Thread: Austin School Closing...Assimilation Problems?

Webb Middle School parents react to closure proposal
Most of more than 200 people at meeting scorn proposal.
Click-2-Listen
By Laura Heinauer
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, January 26, 2007

More than 200 people packed a cafeteria at Webb Middle School on Thursday, most of them to condemn a proposal to close the campus in May because of students' poor performance on state standardized tests.

"This school doesn't even have enough textbooks to send home with the children so they can study," said Melissa Mullins, parent of a sixth-grader. "They need more assistance, not less."

Austin Superintendent Pat Forgione said he wants the school board to order the campus, just west of Interstate 35 off St. Johns Avenue, closed before the state does.

The school has received the state's lowest rating for three years, and if the students fail to meet passing standards in any area on the state achievement test this spring, the state could require closing or alternative management.

School board members, many of whom were in attendance Thursday, are expected to vote on Forgione's proposal next month.

"We must think this through and do what's best for our children," Forgione said, adding that Webb's faculty and campus advisory council support his recommendation.

Almost one-third of Webb's 663 students come from families that constantly move into and out of the area, which can reverse test gains. Nine of 10 Webb students are from low-income families. About half don't understand English.

Nearly 40 percent of Webb's teachers declined to return to the campus last year, one of the highest teacher turnover rates among Austin middle schools.

During the meeting, some questioned why the district would abandon Webb when Johnston High School, which received the state's lowest rating for the past three years, is in a similar situation.

District officials have said that unlike at Webb, Austin has received state and private grants to restructure Johnston as part of a nationwide trend to remake high schools. The district has not formulated a plan for redesigning middle schools.

Timing was another consideration, Forgione said in a 45-minute explanation of the situation.

Because of the opening of Garcia Middle School this fall, space for Webb students is available at two nearby schools, Dobie and Pearce. By consolidating and being more efficient with resources, the considera- tions of the taxpayers are also being addressed, Forgione said.

The closure also gives the district a facility in which it could put an all-boys school or middle school for immigrant students, he said.

The audience wasn't swayed.

"You are sending our kids to two of the worst schools in this city," said Elaine Roth, parent of a 13-year-old daughter.

Dobie and Pearce were rated "unacceptable" by the state in August, Pearce for the second straight year. Both have received the state's lowest rating in previous years.

"What happens when they are in our boat?" Roth asked.

Illene Jones, a parent of a 14-year-old Webb student, gave a passionate speech chastising a plan she said would "distribute our children like merchandise."

"Immigrant" students??!!




Neils
12:48 pm
01/26/2007

The closure also gives the district a facility in which it could put an all-boys school or middle school for immigrant students, he said.

Are these IMMIGRANT students LEGAL or ILLEGAL?

Are these students a majority hispanic or are they also Eastern, Asian and European?

Why are the only folks "quoted" in the article American names? Are American children being sacrificed for IMMIGRANT & possibly ILLEGAL students?

Are the IMMIGRANT students a majority of ANCHOR babies?

There are a multitude of questions that don't seem to have been addressed.

.

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

The closure also gives the district a facility in which it could put an all-boys school or middle school for immigrant students, he said.

Are these IMMIGRANT students LEGAL or ILLEGAL?

Are these students a majority hispanic or are they also Eastern, Asian and European?

Why are the only folks "quoted" in the article American names? Are American children being sacrificed for IMMIGRANT & possibly ILLEGAL students?

Are the IMMIGRANT students a majority of ANCHOR babies?

There are a multitude of questions that don't seem to have been addressed.

.

You'll never be invited to join

La Raza
La Mecha
The Brown Berets
Lulac...........etc.

If you keep asking questions like that!!







Neils
1:02 pm
01/26/2007

It's another play against assimilation. I guess the ESL or bi-lingual ed classes just weren't working. These anti-assimilation folks, whether illegal immigrants or their supporters, are totally destroying the joke that is our public education system.

Originally Posted by TyRANTosaur

It's another play against assimilation. I guess the ESL or bi-lingual ed classes just weren't working. These anti-assimilation folks, whether illegal immigrants or their supporters, are totally destroying the joke that is our public education system.

I know, TYRANT. But these are the questions that must get out into the air waves so that people begin to think past the lies that they've been fed, don't you think?

This school situation is the perfect example of how our educational system has been systematically dismantled over 3 decades with American children's education becoming the least important on the agenda.

I'm with you 100%. Now we have to get Americans to raise hell as only Americans can do. It's time to call a spade a spade and stop sugar coating this horror. Americans have always been slow on the up-take but when they realize that they've been screwed.........they rise up to the challenge like no others.

.

I'm gonna see about starting a petition or getting some support to send a letter to my state rep/senator to make a move not only to do away with bilingual education, but to also make the taking of a foreign language a true elective, and not a required elective. Students should be able to choose whether or not to take a foreign language. That is a huge challenge to take on a foreign language at such an older age. I had to deal with at least 15 students, 1/2 of my class, everyday that did not want to learn Spanish. It would have been so much better and successful if I would have had the students there that wanted to be there. Imagine that.

I think teachers would agree. I think many of the legal American parents at that school in Austin would agree.

Originally Posted by TyRANTosaur

I'm gonna see about starting a petition or getting some support to send a letter to my state rep/senator to make a move not only to do away with bilingual education, but to also make the taking of a foreign language a true elective, and not a required elective. Students should be able to choose whether or not to take a foreign language. That is a huge challenge to take on a foreign language at such an older age. I had to deal with at least 15 students, 1/2 of my class, everyday that did not want to learn Spanish. It would have been so much better and successful if I would have had the students there that wanted to be there. Imagine that.

I think teachers would agree. I think many of the legal American parents at that school in Austin would agree.

Ideally it would be nice to only have students who so desire, in the classroom, but that is wishful thinking. Furthermore, foreign languages are benficial in this international and global economy. Moreover, most colleges require foreign languages. Yes, I know not all students are going to college, but in my experience we would like to prepare students as best as possible to go to college (they may decide to go to college later).

Bilingual education has been the albatross around our necks - choking the life out of our superior expectations.

I believe you will have more support with your plan than you even realize, TYRANT. And it sounds like it could be a true catalyst in helping people to take a stand AND open their eyes to the larger problem we face.

SOUNDS GREAT!

.

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Furthermore, foreign languages are benficial in this international and global economy.

Totally not true. The requirements of multi-languages introduces immense inefficiencies into the global economy and all systems of societies. The single language economic giant will have a decided advantage over a similar dual language entity with its' increased costs. The future belongs to the efficient.