During the recent round of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student assignment talks, "white flight," "bright flight" and CMS's "market share" came up.
Every summer, I get tips that people are fleeing CMS in droves because of something the district has done wrong ("bright flight," the trendy term, refers to the notion that it's not just white families who opt out). At the same time, others assure me that students are flocking back to public schools because of something CMS has done right -- or, more recently, because the recession is making it tougher to afford private school.
Some neighborhoods or schools may see shifts in any given year, but overall, CMS's market share seems to be holding pretty steady at just over 80 percent of Mecklenburg's school-age kids.
That's a rough estimate calculated from CMS's official enrollment tally (133,664 last year) and the tallies of private, charter and home-schooled kids kept by the state. It's not a perfect measure; some reports are slow to update, and students can cross county lines for private and charter schools. But I come up with 81 percent in CMS for 2009-10, 11 percent in private schools and 4 percent each in charter and home schools.
The U.S. Census Bureau lists 85 percent of Mecklenburg kids in public schools (that would include charters) and 15 percent in private. That, too, is an estimate based on a 2008 sampling that includes a significant margin of error.
Update at 12:30 p.m.: I had noted in the original post that Superintendent Peter Gorman told the school board that the 2010 census will provide better details about who's opting in or out of CMS. He probably based that assumption on data that came from the 2000 census; I, too, had been looking forward to getting detailed breakdowns for this year. But as a commenter pointed out and a Census Bureau spokesman confirms, this year's census did not include the "long form" that asked more detailed questions of many households in 2000. Because of that, information about public and private choices will continue to come only from the American Community Survey sampling cited above.
Meanwhile, board member Tim Morgan made an interesting observation: A focus on winning back families who have chosen private or charter schools might drive a different approach to student assignment than focusing on equity and student achievement, the priorities the board ranked highest.
The board didn't explore his comment in any depth. But I suspect that's exactly the kind of deeper thought and analysis that looms when the assignment talks resume July 20.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Flight from CMS?
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I asked a school member shortly after they were elected what would be different about Pete's job if one of his required performance measures was increasing the % of certain families attending CMS. They ewere a little put off by that. They defended Pete in that was something he would have little control over. I applaud Tim for thinking out of the box. Ihope he can garner some discussion among the board members. I believe the white population in CMS is around 34% (correct me if I am wrong) but Mecklenburg County's white population is around 62%.
This article is very timely, because we wife and I are pulling our ES aged children out of one of the highest performing ES schools in CMS in response to the ever increasing student/teacher ratio, and loss of TA resources. We are placing them in a local private school at great expense to our family, inspite of these uncertain economic times, where the student/teacher ratio is more in line with those afforded CMS' inner city school children, but sadly not ours.
This past year my children suffered from the limited attention their teachers were able to provide them in class, and despite my wife being very actively involved in their school and after school activities. We work with our children daily. Our two older children passed through this same ES prior to many of the budgetary cuts diminishing the quality of education available within CMS in one of the economically stronger parts of Mecklenburg County.
There seems to be a race to focus on those at the bottom of the economic ladder within CMS, where national awards and accolades are hiding the reduction on the quality of education being experienced by too many CMS students, and thus yes there is and will continue to be a "Bright Flight" from CMS.
I attended CMS for my entire education. Elementary school was just fine; went to school with other middle-class neighborhood kids. The trouble started when I went to Eastway Junior High, a troubled school even back in the 70's because they bussed in the no-good kids from the projects. That resulted in the no-goods trying to pick fights with me and others for no reason, stealing my lunch money and shooting guns in the woods. Same result for Garinger High. To say this was culture shock for me was an understatement. It was culture horror and disbelief that people could act like such animals, and they were and are still getting away with it.
The truth is: it is not beneficial to anyone to mix classes and races when neither side wants it. It never has been and never will be. If it was, we'd be seeing the McMansions being built in Grier Heights.
