Very well said!!!!!!

Thank you! Feeling even more comfortable about my decision to make an offer on a house in Tiverton. I'm excited to become part of this community!

falling scores, 386 kids kicked out of school?

JimL could you please tell us what test score are falling. A quick look at the Necap scores and they appear above state average and trending upward in most of the categories. We know you are an honest guy with a good grasp of the facts, so where are they.

Just checked the 2010 science results:

Tiverton "beat" Middletown and and Bristol-Warren significantly at the Grade 4 level in proficiency. Tiverton improved 17.1% compared to Portsmouth's 7.5% improvement. Tiverton was only 4 points behind Portsmouth.

Tiverton also "beat" Middletown and Bristol-Warren again at the Grade 8 level in proficiency and improved 19.0%.

At the Grade 11 level, Tiverton was still above the state average; however. they "beat" only Bristol-Warren. Middletown was just a few points above Tiverton at this level. There were actually declines here: Tiverton - 4.4%; Bristol-Warren - 8.3%; and Middletown - 14.8% (greatest decline at this level in RI).

Overall, I'd say the results are very encouraging and hope the 4th and 8th graders carry their achievement through high school. When will the 2010 scores for reading, writing and math be available?

There's always room for improvement, and cannot deny that Portsmouth does perform very well; however, I checked out the trends (2007,8,9) and did a comparison to several nearby towns. Tiverton is above the state average, and scored above Middletown in Reading, and well above the state average in math, matching Middletown's results and beating Bristol-Warren by two points.

Tiverton and Portsmouth improved wuite a bit over three years, while Middletown and Bristol-Warren did not.

JimL , you have said several times over the past week that the Tiverton schools test scores are falling. This is either your attempt to spin and schill to your anti-school anti-rearick bias or you can't grasp or understand the simple facts. Those facts are that the schools are doing better than most in the state and are showing steady improvement. With regards to your more personal and delusional statements directed towards me about some type of threat, please provide some of evidence about that. You can use the copy and paste button or just print it and repeat it. You seem to think that I only respond to you but that is clearly not true and you state something about people driving by your house. I wonder if those are the same people that drive by my house. If you live on a street or town road this kind of driving by happens fairly often. Finally Jim thanks for attempting to interfere with my free speech by reporting my comments without cause or justification. If you don't like what I have to say then don't read and don't reply it is that simple.

To JimL and others:

As a parent of a child at Tiverton Middle School I have done a little research. It obviously concerns me that the numbers listed on the patch show that Tiverton High School has high numbers for suspensions.

If you actually look at the report you will see that the actual suspensions are 175 which is less than Middletown and more than Portsmouth. I find it more curious that Middletown and Portsmouth have not reported their in house suspensions or detention while Tiverton has. EVEN more curious is that other districts in RI do report these numbers.

The question everyone in the EAST BAY should be asking is how come Portsmouth and Middletown don't have internal discipline reported? Is is possible that nobody is disciplined for cutting class or some of the the other offenses listed?

Here is the link to verify Tiverton's numbers: http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/tiverton-high-school

People should really do their own fact checking before making assumptions.

Tom Pavao

I'm not upset about the suspension numbers for one reason. If a child is disruptive they take valuable time for learning from other students. It's good to know our staff is tough on crime. Pampering the offender doesn't cure the problem.

Question, How do our kids test scores rate with country wide statistics? If any one knows please post them. Economic development in part requires an educated work force.

There's no consistent national measure. All data is fairly subjective. However, education week gives Rhode Island a C. For what it's worth, the link is:

http://www.edweek.org/apps/dc2008/state_compare.html

This is on http://wrnieducationblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/lawmaker-wants-to-ban-gay-student-group-in-tiverton/#comment-401
Rep. Dan Gordon permalink
April 2, 2011 1:28 am
Dear Het,

Yours has been the most constructive and informative comment, phone call, e-mail, or facebook posting to date. I must also mention that two Presidents of other high school GSA Clubs in Rhode Island have been very constructive in their correspondence.

