THERE IS A TERRIBLE SICKNESS in the land and while it has not gone unnoticed, it is largely ignored. This plague we speak of is under-education and its effects are growing at an enormous rate. This contagion has engulfed more than 75% of the junior high school and high school population in schools that serve the North East Omaha community and it is yet spreading.
Don't believe me?
I have proof and you do too. For the sake of your time, I'll highlight the key areas for you. So every year in the state of Nebraska, your kids in 8th and 11th grades(more are tested, but this is the particular demographic we work to improve so there have you) prepare for and take the Nebraska State Accountability Exam and the scores are reported the following Fall semester. So the scores reflected are not those of current students, but those of the past year's students in the respective grades.
We have compiled a list of schools and their students' performances for grade 11 from the previous school year. We know this is alarming!
School Math Reading Science Writing
Benson High School
Below Standard 79% 67% 69% 63%
Meets Standard 16% 22% 27% 28%
Northwest High School
Below Standard 81% 55% 60% 54%
Meets Standard 15% 34% 36% 30%
North High School
Below Standard 60% 47% 47% 33%
Meets Standard 26% 34% 41% 44%
*Scores courtesy of Nebraska Department of Education http://www.education.ne.gov/nesainitial/Search.aspx
We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our country to demand that our children be provided with a proficient education. For the sake of our children's employability and college readiness, our children must be properly prepared for life after high school. Until you say something, this epidemic will continue.
This sickness has been contained and unfortunately it has been restricted to our schools. Much like the Ebola epidemic, this too has a cure. In fact, this cure has been in effect for the past three years, but for some reason, our schools have not employed its use. They have chosen to try to cure this sickness with their in-house physicians to no avail. It is time for you to advocate for your child and demand the cure.
What Can You Do?
Compete LLC has taken a non-traditional approach to preparing under-served youth with a baseline of education that strengthens their performance in the afore mentioned core areas as well as on the ACT. We've observed that the more time we have to spend with those students, the more confident they are in their abilities and the better they perform. Our students go on to college prepared. This too can happen for your child and every child that walks into a school in North Omaha. Contact your administrators to find out how to bring Compete LLC to your child's school. Cure this sickness and give your child a fighting chance at a healthy future.