"Equity" Translation = No Child Left Behind means no child gets ahead. Just another case of the continuing "dumbing-down" of oour education system...as if teachers' jobs weren't hard enough already! I don't know how they do it for the measly pay. Hey, here's a novel idea: Pay teacher enough to attract the brightest minds to pass that knowledge along to the kids that WANT to learn! For every dollar spent on saving a kid from falling through the cracks, spend an equal amount to advance the brightest, highly-motivated kids. The payback to our economy and future will be invaluable!
CMS is a joke. Keep lowering the bar in the name of diversity.
I attended CMS for my entire education. Elementary school was just fine; went to school with other middle-class neighborhood kids. The trouble started when I went to Eastway Junior High, a troubled school even back in the 70's because they bussed in the no-good kids from the projects. That resulted in the no-goods trying to pick fights with me and others for no reason, stealing my lunch money and shooting guns in the woods. Same result for Garinger High. To say this was culture shock for me was an understatement. It was culture horror and disbelief that people could act like such animals, and they were and are still getting away with it.
The truth is: it is not beneficial to anyone to mix classes and races when neither side wants it. It never has been and never will be. If it was, we'd be seeing the McMansions being built in Grier Heights.
Maybe the reason why those kids picked fights with you is because you said moronic things like your post.
You are sad.
TWO FINGERS!
Th reason many familes avoid CMS is the perception, whether real or imagined, that discipline is lacking and that the leaders are not serious in maintaining orderly schools. Lets see what happens in August when a high profile athlete appeals a 30 day suspension for having _ _ _ relations in a classroom. If CMS goes soft on this, that will be the last straw for many families.
"Equity" Translation = No Child Left Behind means no child gets ahead.
I like that. Do I have to pay you a quarter every time I use it?
It doesn't matter if 80% of school age children attending CMS remains constant.
"We lose one of every 5" is nothing to be happy about. Alarmed about, more like it.
The real question is why Mecklenburg Co. is 2/3 white and CMS is 1/3 white.
That's alarming. It means the people with the most money and clout, for good or ill, opt out.
That's a recipe for system-wide failure. There's no other way to spin it.
Ann Doss Helms may have been covering education for the Charlotte Observer since 2002, but the following statement that she makes: "As Superintendent Peter Gorman told the school board, the 2010 census will provide the most accurate and detailed data, broken down by neighborhoods, race and FAMILY INCOME, about who's opting in or out of CMS," is totally incorrect.
I beg to differ how the author and/or Dr. Gorman plan to have the information as to income from the 2010 Census as this question WAS NOT ON THE CENSUS FORM!
Also, you must take in account the number of unemployed in this area, especially in the financial industry as well as the teaching field, which will change Charlotte as a whole. Many jobs were lost and many people may have lost their homes and even left the Charlotte area since they had (if they had) completed the 2010 Census.
I do believe the "white flight" or "bright flight" are just devisive remarks that are totally unnecessary and could have been described in a different manner.
For questions on the 2010 Census, you may find them at
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php
I have no problem with articles regarding any subject in our newspaper, but I believe it is the responsibility of the author to know and write the FACTS.
I went to Private School in Charlotte K-9 and Public 10-12. I was assigned many of the same books in 7-9 at Private School as I was 10-12 in Public School AP classes. Do not tell me that there is not a huge difference. While it is possible to get an excellent education in the CMS schools, it is completely up to the student and parents. In private school, you do not easily slip through the cracks and get by on minimal effort. Unless CMS puts as much effort into raising the bar for gifted students as they do for challenged students, they will continue to lose the "bright flight" challenge.
The numbers do not add up here. The demographic changes in the CMS have been dramatic over the years.
Few people want to admit that the forced busing of the 1970's destroyed CMS. CMS never recovered and is now a total joke.
