense.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:51 p.m.
My child is a Junior. My child is white and has been in the Rising Scholar's program since her Freshman year. When she was invited to the informational meeting in 8th grade, the program was billed to parents as a "honor." We were also told the program was for ALL ethnicities. nI looked around the room and saw a crowd of mostly African American students with a smattering of Asian and Caucasian students. My child's MEAP test scores have always been high. My child was taught how to study and be productive. We, the parents of my child, both hold both bachelor's and master's degrees. We have modeled a strong work ethic to our child. During the time that my child was selected for the program, I was unemployed and my child received reduce lunch. I suspect that is why my child was chosen for the program, so maybe socio-economic is the main reason students are chosen? Overall my child has benefitted from Rising Scholars. My child is enrolled in an AP class, has been involved in some structured volunteering opportunities and has visited many college campuses. The only complaint I have had about this program is that a large proportion of activities are aimed towards the African American student. I have tried to address this with the program and have been assured that ALL Rising Scholar students are welcome. Please forgive me for using "my child" instead of a him/her, however, I would like my child to not be identified by my posting.
alan
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:42 p.m.
It does: "Whether these barriers to success are racial, cultural, due to a family's socioeconomic status or a family's disinterest, Rising Scholars strives to instill the value of higher education in its students".
mibadger
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
I wonder if this is the district's answer to bridging the "achievement gap"? That would explain the focus on minorities.
TheDiagSquirrel
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:34 a.m.
How many assistant superintendents are there? Maybe Patricia Green needs to step up and take some responsibility, especially since sounds like a project she either conceived of, or prioritized.
Goober
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
I wonder if Ms. Green has given the title of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent to any of the dolls she has in her office. Go figure!
Joe Kidd
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
Floyd, it appears it takes four.
Floyd
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
How many superintendents does it take to screw up a program and waste a whole lot of money?
Chester Drawers
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
Yes indeed, we are lousy with superintendents!
Danielle Arndt
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:09 p.m.
Diag, there are 3 assistant superintendents, 3 deputy superintendents and Patricia Green. So 7 superintendents in total. The Rising Scholars program, however, was launched in 2008, so well before Dr. Green's time. It has been an interest of the board's for a few years now. In 2011, there was a board-directed performance committee established to look more closely at Rising Scholars. Many of the same conclusions as Wednesday's meeting were drawn from that committee. The committee also directed the administration at that time to redistribute program resources to the schools more evenly.
J. A. Pieper
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:22 a.m.
Although I firmly believe in the Rising Scholars Program, the true need is to pick up these students at an earlier age, before the lack of productive work habits becomes so ingrained they are difficult to change. By the time some of these students arrive at the high school doors, they have not acquired the study skills necessary for the rigorous curriculum offered in their regular classes, let alone the advanced or accelerated ones. Sadly, some students learn that they manage to pass through the grades by applying minimal effort, and this is what they have been used to doing over the years. As I hear from teacher friends throughout the district that they have been told to change failing grades, or that their academic demands are too challenging, it is all to obvious that educators (not just those of us working directly with the students) are facilitating this lower level of success before the students arrive in ninth grade, and then it diminishes the success of the Rising Scholars Programs.
Joe Kidd
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.
I agree with JA that students are not prepared for high school though I would say way before. But Mac has hit the nail square on the head, it's not the schools its what happens after school. By high school it is far too late. I also feel you can't focus additional resources on minorities, that is blatant racism. A child failing should get aid regardless of race.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:01 p.m.
There's nothing you can do without support from the parents. And no need for special programs if you do have support from the parents.
ligrasp
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:46 p.m.
This is a real indictment of the system as we know it. I agree that the need is to intervene earlier in the process. I am now volunteering out at Head Start. I think this program is good--although I think it could be even better if more resources were put there.
towncryer
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
I was just about to go on a similar tirade until i saw your post. Is there anything akin to Rising Scholars in elementary and middle school? If not, then only a fool would expect different results in high school.