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IBM opening new Computer Science focused High School in NYC

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Re: IBM opening new Computer Science focused High School in NYC

#11

Post by jseliger »

bd_at_rivenhill wrote: post #6

Students will be chosen to attend using the standard New York City lottery system--one third of selected students will be below grade level, one third will be at grade level, and one third will be above. I want to thank flipp, Fast Company, and IBM for saving me $10: I don't need to go see "Waiting For Superman" now because it's all in this sentence. Why wouldn't they just start with the most qualified applicants and…

If you want to learn more and continue being spared that $10, see the list of articles I started keeping here: http://jseliger.com/2009/11/12/susan-engel-doesnt-get .

It's virtually impossible to read all of them and still think that the ways schools are organized and the role teachers unions currently play is acceptable.

Re: IBM opening new Computer Science focused High School in NYC

#13

Post by forgotAgain »

Its interesting but I can't bring myself to trust the motivations of IBM.

There are two possible scenarios here: First IBM is being straightforward and they are trying to help redevelop the US education system. Second they are trying to develop a cheaper source of US labor.

The recent history of IBM would indicate the latter scenario is more likely.

Re: IBM opening new Computer Science focused High School in NYC

#14

Post by bd_at_rivenhill »

jj_aa wrote: post #8
bd_at_rivenhill wrote: post #6

Students will be chosen to attend using the standard New York City lottery system--one third of selected students will be below grade level, one third will be at grade level, and one third will be above. I want to thank flipp, Fast Company, and IBM for saving me $10: I don't need to go see "Waiting For Superman" now because it's all in this sentence. Why wouldn't they just start with the most qualified applicants and…

I've never gone through the system, but my first guess would be it's probably so that all the slots aren't given to kids from ideal, wealthy homes, raised with tutors and computer camp, but that there's some room in there for kids who might be really bright, but also dealing with effed up home situations that knock a couple points off their standardized testing. Or who are bored as fuck in their current school but wo…

I can understand adjusting for socio-economic class, but why bring in kids that are working below grade level? Why not place them in a remedial program instead?
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