Then you have the issue of really good teachers leaving because we are tired of dealing with the craziness. I loved my community, but have opted to take a position at another school outside of CMS' scope next year. I taught on the other side of the state before moving to this area... I have never seen anything like this...Education doesn't have to be this way... other areas, private, and charters are doing the job much more efficiently without so much turmoil and craziness. Several of my colleagues who were also exceptional teachers have chosen to leave the system as well...a couple for jobs outside of teaching---which is a shame... Teacher "bright flight" is another troubling aspect of this entire situation.
Once all the people with clout and income are gone, once no one in the "wedge" will touch a public school, what will be left of CMS?
A nightmare, that's what.
The great and terrible irony is that there will be no diversity, either. What will the diversity, um, champions say then?
Anonymous 12:17, you are right, and I am embarrassed. I had wondered about that when I filled out my Census form, but that had slipped my mind when Dr. Gorman referred to better data from the 2010 census.
We have traditionally counted on the census to provide the kind of data that can drill down by census tract, so his comment sounded right. I checked in with our data guru, who also thought we could look for that info as part of the 2010 release.
Guess I'll have to get more conversant with what can be pieced together from the American Community Survey. I've updated main post to reflect that will be best source for foreseeable future. Thanks for the correction.
Restofthestory, CMS was indeed close to 34 percent white (actually rounded down to 33 last year). I'd have to check the percent of school-age kids who are white, but your number sounds close.
I also finding it appalling that they have removed the Early Childhood Developement Program which was designed for kids trying to follow the path of becoming an educator... So now CMS does not even support or promote that program.... What a disgrace to all the working teachers!!!! 3 more years and we are OUT!!!!!! can't wait....
I left teaching in CMS for the ranks of private secondary schools. Why? No discipline, a principal that wanted to protect her babies (in high school), and a demand that I change 5 students grades to 70 from 50 to 60 so they could pass. All after Czar Gorman took charge.
To anonymous 1:11 PM---Gorman is more interested in TFA than in securing teachers who trained to become teachers. Even his future leaders for this summer are 100% TFA folks.
In my science classes at a very well regarded private school, my students are very diverse. The one's who lack the financial resources and have free or reduced tuition are some of my brightest. Coming to school with a purpose and knowing the meaning of respect for yourself and others is the difference.
Hello Ann,
I'll also be one of them fleeing CMS. Over a year ago I moved into the MPHS zone so that my children would be around an academically competitive peer group and to take advantage of MP's outstanding debate program. However, with the undefined future for CMS, decimation of MP IB, and the expectation of 40+ students in the Honors/AP/IB classes, I have reconsidered and decided to home school throughout high school. Hence, I called MPHS today and withdrew my oldest daughter (they couldn't do immediately though because "the computers are down"). My fleeing will represent at least 5 children that won't be part of CMS (I do have 1 at Metro).
We moved from Charlotte to York a few years ago for many reasons, but I will admit that CMS was one of them. I grew up in the New Orleans area (Northshore) and spent my entire school career in private, Catholic-based schools: K - college. Although, you must understand that at the time, it was around $2K per yr for ES and $3.5K per yr for HS when I went through (I'm 33). Part of the low cost is because there are so many Archdiocese based schools and just shy of an equal number of private (religious and non-religious based) high schools to public. Point is, there are many more options to choose from back home than up here. And like Anon 12:22 said, my public school friends always seemed to be a yr behind what we were studying.
My wife, on the other hand, went to public schools (VA-es, TN-hs and AL-col) her entire life. Given her current position at work, I think she has done quite well for herself. However, we were both amazed at how CMS still buses children from one area to another. We were told last year that our son (starts K in Aug) wouldn't attend the school 5 blocks away, but would be buses across town because of the ratio. Absurd.
We have decided to try the York County public schools first. I will admit that the lack of private schools and their costs in this area is part of the reason. If we don't like the results, then we will try something else. My parents made many sacrafices to put me and my 3 siblings through this type of education. To this day, we all feel that it was well worth it and if need be, will do the same for our children.
No "flight?"
