New Haven Independent

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | December 13, 2007 9:29 AM

Ann Levett's speech sounds eerily familiar to President Bush when he accuses war critics of not "supporting the troops".

Contrary to Levett's statement, this critic believes unequivocally in the ability of ALL students to succeed in school. What I don't believe in, after spending my entire life in New Haven, is the ability of the BOE to produce across-the-board student success in sufficient numbers. Unfortunately, the CMT and CAPT test results bear that out.

The students celebrated here are extraordinary. Not only should they be given awards, but probably medals too. They, however are not evidence of what critics are yelling about. Levett knows very well that most of the critics aren't concerned about the upper end of the spectrum nearly as much as the vast middle and lower performers. Her words are deliberate obfuscation.

Dr. Levett, just who do you think you are defending? The children of New Haven who deserve a decent education, or the bureaucrats who have shirked their responsibility to provide that education? I think you know.

You are using your formidable talents to defend an inequitible and harmful system which takes advantage of the most vulnerable among us, and it is shameful.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | December 13, 2007 10:45 AM

Congratulations to Coop and Career - and to the AP students who did so well. You make us proud and set a fine example for the other students and schools.

However, correction for Ann Levett: I don't know anybody who questions the ability of NHPS to serve the best and the brightest. These kids who excell in the rigors of AP courses, are self motiviated wonderful students whom teachers love to teach because of their thirst for knowledge. Let's be clear though, these kids would do well in whatever school district they found themselves. It's their nature.

We don't doubt your ability to teach these kids - it's the other 99.7% of the kids that we worry about - half or more will never graduate! Of those who do graduate, there is a growing body of evidence many do so unprepared for college. This has been noted at the CT Department of Education level. In New Haven, we are massively underperforming the CMTs, No Child Left Behind standards at alarming levels even as City Hall and the BOE caste blame and dispersions on critics.

The real question is what plans, what efforts, what concrete steps are being taken, will be taken to dramatically and boldly turn this around? Baby steps, tentative and small is not what's needed.