Re: [Phys-l] Poverty and Academic Achievement

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

I went to a private school where  academic achievement was (is) highly 
prized.  However, I had so internalized my mother's business that I 
didn't notice it.  Furthermore, it had not the exaggerated state 
described by Brian.  Class order was posted at the end of each semester, 
and that's all I can remember beyond the atmosphere; it was (is) a 
college prep. school.   One curious memory is "demerits" were worked off 
by labour such as raking the walks.  My closest friend thought this not 
good, as it demeaned labour.   I think this rather interesting coming 
from a member of an old San Francisco ruling class family.

bc



Brian Whatcott wrote:

> At 02:26 PM 3/31/2007, Jeffrey Schnick at Anselm you wrote:
>
>  
>
> > Mention in a recent Phys-L discussion of a correlation between poverty
> > and low academic achievement brought this paper, about characteristics
> > of schools at which economically disadvantaged students show evidence of
> > high academic performance, to mind:
> > <http://www.makingstandardswork.com/Downloads/AinAChp19.pdf>
> >    
>
> A quote....
>
> " First and most importantly, the[se...] Schools had a
> laser-like focus on student achievement. The most casual observer 
> could not walk
> down a hallway without seeing charts, graphs, and tables that displayed student
> achievement information, as well as data about the continuous improvement
> students had made. The data were on display not only in principals' 
> offices, but also
> throughout the schools. In addition, we saw school trophy cases full 
> of exemplary
> academic work, including clear, concise essays, wonderful science 
> projects, terrific
> social studies papers, and outstanding mathematics papers. In short, the[se...]
> Schools made it clear to the most casual observer that academic performance was
> highly prized...."
>
> I can almost taste the atmosphere as described.
>
>
> Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka! 
>
>
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