Parents, what do you think about your public schools?
To find out, Harford County Public Schools is conducting a “Parent Satisfaction Survey” during the month of January, with results to be reported to the school board at the end of next month.
The survey includes multiple choice questions on school safety, discipline, cleanliness, communication and the quality of education, plus an open comment section. Input received will be used to improve individual schools and the school system overall. However, parents are encouraged to contact individual schools directly with issues they would like addressed, said Teri Kranefeld, HCPS manager of communications. No identifying information is required of parents except for the name of the school their child attends. Parents are asked to fill out one survey for each child in HCPS.
The voluntary survey was announced to parents on January 7th and will remain open until January 25th, according to Kranefeld. The survey is available online in both English and Spanish. For those without computer access, each school office has paper copies available in both languages.
The online survey can be found here: http://www.hcps.org/
Last year’s survey garnered over 4,600 responses and found that more than 87% agreed that schools were safe; 95% said schools were clean; 86% said schools had high expectations; more than 87% were satisfied with school communications. A HCPS report on last year’s parent survey, including some responses from a similar student survey, can be found here.
According to last year’s report, parents were more likely than students in grades 6 – 11 to agree that their child’s school was safe (87.6% vs. 72.5%); clean (95% vs. 60.1%), and that they were kept informed about academic progress (87.6% vs. 50.4%). Younger students were more likely than parents to agree that academic expectations were high: 86% for parents vs. 94.8% for students in grades K – 2 and 93% for grades 3 – 5.
English and Spanish, huh?
Does Harford county give the student body a similar survey to fill out?
I would find it hilarious if school officials didn’t give students a survey about their school because they were afraid of trumped up negative reports…..
From HCPS: The Student Survey is administered in April to all K through 11 students. Seniors participate in a senior exit survey during the same timeframe.
Read the last paragraph, only 72.5% of children felt their school was safe! What does that tell you? Parents are duped into believing their children are safe in school (87.6%)in addition to other things HCPS has perfected in hiding from parents. Maybe we should start listening to our children.
I think my daughter’s elementary school (Norrisville) is exceptional.
However, I think there are altogether too many days off. She has 4 and 1/2 days off just in January alone. As a family we can’t take a vacation each summer because we have to use our accrued vacation days from work to cover the days off that our kids have from school for teacher’s inservice days and prefessional development days. And can some one please explain to me why the teacher’s have their convention during the school year instead of the summer when they are off?
They will tell you they do not get paid during the summer. I still don’t see the logic in that position. If they still have a job for 9 months out of the year, on salary, they are being paid as teachers for the duration of their employment. I agree, too many days off for inservice events. And what’s the deal with school on Columbus Day? Is it retribution for giving them Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off?
Well, we don’t get paid during the summer. Our first paycheck is at the end of August and our last paycheck of the school year comes in mid-June.
You get paid for the time you work, same as I do. Nothing new here.
Most teachers would agree with you. “Teacher in service” is a complete joke and usually a waste of time and hardly any teachers actually go to the convention.
In my view, I think the schools are lacking in disciplining students. However, this seems to be a problem of the society at large, not just the schools.
In general is a good idea. Ive come to believe in my opinion that suspending a student nowadays is for the parents, the inconvenience factor of having a child with day or days off. Nothing else is done besides having a child not come to school for whatever bad “deed” they did to warrant the suspension.
A good idea in the case of the perpetrator. If you are assaulted in school and choose to fight back you will be suspended as well. Three days suspension from a place you have come to despise, because of the dysfunction of other students, is scarcely punishment. Even being bored at home has it’s positive aspects, even if you deny video games or TV. For my son I was able to negotiate a single day off instead of the three that were mandated. The Assistant Principal I was dealing with agreed with me that this was hardly punishment when his school work goes undone and he has a vacation. The purpose of schools is to teach. It is up to parents to discipline their children for asocial behavior.
You are correct it is a parents responsibility to discipline, unfortunately some do not or children will not listen to parents when they attempt to do so. Schools must take action in these instances especially when the conduct of some students interferes with the educational rights and opportunities of other students or impedes the ability of teachers to do their jobs. There are consequences for misconduct. Schools systems should make greater use of alternative school facilities. The law may say you are entitled to an education but it does not stipulate in what school that education is received.
