Cesar Ch¡vez Clings to Life

As long as the board is consistent with its criteria, that is, has a similar set of expectations for all of its schools with the consequence of a closing, then this is a fair question to face in regard to CCCS. The board cannot give lifelines to schools that fail the most vulnerable of the community. The questions this begs is whether there are alternatives in SB where Latino children are doing very well? And if not then maybe the board and sup are the problem.

Why would any competent parent want to send their child to one of the lowest ranked schools in one of the lowest ranked states in the US?

The answer to John Locke's question is that some parents look at more than test scores to determine where their child will be educated. The opportunity to emerge from a school truly biliterate is more than enough reason for many "competent" parents to choose Cesar Chavez Charter School and pass on their much higher ranked neighborhood schools. Those who take the time to understand curriculum will understand that you cannot simply compare test scores directly with English only schools since the model used at Cesar Chavez Charter School is research based with the long term goal of biliteracy rather than the short term goal of high test scores. Part of this model allows Spanish speaking students to gain competency in their native language before learning English . This will clearly place them at a disadvantage when testing done in the early years is compared to students from English only schools.

Oh, please. Last in the state that is in turn last in the country? The educational quality in the whole country has declined steadily for the past 4 years and this appears to be an example of the worst of the worst. Maybe you should pay more attention to test scores. English is our national language. Competency in English is necessary for competency as a citizen. Ensuring competency in a second language (English being the first) should be second priority.

One more thing. Charter schools are allowed to exist based on their ability to educate to a defined standard. If they don't meet the standard, they should not exist. That's the deal. If you prefer substandard education for your kids, find a private school that offers what you want.

Whoops. I meant 40 years, not 4.

It is good to try an integrate spanish speaking students into english speaking schools. My sister went to Franklin back in the 80's and they had this.In her previous school they did not try to accomodate her language difference and she was well on her way to Special Ed classes only because she did not understand english. She entered first grade like this but by fourth grade had earned the Presidential Achievement Medal for Academic Excellence. She has continued her education and is working on her Master's with a 4.0 GPA through all her subsequent schooling in english. She has also served proudly in the U.S.Army. The help an understanding she recieved at the beginning was all she needed to reach her true potential. Her story is not the only one like this, but the truth is we have to recognize what is help and what is patronizing. These tests are not perfect, but are a pretty good indicator of where these children should be. If they are not getting there then there is a problem. I doubt my sister would have gotten where she has by not pushing her there. By the way one of the best teachers she had was Mrs.Rey at Franklin who pushed all her students to be better in both languages and all the other required subjects. This is America, and we speak english here, but we are also the great melting pot and to try to erase other cultures or languages is to negate who we are as Americans.

Well said. I did not say nor imply nor do I believe in trying to erase other cultures or languages. In fact it is largely because we are composed of so many of different cultures and languages that the ability to communicate and therefore govern in a single language is of paramount importance to our future and our childrens' future. I heartily applaud those who are fluent in more than one language. But if they live here, work here, and vote here, then English must be one of them, and if one agrees that a major purpose of public education is to produce educated voters, then education in English must take priority over other languages..

True, english is the main language there is no debate about that. When in Rome.....

I see two separate issue here: The language issue, and the issue of how well the kids are educated.

True, but from earlier posts I gather that CCCS considers educating children in Spanish their major mission. Even if the school were not substandard this seems inappropriate. Or perhaps the real issue is whether the parents of the students in a particular school are the ones most qualified to judge the quality of the school.

"English is our national language." -JL

Not true, the U.S. has no official language.

"Competency in English is necessary for competency as a citizen." -JL

That is true, that is one of the goals that this school is actually accomplishing. Parents choose to send their kids to this school so that they can run circles around you with their knowledge in science and math in espanol. Apparently they learn these skills in english as well. Sounds like they are doing nearly twice as much work as the english-only speaking students in other schools, and this should be taken into consideration.

The "standardized tests" are only testing HALF of what the kids at this school are learning. This is an alternative school, you can't compare it with a regular school using standardized tests.

Then if they are so advanced these simple little standardized tests should be no problem, right?

English is the official language of California and is the native language of the United States. The constitution did not specifically spell out English as an "official" language but I think it was assumed. California did make English the official language. All citizens should learn English, otherwise we can never be "one" people.

Thank you In The Know but that was said many posts ago, maybe you shouldn't have spent so much time on marijuana.