What a concept: Raise the bar and students do better:
Last year, Bell Multicultural became the first public high school in the Washington area to require all students to take college-level AP courses and exams. The mandate is all the more remarkable because its two required AP courses are both in English, and most of Bell’s students are, like Ventura, from low-income families in which English is not the first language…
They might struggle on the AP exams, the Bell educators say, but they learn more critical reading and writing skills than they would from the remedial classes such students usually get. At Bell, the students and their families heartily endorse this view, saying the demands of AP have made them feel better prepared for the next stage of their lives.
“I really think it is a great opportunity for people like me,” Ventura said. “I feel proud of myself, and I thank all my teachers.”
Maybe when the final FY08 financial report for Loudoun County Public Schools is released, and we get to find out exactly how much Loudoun’s mushrooming ESL boondoggle currently costs, there will begin some public sentiment to revisit the issue.
Tags: ESL
When you don’t HAVE to learn english, especially when everyone is trying to accommodate you in your own language, there is no rush or care. But when you are unable to function without a GOOD working knowledge of the language, things change drastically.
This ESL crap is nothing but a waste of taxpayers money. Shows me that the county doesn’t have a clue. Whenever you need to learn a language the best and most efficient/effective way is just total emersion. Works every time.
Should not be long now until all of Loudoun’s taxpayers are able to get the full picture of why the schools budget seems so out of whack.
One thing I have learned as a parent, and as a youth sports coach, kids respond positively to an attainable challenge. You set the bar at a height that they can reach and they will likely do it.
ESL is nothing more than the Education Industry finding yet another way to milk more money from the taxpayers, all in the name of maintaining the status quo.
I surely would love to hear from some Loudoun teachers on what we could accomplish with the money Loudoun is throwing down the ESL drain.
Take a gander at the 2007 Fairfax county school budget. Nearly $60M in ESOL – that same as the Public works budget for the entire county. I seem to remember a conversation with a FFX county schools official who essentially hinted that the same accounting smoke and mirrors of hiding the true cost of a program is done. Although in Fairfax it’s hidden in plain sight under the salary calculations. Conincidentally, Fairfax county is looking at a $24M budget shortfall. I have an idea…nah! It’ll never fly.