Comments on: Be the 'best' in Michigan for $25,000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/ Thinking and Linking by Joanne Jacobs Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:51:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Don Bemont http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55136 Don Bemont Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:22:09 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55136 Tracy W, I agree completely, of course. Politicians are the worst of all. Truly, the most accurate statement about the schools I know is that power has been transferred from educators to politicians. However, those that hope that the problem will be solved by a competitive business atmosphere are likely to be unpleasantly surprised. Tracy W, I agree completely, of course. Politicians are the worst of all. Truly, the most accurate statement about the schools I know is that power has been transferred from educators to politicians.

However, those that hope that the problem will be solved by a competitive business atmosphere are likely to be unpleasantly surprised.

]]> By: Darren http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55135 Darren Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:13:53 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55135 I see an opportunity to make some money here. For only $10,000 *I* will designate your school as the Best In ______ . I see an opportunity to make some money here. For only $10,000 *I* will designate your school as the Best In ______ .

]]> By: Mr. Pedant http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55134 Mr. Pedant Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:51:54 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55134 <blockquote><i>That’s the only criteria.</i></blockquote>Should that not be "the only criteri<b>on</b>?" The publication "Who's Who Among American High School Students" is not much (if any) more selective.

That’s the only criteria.

Should that not be “the only criterion?”

The publication “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” is not much (if any) more selective.

]]> By: Ed is Watching » Having a West Denver Prep Lottery is Sign of Progress, Still Plenty of Work to Do http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55133 Ed is Watching » Having a West Denver Prep Lottery is Sign of Progress, Still Plenty of Work to Do Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:30:55 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55133 [...] middle school in Colorado’s largest city (as opposed to some Michigan school districts that paid money to deceive parents into thinking their schools were the [...] [...] middle school in Colorado’s largest city (as opposed to some Michigan school districts that paid money to deceive parents into thinking their schools were the [...]

]]> By: Tracy W http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55132 Tracy W Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:37:00 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55132 Don Bemont - politicians have been focussing on image rather than reality all by themselves, they don't need to learn the idea from business. Keep an eye out for how often politicians talk about increases in government spending on things like health or education, rather than increases in outcomes. As long as voters are mostly ignorant (and let's face it, no one who also has a job and a life can keep up with everything the government does), politicians will aim for image over reality. Don Bemont – politicians have been focussing on image rather than reality all by themselves, they don’t need to learn the idea from business. Keep an eye out for how often politicians talk about increases in government spending on things like health or education, rather than increases in outcomes. As long as voters are mostly ignorant (and let’s face it, no one who also has a job and a life can keep up with everything the government does), politicians will aim for image over reality.

]]> By: Lightly Seasoned http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55131 Lightly Seasoned Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:58:50 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55131 Oh, please. Save it. This is how all the hospitals do it -- and look how much money they make. You didn't really think every hospital in your area was rated Top 10 in Whatever, did you? Why wouldn't the schools? Oh, please. Save it. This is how all the hospitals do it — and look how much money they make. You didn’t really think every hospital in your area was rated Top 10 in Whatever, did you? Why wouldn’t the schools?

]]> By: Don Bemont http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55130 Don Bemont Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:11:02 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55130 Of course it is appalling, but I think that people miss the significance of the story. Many posters on this site believe rather uncritically in the power of business-style competition to fix the problems of education. However, image campaigns are often more effective in the world of business than improvement of the product. Although buying an award might be extreme, these sorts of decisions are made all the time in schools under pressure to produce better results immediately. Typical situation: Look at the number of students who rarely attend a high school. If they end up with failing test scores and do not graduate, the school's results will be deemed unacceptable, even if every single student in attendance, including the many who refuse to do the work and/or arrive daily under the influence of some substance somehow does pass the exams and graduate on time. One school superintendent makes plans to chip away at the problem, while upholding standards of academics and integrity in the meantime. Second superintendent makes clear to building principals that the results are to look good a few months down the road -- details of how this is accomplished to remain a dark secret. Any predictions which superintendent will look like the hero in the newspapers? Any predictions which school district will be held up as a model of success? This award buying is over the top, but, at least they apparently did not push their teachers to cheat the results, thus undermining future student motivation. Of course it is appalling, but I think that people miss the significance of the story.

Many posters on this site believe rather uncritically in the power of business-style competition to fix the problems of education. However, image campaigns are often more effective in the world of business than improvement of the product. Although buying an award might be extreme, these sorts of decisions are made all the time in schools under pressure to produce better results immediately.

Typical situation: Look at the number of students who rarely attend a high school. If they end up with failing test scores and do not graduate, the school’s results will be deemed unacceptable, even if every single student in attendance, including the many who refuse to do the work and/or arrive daily under the influence of some substance somehow does pass the exams and graduate on time.

One school superintendent makes plans to chip away at the problem, while upholding standards of academics and integrity in the meantime. Second superintendent makes clear to building principals that the results are to look good a few months down the road — details of how this is accomplished to remain a dark secret. Any predictions which superintendent will look like the hero in the newspapers? Any predictions which school district will be held up as a model of success?

This award buying is over the top, but, at least they apparently did not push their teachers to cheat the results, thus undermining future student motivation.

]]> By: allen http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55129 allen Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:51:31 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55129 Seems pretty sensible to me. After all, it's got to be a lot less costly and disruptive to just write a check then to actually improve educational performance. Seems pretty sensible to me.

After all, it’s got to be a lot less costly and disruptive to just write a check then to actually improve educational performance.

]]> By: tim-10-ber http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55128 tim-10-ber Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:37:40 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55128 This is truly pitiful. Parents think they are enrolling their kids in an excellent school. They trust educators to be excellent but what an absolute joke...teachers in those schools should be ashamed to work in such an environment if in fact their schools are not the best...yet again the children lose... This is truly pitiful. Parents think they are enrolling their kids in an excellent school. They trust educators to be excellent but what an absolute joke…teachers in those schools should be ashamed to work in such an environment if in fact their schools are not the best…yet again the children lose…

]]> By: Tracy W http://www.joannejacobs.com/2010/02/be-the-best-in-michigan-for-25000/#comment-55127 Tracy W Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:24:56 +0000 http://www.joannejacobs.com/?p=13553#comment-55127 Presumably you could get the organisers under truth in advertising laws. Presumably you could get the organisers under truth in advertising laws.

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