Problem is the legislators made a suspendable offense an excused absence. So kids who are suspended can make up the work. They need to reverse that so when the students are suspended then their consequence is there grade. Kids who care will think twice before cutting class or disruptions in class. Those that don’t care are the ones the education system needs to take a hard look at. The current format of school is not for them and when I was i school they prospered more at a tech school. Again rules have changed and those kids are not eligible for Harford Tech so they get lost in the system. Sadly ruining the education of those who want to learn and making the job of the educator more of a disciplinarian than a teacher.
I choose this career because I wanted to teach kids about the subject matter and to help them look into a career pathway using the information learned. Sadly I have more kids misplaced in class (they don’t have interest in the subject) or they don’t come to learn. They come to socialize and expect answers to be given to them. Some parents work the system to get their children through and responsibility is thrown back on the system since we can’t show that we have “failed” students.
And to those who always say teachers whine but we get all these days off and paid in the summer, please walk in my shoes. I agree, too many days off. Why can’t professional days be 1/2 days for all and give teachers time to re-look at lessons and discuss with peers what is working/not working and how to proceed from there. As for the summer pay, we don’t get paid. We get paid 10 months and it is up to the teachers to save so that we have money over the summer. Instead of the union always fighting for money, I would like my planning time and professional in-service time negotiated so that I can reflect, change things and become a better teacher. Instead we are expected to do other duties during planning, work from the house to get things done that we couldn’t during the day (mostly b/c we are dealing with discipline or helping students) and attend workshops on professional days that are irrelevant or never given time to implement.
This reply is to several in this articles discussion. Yes, as an educator I’m very frustrated and disappointed as to how the educational system is heading. I do think of leaving the classroom but every time I do a student who I’ve taught comes back to visit and lets me know how I made a difference to them. So that is why I stay.
When were suspensions changed to an excused absence? When I was in HS (’96-00), they were unexcused so if you had a 10-day suspension plus one other day you failed the year.
Not sure but it has at least been for the last 10 years. Now for a student who is suspended 5 or more days, teachers are asked to gather work and put in office for parents/student to pick up to do while on suspension. Students usually don’t pick up work until they return and we have to grade it since it is excused. Students are given the amount of days excused to make it up. Try to say that the work must be done upon return means the administration has to back you up. Again they know parents will argue the point so it won’t be upheld. Thus kids can do the work, get credit and had time off for bad behavior with out consequence. That is what is wrong with the system.
What about the kids who are suspended repeatedly and the parents that say they can’t stay home with the child. So these kids wind up in the office doing their work, still disrupting the school. So now the administrators and secretaries are babysitting these students.
Or what about the school administrators that are now doing pre-referrals to keep their referral numbers low so they look good to the board of ed??!!! Students are taught that if you hit a child you will be suspended? Guess what it is not happening! Visiting my daughter’s school, I have seen the repeat offenders being rewarded (time on the basketball court with administrators, doing special things at assemblies to build their self-esteem {while the good students are being overlooked because they are doing the right thing on a daily basis}, given daily jobs, etc.)
Honestly, the schools here are twenty times better than they were back in South Carolina. My children are quite happy. My only concern is with the county as a whole. It seems that the only real opportunity for kids who would rather pursue a trade rather than academics is Harford Tech. It sounds fine, however I have learned that they only have so many spots and “hand pick” who they accept. To me, this is unfair. Not because they hand pick, that is their right. It is because we should be providing more opportunities for students to learn a trade or a skill. Regardless of the current push within this county, not every kid is cut out to be a scientist nor a mathematician. Some are simply geared towards a “hands on” occupation such as plumbing, masonry, welding, working with electricity, etc. We need these people. I know very few unemployed plumbers, oddly I know 2 unemployed engineers…and I have only lived here 8 months! We need to stop thinking that every kid is the same and start offering more opportunities for those who simply want to learn skills and to obtain a job ASAP.
I believe the schools are safer than driving a car. Kids are bombarded with the news media who enjoys the attention they receive in showing schools under attack. How safe can anything be?
Safer only because something hasn’t happened so far? The children are unprotected. The lack of an incident doesn’t make them safe. We need responsible armed teachers.
Because, the contract obligates teachers to approximately 191 days; so, they are paid for those days. Now, if someone chooses to take 2 months off, their salary could be reduced by that amount- most people would not choose that. So, what I am saying is that it is not a paid vacation. During the summer most teachers are working at another job or going to school. My purpose is to get to you to understand that those 2 months are not a paid vacation.
B, you can’t be serious. How do you know that teachers won’t be dangerous? Do you believe in Alice In Wonderland also. No one in this world can be 100% safe. Get real.
