What grade would you give public schools?

James Causey:

Fact: There are some really good Milwaukee Public Schools. Another fact: There are some that even the district's superintendent says need improvement. To be fair, the same facts also apply to voucher schools.

There are a number of factors that contribute to a school's success. Successful schools have engaged parents along with an equally motivated student body and teachers. Struggling schools often lack parental support and more often than not have behavioral problems that impede learning.

If I were to ask you to assign a letter grade to public schools in Milwaukee, what grade would you give them?

A survey asked 1,200 city residents that question, and 70% gave the public schools a "C" or worse.

And when asked who is responsible for a child's failure, 64% of respondents said it was the parents and the students. Only 10% said it was the teachers' fault and only 5% blame the school as a whole.

I'm not surprised by the study's findings because the struggling schools in the district usually receive the most press while, unfortunately, the best schools fail to receive the recognition they deserve.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at December 30, 2012 4:23 AM
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