Education in Nebraska is expensive business. About 65 percent of your local property tax dollar goes to your local school district. At Dorchester Public School, more than 70 percent of receipts come from local taxpayers.All things considered, school district patrons have every right to expect high standards from their school's administration, instructors and students. (It is also why district patrons should expect efforts to encourage young people to return to their home area after college so they can contribute to the local economy, but that is another story for another day.)
So how does Dorchester Public School compare to other Nebraska schools?
Using statistics found on the Nebraska Department of Education Web site, the Times has compiled key figures to give our readers a good idea of where Dorchester Public School is succeeding and where there is room for improvement.For example, when it comes to preparation of college-bound student, Dorchester appears to be doing considerably better than the majority of other public schools in Nebraska. For school year 2006-07, the latest year for which statistics are available, the average composite ACT score of Dorchester students was 23.8. That compares favorably to the 22.1 statewide average and the 21.2 U.S. average.
Dorchester School earns an "exemplary" rating in both reading and mathematics following standardized tests taken in the 2006-07 school year -- again, the latest results available on the Education Department's site. The statewide assessment tests are given to students in grades 4, 8 and 11.
The vast majority of Dorchester students met the state's reading standards. For school year
2006-07, the 95 percent of fourth graders, 94 percent of eighth graders, and 84 percent of high school juniors could meet the reading standards. This included English Language Learners and Special Education students.As a whole, Dorchester students scored slightly lower on mathematics and writing assessments. Still, scores in both subjects were well above 70 percent. The lone exception were the eleventh graders, with one-third of the class failing to meet the state's writing test. (While 100 percent of the class' females met the writing standards, only 43 percent of the class' males were able to do so.)
A few more interesting facts we found:
- For school year 2006-2007, the average Dorchester teacher salary was $34,906 (not including health insurance and other benefits) compared to the state average teacher salary of $42,080.
- About 98 percent of DHS teachers were endorsed, compared to the state average of 94 percent. (Endorsements mean the teachers majored in the subjects they teach.)
- Dorchester's graduation rate in 2007 was 100 percent.
- About 8 percent of Dorchester students were English Language Learners (primarily Spanish speaking) compared to the state average of 6.5 percent.
- About 18 percent of Dorchester students were Special Education students, compared to the state average of about 15 percent, meaning additional expenses for the local school district.
- Exactly 80 percent of Dorchester fourth graders receiving free or reduced-price lunches met or exceeded the state's writing standards (NOTE: This is a clarification of our orginial post.)
I have recently heard that 3/4 of the wrestlers and over half of the boys basketball team cannot play sports as of now because of failing grades. Whats with that? What is causing this problem? Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteNice to see some positive news. I feel better than ever about the wise investment that 61% of us approved in the new school. As goes the school goes the community.
ReplyDeleteIf you wonder why the athletes are failing ask them. Ask them why they don't stay after to ask for help, or why they haven't been attending after school to work or study. And next time you see them out messing around, ask them why they are not at home studying. Ask them why they are still failling even though the school policy has been made easier than last year.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the others that are failing? Do we care about them, even if they are not scoring?
Ask the wrestlers and basketball players why? How much time each night is spent on homework? How much class time is spent working on task at hand and not messing around? I would bet motivation and effort (or lack of) plays a huge part in this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are others who are having a hard time with classes,not just kids in sports. You don't hear about the other kids because it seems like the athletes are the ones you hear about in this situation. So what is the solution? Do the kids care enough to try harder?
ReplyDeleteI think the parents need to get more involved in their kids lives. With all the toys and gadgets out there nowadays the kids would rather be playing with them then studying when they get home. Take these things away and make them study.
I think the school is doing the right thing by not letting them participate in sports when they are failing. The kids know the rules so if they really care they need to put more effort to their grades. If they need help, they need to seek it and the teachers need to be available to get this help.
Good luck guys. I hate to see you not have teams because of grades.
First the Dorchester Times attacks all Hispanics. Now you blame special ed. students. You are haters. People would be well advised to let the professionals report the "news."