Teachers could be screened just like they are for the police department. Many teachers already have military or police experience. Even those that do not could be properly trained. You are right security of our schools can not be made absolute.
B, maybe teachers could also drive the students home and pick them up in the morning. Oh, yeah, they could also attend their recreation games to look for shooters. Israel is not comparable to the United States where all citizens, women included serve in the military. Simple solutions such as the one you propose will not solve the problem. Even larger, we want to believe that we are in control of everything, but we are not. Let’s get real.
Now you are not being real. No one has suggested the extremes you reference. No one is advocating putting armed guards on schools buses or at every school sponsored after school activity. The issue is providing a reasonable degree of safety for children and staff during the normal school day when the greatest number of people are possibly at risk.
B, I was merely using the bus as an example of your idea. The most dangerous time of the day for students is coming to school and going home. Look at the statistics, don’t take my word for it. I understand that you are frustrated, but it is not a simple solution to have teachers have guns. That is being real.
Sorry, I keep addressing my comments to B when I should be addressing them to All Options on the Table. Your name implies broader thinking than you are providing.
Monster, The concerns you raise are not barriers that can not be overcome. I do not recall the specific school districts (in Texas I believe) but lawmakers in several states including Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina, Oregon and Virginia have proposed or introduced legislation that would permit teachers with concealed carry permits to voluntarily bring their weapons onto school grounds. Others states already have laws which would allow staff to carry weapons and school systems around the county are seriously considering changing policy to allow it under very strict conditions. I am thinking broadly by not immediately discarding a potentially reasonable solution to the concerns about school safety and security. The increased to and from danger you reference is the result vehicular and pedestrian issues and is outside of the discussion of safety and security while children are in school buildings.
You trust them to educate your children, but not protect them? There are many ex military/ police who teach. Israel already does this. You would hire for this role just like for a police officer. I would trust well trained teachers over a minimum wage armed guard any day. This is a cost effective way to better protect our children.
You don’t think Dawn Hochsprung would have used a firearm if she had one to protect her children?
Other school districts in the US have already adopted this strategy and others are about to follow. Unless you are willing to place a full time police officer in every school building and guarantee a replacement whenever they are off, in court, etc. a few carefully screened and properly trained staff approved to be armed is the next best option.
B, maybe you could enlighten me by telling what school districts have instituted teachers with guns. I would be willing to bet very few.
This changes the danger to another slant. First of all, in the high school and middle school, it is common for teachers have to break up fights. It would not be hard to get a gun away from someone during the commotion. Secondly, a lot of teachers by nature, would not carry a gun or use one. Third, the persons so trained better know the tactics of dealing with mass shooters or innocent people are going to get shot. Fourth, accidental shootings will become the news of the day and the resulting law suits. This is not as easy as teaching someone to use a gun.
Google Carolyn Gudger.
Any armed employee would obviously have to keep themselves out of certain situations to avoid there weapon taken, just like a police officer. You can conceal a weapon without any of the kids knowing you have one. Not to mention, keep it locked in a safe hidden in a secure location.
Second, a lot of teachers would by nature, rather be able to protect the kids and would go through the added training.
Just because you aren’t up to the responsibility doesn’t mean that others aren’t. You don’t protect the sheep from the wolves by chaining up the sheep dog.
Carolyn, another brilliant reply. You don’t know me or my background, so I find it ignorant that you would discredit what I replied as “not being up to the responsibility.” If I lock my gun in a safe hidden place, how is it going to stop a mass shooter? Not having the kids know I have a gun? Sure, the press wouldn’t let anyone know that teachers were being armed, now would they? The Phys. Ed teacher is going to hide their gun? In what? Come on, this arm the teachers is a frustrated answer to a very large problem.
Monster, In Harrold, Texas, the local school board has had an “arm the teachers” policy in place since 2008. David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harold School District told the Associated Press that in the years since the policy has been in place, there has not been a single safety issue involving students which he attributes to the high level of training the teachers receive.
“Their accuracy is probably going to be 100 percent. The only people who have more shooting training in the State of Texas than my teachers are Highway Patrol,” Thweatt said. “A shooter could take out a guard or officer with a visible, holstered weapon, but our teachers have master’s degrees, are older and have had extensive training. And their guns are hidden. We can protect our children.”
In Connecticut permit holders are allowed to carry in schools, providing the school gives them permission.
Please stop exaggerating with examples like the gym teacher.