Several years ago, Mountain Island Elementary was awesome. Now people (parents and teachers) can't get out of there fast enough. Frustrated parents who couldn't get their kids into Lincoln Charter or Lake Norman Charter were so upset over their lack of options that they decided to start a school of their own. Next month, go take a look at the huge number of mothballed trailers at Mountain Island Elem (because CMS decided not to move them to save money). Mountain Island is losing 125+ students to the new charter school (plus it's also losing students to other charter and private schools as well). Paw Creek is losing a large number as well. The new school will be located across the river in Gaston County so it is also attracting kids from Gaston as well. The flight is so strong, the few "good" parents who were NOT planning on leaving are now in a panic. ...and we shouldn't forget those fleeing are taking their volunteer hours and pta money with them.
I find it odd that only the lower bottom of the barrel kids have smaller classrooms. That has not been proven to be a key to scholastic success. I'd rather see the parents in adult education classes because they have stolen their childrens ab ility to succeed. Single moms, no educations, kids are doomed. No matter how small the classroom. Focus on our bright and upcoming kids, outsource those at the bottom. It is what it is.
We are fleeing--and it couldn't be soon enough. i am a former teacher at a very well respected high school in CMS and also a parent. My kids are more than a number, and when mediocrity becomes the standard--we all lose.
Tim Morgan - a board member who is able to see the forest through the trees?
I hate to sound pessimistic but I see very little incentive for CMS to make a concerted effort to lure back families who have chosen private or charter schools. Extra kids are just more mouths to feed at schools that are already overcrowded. And let's be honest, students from Charlotte Latin School aren't going to suddenly flock to EE Waddel. Also, how can CMS head honchos get their picture on the cover of TIME for improving an "urban" public school system if the FRL population drops from 51% down to 25% and the white population rises from 33% back up to 63%? If CMS becomes too "suburban" then we're in big trouble as far as comparing ourselves to other suburban school systems across the country.
Question for Ann?
How many public school systems in the U.S. have been successful in luring back white and middle class families once they leave?
Some these comments are the same ones made in the late 70's and early 80's. So I guess there's truly nothing new under the sun.
One school board member remarked at one board meeting that people need to come with solutions. Board member McGarry has had a great one for over a year (I don't often agree with her), but this time she is right! Give every principal freedom and flexibility if you want true academic achievement. They are paid to be instructional leaders so let them lead. The State has set the parameters with the NCSOS so let each principal have the freedom and flexibility to do what's best for their population. CMS micro-manages schools with too many restrictions and requirements. Urban school are strictly monitored to be sure the adhere to using a scripted reading program rather than being able to implement a "Balanced Literacy " approach which research has proven that works. While on the other hand Suburban schools even without freedom and flexibility pay lip service to the restrictions and do what "Best Practices" and " Effective Schools" research has proven to be best for children.
Don't worry about "white flight"...Do what's best for children. You hired the principals, let them do their job and hold them accountable with a fair and comprehensive evaluation tools, not that joke of a Teacher/ Teacher Assistant survey which is so subjective it is a joke. Dr. Gorman the district paid a consultant to train schools on becoming professional learning committees (PLC's). So untie all principals hands with freedom and flexibility so that each school can be a true PLC deciding what is best for the population they serve. I bet doing this would make for a great school system, but more than that it would afford all children the best education possible!
Some these comments are the same ones made in the late 70's and early 80's. So I guess there's truly nothing new under the sun.
One school board member remarked at one board meeting that people need to come with solutions. Board member McGarry has had a great one for over a year (I don't often agree with her), but this time she is right! Give every principal freedom and flexibility if you want true academic achievement. They are paid to be instructional leaders so let them lead. The State has set the parameters with the NCSOS so let each principal have the freedom and flexibility to do what's best for their population. CMS micro-manages schools with too many restrictions and requirements. Urban school are strictly monitored to be sure the adhere to using a scripted reading program rather than being able to implement a "Balanced Literacy " approach which research has proven that works. While on the other hand Suburban schools even without freedom and flexibility pay lip service to the restrictions and do what "Best Practices" and " Effective Schools" research has proven to be best for children.