ReplyDeleteWe already have a newspaper that serves all of Saline county. Someone needs to pull the plug on the Times.
Anonymous #4,
ReplyDeleteYour response speaks to a problem that those students who are failing also need to think about. That is...being able to think critically for yourself. Learn to think for yourself and you can agree or disagree with whatever you like. But if you take the easy, lazy, deceptive, dishonest, immoral way out you prefer to "unplug" because you cannot answer back to what you dislike. Perhaps because the truth hurts sometimes.
Hurt as it may. The truth must be known before you can effectively deal with any situation. We will indeed cease to be America if we ever allow the truth to be "unplugged'.
Your comments communicate ignorance and immaturity. Keep growing and studying, as we all should regardless of our age.
Lifelong Learner
Oh my gosh, nobody is blaming the special ed students. You really need to get a life and stop reading into things.
ReplyDeleteTo the Crete News Lover above:
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, The Dorchester Times story did not say anything bad about Special Ed Students. The bloggers brought up students failing, not special ed students. Most of these kids COULD get very good grades if they would put forth a little effort. It seems like it is almost "cool" to mess around and not do any school work.
As for the "Times" being Hispanic or Special Ed haters, tell me one time when the Actual Times story said anything disrespectfull. Don't confuse what the Bloggers leave and what the Times writes about. The times has come out against illegals in this country, not the ones that are here legally.
As for the County already having a newspaper....Yeah, the Friend Sentinel does do a good job! The Dorchester Times is not a newspaper. They just write about things they think would interest people, and then we get to blog about it.
P.S. You sure sound a lot like the editor of the Crete paper, who this week is Elmo--real professional!
"I think the parents need to get more involved in their kids lives. With all the toys and gadgets out there nowadays the kids would rather be playing with them then studying when they get home. Take these things away and make them study."
ReplyDeleteYou do that nowadays and you'll get called out for child abuse, but it would be an act of true love and compassion for your kids.
Take the TV outside and smash it to pieces. Same with the X-box or Playstation. The kids will cry more than if they lost one of their grandparents, but at this point I don't know how else to save an entire generation.
I'm not for sure if I agree or disagree with the fact that students who are failing a subject, or more, are allowed to practice a sport at all. I sure hope that a student athlete who is failing one or more subjects isn't given a varsity uniform to wear, whenever they aren't failing. I hope the coaches see that the students who are maintaining their grades and practicing everyday deserve the chance to play at a higher level. I would hate to see an athlete not get the playing time they deserve because a coach is "saving" a uniform for a better athlete, who happens to be failing some classes.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is the government. They have considerably lowered the bar to qualify for free or reduced lunches. Blame your politicians. They should just give everyone free meals. Socialism in action, baby.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure the 80% free and reduced number is correct. The school would receive more benefits if the number was that high. I would double check that figure. When checking the charts I don't see any percentage close to the 80%.
ReplyDeletethe times staff doesnt have time to bash the special ed kids, they spend all thier time bashing the village board and making it sound like the school has no problems.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bob. They'll do anything for a vote.
ReplyDeleteBob, you are already socialized as Nebraska's economy is propped up by farm subsidies.
ReplyDelete116 Millionaires get farm payments; nobody checking
By LARRY MARGASAK
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/25/AR2008112501624.html
Hey yall
ReplyDeletejust got to my computer down here in texas.
Hope you are all having a good winter up there.
I was reading your article on free lunches. If 80 percent of those people are getting free lunches, who is paying for the school, and streets and everything else.
WE ARE
See you next Spring
Taxed too much
'Anonymous (11/25, 6:20 p.m.)':
ReplyDeleteWe agree the data provided on the Department of Education site are confusing.
The information we cited in our story -- about 80 percent of fourth graders receiving free or reduced lunch -- can be found by clicking here.
However, after we read your comments, we went back and found this information, which states about 28 percent of all Dorchester students in school year 2006-07 received free or reduced lunch.
That figure was 43 percent in school year 2005-06.