Thank you for not screaming, smearing, bullying, or threatening me, as the rest have. You have my ear, and I look forward to any further advice or constructive criticism you have to offer.

Best,
Dan

Now Dan is the victim.

Tom,
Thanks for the information. I had been wondering about the number of suspensions.
Bob

Stoney,

Actually, the fact is that you can't really say that scores are rising or falling in a global sense; there are too many grades, too many tests, and so on. It requires a bit more thought than that, picking the important tests, the important grades, and cohorts. Consequently, there's room to argue in every direction.

Personally, I take math and science to be the more important tests, in part because I think they are more significant in a technical society and in part because I think standardized tests are better gauges of them than of reading and writing. I also take the high school scores to be most important, because they'll ultimately be graduation requirements, with middle school next most important.

In that light, it's discouraging to note that high school science scores have slipped from twice the statewide proficiency (31 vs 16) to the same proficiency (both 19). Eighth grade math has followed a similar trajectory. Meanwhile, fifth grade proficiency has slipped in EVERY subject.

Personally, even if it were in evidence, I'm not impressed with gradual improvement. Every year, students graduate, and it is of little value to them that those coming up in subsequent years will be better educated.

Justin,

Is there a spreadsheet that posts all grades/subjects so we can see all of the information? You're referencing data that is not readily available to me.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of testing, but do not find the Tiverton results particularly alarming. I still think students are a reflection of their parents' achievement, and the scores are a reflection of the community's demographics.

I'm sure your children will do very well in school and succeed in life because you are obviously educated and intelligent (though I probably disagree with you on most issues), you see the value of a good education and you will encourage your children to learn and grow academically. I'd be willing to bet (just a hunch) that these parental characteristics are more prevalent in communities of higher educational attainment and higher income.

And you may not be impressed with gradual improvement, but you can't turn a doughnut into creme brulee overnight :)

Businesses look at test scores in a different way. Can they get employees to fill the jobs that they advertise for. The more complex the work the harder it is to find help. I hear this from business people around the state. Most of this conversation was years ago when the economy was good. I hope for better times for all.

Tom:

Thank you for your information regarding suspensions and differentiating between the in-school and out-of-school statistic break down from InfoWorks.

We reported the numbers between Portsmouth, Tiverton and Middletown that were presented in hand-outs to Little Compton parents during the recent high school selection presentations.

The sheet handed out to those parents is here: http://tiverton.patch.com/articles/little-compton-parents-choose-portsmouth-high-school#photo-5221966

In light of this information, we will make a clarification to that statistic.

If anyone wants to see more of Dan Gordon in action check him out on you tube. Just type in Dan Gordon Tiverton. One is a report from NBC 10about some shocking things the Rep has posted on Facebook as of late. The other is Dan rising in the house to defend his honor and deny what is in print and what we all know to be true.Once again he takes the role of the victim, it almost funny if it was not so sad.

I'm not convinced that regionalization will either save money or improve results. For one, you'd need an uber-superintendent, who (being responsible for four or five times the budget) would make more money than the current crop, but you'd still need a head for each area, making not much less than superintendents currently do. Meanwhile, the fight would remain, to simplify, between parents and seniors, but it would take place on a higher level of government, meaning that labor unions, with their organizational structure already in place state-and-country-wide would have an advantage.

On top of that, local areas would be even more susceptible to mandates from distant bureaucracies, without the liberty to adjust to their local constituencies.

In general, I think we ought to take the election of Governor Chafee as a stark warning about the dangers of regionalization...