Don't worry about "white flight"...Do what's best for children. You hired the principals, let them do their job and hold them accountable with a fair and comprehensive evaluation tools, not that joke of a Teacher/ Teacher Assistant survey which is so subjective it is a joke. Dr. Gorman the district paid a consultant to train schools on becoming professional learning committees (PLC's). So untie all principals hands with freedom and flexibility so that each school can be a true PLC deciding what is best for the population they serve. I bet doing this would make for a great school system, but more than that it would afford all children the best education possible!
So the 2010 Census will tell us who is opting out?
I don't recall the IQ portion of the Census.
So how can "bright flight" be measured?
2:29, here are the things that are new since the '70s:
-the graduation rate is worse
-there are fewer white people in the system, thus sadly fewer people with the economic and professional clout to make good things happen for students and also fewer people to support CMS
-in a terrible, terrible irony, less diversity. The more focus there is on diversity, the less there is of it.
I'm already outside CMS and don't regret it a bit.
My kids don't need to learn how to survive in a ghetto, so no need for CMS.
Anon 2:27: I'm not aware of any district that has been able to reverse the "tipping point" phenomenon. And believe me, that's one of the questions I've asked CMS officials as they discuss strategies.
Anyone else out there know of any?
Bright Flight is easy to measure. Tim Morgan's comments could turn out to be the most important ones uttered regarding CMS student assignment.
If you lure the top performing private and charter school students back to the district, the CMS test scores will go up. The same teachers will suddenly have high-performing students and all will be right in the world.
(Ok, pipe dream for sure): all wouldn't be right in the world. There would still be concentrations of very low-performing schools that would ultimately cry foul and then we'd be back to where we've been the past 40 years -- guilted or liberal-bullied into horrible performances in the name of equity and fairness.
Memo to whoever will listen: Life's not fair. My kid at Hopewell might not get the education someone at Myers Park gets, and it might be better than what a student at West Charlotte gets. But trying to make all three equal is what's gotten us into this mess.
Back on topic:
Kids aren't getting better educated at Charter or Private schools, they are just smarter kids from families with resources to get them out of CMS.
What they get that you can't get at CMS is a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and some common sense when it comes to school assignment.
Public, private, charter, magnet: You'd hear next to nothing about those things if people went to school where they lived, if schools were constructed in high-population areas instead of politically-correct areas, and if there was some sort of boundary lines clearly defined.
In most parts of the U.S. , there's a pride to where you go to school. Many schools are named after their towns. Even if the town next to you had the best school in the world, you'd want to work hard to make yours better, instead of doing the CMS Dance -- and whining that things aren't fair.
It's time to grow up and start focusing on education instead of politics. Please.
Sadly, we're a family that lived through one too many student reassignment controversies and left CMS in favor of private schooling. In the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans". Plan A did NOT include paying $32,000 a year in private school tuition plus fees before a $1,600 class field trip that requires a visit to the Ralph Lauren Polo swim wear and sock section at Belk. Did I mention the annual "Pursuit of Academic Excellence" capital campaign drive? However, unless we find ourselves in dire straights, we have no intention of ever returning to CMS. We'll find a charter school or convert to whatever religion we need to first. Right now, NC public state universities are looking really good!
I do support magnet schools because they uphold one of CMS's Guiding Principles that state the system should foster - not force - diversity. I also support logically drawn neighborhood school zones with consistent assignment rules that apply equally to everyone - Houston, we have a major problem here.
It seems this community has been having the same unresolved arguments over public schooling for decades. When does it end?
Hi Ann,
Thanks for answering my question about (as you put it) "the tipping point phenomenon".