Anonymous of:
ReplyDeleteNovember 25, 2008 1:45 PM
I would take issue with your criticism of those who apply and receive free and reduced lunch. The dollars that pay for that are given from the Federal Government (who are taking more and more in taxes each year for various reasons, many of which they shouldn't be funding.) Now the school also receives funding based on those number of students who apply and receive those lunches.
So it is in the best interest of the school financially that people apply and receive the lunch. I would also argure that it is in the best interest of those people to take advantage of the program, and I think they can still keep their pride, that you seem to value more than your own money.
And here's why...As the government taxes and puts more and more money into our economy (be it in healthcare or any other industry they are involved in) prices of the service inevitably goes up. So the income of those eligible also goes up. The influence on the economy makes people swallow their pride because they can't afford their pride (can't make ends meet without the government aid.) You'd be suprised at the income levels that qualify for government services. So the government aid becomes "built in" to the economy, and the free economy adjusts to it's influence.
Your right in saying that much of it used to be used for those who need it, but it's amazing how government entitlements grow and grow, as does the abuses of it. The truth is that our parents didn't take government help many times, because the help (your tax dollars paid back into a program) wasn't as big of a part of the spending as it is today. But, like it or not it is now a part of the economy, and people should take it, if for no other reason than they are getting part of their money back. Perhaps it will offset the greed that has sent good paying jobs elsewhere (thus taking money back from the greedy system that sent the jobs overseas). And perhaps the smokers will get back some of the money they are spending on the excessive tobacco taxes they pay.
So, why doesn't the government find a way to get out of business and allow good employers to pay good people a living wage. Then they wouldn't have to swallow their pride and take the help they need to make ends meet. And how do we get to this, when the government is not only collecting more taxes, but they are buying up the banking industry with IOU's leveraged by the tax anticipation of the future, which is sure to dry up unless we as a people and government acquire self-discipline and a frugal spirit.
Good Jobs for Good Men.
Anonymous of
ReplyDeleteNovember 25, 2008 1:45 PM,
Interesting, you put a whole lot of stock into an article (communist propaganda)from Russia, about the economic demise of the US (misery loves company, the communists went broke much quicker and they killed milions of their own people.) And they you criticize the practices that they would applaud (government intervention into the economy). The Cold War didn't end folks. Get your personal principles together, and put your thinking cap on.
Ronald Reagan
To anonymous from 11-25-08,
ReplyDeleteThis blog only needs to show a picture of our Dorchester streets and you call that bashing the village board. If you didnt notice there were big changes on election day when it comes to the town board. Maybe you're just scared of the changes that are coming with new board leaders? Could it be that those changes might affect your job?? Hmmmmm...
**Clarification of NDE website information regarding free/reduced lunch percentages
ReplyDelete80% of the 4th graders at Dorchester Public School who received free/reduced lunches during the 2006-2007 school year either met or exceeded the rigor set forth in the Nebraska State Writing Standards.
Signed....data dude
'Data Dude':
ReplyDeleteThat sheds light on the data. We will clarify our post.
Thank you for your comment.
To fulton street gal
ReplyDeleteJust wait..i have a prediction.
The town board is stupid if they even vote on paving at this time. With the economy like it is, that would be nuts.
It is interesting that you are so impressed with the new town board candidates. Do they have a lot of experience in running a village? Have any even been to a board meeting?
and.....at least i have a job. What do you do??
I have a child in 4 grade and, we are not on free lunches. And so what if there are kids on it. Thats what its there for, to help kids.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people have kids if they cant afford to feed them ............................ you dont see me buying more cattle or breeding them if I cant supply feed ........... thats all...............
ReplyDeleteCynical,
ReplyDeleteI normally find you humorous and occasionally intelligent...but to compare animal life and human life is none of them.
It is also rather ignorant for a food producer to criticize a program which was began in the early 1930's to help insure student learning by providing better nutrition for students. And the best part...they bought surplus ag commodities to feed to the students. I don't suppose you'll turn down any profits for feeding all those extra mouths that shouldn't have been born!!