Justin when you mention salaries are you including benefits as a total package for compensation. I find the benefits to be the bigger problem for the town than the salaries. Take home pay for the teacher and the cost per teacher to the town as you are aware are far apart. We have very little control over the steady increases in insurance and retirement. Unfunded mandates cost us more every year. I am going off for a reason . In my opinion the town is fighting with it self while the fight should be up state. Property taxes are the worst way to fund education. Having lived in counties bigger than RI. I can see the waste of duplicated services. If we could some how come to a consensus and move to a county system the administrative cost could be cut by the millions. It would require some legislative approval as well. I think some of the cities up north may drain the education budget. That will take more from the urban schools.This may be the time to move toward a better and cheaper not quite as small local government. If you wonder why I throw this at you it is because I was interested in your opinion. The truth is if we want better schools we need to make sure the right things are happening. That takes money and a reduction in bureaucrats. Fighting between the parents and the seniors at the FTM is no way to fund a school system.

It's hard to believe replacing 6 superintendents with one could cost more. The reports to the Dept of Ed. by each town is millions in duplication . Staffing and assistants. I can't believe it wouldn't be cheaper. I look at the cost per student in my old town now, and it is still lower than here . They still have good schools that are well maintained.

If tomorrow in Newport county all local government was gone and in its place was a county system. With one police, fire, public works and council. One school system with one school committee. What do you think the reaction of people would be . Do you think people would notice at all. When you mail the tax payment it goes to town hall. In a county system you have council people who represent you from your ward. Same with the schools every ward has a vote. There is an equal vote for all. Small does cost a lot more.

Wow. You would think this article was about Justin Katz to read these comments. Talk about using a situation for self advertisment.

Well, first there was the opportunity to use homophobic bias to get people interested in defunding the schools capitalized by Rep. Dan Gordon. Then there was the opportunistic move by Mr. Katz to take over this editorial letter. Anybody remember the topic any longer? Oh I guess that's the point, right!?

I have been refraining from commenting further on this thread, despite my extreme disagreement with some comments, because it is so far off topic. I know the actual topic has been been beaten almost to death elsewhere and these threads often grow in their own direction, but lest we forget, Mr, Rearick's letter was about something else: namely, our elected "representative's" threat to reduce funding to Tiverton public schools because of the existence of a mutual support group that he finds personally offensive. I suggest people either get on topic or wait for an appropriate thread to discuss the economy and the educational system.

It was a polite suggestion. Interpret your rights any way you wish. I am staying away from that other thread as well. And as for facts, the facts are that Gordon made those remarks and he needs to own them, rather than try to wriggle around them. His response has been one of a tone deaf politician who's only apparent concern is his perception of the opinion of the slim majority who elected him, rather than on the impact of his words.

I Didn't see Joe's comment above, which echoes Justin's, so I will add that I know his influence over school funding is slim to none. Currently, his influence over any other matters is also in decline, which may be a good thing. The point is, his words have a broader influence that he needs to take into account.

Justin at least has the courage to say it like is. He is the only one in Tiverton who is willing to address the fact that we are getting absolutely no value for our tax dollars in the schools. Thank you Mr. Katz for trying to shake the community in to reality. Tiverton is lucky to have someone who is willing to spend so much personal time trying to educate the public. Not sure if parents are just lazy or too busy to care, but either way it is a shame.

Superintendent Rearick,

In order to keep do your funding that the representative has threatened to cut do you plan to subjecting all after school activities to a litmus test overseen by the representative and his TCC endorsers?

MRS Crist in an earlier post you stated you have been in town for 9 years have you seen the town do much of anything besides raise taxes and give out raises, when did Mr Pellitier ioon the TCC

Jim L Jim L Jim L (I sigh). Since you do not disclose your name and choose two different view points based on public threads and private message boards - I will repeat what I stated in your private message to me.
You asked me to send you a map from the " high school gays" to the TCC- to which I replied " obviously you are lost- don't bother me again"....
MRS. CRIST?.... Well at least you got that right.. But for you Jim L- that's MS. CRIST

Tiff- you are right on- We don't even have a grocery store.... Which is the least of our troubles not only in North Tiverton - but South Tiverton too.