I speculate CMS will forge ahead with its usual "head in the sand phenomenon".
spending $32,000 to get out of CMS is stupid. People who do that will trash CMS just so they can validate making a stupid decision and paying 32k per year for essentially the same education minus the politics, scrutiny from the CO and ridiculous boundary lines.
I'm not sure why race seems to be such a focus for CMS or regarding the matter of who chooses to leave CMS schools. I can tell you that we are a middle class AA family who are hard working, tax paying members of this county. My disgust for CMS lack of focus, planning and stability is beyond words. Although it is July I still do not know where my child will attend school this fall. The middle school we would be bused to is among the worst in the county and lack of bussing limits my ability to keep my child at a magnet school. I checked other middle schools with open capacity and most of them have test scores that are beyond embarassing. Therefore we are down to home schooling or private school.
It is sad that educational issues always boil down to race--the real issue is the continued decreasing budget that prevents all of our kids from getting a quality education, puts our kids at risk having to stand at busstops early in the morning due to bus driver shortages, etc. CMS is more focused on EOG's and the kids are missing out on a fundamental education.
I'm an upper middle class A/A parent who will be paying for my kindergartner to attend Carmel Baptist School---the tuition is the sames as what I was paying for dayschool. And, her big brother is down the street at Providence based on his own decision. I think that more parents should consider private school; there are several scholarship programs available to assist those who meet income guidelines.
Ms. Helms,
Thank you for addressing this. Perhaps instead of bright flight, what is happening in many neighborhoods is Fright Flight. I can think of several middle schools zones where my colleagues live that are sinking fast in attendance. The most recent one I can remember is McClintock. Every year for the past several years there are less and less students. The population hasn't changed, but those who go to private and charter schools sure have.
McClintock was a prestigious school at one time. However, the last time I volunteered there--right before Spring Break, the assistant principal was screaming at the top of her lungs, the kids were running and hitting and screaming, and the principal had left for vacation already. I know this because after foolishly telling a student not to hit another student (just couldn't resist) and I was promptly told "Who the F--- are you, F--- off.", so I went looking for the principal. I was told she had already left for the airport with the school resource officer. So like I said, that was the last time I volunteer there.
I think, too, that many of the people who leave CMS are among the most vocal in the criticisms of the district. The numbers that reveal the percentage of Char-Meck residents who have kids in CMS are interesting--it's still a big chunk of the county, we have a lot of resources/residents to work with, given a chance.
Not every school, public, private, or charter, can be a perfect fit for every kid. My family is committed to the public schools--I believe in everyone having a chance at a quality education because that is what we should commit to as a society: an educated community. My kids go to a magnet school, and my sense of my kids' community extends across the city of Charlotte. To people who choose otherwise, I say good luck. But don't tell me that I can't find anything good in CMS, because I have found it, and I will fight for it to be extended to every child in this city.
Off to Cabarrus County we go...adios suckers!
Responding to the "stupid" people who chose private school comment:
Choosing to spend $32,000 plus a year on private school tuition is not a condemnation of every CMS school any more than choosing to attend Princeton over UNC-Chapel Hill which are both fine institutions at vastly different costs. We live in a free country. There are plenty of successful, caring and educated people with children in CMS. There is also a growing number of white, middle class and affluent families choosing other options outside of CMS - supported by facts. If you want to accuse, attack and call people "stupid" who have made personal and financial sacrifices that they think is in the best interest of their children than you have every right to do so. I also have every right not to give a rats behind about the future of CMS. As I stated, I support magnet schools because I don't believe in a one size fits all educational system and think fostering - not forcing - diversity is an admirable societal goal. I also think having a public school system that can compete head-to-head with some of Charlotte's best private and charter schools is in everyone's long-term interest. However, at this point in time, I'm not willing to let some politician or other so-called educational expert dictate where my children go to school. My children, my choice. I'm acutely aware I'm most fortunate to have many. Attacking people based on where they decide to send their children to school leads our community nowhere. Perhaps I should judge the type of car you drive, the kinds of vacations you take and the variety of food you eat? My car is pretty unimpressive. My family will be camping in a tent soon. Beef Jerky anyone?
