DeSoto County Schools, Some Thoughts

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Dear Barry,

I'll begin with a couple of questions:

1) Question: What did President Obama say to his critics and the public regarding his nomination of Tom Daschle for a cabinet post when it was exposed that Mr. Daschle owed roughly 28 thousand dollars in back taxes?

Answer: Although I personally did not vet Tom, and although he came highly recommended, it was a mistake on my part and I take full responsibility because "the buck stops here."

2) Question: What did David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, early in this year's season, say about his poor performance (batting average less than .200) when he was removed from the starting lineup by the manager?

Answer: I don't know what my problem is but I needed to be removed .... and if they didn't bench me, I would have benched myself.What we have here are two crystal-clear examples of responsibility and accountability, qualities found only in honorable individuals.

Now let's examine some comments either made or reported by the school superintendent regarding our schools' failing FCAT scores and grades:

Read more ...

1) May 24, 2007 - Cline: "The leadership team at DCHS will be mining the data to find how student achievement can be significantly improved in the future."

Comment: At this time, only 19 percent of 10th graders passed the FCAT reading test, well below state averages. Two years later, only 20 percent of 10th graders passed the reading FCAT, an improvement of 1 percent. Mathematically speaking, at this rate of 1 percent improvement every 2 years, it will take 40 years to get to the bottom of this "mine," a clear indication that it is very deep!

2) June 30, 2007 - Cline: "After examining the data that we received over the last several weeks, this drop was predicted due to the new school grading standards that include science for the first time."

Comment: First, he simply finds excuses. Second, if new school grading standards were the reason for low performances, what is he going to say when FCAT II and AYP arrive shortly? I predict we will hear the echo of this same excuse!

3) May 28, 2009 - Reporters : "Eighty percent of DeSoto 10th graders fail FCAT reading test ... DeSoto County School Superintendent Adrian Cline chose to focus on the very few positive performances."

Comment: I was informed that Mr. Cline complained to the newspaper about this article. At this point it is quite appropriate to share some wise words from Thomas Jefferson (considered by many to be the father of higher education): "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. Truth is the first casualty of war."

4) May 28, 2009 - Cline: "At the high school, we are seeing an increase in the percentage of students who are passing the reading and math tests on the first attempt."

Comment: At first I want to ask "What high school are you referring to?" But on second thought, I must concede that Mr. Cline is at least partly correct. As noted above, only 19 percent of 10th graders passed the FCAT reading test 2 years ago and this year 20 percent of the same grade passed, technically an improvement of 1 percent in a 2-year period!

5) June 13, 2009 - Cline: "There is a reference in the newspaper that only 20 percent of 10th graders at DeSoto County High School passed the FCAT reading test - which is incorrect. The data analysis was certainly off point as far as the passing rate on FCAT."

Comment: After the May 28, 2009 newspaper article, Mr. Cline successfully put the "muzzle" back on the reporters and proceeded to tuck, torque, nip, and squeeze the data until it fit his desired theme. By attempting to split hairs, he came across much like Bill Clinton who famously stated "It depends on what the definition of 'is' is"!

6) June 26, 2009 - Cline: "Our biggest problem is the high school ... Once they (a group of high school volunteers) have had an opportunity to develop a plan then we will review it. I don't have the plan right now for you."

Comment: I have two things to say about this. Firstly, I whole heartily agree with the logical question posted on your blog site, June 28, 2009: "If these are the teachers who taught the kids who failed the test, why should anyone have a shred of confidence in their ability to figure out what the problem is?" However, I must say that it's always appreciated when the homeowner of the burning house assists the fire department in dousing the flames. Truthfully, I do not think it to be as much the teachers' fault as it is the regime's fault! Secondly, Mr. Cline's remark is a verbal replay of his statement on May 24, 2007 regarding "mining the data." What is really scary about this is that we're going to do the same experiment over again now, 2 years later, and expect different results. Isn't this one definition of insanity?

I'd like to now ask if you think Mr. Cline is in the same league as either President Obama or David Ortiz? Not hardly! For years he has never even suggested taking any responsibility for any bad news about our failing school system. Mr. Cline's incessant excuses are at best naive and at worst hypocritical. He should cease with the nonsensical, postured and ineffectual 'blah blah'.

In summary, and as noted previously, responsibility and accountability are qualities found only in honorable individuals.

Thank You,

Mickey the Dunce