Quote:
Originally posted by Adder
You are right.
But you also can't win the Sebby-isn't-middle-class argument either. Which we apparently were having for the 80th time.
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Sarcasm and Stupidity are an annoying combination. Yes there are other elements that might make urban schools more expensive, but they are not that significant. I can't speak for the rest of the country, but in California the biggest problem with our inner city school is that the school boards are strongly influenced by the Teachers Union because the Democrats are in control.
LA Unified is a perfect example. They have the dance of the Lemons where it is impossible to fire a teacher or a Principle, so once parents complain about the bad teachers and principles they just move them to another school and move in another Lemon to take their place. The Lemons tend to coalesce in the schools where the parents are least involved, the places that need the most competent teacher.
The Teacher's Union in California has fought to defend Social Promotion (kids held back are hard to handle) they have fought any sort of testing every step of the way (they don't want to teach to the test), and have made it impossible to fire anyone. In LA Unified they were passing tons of students that couldn't read or write. But now there is an exit exam enforced by the state, and LA unified has had to start teaching the students. Of course the Unions are still pushing to have this test discontinued. It is their number one priority in California.
Meanwhile, since the test just tests basic mathematical, reading and writing skills, the teachers, in order to "teach to the test" are having to teach their students to read, write and do basic math. There have also been attempts to decrease the amount of money spent on bureaucracy by limiting the percentage of the budget to be spent on bureaucracy as opposed to the class room. Interestingly the Teachers Unions have fought this also.
In California it is not that complicated. There is enough money in the system (people do more with less money) the problem is the Teacher's Unions. Interestingly there are urban schools in Fresno and Bakersfield where they have large gang problems, teenage pregnancy etc, but since the teacher Unions have less influence in the valley these schools produce more students that can read and write for less money.