I fear this problem will continue until CMS is split into at least three smaller districts that are easier to manage and respond to the needs of the parents and children. If this doesn't happen, eventually CMS will be completeley unable to support itself from a lack of interested parents and and increase in "bright flight."
TWO blocks in Charlotte (high school):
Charlotte Latin - 3
Charlotte Catholic - 6
Charlotte Christian - 7
Charlotte County Day - 2
Carmel Christian - 3
Home School - 2
South Meck. - 3
Providence High - 3
Myers Park IB - 1
And the winner is...?
Ann, the most agressive attempt to lure suburban kids (white in that district) back to schools was the Kansas City court order. We know from the news now what has happened to that district. They turned the district over to a judge to run and he instituted a state wide tax to supplement just this one system. They were successful at first because they built Taj Mahal inner city schools complete with state of the art athletic and science facilities. They lured famous successful teachers from all over the state to teach there. The most agressive part was they paid for taxi services so the bused in kids would not have long bus rides. If I recall correctly, 10 years later or so, the judge threw in the towel and proclaimed the black kids should not even have bothered to attend high school because their academic performance had not even reached entry level. We see now the effects of the mass exodus even with a system still wallowing in the leftover tax money. They are looking to close 30 to 40% of the schools.
What a delight for this "stupid" Republican to enroll their children in private school in an effort to emulate President Obama - who is spending over $64,000 a year to have his two daughters attend an elite institution in Washington DC (the same "diverse" school Chelsea Clinton attended with Diplomat Row parents). Oh, that's right, it's for his little darlings safety while the First Lady poses for photo-op hugs with DC PUBLIC school kids.
"My Name is Lover Boy Al" also attended an elite private school in Washington DC before saving the planet.
Hey, I'll give Jimmy Carter credit. At least he was willing to put Amy on the public school front line. Poor kid was under full armored guard and couldn't go out for recess for 4 years.
This discussion has not changed in the 25 years since I "fled" the Four Seasons neighborhood for Cleveland County. It seems to boil down to this: will you take action based on the opinions of those who have self-annointed themselves your moral and intellectual superiors or will you take action on the basis on your own personal, first-hand experience?
"So untie all principals hands with freedom and flexibility so that each school can be a true PLC deciding what is best for the population they serve." This makes the assumption that all principals are capable of being LEADERS and that is simply not the case. There are principals who supposedly have been given freedom/flexibility. So they try something and it doesn't work, then they change the school improvement plan and try something else, same result. And meanwhile staff is scratching their heads year to year. We are seeing too much evidence of this right here in these discussions. And BTW the new evaluation tool is hardly objective. So we say bring solutions to the table. If you are on the inside, you know this is not one of them. Too bad. Sadly, many ships in CMS w/o an effective captain.
"Call them urban refugees. A staggering 73,444 people fled Mecklenburg County for the surrounding counties between 2000 and 2005, according to an interactive map on The Charlotte Observer's Web page that tracks county-to-county migration data. The data, based on year-to-year changes in addresses on tax returns, came from the Internal Revenue Service.
The three top destinations were Union (22,926), Cabarrus (17,032), and York (10,746) counties. What does this mean? Purchasing a moving truck franchise may now be the best way to get rich quick in Mecklenburg.
