Socio-economics and School Scores

We've touched on this from time to time, but this blog entry from the Neshaminy Info blog makes the case pretty well:

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
PSSA's as a Grad Requirement
While the district is mulling over how to motivate students to take the PSSA’s seriously, there is much disagreement over whether or not to make PSSA proficiency a graduation requirement.

From what I’ve observed, most within district staff don’t believe it’s a good idea, but clearly some administrators see it as a quick way to get results even though almost everyone would prefer positive motivation rather than negative reinforcement.

There is tremendous public pressure to raise PSSA scores immediately, and that may drive the decision regarding the issue of proficiency as a graduation requirement.

COMMENT: The answer to the question is simple. But first do the following exercise. Without doing a Google search, rate the following school districts in the order of their PSSA scores (high to low). HINT: It's easy, it has nothing to do with education.

Here is the list in alphabetical order.
Bensalem, Bristol, Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, Morrisville, Neshaminy, New Hope-Solebury, Palisades, Pennridge, Pennsbury, Quakertown

Post your guess as a comment and I will post the results shortly.

COMMENT: Before I list the order of the PSSA scores, here is the list of all the Bucks districts from high to low based on real estate prices
of the homes in the district.

New-Hope Solebury, Central Bucks, Council Rock, Quakertown, Palisades, Centennial, Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Bensalem, Morrisville, Bristol

Now swap New-Hope Solebury and Central Bucks and you have the PSSA score list. I told you it was easy!

But it is also very interesting.
This tells me that the low PSSA scores are not the fault of the administration, teachers or school board. The focus should be more on the parents and the social-economic problems that some of our students encounter.

Our school board is really a modified board of taxation fiddling while the schools erode. Our borough council is dancing to the same tune placing roadblock after roadblock in the way of financial progress.

The time to address this is NOW. The May primary filing period for the open council and board seats is coming soon. Get involved: Either run yourself or support a candidate who will make Morrisville greater.

Does anyone have a definite list a list of the seats that are open. Here's what I have, as identified by their current occupant. If this list is wrong, please let me know:

School Board: Joe Kemp, Brenda Worob, Jack Buckman, Bill Farrell (all four year terms)

Borough Council: Jane Burger, Steven Worob, Rita Ledger (4 year yerms) and Ed Albertson (2 year unexpired term)

Mayor: Tom Wisnosky (4 year term)