Adept School opens doors to students Tuesday

[Kitty]

The Adept School opens tomorrow (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/NEWS01/802250301).

The educators involved in this initiative are well-respected and have a proven track record of success.

:smt023 up to them for wanting to be part of the solution.

[Fire Extinguisher]

Let us hope so Kitty. I saw this on the news and was wondering one thing. If they cant keep them in regular school how is this going to keep them there. I am not saying that we should not try just don't see a real good chance for success. I guess some percentage of success, even small, would be good though.

[R1ZOOM]

Let us hope so Kitty. I saw this on the news and was wondering one thing. If they cant keep them in regular school how is this going to keep them there. I am not saying that we should not try just don't see a real good chance for success. I guess some percentage of success, even small, would be good though.


The one on one attention is much better with ADEPT. Also, there are support teams that care for and track each student. The school structure is not necessarily one of a traditional classroom. It is trade oriented, and aims to give the student a skill to make them a player in the work force with a good wage when they graduate. Additionally, the students all must apply, be interviewed, and actually want to be at the school unlike a traditional school. The key is havig students want to come to school and teaching them something they an see an immediate benefit in.

[JB2379]

I'm all for these kids wanting to do something with themselves, but I don't think they should be pair $35 per day just to show up to the school. I think it send the wrong message to other kids.

FYI: The $35 was mentioned in today's article: http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS01/802270302

[LipsofanAngel]

I'm all for these kids wanting to do something with themselves, but I don't think they should be pair $35 per day just to show up to the school. I think it send the wrong message to other kids.

FYI: The $35 was mentioned in today's article: http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS01/802270302
I agree that the pay is a little odd, or questionable. I'm curious though, if that bit of incentive could actually SAVE money in the long run though by them becoming more productive citizens (taxpayers) as a result.

[fuzzis]

I'm all for these kids wanting to do something with themselves, but I don't think they should be pair $35 per day just to show up to the school. I think it send the wrong message to other kids.

FYI: The $35 was mentioned in today's article: http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS01/802270302

Yeah, I have a problem with that too. In fact, I have a problem with "rewarding" children for doing what they're supposed to do period. Alfie Kohn (http://www.alfiekohn.org/books/pbr.htm) has had a profound impact on the way I view such things.

[jkspatty]

I'm all for these kids wanting to do something with themselves, but I don't think they should be pair $35 per day just to show up to the school. I think it send the wrong message to other kids.

FYI: The $35 was mentioned in today's article: http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS01/802270302


They are getting paid to go to school? Good Gravy:bowrofl:

[LipsofanAngel]

yeah, if I were a highschooler I would be upset to find this out. I agree JB, people deserve second chances... but, to reward them for not doing what they were supposed to do in the first place? Doesn't make sense.

[JB2379]

Throw in a football and basketball team - Heck you would have the perfect school.

[R1ZOOM]

Some kids don't just drop out because they want to. As a poster on HA pointed out, a lot of dropouts do so to financially support their family. This gives them a way to get an education, learn a trade they can take with them for life, and still be able to help their family. Dropouts can make a lot more than $35 per day to not go to school and detail cars, mow yards, or anything else. It's not like they're making big money by going to school. You need to look at what a dropout costs the taxpayers in the long run and I think you would feel differently.

[Fish-Bait]

don't they supposedly cost the state 400 million...I think I heard that somewhere's or another.

[fuzzis]

Some kids don't just drop out because they want to. As a poster on HA pointed out, a lot of dropouts do so to financially support their family. This gives them a way to get an education, learn a trade they can take with them for life, and still be able to help their family. Dropouts can make a lot more than $35 per day to not go to school and detail cars, mow yards, or anything else. It's not like they're making big money by going to school. You need to look at what a dropout costs the taxpayers in the long run and I think you would feel differently.

Actually no I wouldn't, thanks.

We begin teaching children at a very early age that motivation is extrinsic...that they shouldn't want something for itself but for what they can get out of it. Thus you don't go to school for an education, but rather for a paycheck. You don't behave in class because that's what you're supposed to do because it facilitates your own learning but rather so you can get a sucker or a bowling party.

It's part of the reason why we're in the mess that we're in. We should not be bribing people to do the very things they should already be doing.

[Kitty]

I understand what you're saying.

I don't necessarily agree with paying these students to attend school, but if doing so keeps them from dealing drugs to make money or turning to other criminal activity then perhaps it's not such a bad thing.

We have to remember these are students who for whatever reasons were not successful in a mainstream educational setting.

[fuzzis]

I understand what you're saying.

I don't necessarily agree with paying these students to attend school, but if doing so keeps them from dealing drugs to make money or turning to other criminal activity then perhaps it's not such a bad thing.

We have to remember these are students who for whatever reasons were not successful in a mainstream educational setting.

Oh I understand that, but they're already giving them quite a bit to help them succeed in ways that they would not have before, and I'm all for that. $35/day is nothing, but it's the wrong message to send...particularly when it's placed within the context of everything else the school is doing to help the students be successful.

It's like...oh, an education AND a trade isn't enough for you to make a commitment to better yourself.

[Fish-Bait]

I think their may be some underlying factors we don't know about. Such as what a students resume' if you will is. I would prolly think there is more criteria to getting in this school than meets the eye.

[R1ZOOM]

Actually no I wouldn't, thanks.

We begin teaching children at a very early age that motivation is extrinsic...that they shouldn't want something for itself but for what they can get out of it. Thus you don't go to school for an education, but rather for a paycheck. You don't behave in class because that's what you're supposed to do because it facilitates your own learning but rather so you can get a sucker or a bowling party.

It's part of the reason why we're in the mess that we're in. We should not be bribing people to do the very things they should already be doing.


I don't really agree with you. The fact is we are where we are, and we have to deal with the problems we have now, not just fuss about what we should have done differently. These kids are getting a second chance and an opportunity to learn a skill they can support themselves and a family for life, so I will be happy with that and simply agree to disagree with you. ;)

[daisy]

I enjoyed reading all this and I guess the success rate of this program will show us if it works.