We’ve gotten a good update on the progress of the schools here. I’m amazed that they have been able to get it together so fast. I am positive that they will continue to make good progress over the coming year. It’s also a little humbling to see it actually coming together so quickly and I thank everyone who has pitched in.
October 20, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Sorry, to be so harsh, but if our students are not capable of doing the most basic of school subjects, which seems to be the case in many of our schools, maybe we should just concentrate on those areas.
October 23, 2008 at 1:14 pm
The goal of the science and technology program envisioned in Manassas Next is not to raise up the lowest performers, but rather to offer superior technical education to the higher performers so that we can retain them in our school system. “No Child Left Behind” serves a useful purpose, but so does “No Potential Left Unreached.”
October 23, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Well put Jon.
October 24, 2008 at 10:12 pm
If the system and the children are not preforming up to standards on the basics why spend money on new programs? Retain them from what? You act as if we are talking about colleges and students will simply transfer. If the basic programs are not working, why put faith in new programs? But, I suppose when it is not your money you are spending, it is not a hard decision to spend it.
October 25, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Where do you suppose I live? It is my money. Not all of it perhaps but enough.
October 26, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Andy,
I guess I see it that if students and families are leaving, I hardly doubt it is because the school system does not have this type of program, rather it is because of the basics that seem to be failing and the high number of illegals that are in the school system sucking up much needed funds that could be better spent.
Of course you live in the City and pay taxes, but the sum of money being spent is far more than what you or I do pay, and I think too often elected officials are not so concerned with how they spend money because they don’t see the individual they just see a lump of money.
October 29, 2008 at 11:56 am
I am impressed. There are very few K-12 school systems in the country with such a strong engineering program. This is cool because engineering is cool. But even better, engineering is a great way to introduce other concepts (including the basics) to young students. Engineering is far more hands-on than the other sciences. This is especially true when you are first learning about engineering. Chemistry, biology and physics are interesting, but you have to have a good understanding of theory to really appreciate them, which makes them boring for young students. Engineering is different. Students can both understand and appreciate the concept of building a tower or programming a robot – even without an understanding of the math and science that make them work.
What a great way to get students excited and engaged in science while teaching them the basics.
Good job Manassas!
October 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm
If students are unable to read, exactly how will they be able to excell in engineering? If they are unable to do basic math problems, how will they be able to excell in engineering?
And folks wonder why the GOP is going down in flames. Waste waste and more waste.
Hey lets celebrate our crappy schools by attempting to turn the atttention away from our almost failing schools to how we can waste even more money on them. Yup, that will work.
November 1, 2008 at 1:08 pm
COM, you’re a pretty good troll. How much work do you put into it?
November 1, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Tony,
I’m not troll, I have been here since the start of the blog.
It would be a different story if our schools were successful, I would be all for it. However, I’m not into wasting money, and think money can be better spent on improving the programs already in place.
If you disagree with me on that, fine, but don’t call me a troll because I dare to speak out against waste.
November 9, 2008 at 12:47 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz