@Anonymous It wasn't the prep that worked, it was that the schools themselves offered better quality education and advanced classes/honors classes back in the day. Many schools the bar is so low ... unless you get the kids in 5th or 6th grade they have no shot. Ask kids about the DOE program offered during the school year/summer- its terrible. A number of schools offer after school prep via their own arrangements with prep centers, at least in my 1 kids school it was PTA funded, the other kids school did not offer at all.

The problem with the math depends on what track the kid is on. Gen Ed 7th grade standards aren't enough - they won't get the needed material till 8th grade. The advance classes cover 7th and 8th grade pre Algebra material in 1 year, and the kids who on to Algebra in 8th grade. But not all schools offer it, and its generally limited to the G&T/screened part of the school.

@Anonymous Agree. My son was at NEST for middle school and my other child goes to a different middle school (sought after D2 school). NEST was far above what is being taught to my youngest right now.

@a nonymous there is really no excuse for being rude or condescending. It doesn't matter other people are doing. One should always be in control of oneself.

@Anonymous Oh do go away. You are the Queen of Condescension/rudeness with a huge blind spot about your own behavior, and are in no position to lecture anyone.

Pointing out where people's arguments are faulty or make them sound crazy and illogical is not rude, in any case. I said I'm sorry OP feels that way, but I stand by everything I've said. The ranting focus on private schools absolutely takes away from any valid point she might make otherwise.

Your posts speak for themselves, and your name calling won't save or change the situation. Work on it. I'm certain I and OR are not the first people to tell you that you frequently come across as rude and insulting and condescending. Most the time, it's not what you say, it's how you say it, and it's too frequently peppered with insults and sarcasm and mean-spiritedness. That is certainly not my hallmark. Don't let it be yours.

I will also say this. Secondary education and higher education in the United States is really moving away from over-valuing multiple choice tests as a defining measure of educational aptitude. As well, it should.

One word in caps for emphasis is not the same as all caps post in its entirety. Again, you're being obtuse by saying it's the same. It's not. As for bussing, you want to protect a system that works for certain communities. But that can't be the agenda of an education official -- they have to think about everyone.

@Anonymous Ahh, yes. The poor white communities of UES that need to be "protected" from bussing. Who will think of those!

@anonymous what are you talking about?! I'm not talking about UES white communities -- I'm talking about the communities in your OP. DOE can't protect them at the expense of everyone else.