92 replies to this topic

[bordercolliefan]

I noticed that the "preschool" thread was actually getting a lot of comments about the Folsom Public schools. I thought people may want to open up a discussion on this topic.

A lot of people expressed the opinion that the public schools teach to the lowest level, and that the brighter kids get bored. Does anyone have experience with this? Is there a Gifted & Talented program in the Folsom public schools? What do the teachers do if one or more kids is well ahead of the rest of the class?

My girls are 3 and 4, so we have not experienced the Folsom public schools yet -- but I am interested in anyone's comments or experiences so we know what to expect! I've heard some parents who were very satisfied, and others who felt the schools do so much testing now and "teaching to the test" that the kids don't really learn. I also have the impression that the schools are now very dependent on parent volunteers for additional staffing, money, supplies, etc. I know one woman who basically functions as the art teacher for her daughter's elementary class -- she has to provide and pay for all the art supplies, etc.

[EDF]

My kids went through public schools here in Folsom

and looking back on it now... if I had my choice and the money, I would have put them in private schools... at least until the 9th grade...

Val's post that you read is "right on"..

Ask around your neighbors and friends... Public schools do dumb down...

one of the things that they do even in High School is "team" the kids up in groups for projects... ostensibly because they (educrats) think some "peer" help will help the other parts of the group...

In reality on projects one or two of the kids do all the work while the others are a drag....

There is not a lot of money for GATE... but lots of money for the poor and "English Language" learners...

[forumreader]

I also agree that if I had the financial means, I would have my child in a private school. I am not at all impressed with the Folsom schools.

My child has been GATE identified for years. It means nothing! -- You sit down with the teacher at the beginning of the year to design a GATE contract for your student. But I have yet to find a teacher with the time or energy to see that opportunities to complete this contract with the student occur. Occassionally, the district then offers one or two "cutesie" family GATE activities each year. Once your child gets to middle school, the GATE program stops.

To provide a quality education, the schools thrive on parent volunteer participation. This is not at all a bad thing. I have been, and will continue to be as actively involved as possible.

One further note, as an example -- I recently had to call the school to lodge a complaint that my child's 7th grade teacher was using classroom time to watch animated movies. These were supposedly "teaching tools."
"Lion King" to teach African history/culture, and "Mulan" to study China. This certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "Mickey Mouse education!"-- Let me repeat that my child is in the 7th grade! (No wonder 12th grade students in the state can't pass the high school exit exam.)

[bordercolliefan]

Ok, you guys are really scaring me with your comments about the Folsom schools. I especially can't believe "The Lion King" and "Mulan" -- you have got to be kidding me. No wonder homeschooling moms tell me they can complete all the necessary curriculum in just 2-3 hours a day -- I guess the other 3 hours a day the kids would spend in public school is just "fluff."

Does anyone have anything good to say about the Folsom schools????

ForumReader -- it sounds like the GATE program is a plan for the child to do extra work -- but not necessarily a committment by the school or teacher to offer any additional instruction or opportunities?? Is that correct?

I saw a statistic the other day about the rising proportion of school funding that is going to special ed students. This is for at least 3 reasons: the soaring autism rates; increasing diagnosis of other types of conditions or learning disabilities; and parents' increasing awareness of what they can demand in terms of an individualized education program for their special needs student. I forget the actual figure, but some very substantial amount of school funding now goes to special needs students, even though they are a relatively small proportion of the school population. --Add to that another forum reader's comment about the spending on English learners. Now, before people start jumping on me, I am NOT saying that a lot of this is not spending that should/must occur. Obviously, as a society we do need to educate those with special needs or language issues. However, it does highlight a growing problem with public school funding -- a problem that I guess private schools can completely avoid because they are allowed to be selective in who they admit.

[DalOwnerX3]

Yikes! At first I was on the fence between private and public schools for my 4 year older but now I'm starting to think private is the way to go.

And it's just not from the posts here. The standardized tests show that even though Folsom schools are ranked high overall, they are mediocre when ranked against schools with the same demographics. I chose to live in Folsom because of the demographics - educated, upper middle class. It's a shame that I have to shell out additional money because the education system supported by my taxes isn't up to snuff.

Another example - the Phoniex school web page is much more up-to-date than the Oak Chan web page. Don't know if how relevant it is to the their teaching style but it's something that makes you go hmmm..

[folsomBlondie]

Wow!!!! This is valuable information. I am glad we have this discussion.

[sweetpeasmom]

I honestly think the teachers are just overwhelmed. My children have only attended one school so I don't have much for comparison..... They do attend our neighborhood public elementary school. I feel that the teachers (in general) are doing the best they can with what they have (materials, etc) but the classes are so large and there is so little one on one time they can spend with the children........ the resources just aren't available - and I think that's true of the special ed program as much as the GATE program........ While my children have learned quite a lot in school and they have been challenged, I do not necessarily feel it has been done in a positive way. If I had to do it over again, I can't say I would do it the same way. If we had the finances for private school, my children would absolutely be there!!!!!!!!

[Love Folsom]

The GATE program is underfunded and not well supported by all teachers. My daughters 5th grade teachers solution was to give 4/5 of the GATE kids the next level maths text book and send them out in the playground to study. My daughter said she was more challenged by her peers than by her teacher! She is now in 7th grade, very demotivated and getting poor grades. However she is very happy and with support from home her grades are coming up. I went to a single sex private school and hated every minute of it. I may have good qualifications but the effects the school had on me have meant I have done nothing with them. Grades are important but certainly not the only factor.

[DalOwnerX3]

I agree that grades are not important - it's possible to get good grades in public schools and not learn anything.

