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06.25.08, 09:05 AM New York City
46 replies
I feel so robbed by this whole school process. Who has the right to say my child doesn't deserve quality education because he didn't "pass" the test? Now we're struggling to get him in good general ed but having no luck. can't believe this is really happening to my very bright eager to learn child. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 06.25.08, 09:05 AM Flag
 

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Sorry you're having trouble finding a good school for your dc, but try not to personalize it so much. It is not an attack on you or your child. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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And I can't believe my child who tests "off the charts" is not given equal oportunity to learn in an accellerated classroom because of some totally unfair lottery. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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but at least you got a good placement somewhere right? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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We were not happy with our placement so we are going to stay in pre-K another year and then move or go private. But the placement I'm not happy with is the G&T at ps 166 and I realize that is a good program and I probably sound like an entitled edu-snob. Sorry to rub it in your face if you are dealing with a legitimately bad school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:16 AM Flag
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just curious - why are you unhappy with it? i know several people with kids in that program who are very happy with it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:24 AM Flag
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Truly, you do sound like an entitled edu-snob. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:06 AM Flag
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"off the charts"? LOL! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:15 AM Flag
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I know, somebody really has a high opinion of themself and their child. More like "off their rocker,", eh? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:16 AM Flag
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I am really curious to know what she means by "off the charts" in this context. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:27 AM Flag
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NP: It means over the 99th percentile, as in 99.8 or 99.9. You can assertain this in the ERB and SB with consultation but not really with the OLSAT (unless you knew the raw scores of other kids nationally). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 02:36 PM Flag
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I've seen the homework at PS 166 G&T. You're not being a snob. There are smart kids there who are happy, but many smart, creative, self-directed kids would not be. There's not much enrichment to the academic curriculum; they don't learn that much; there is a huge amount of meaningless rote drill worksheets of material that a the vast majority of a G&T don't need; and there is no writing instruction although there's lots of writing. I wouldn't send my child there. Some smart kids do fine in mainstream or undertaught G&T's and some kids do not. It's not even all about how smart the kid is. But parents know their kids. If you can see tht your kid wouldn't be happy there, ignore what others say. It does seem to be the case, that a developmentally appropriate kindergarten is usually good enough even for the really smart kids. After that, they start needing to learn something while sitting for hours in a room. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:24 AM Flag
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Be really careful ; Maybe you don't know enough parents whom just finished the 166g&t year- Meet some. Blowing off that spot could really turn around and spank you next year. Even families w/$$ for private will be in a very hard situation next year. If you can reconsider(if you've registered), do. It isn't at all about how many 99s will be keeping your child company there; it's about how many seats there aren't in private, public or parochial. Take a good look around the playground. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 11:02 AM Flag
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Fascinating that an edu-snob like you doesn't know how to spell accelerated. Maybe your off-the-charts child can help you with such lapses. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 08:40 PM Flag
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What is your zoned school? What options do you have? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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If you want to talk about options, I'm happy to help. If you just want to vent - go for it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:15 AM Flag
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how can you help? do you work for doe? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:17 AM Flag
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wow, you are a piece of work. She is trying to help you. Obviously, you don't want help. you sound like an entitled *&^(. If your child's education is so important to you, why do you live in a zone with a bad school? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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NP-We don't have a zoned school for pre-K [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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This is about K, I assume, as there is no such thing as public g&t k. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:12 AM Flag
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you can be responsible for your child's education . if you aren't satisfied with what's going on in school, supplement at home. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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ITA. BTDT w/ very bright dc in both good gen ed and G&T. Have learned the hard way that they both can benefit from supplementation. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:29 AM Flag
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nothing is stopping you from moving to a district with a better general ed or to the suburbs. This is your responsibility. the state's responsibility is to educate your child to minimum standards. As a parent, your responsibility is to get him the best education you can. No one is forcing you to stay in your apt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:10 AM Flag
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you must have a g&t spot [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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I don't have a g&t spot and I totally agree with that poster. We could have sat on our rears in our comfy cheap apartment and hoped for a good placement, but we put some effort into it, moved, and guaranteed one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:14 AM Flag
