Decatur's public schools are an integral element in the quality of life in Decatur. More importantly it is immensely significant economically to our community because it is the principal source of skills for potential new workers in Decatur.
Click on the link to see a brief summary about test scores in Decatur Public Schools from the Great Schools website.
Keep in mind that most test scores (Not ACT) measure the percentage of kids that can demonstrate proficiency in reading, math and science at the level established by educators in Illinois. The percentage is of those students that "meet or exeed" the expected knowledge requirement. It is the goal in Illinois that ALL (100%) public school students at least meet the knowledge standards.
For the good and bad news continue reading -
Continue reading "Decatur Public Schools - Test Scores 2007" »
Important article about cities and urban policy. From the New York Times. 2/19/2008
By now, many Americans have heard the presidential candidates talk about issues close to the heart of rural America. They fell all over themselves to praise ethanol in Iowa and condemn nuclear storage in Nevada. But as important as rural problems are, they’re not nearly as big as the task of helping the nation’s struggling cities — where most Americans live or work. The cities have been the hardest hit as federal policies have failed or gone missing in education, housing, health care, jobs, transportation and environment, to name a few. Yet urban issues have gotten scant attention in this campaign.
Continue reading "Should We Be Talking About Cities?" »
