Why can't all races choose where they attend school in this area?

reality wrote:

Law states you must attend where you live. If whites were to tranfer out (and THEY would be soins this purely because of not wanting to attend with blacks, admit it), then you have what is calles "white flight". Schools would then be segregated, which was outlawed years ago. Legal way to have your kids attend a certain school--move to that district. If you choose to gripe, then do the legal thing and MOVE. That's your solution.

Not everyone has to go where they live...which is the point of this discussion...whites are the minority in blytheville...and they are stuck...white flight has been happening for a while and will continue not due to the color of skin but due to the admin running the schools into the ground...BPS... guilty till proven innocent and make sure you have no fun (some kids might misbehave).

BPS - what a joke wrote:

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Not everyone has to go where they live...which is the point of this discussion...whites are the minority in blytheville...and they are stuck...white flight has been happening for a while and will continue not due to the color of skin but due to the admin running the schools into the ground...BPS... guilty till proven innocent and make sure you have no fun (some kids might misbehave).

Blytheville is a good school with caring teachers and administrators. "Come join them as they provide a quality education for ALL students."

observer wrote:

<quoted text>Blytheville is a good school with caring teachers and administrators. "Come join them as they provide a quality education for ALL students."

Here is the proof,but what is a trade mark standard?

We are proud to serve our community with first-rate educational opportunities and enthusiasm. We are constantly improving our curriculum and instruction to provide the highest quality educational experience in the Mid-South. We invite you to take pride in Blytheville by becoming a partner with us in the education of our students. Together, with you, we will ensure that our children will become responsible stewards of our city. Our schools are the common thread that binds us in Blytheville; therefore, our children deserve a quality education brought about by EVERYONE working together.

I invite and challenge you to step up and make Blytheville Public Schools’ students the trademark standard in the state of Arkansas.

Student responsibility, stakeholder involvement and school commitment are required because less than 100-percent success is just an excuse!

Please use this website to keep up with school activities and plan how you will participate in the upcoming days. The majority of events from all of the schools are included on this website for the 2011-2012 school year. Updates will occur regularly and we will be constantly improving our ability to communicate with our stakeholders.

We are committed to the journey ahead of us. It is not someone else’s responsibility to provide Blytheville’s children with a quality education; it is our responsibility. It will take the community and schools working together. Come with us.

Enthusiastically,

Richard Atwill
Superintendent

Guesta wrote:

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Maybe it is not about going to school with black children! Maybe it is people wanting a better education for their children! If the district you live in is failing then maybe it's about quality education! Maybe it is about safety! Maybe it is about environment! Maybe it is about Less disruptions! When people leave everyone wants to call it racism, but that is because they do not want to deal with how bad things really are in some schools!

Have you been in any blytheville classrooms this school year? If you have not, then you know nothing about quality education or the environment. People do not understand that Blytheville public schools have excellent and dedicated teachers. Most parents do not care about their childrens education. Think about this: during the two parent teacher conference nights held at the high school in March only 15 parents showed up for a teacher who has about 140 students. This is why there are failing STUDENTS in blytheville schools. Not the teachers. Not the schools. The parents do not support their children but want to whine and complain that the schools are failing. Let me tell you the parents are failing their children. If you are a parent that cares, I assure you that your child will be educated to the fullest of his/her potential at blytheville schools.

high school teacher wrote:

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Have you been in any blytheville classrooms this school year? If you have not, then you know nothing about quality education or the environment. People do not understand that Blytheville public schools have excellent and dedicated teachers. Most parents do not care about their childrens education. Think about this: during the two parent teacher conference nights held at the high school in March only 15 parents showed up for a teacher who has about 140 students. This is why there are failing STUDENTS in blytheville schools. Not the teachers. Not the schools. The parents do not support their children but want to whine and complain that the schools are failing. Let me tell you the parents are failing their children. If you are a parent that cares, I assure you that your child will be educated to the fullest of his/her potential at blytheville schools.

My god the bs is getting mighty deep.

Guest wrote:

It is not just white families wanting to change schools! So maybe everyone can stop talking racism and white flight! Look around and be real! Most people just want the best for their children. Why would you not want the best you can provide for your children! Maybe we should improve the situation so people will want to stay! Until the situation improves maybe should focus on improving the situation and less focus on so called (white flight)!

The school does all it can about the situation. The school has to work within the law, it can't say oh we don't like that law so we aren't going to follow it. If you think Blytheville schools are the only school in school improvement you need to go look at other schools in this region. They are all going the same direction. The situation is a social one not a school one. People don't want to reconize the real problem of drugs, single parent homes, gangs, alcohol, I could go on. People want to point their finger at the schools because its easier to do.

Most blacks already know about supply and demand.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx...

"LITTLE ROCK - A federal judge has struck down an Arkansas law that requires race to be considered when students want to transfer to a different school district.

In a ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert Dawson said the state's Public School Choice Act of 1989 is unconstitutional.

Dawson said a provision about race in the law violated part of the Constitution. The judge said that provision can't be severed from the law, so he declared the whole thing unconstitutional."

The judge did the right thing. More than 13,000 kids in Arkansas participate in school choice and it is not all about race. Some transfer looking for special education services, others because their child is being bullied, and many because of extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, more AP courses, etc. The list is very lengthy.

The biggest problem with school choice is the fact the district where the student attends receives the $6000 per head funding from the State. Let's assume there are 50 Blytheville kids attending school in Gosnell, and that is a very realistic number. Blytheville schools would be losing $300,000 to Gosnell. As a retired Blytheville citizen, I had rather not see my tax dollars being distributed in the Gosnell or Armorel schools.

Parents should be able to chose a school best suited for their child! If you think your child is n a bad situation should you just leave them in it because you have no options? We have no private schools here anymore!

Guest wrote:

Parents should be able to chose a school best suited for their child! If you think your child is n a bad situation should you just leave them in it because you have no options? We have no private schools here anymore!

You do have a choice !! Move to what ever city you want your child to attend school . It just that simple . If you live in Blytheville and your not happy with the school then move . Problem solved :)

Guest wrote:

<quoted text> You do have a choice !! Move to what ever city you want your child to attend school . It just that simple . If you live in Blytheville and your not happy with the school then move . Problem solved :)

That is exactly what people are doing! Look around!

guest wrote:

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That is exactly what people are doing! Look around!

I know, it's really sad what has happened to my hometown "Blytheville " . It's not only the schools but just living there was unsafe . We moved for our safety and of course better schools . I have to say it does feel like your abandoning ship , but what can you do ? You just have to get out of there especially if you have young children .