Get The Facts.
Hmmmmm, I hate to admit it, but Cynical brings up a great point actually.
ReplyDeleteAnd last time I checked, livestock producers do not receive subsidies for beef, pork or poultry production. Might wanna get the FACTS.
ReplyDeleteUnder certain conditions, livestock producers will receive subsidies.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/WRS0404/WRS0404App.pdf
The U.S. is still staring at a deficit that could approach $2 trillion. Consider: Bush & Congress in 2008 spent 21 percent of GDP. States, counties and cities spent another 12 percent. Thus, one third of GDP is spent by government at all levels. Obama and Co. propose to raise that by another 10 percent of GDP. We may soon be north of 40 percent of gross domestic product controlled and spent by government. That is Eurosocialism.
ReplyDeleteAnd where, exactly, are we going to get the money? The only nation with the kind of cash on hand we need now is China, with its $2 trillion in foreign-exchange reserves.
Cut the USDA and cut the food programs. Cut everything. Saying you're doing it "for the kids" doesn't pay the bills.
So much for positive conversation about the school, regarding information that's 2 years old. An institution mandated by state government, to educate future generations, in order to sustain our democratic form of government and thus our nation. As goes the school (family) goes the community (nation).
ReplyDeleteSo the first comment is concerned about the failures of the athletes. Many of whom, in cooperation with their parents, skip the most important lessons athletics teach (work ethic, unity, self-sacrifice etc.), and who instead cling to opportunities for some small glory they can share over a beer some day.
And let's not forget what a blog is. Sad to say but our media in this country may be more sophisticated, but to take it as truth is careless. It is bought and paid for (pens and talking heads for hire). Why else would former Clinton staffers be working for FOX news...
So, we are not going to allow students to participate in sports because they were failing a course? Well, I say we also quit feeding some of them free or reduced school lunch and see how well they practice. Then those kids who are passing and are only fed "paid for" food will get their rightful place at the top of the heap. WHAT...In the olden days we were allowed to learn life lessons with our parent's help and support, not intervention.
Bob's right, we have a socialist country. And sadly most of us like it, especially when it benefits us, as we pontificate about how conservative or libertarian we are. Why else would people bash those who do not want to pay for paved roads (most of whom live in poverty according to income guidelines (and who would qualify for free and reduced lunch) on one hand, and on the other hand complain about having to help the poor.
As for significant changes in the community because of new village leadership, I'll believe it when I see it...It doesn't mean these aren't fine people who are going to give of their own time to serve. It just means that they are going to have the same tools (people/residents) that the current board has. People like cynical richard who equates humans to cattle. Cynical I guess you'd better sell your operation to a more profitable operator so they won't be as dependent upon subsidized grain to feed their livestock. Jeff do you see the connection? That manure that piles up in the feed yard is subsidized. But it's ok, the cattle are not! And another thing, how many of us would be here if the government forbid the impoverished to pro-create during the 30's?
PJ, if you think your gonna cut into our deficit by cutting food programs your crazy. Feeding people is the cheapest thing we do. Besides who are we going to tax at acceptable levels. I'd rather back up the millions we spend on education with a meager investment in a school lunch program and tax better educated and a more healthy population. Doing it for the children (THE FUTURE) will not only pay the bills, but their might even be a populous left to pass on our country to.
Rigorous exchange of ideas is necessary for a democracy!
With highest regards and best intentions, respectfully,
Andy Rooney Wannabe
We love you Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI especially hope that two people born in 1933 and 1938 take note of your line about the hypothetical banning of procreation in the
1930's.
Blah, blah, blah. Who said anything about banning procreation? When has that ever happened in America? It didn't even happen in the heavy handed, dictatorship-like FDR years when the feds were confiscating gold from the people.
ReplyDeleteWanna make a bet than most of the people who trampled to death the Wal-Mart worker this weekend in NY were recipients of free/reduced school lunches? Big bureaucracy/government doesn't make for good morality. My advice is to worship at an alter other than that of the state.