Given the demographics of the surrounding counties, it is safe to say that the flight is decidedly white. It could also explain another demographic trend I've been puzzling over in this space for years -- the decline in the percentage of white children in our schools from the high 50s 10 years ago to the low 30s today. I've long thought that indicated the beginnings of the large-scale white flight other major cities have seen. While other demographic groups grow like gangbusters in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the number of white kids, which fluctuates slightly on an annual basis, has remained virtually unchanged for over five years. Meanwhile, the numbers of white kids in schools in surrounding counties grows by thousands every year." (more)
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/urban_refugees/Content?oid=305977
"These parents didn't leave the school system, but rather never showed up in the first place. While people of all races and income levels continue to move to Mecklenburg County, those with children, an interest in public schools and the means to do so are choosing to live outside the county -- or they are leaving once their children approach school age, attracted by schools in surrounding counties with higher test scores and better teachers. That's why the number of white/non-poor students in the county school system each year has remained largely the same over the last seven years while CMS' overall population has boomed." (more)
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/the_tipping_point_school_board_axes_neighborhood_schools/Content?oid=697003
"Their goal is clear. The school board is integrating the few true middle-class suburban schools that remain, choosing social equity over the neighborhood schools suburban voters were promised in the last bond referendum.
But there's a problem. It's no longer 1998. A massive rejection of CMS has occurred over the last decade by middle-class and white parents. Now just 33 percent of CMS students are white and half are now poor, as black and white middle-class parents flee to surrounding counties. That's a staggering 25-percentage point drop in just 11 years. When you consider that 61 percent of the county is white and less than a third of the county is poor, this is an indictment of the school system that goes far beyond racial and class lines. It is a flat-out rejection of an inferior public education product."
"If our school system merely reflected the racial and poverty demographics of the county, our schools would be both strong and diverse. Instead, our school board so alienated parents and teachers that it sparked white flight that population demographics alone can't explain." (more)
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/the_tipping_point_school_board_axes_neighborhood_schools/Content?oid=697003
"Consider this. Between November 2000 and November 2008, an additional 77,421 African-American voters registered to vote in Mecklenburg County. During the same period, only 54,970 additional white voters registered." (more)
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/charlotte_s_new_power_base/Content?oid=761134
"More of the people who have moved to Charlotte in recent years appear to be non-white than white. (We won't know for certain until the new census figures roll in.) The signs can also be seen in county schools, where the number of white students has remained essentially the same for the last six years while minority enrollment numbers boomed. The percentage of white students in the system plummeted from nearly 60 percent 12 years ago to about 34 percent now. This occurred despite a massive movement of newcomers here that has ranked us in the top 10 nationally for relocations."
(more)
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/white_flight_drives_mayoral_results/Content?oid=767187
I grew up in Birmingham.
I saw that city go down the toilet over the past generation, so when I moved to this region, I completely avoided Charlotte and it's surrounding county.
I knew what was coming.
And I was right.
To anon who thinks I'm in a panic because we're staying at MIE is sadly mistaken. You can take your volunteer hours and PTA money straight on down the road to the charter school. My kids will be just fine without you at MIE. The great teachers that have always been there, will still be there. How about all of you liers that gave false addresses so you could be at MIE in the first place to nake it overcrowded. I don't recall you complaining when you were lying to stay there. What are you so afraid of....people that don't look like you. You're sad. I'm glad you're heading down the road and anybody else that wants to go can keep stepping.
Oh... and about those traliers...they may still be there, but my kids won't be in them! Oh, but yours will because your new school is nothing but a trailer park. By the way, thanks for taking the trouble maker kids and the teachers CMS didn't want!
How can you have a discussion about white flight and leave out the statistic that CMS used to be 67% white and is now only 33% white?
CMS has created even more of a mess this year. A few of the lower performing middle schools have had all students with disabilities placed into the regular classrooms. What is so unorthodox is that they are placed with one team of teachers at each grade level with co-teaching support provided for reading and math but not for science and social studies. It is an absolute travesty as many students who are not EC and have performed well on past EOGs are in a class with a majority of EC students. That is a disservice to all children involved. If I were a parent of a child who was in that situation I would be having a fit about it and would demand that my child's schedule be changed. In implementing this, CMS has completely ignored the co-teaching do's and don't webinar presented by Marilyn Fried on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website. It is a horror story that is getting scarier with each passing day.
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