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The Serna School experiment still has to prove itself
Saturday, June 20, 2009 5:32 AM PDT
We hoped for a soaring outcome when Joe Serna School was launched in 2002.
Americans are notoriously monolingual, and we had hoped that this bold experiment would launch, if not a revolution, at least a modest success in American education.
The first students who have received their entire education at Serna will be entering high school in the fall.
Thursday's paper included an interview with Cammie and Steve Plath, a local couple thrilled with the education their kids received at Serna School. Many other families feel as the Plaths do, says the Great Schools Web site, which collects school data and user ratings and comments. Great Schools parents rate Joe Serna four stars out of five.
However, deep in our story was the disappointing fact that the school's average API score in 2008 was 668. According to the Great Schools Web site, that earns Joe Serna a ranking of 1 out of 10 compared to other schools in the state, and still 1 out of 10 compared to schools with similar "demographics" â€" parent education, poverty, student mobility, student ethnicity and other criteria.
It is a shame, we think, that API does not measure foreign language skill and perhaps some other talents that will be essential for success in the 21st Century. And other testing seems to show that Serna's program of switching kids from Spanish to English as they approach high school is working, especially in math.
But still â€" 668.
Let's hope the first all-Serna grads keep improving in high school. Our fingers are crossed.
â€" Lodi News-Sentinel
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Lou wrote on Jun 26, 2009 11:10 AM:
There is even a new study out that children test better, score better and get higher grades if they are paid to do so. Duh, I think that study was generated by the same folks who told us that rich people are happier than poor people.
So, let's fire a Assistant Superintendent or two....and spread around his/her 150K in salary.
Mr. Maple please run for our Board. We need honest common sense people like yourself not more crooks. "
Pat Maple wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:37 AM:
Block scheduling, three semester schools, rotating teachers (to cut boredom and discipline problems).
For some cut the school day to four hours...7AM to 11AM...they have to work to help support themselves. Some could go to apprenticeship schools to learn a trade or skill.
Open the schools for students to be tutored and be tutors for others...pay them a small stipend per semester.
Let students test out of some of the requirements and move on. Their call.
Allow summer school to be part of a fast track to graduation as well as for catching up.
Hire non academia to run the business of the school. It is a business and should be treated as such. "
Pat Maple wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:26 AM:
Lou wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:10 AM:
Lou wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:08 AM:
School that starts as early as 7:00AM and is open to as late as 7:00PM; there would be no homework as "all work" must be done at school under the direct supervision of a trained adult. Now, we don't need to worry if mom or dad is around to help or able to help.
A school year (like the rest of the world) that is 225 days long not 185 days. Do the math, you can (and should be able to to) learn 20% more if you go 20% longer; not to mention what is lost in the time these kids get lost in their summers.
We feed everyone, three meals a day if need be...we could do means testing but why bother ...food is the least expensive component of this solution.
We need one-on-one tutoring to catch these kids up on reading and writing at the very least. That's easily done.
LUSD spend 240 million a year to do what? Are they succeeding? Your thoughts? "
Lou wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:06 AM:
School that starts as early as 7:00AM and is open to as late as 7:00PM; there would be no homework as "all work" must be done at school under the direct supervision of a trained adult. Now, we don't need to worry if mom or dad is around to help or able to help.
A school year (like the rest of the world) that is 225 days long not 185 days. Do the math, you can (and should be able to to) learn 20% more if you go 20% longer; not to mention what is lost in the time these kids get lost in their summers.
We feed everyone, three meals a day if need be...we could do means testing but why bother ...food is the least expensive component of this solution.
We need one-on-one tutoring to catch these kids up on reading and writing at the very least. That's easily done.
LUSD spend 240 million a year to do what? Are they succeeding? Your thoughts? "
Lou wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:57 AM:
Each and every child, regardless of color, creed, ability or disability deserve and MUST receive a free and appropriate education. Free and appropriate may mean different things for different students. However, it has nothing whatsoever to do with segregation on any level.
There are many students who didn't do well because they had bad teachers, poorly written text books, drunks for parents, and a no frills childhood that didn't include little things like good diets (enough food) no parental supervision or any REAL HELP from the system.
The government needs to do more not less, extended school years, extended school days, individual tutoring and it might not hurt to have a few adults around who give a damn.
There's a difference between english language learners and someone who has been raised from square one by highly educated, highly motivated, "I got my degree from Stanford." If we want real progress we are must put in (as a society) a real effort. "
t jefferson wrote on Jun 24, 2009 10:08 PM:
Pat Maple wrote on Jun 24, 2009 1:40 PM:
t jefferson wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:39 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:36 AM:
As far as Serna, time will show my previous comment to be the outcome, too bad the country will suffer because people can't think more than 5 minutes ahead. "
Giovanina wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:54 AM:
They think that life should be easier in a new millenium, but it has become even more complicated. But people, en mass, have not kept up with the responsibility of living within that more complicated world. In their sense of mind, everything should be answered by the act of a remote control or keypad.
In the past, many people had the knowledge to work on their own cars. Now, you see many people can't even change their own flat tire, or the oil in their cars. A decline in civilization. "
Pat Maple wrote on Jun 22, 2009 6:30 AM:
anotherlodian wrote on Jun 21, 2009 3:37 PM:
Pat Maple wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:36 PM:
Comments on this story are now closed.