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sounds like you grew up in communist Russia or China... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:17 AM Flag
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Why? That's not remotely how communism works. Seems like someone else 'round here didn't get a very good education. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:17 AM Flag
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actually, it's the complete opposite of communism. I'm saying that the parent needs to take responsibility, not leave it up to the government. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:27 AM Flag
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Actually communist Russia - as well as most countries in Eastern Europe - put a huge emphasis on education of all children and did a pretty good job with it. I totally agree with OP. The government should not seek to educate its citizens / children to mimimum standards but to the best of their abilities, which can mean good vocational training for some instead of dropping out of high schools with no skill sets. Many developed and/or Asian countries in the world have this objective. This notion that it is up to families to navigate an insane system, to be active in schools in order to provide a good education for their children is insane and incredibly short-sighted for the future of the country. That leaves millions of young adults with no skills to push this country forward and it is widely viewed as one of the biggest if not the biggest competitive threats for this country (Bill Gates, Andy Grove, Tom Friedman, John Chambers...). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:32 AM Flag
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clearly the state wants to do better than the "minimum standard" as define by some musty old judicial opinion, so do parents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:03 AM Flag
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You idiot. This is America. We have had good public schools which allowed immigrants to rise and which allowed the middle class to thrive. These are essential for this country. Giving children a "minimum" and a low minimum at that is a sure way to eventually turn the country into an oligarchy. Which would probably suit you just fine. Before you give your worthless punitive mean spirited opinions, try to know a little history and political science. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:28 AM Flag
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it's not that your child doesn't "deserve" a quality education, there are too many kids and not enough seats in the good/great schools in this city. it's a big problem. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:11 AM Flag
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Don't assume that your kid will not get a quality education just because the UB yentas haven't given your zoned school their seal of approval. Hell, even crappy schools can have great teachers. Get involved at the school. You will quickly figure out who are the better teachers and you can influence which class your kid is assigned to. You could also help the school in the process. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:16 AM Flag
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ita [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:26 AM Flag
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And don't assume the converse either. Going to one of the UB-certified good schools, or even G&T is no guarantee of a great education for your kid either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:56 AM Flag
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living in NYC and getting a top notch primary education do not go together. A few lucky kids get that. Many don't. If education is that important to you you have to move to some other place. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:17 AM Flag
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I feel for you. back in the days, they let you take two bites at the apple -- the SB or the ERB. My dc had a nearly 20 point differential between the two but I was able to use the high score and dc got into G&T. It is crazy that one hour out of a 4 year old's life can have such an impact. good luck. stay involved and give your dc as much outside enrichment as you can. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 09:19 AM Flag
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I'm so sorry. I know other people in the same situation. It really stinks. The only thing I can suggest is that most gen eds (not all, but most) are okay for Kindergarten, giving you a year to reapply or think about a move. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:04 AM Flag
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What district? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:05 AM Flag
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Move to a better zone or go for a good Catholic or FA at a private. It's all about choices. Your child deserves quality education but it's no one's problem but yours to get it for them. You don't have the option to live wherever you want AND get a good placement AND have it be free, but you always have the option to get a good placement by moving in-zone or paying for it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:12 AM Flag
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Why is it no one's problem but hers to get it for them? Every child should have access to a good quality education. This is what this country needs. This is what politicians at all levels should be focusing on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:35 AM Flag
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You need to immediately get into High Gear Advocacy mode for your kid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:14 AM Flag
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Every kid deserves a quality education -- yours no more than anyone else's [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:17 AM Flag
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and hers no less than anyone else either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:33 AM Flag
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OR: exactly. And plenty of those kids have to make do in gen ed schools besides the most sought-after ones. So if OP is "robbed," so are most of the families in the school system [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:38 AM Flag
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Sadly yes. Doesn't do much for the future of our society. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:53 AM Flag
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in this country, kids are entitled to free public education. period. if you want more, then it is up to you. if you don't like what you have, advocate, get involved politically or look at other options (like private, catholic, etc). the system is what it is [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 10:29 AM Flag
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