My daughter's school will no longer offer students the ability to take 7 classes, so there goes Orchestra for my daughter. The secretary of Education made an excellent comment, that California Schools have lost their way. They used to be first in the nation, and now on average on achievement they are 47th. And it is not all funding related... A great documentary to watch, or just read the synopsis - First to Worst

Good article from the Washington Post - Budget Crisis Forces Deep Cuts at Calif. Schools

Labels: Best Schools

Some conflicting articles, both from the Wall Street Journal. One about how some Chinese students are doing so much better than US students because they get more homework. The other about What Makes Finnish Kids So Smart?

The Finnish students rank first in Science and second in Science, but they don't start school till 7 and don't have the standards that are the foundation of most improvement efforts in the US. Taiwan was first in Math as my dear Taiwanese wife likes to point out (guess who does the math tutoring at home - and it's now me). My understanding of the article is Finnish focuses on high quality teachers that are given general goals and figure out how to meet them. More Entrepreneurial, where the US Education uses in most schools a general factory set up that is standardized. Reading is a focus from an early age where parents of newborns are actually given books by the government.

The take aways from the two articles. It's an interest of mine with my daughter on how to get Good Grades, Study Skills, and get into the right College. The Finnish and Chinese approach are opposite it would seem. What was not mentioned in either article was in China, the teachers are given more time to prepare than in US classes. For learning Math, I do believe at lower levels using rote is a good method as done with the Singapore Math Texts. This gets into the entire question of why are some School better than others?

Labels: Best Schools, math, Schools, Science

Finding the Best School in the US

• Great Schools - This site compiles a lot of information that includes parent reviews, API scores, student and teacher statistics. Interesting site worth a look that has a lot of potential
• Newsweek - Top Public Schools My daughter's school is 273.
• US News and World Report - High School - Newsweek's report is better.
• Washington Post Best Public Schools Nationally My daughter's school is 290.
• SchoolMatters - ok site.
  
• US Department of Education School Locator- Good for finding basic information and schools in an area..

API Information
Each school every year gets tested and the test results and a report are done. Usually this can be found at the states Education Department Site. Here is California's API information.


Details:

Great Schools
I took a look at my daughter's school and the comments were interesting. It did missed how Great the Chinese parents association is (providing classes and advice on getting into the best college).

This thread at Great Schools on Do test score ratings help you determine the quality of a school? captured a lot of the comments about my daughter's school. As one public CEO said who had a child attend her school, students A+, school officials C. Because the parents give so much extra help to the students the school is doing great. The Principal made a revealing comment the other night that the school gets the lowest funding in Los Angeles county. US News and World Report Best High Schools and High School ...


Personal Observation
I suggest always visit a school. You find out so much just by walking through a school and visiting a class room. If the school won't let you visit a class, this tells you a lot. Schools also have different styles as some are back to basics, and others are more art focused. It's important to find the right school you.


More information on Great Schools
I took a look at my daughter's school and the comments were interesting. It did missed how Great the Chinese parents association is (providing classes and advice on getting into the best college).

This thread at Great Schools on Do test score ratings help you determine the quality of a school? captured a lot of the comments about my daughter's school. As one public CEO said who had a child attend her school, students A+, school officials C. Because the parents give so much extra help to the students the school is doing great. The Principal made a revealing comment the other night that the school gets the lowest funding in Los Angeles county.

Good Suggestions! From City Data Forum

Other issues that cloud the picture when determining quality of schools.....
- All states, all school districts, have issues, controversies, funding matters.
- All states, districts and schools have good points and weak points.
- Teachers are people, their qualities will vary from classroom to classroom. Most are poorly paid. We should value them more!
- Investment in schools can vary greatly between the states.
- Quality of School Districts can vary within a state.
- Quality of schools can vary within districts.
- Districts with lots of Advanced Placement classes and Inter-Baccalaureate schools can be considered very good to excellent districts.
- Most realtors can tell you all about schools in their area. If not, find another realtor. (I'm not one.)

References:

Great Schools

City Data Forum

List of Top Schools from Newsweek

Washington Post Best Public Schools Nationally

SchoolMatters

US Department of Education School Locator

US News and World Report Best High Schools and High School ...

Grades, Study Skills, and College Admission Books

Labels: Best Schools