No more ignorant than your previous Alice in wonderland reference or your emotional comment. If you don’t want to be insulted, don’t insult.
Your questions in your last post, and inability to respond to who is addressing you, prove my statement that you aren’t currently up to the responsibility.
All Options on the Table,
I read your latest post where you assert that traffic safety is not in the same category as a mass shooter. If more kids are killed on the highway, shouldn’t it be? The states that you mention are talking about arming school personnel, but how many of them have done so. In America, politicians have to give the impression that are doing something to combat a concern that we all have. Let’s see how many actually pass any legislation. I wish I could agree with you that arming school staff would solve the potential danger to our kids, but I am afraid that it will create more numerous ones. We will have to agree to disagree.
You are mixing apples and oranges when it comes to the threat of a shooter in our schools and traffic safety so no they do not fall the the same category. I never said that arming teachers would become the norm, obviously it will not, but it should be open for reasonable discussion. Politicians also react to what their constituents want and in many cases this will result in armed staff in many schools. Differences of opinion certainly exist ours is no different.
B, Yes, I know there are a miniscule number of small school districts, but very few. You cite this little Texas district and they haven’t had any shootings. I can cite thousands of schools that do not have armed personnel and have never had mass shootings. What does that prove? Stop being so emotional about a solution. It doesn’t work for me and I doubt that it does for many people.
Footballgirl, you are wasting your time trying to explain to people who don’t want to understand. I guess some of these people have been “left behind.”
I see that you post here on many different topics and on most express very strong opinions. Not being smart, but does it ever cross your mind that you might be the one left behind?
all options on the table,
I would have gotten back to you sooner, but I have a life. Your problem is that you can’t handle anyone who disagrees with you. You are the one who insults. You make judgements without any facts about anyone who disagrees with you. I am a gun advocate, but not for schools and teachers. Is that insulting to you? If not, I will try again. Just so you know, I was a hunting safety instructor for the DNR for years. I know that everyone cannot fire a gun under stress. That is the difference between a soldier and policeman versus most ordinary citizens. Yes, I do have opinions and so do you. What makes yours better than mine. When I read your rationale, I know you are the one left behind.
I gave information that is readily found in the national media. I gave no misleading facts. And just so you know I was a firearms instructor that taught combat shooting for an area police department. I also have taught civilians to handle firearms to protect themselves and I know that teachers can be taught to deal with an armed intruder. You’re right, your opinion is no better than mine.
Okay, all options on the table, you can have the last word.
Indeed thousands where nothing has happened. Yet many parents are demanding police officers be assigned to their child’s school – just like here in Harford County. These are the constituents politicians are listening to. As for my thought processes on this issue I would prefer practical, it is usually the no guns under any circumstances people that demonstrate the most emotion. Yes a small number now but soon to increase. By how much? We will have to wait and see.
I see that all options has wandered over here from the other school safety thread to promote his fear and paranoia.
No fear or paranoia, just willing to open my mind to possible solutions to an issue gripping the country. I have not said this is the best solution or the only solution. I even recognize that there will be those communities that would not support this idea and that is their privilege. All that I have suggested is that the idea be given fair consideration. Unfortunately the all too familiar tactic of those that dismiss the suggestion is to attack people. If you disagree fine. Make your case without resorting to name calling and suggesting that someone is a fear monger or a mental case. Such tactics discredit your position not mine. I guess you would also believe that all those teachers around the country that are taking gun safety classes are overreacting or paranoid as well.
Our kids are in Ring Factory and Patterson Mill, and couldn’t be happier. The quality of the education is outstanding, and we see them being well prepared for college – both bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Harford Resident. Do you have kids in college yet? If your children are in science degrees you may find out their education is lacking compared to other school systems in the state especially Howard County. 2 kids in higher education one who was Engineering major at University of Maryland. Parents need to demand more from the school system in terms of the curriculum and what is being offered.
My oldest is a recent graduate of CMW and is majoring in Physics and Math at UM. He was extremely well prepared and went in with over a year’s worth of AP credits. He is holding his own against the recent Howard and Montgomery County grads. Can’t speak for all of the county high schools but we are thrilled with the education our children receive(d) at CMW.
No kids in college yet. We are big believers in the “hard work will get you everywhere” axiom. As such, we emphasize schoolwork, at home, at the expense of too many extracurricuar activities. The combination of excellent teachers, our children’s hard work, and lots of one-on-one attention from Mom and Dad is a winning combination. Our choice to live in Harford is in part because of close proximity to APG, my employer. We have our oldest child involved in many APG STEM activities, taught by our expert engineers and scientists in areas of cyber-security, information assurance, etc. Given all that, we still remain committed to the quality education our childeren receive at Ring Factory (a blue ribbon school) and Patterson Mill. We couldn’t be happier.