I'm torn about abandoning the public school system but frankly, there's not enough compelling evidence to back this horse. I understand it's not the teacher's fault but it's the infrastructure. I think of it as "Who movied my cheese" situations - it's time to move one.

Since we have the money, I'll go with a private school that isn't hampered with all the restrictions that the public school faces.

[NRB]

It's definetly true for the Special Ed programs as well. We had to leave Theodore Judah because they didn't have the staff and/or resources to ensure a safe learing environment for my son. He was being harassesd at school. I am still angry by the way the then Principal handled the situation. When we finally had enough and told the district that we were looking at an alternative, private school, for kids with special needs they didn't even attempt to fix things. They just let us go, kind of a good riddence because we don't have the time and energy to deal with you sort of thing. So now the district is forced to pay for my sons "private" education and it is not cheap! I know quite a few parents of special needs kids who are forced to find education for their children outside of the district. I honestly feel that if they took the time to provide adequate special ed services in district they would save a bundle of money but I guess the resources are just not there.

I'm disappointed to hear about the GATE program. We have been considering taking my younger son out of private school and enrolling him at Sandra J. Gallardo under the impression that the GATE program would make sure he was getting the level of education he needed. Very disapointing!

[apeman]

OK - let's get some perspective here. Did we have Gate when we were kids? Everyone wants to (censored) about the schools. Doesn't anyone want to take on the responsibility themselves? You want to find someone else to provide ALL the education for your kids. Well the fact of the matter is YOU are responsible for a lot of it. Folsom schools are good and rank higher than most by the test scores. It is not all about grades. You can assign extra studies for your kids if you so choose. Socialization and being with other neighborhood kids is vital to develop healthy functional children. The public school is an important part of the community. Not everyone can afford private schools. We as parents have a responsibility to make our public schools the best they can be. That means volunteering, keeping tabs on what your kid is studying and just keeping your eyes open and being supportive to our kids.

My kid is learning and happy. If there is a problem I step in if I have to but not before because she needs to learn to handle some things on her own.

My daughter was in Dry Creek SD for 2 years and has been in Folsom SD for 4 and I have found Folsom highly superior.

Don't forget to let your kid be a kid. It's all about keeping them motivated so they can get into the college to do what THEY want to do. The Folsom schools can provide that. I can fill in the gaps.

That is my opinion.

[Prairie Oaks Agitator]

Our kiddo was in preschool at the Learning Centers (now Brighton Schools) and is at Phoenix for elementary school. We had always planned to go to the Prairie Oaks/Gallardo school when it opened (only 3-4 years behind schedule and finally happening largely due to the outstanding efforts of Prairie Oaks residents, I might add)!

But when we took a real hard look at the differences in academic curriculum, extra programs, class sizes, test scores, current & future huge State budget cuts in public education, cost of before- and after-school care that is needed for working parents, and the overall difficulties in the FCUSD, we decided that the financial sacrifice of private school was going to be well worth it now and for the future. Although I cringe each time I write out those checks!

I am certain our Folsom public schools try to do a good job with what they have, but I am also certain that private school provides a better quality education, which for us personally is a high priority issue.

Please let me know if I'm giving our public schools an undeserved bad rap. I can say that in second grade, my kiddo was reading the same books for fun as our neighbor's fifth grader, and another neighbor returned to private school after a year in public school when the public school refused to provide the assistance requested for their special needs. But a few anecdotes obviously don't tell the whole story.

[EDF]

I was very involved with my kids during their school years..

From my experience I will tell you the real reason kids do well in Folsom is in large part due to PARENTAL INVOLVMENT...

But public schools are here to educate everyone like Val said in her posts.. so if you want your kid to get ahead... shell out the money....

You will be glad you did...

Its not about class size either... that's crap they educrats want to fill you up with...

and its not about how much they spend on kids... California Teachers are in the top 10 of the US....

and in reply to an earlier post... about special needs kids... this is where there is a scandal...

They also over diagnose ADD and HDAD... what ever... these are the kids that are smart that get bored to death in class and can't sit still... instead of teaching them... they drug them....

I think those Columbine boys where on Ritalin... not sure... heard something like this...

Folks.... GOVERNMENT RUN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE RUINING THIS COUNTRY.... including FOLSOM....

Read some of the social studies books... or see if the book called Shabanu Daughter of the Wind is still on the 7th or 8th grade reading list... I love the "camel love making" scene... written like a trashy novel...

God I could go on...

[DalOwnerX3]

apeman - I agree it's parental involvement that makes the difference, but my kid will be at the mercy of the teacher from 8am until 3pm. Whatever goes on there, I'll have little control unless I or my wife work directly in the classroom.

I remember that when I went to elementary school in Danville, CA, I was so advanced in math at 4th grade that the teacher just handed me a textbook for me to work through. I was lucky that the teacher kept me challenged. I just don't want my kid to get bored in the classroom and throw in the towel.

[bordercolliefan]

To the person who asked if we had GATE when we were kids: I don't think we had anything called "GATE," but what I do remember is that in elementary school, there were 2 or 3 different levels of math and reading taught at every grade level, and I believe in Jr. High and High School that expanded to 3 different levels or "tracks" in most core subjects. So, I think the needs of the brightest as well as the slower kids were met.

Is this still the case, or is everyone just taught at the same level??

Of course, that method generated some controversy, too, as some kids were known to be in the "slower" track in most subjects and became labeled as "slow" or "dumb." So, perhaps this method of dividing kids by ability wouldn't fly in the self-esteem culture we have now?? But at least it did serve to prevent the brighter kids from being bored...