but we did have someone who was going to build a grocery store with a library and other building, right off Sousa Rd then again off Fish road, what happen to them, not for tiverton i guess huh? that was other councils not this one, and i still do not see a connection thank you for the responce

JimL I thought that you promised to not reply to my posts anymore and here you are again. This time spinning and shilling against the schools like someone who actually has a valid opinion on education. Now it also appears as if you are ranting and rambling about another person, Ms. Christ. When I open this webpage I feel as if I have entered into JimL's world. Nearly every post on the front page is you. It is sunny out, put on your sneakers and go for walk. And Jim, enough with the paranoia and false talk of threats , and TCC rumpswabary it makes you appear unstable and damages the cause of the library. Those folks should seek to put some distance between themselves and you the internet troll.

zero, you are also ms crist now? oh you poor sick man must you always put forth such helpfull points

I agree that this thread has definitely gone off-topic. I agree that it seems we should be tired of beating this dead horse. However, yesterday Dan Gordon posted the following on the WRNI site: Rep. Dan Gordon April 2, 2011 1:28 am Dear Het,
Yours has been the most constructive and informative comment, phone call, e-mail, or facebook posting to date. I must also mention that two Presidents of other high school GSA Clubs in Rhode Island have been very constructive in their correspondence.
Thank you for not screaming, smearing, bullying, or threatening me, as the rest have. You have my ear, and I look forward to any further advice or constructive criticism you have to offer. Best, Dan . Poor Dan. Of course, many of us have gone to the youtube video. I would like to see the questionnaire given to him by TCC to gain their endorsement. Did they ask if he had a wife/husband or family? A college degree? A house on which he took pride and paid taxes? How long he lived in Portsmouth? Where is his company incorporated? How successful is it? In what civic clubs and programs is he involved? Did they verify any of the information? Were there any questions asked?

No JimL, Ms.Crist is someone else entirely. JimLwhat is your solution to improve the schools.

Justin, your comment, “For example, I know of multiple well-educated, academically motivated families that were so disgusted or frightened by the school department's strategy for winning a huge budget increase at the financial town meeting, last year, that they've pulled their children from the district and sent them to private schools.” Are you kidding? What keeps people from sending their kids to the Tiverton public schools is hearing that if your child doesn’t get into the AP programs, they will be left to flounder in regular classes that serve as day care. You hear from close friends who teacher in Tiverton to put your kids in private school if you can. You see students get off the bus with no books or backpack and light up cigarette. You read the police blotter and see that kids are being picked up from THS and TMS for drug possession and fighting. You are on the soccer field with other parents listening them swear at their kids, throw their trash on the ground and talk about what pains in the asses their kids are. The good parents and students are in the minority and that is the problem. I doesn't matter how much money we throw at the problem.

i doubt that he was asked if he was gay or not, why would they, i do agree this is getting to beating a dead horse, but now that you mention it i wonder what the breakdown was town by town, As far as i know no politicain has been asked that unlees they pointed it out, never thuoght sexual preferrence was an issue, but he did just make a fool of himself

JimL,
I thought I was clear, but I guess not. Dan Gordon was not asked his sexual orientation. That question cannot be asked. It is not legal. What is important is that Dan Gordon does not know what it is like to have children in school because he has no children. Now, that doesn't mean that someone who doesn't have children doesn't know the problems we are facing in our schools. I was trying to show that Dan Gordon has nothing to offer. A quick review of his statements and recent video shows he is a blowhard. And if I may, a liar.

The TCC group is just looking out for themselves, not the school or anything that has to do with the town. When have you ever heard a TCC endorsed individual or a TCC member speak highly of the school? Sadly, none of them even know or even have taught students. However, I wouldn't want them near my children. Just my opinion which I am entitled too.

Mike Mello, You don't know what or who you speak of. Just my opinion which I am entitled too.