And you are in the very small minority. You and your children will reap the rewards so keep it up.
One of the major influences in our country on education is Race to the Top money that our state applied to and was granted. Part of the agreement for getting that funding is that 50% of a teacher’s evaluation is tied to student performance. It’s the system for measuring that growth that disturbs me. I’m a parent as well as a teacher so I see no problem expecting student growth. The disturbing trend is that our county (and the country as well) sees growth as being measured by test scores. We are teaching our students to be good test takers at the expense of being creative thinkers and risk takers. My college bound students will not take on any project they deem as ‘too hard’ because it could affect their GPA. When faced with a decision they always ask me “Which is easier?”. It’s so frustrating to constantly be forcing them to go beyond their comfort zone-I do have some students who are willing to explore new territory and challenge themselves, but it’s definitely not the majority. They don’t want to do anything more than what they need, evidenced by the repetitive question “Is this going to be on the test?”. I also have parents contacting me to demand extra credit or re-tests, etc. to make up low grades. These days it’s all about the numbers, not necessarily the knowledge.
Today’s kids (and their parents) want the first place ribbon without ever stepping onto the playing field. Such an attitude has also reduced a high school diploma to a certificate of attendance, showing a student has managed to arrive at the bus stop 95% of school days for the last 13 years, instead of actually meaning the student can write a sonnet, integrate an equation, discuss the causes of the Great Depression, explain photosynthesis or balance a check book.
But, that would also require someone sit down and tell a distraught parent that their kid will not receive a diploma, because he/she can’t wrap their head around calc 1 or memorize the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. What administrator is willing to stick their neck out and make that call? What teacher is able to tell their administrators the student’s F was earned and it will not be pencil-whipped into a C while the parents are threatening a lawsuit for failing to accommodate their unique snowflake?
There are some of us still out there. I refused to change a failing grade for a senior and this meant not walking across the stage to get their diploma with classmates and summer school. This was a required class not an elective. Of course this affects the school graduation rate and our AYP number. The principal asked me directly if there was something we could do about this. I told the principal the student hadn’t earned a passing grade. The grade wasn’t ever close, in the low 40% range. I could have changed it but this student didn’t earn it and to pass them would have cheapened the work of other students that did the work. This was a student that was more interested in sports and socializing than passing classes. This student also had parents that were well off enough to provide the student with nice clothes and electronics. The grade didn’t get changed. This was also an opportunity for the student to learn a life lesson which I do not feel the least bit guilty about delivering. The student eventually earned their diploma after attending summer school. Needless to say it was the beginning of the end for me at this school as I no longer teach there.
Well said, Kharn. But let’s also remember that these teachers and administrators and our school board as well are complicit in this scam. Yet they want their salary increased and their budgets as well so they can feel ever so self important. Meanwhile, as you point ouit, a high school diploma means nothing, and our colleges and universities have to create an ever expanding list of remedial classes in order to do what our high schools were charged with doing but didn’t. And yes, parents have now been allowed to complain and threaten their way to better grades for their kids.
As an employer I have a message for today’s students and their parents as well. I don’t want you as an employee. I can still find plenty of people who were educated when an education was worth something and have a work ethic that I can rely on. And I’m willing to pay them well and include very decent benefits because they do. The rest of you can spend your life working fast food or whoever else will pay you minimum wage and put up with you.
Things are not as bad as you make out. The majority of students are getting a first class education in our schools. There will always be the average and below average student. Our problem is that there is no longer a place for these students to go. In my generation you could drop out of school and still had options. In years past they would have gone into the military or to factory jobs. The military is not as large and will no longer take kids without the mental aptitude or discipline issues. Factory jobs have all but disappeared from our economy and those that remain require greater technical skills. Parents have been convinced that if their child does not get a college degree somehow they are a failure and will never get a decent job. This all contributes to large numbers of students that lack the academic skill, motivation, or other job opportunities, and who previously would never have gained entry filling our colleges and universities and thus the explosion on remedial classes at that level.
I think what a lot of lessons learned for parents today are, if they had a chance to reraise their kids they would not enroll them into a public government school.
This comment only applies to common sense, not the current liberal sanctioned social engineering that goes on in todays public school system.