2008.10.02
Perception of Montgomery Schools dropping?
My colleague, Tonia Moxley, just brought this to my attention from our sister blog, the New River Notebook.
During a meeting today, Joe Meredith, Virginia Tech's Corporate Research Center manager, told Blacksburg Town Council that unfavorable perceptions of Montgomery County schools might hurt business and industry.
Prospective employees are telling business owners in the CRC that they would rather their children attend Salem or other schools. According to Meredith, Montgomery County schools are, at least, perceived to be “not as good as we used to be and I’m concerned about that.”
“There’s a stormcloud brewing around secondary education,” Meredith told the council.
Montgomery County Superintendent Tiffany Andersons said she had not had any conversations with Meredith and had not heard any of the concerns raised.
"We certailny feel that we provide an outstanding education," she said, citing Advanced Placement course offereings, test scores and state accrediation results as indicators.
Based on that she said she's not concerned about the quality of the county's schools. She also points to " the fact that most families continue to send their children to Montgomery County Public schools" as an indicator of success.
The school system also has more than 200 business partners, including many who were at the meeting, she said.
"I would hope that any individual that has concerns about a school or instruction districtwide would talk with me, the principal or either the director of secondary or elementary education," she said. "We have an open-door policy here.
Anderson said that Rick Weaver, director of the school system's career and technical education and business partnerships, would follow up on the concerns.
Nelson Simpkins, former principal at Eastern Montgomery High, took over full-time this year as director of secondary schools.
Per J. Meredith, unfavorable perceptions of Montgomery County schools might hurt business and industry. Prospective employees are telling business owners in the CRC that they would rather their children attend Salem or other schools." Yet not communicated to superintendent? Not specific, not providing basis for these perceptions, or why Salem or other schools appear superior choices. Too ambiguous. Manufacturing sector may be having problems with attracting due to perceptions these jobs are unstable and subject to lay-offs, or lack career paths and therefore are negative employment cultures. Montgomery Regional impacts and daycare issues may be relative to low pay and lack of benefits in those two areas. Businesses need to step up and provide quantifiable examples, as well as have a greater understanding of what resources are available to them and curriculum offered. Last, what CRC jobs are entry level and open to hiring high-school only educated employees, rather than requiring some type of college degree? Sounds like a community round table on the gaps is needed, otherwise this readers view indicate companies are expecting high school, not internships and college, to provide low or medium wage employees they are seeking.
Comment by NRVA Citizen — October 4, 2008 @ 1:00 am
[...] couple of weeks ago, a colleauge and I wrote about comments that Joe Meredith, head of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, made to Blacksburg town [...]
Pingback by Meredith speaks on schools perceptions. | Chalk Dust — October 20, 2008 @ 10:38 am