Comments on: Still a Chance to Get “The Call”

By: s.e. grad

s.e. grad — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:25:35 +0000

PULLED FROM DISTRICT 299 BLOG:

Selective Enrollment Scandal At CPS?

Got this from the PURE list serve:

This is your chance to speak out.

I’m getting a lot of calls about Ron Huberman’s announcement (no doubt in response to the Tribune) that he is going to investigate the selective high school enrollment process.

Reporters REALLY want to talk to a parent (or student) about their experiences. Please e-mail me or call 312-491-9101 if you are willing to talk about it.

Red more here http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Its_about_time -

> CPS obsessed parents might have a story or two to share!

By: Two cents

Two cents — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:35:12 +0000

I agree, “Heckler.”

Don’t forget the average composite score is different for each racial group. White kids needed around 980 or up to get into Payton this year. Some hispanic and black kids got in on 940s and 950s. (I think this is good, actually- without the affirmative action these schools would be all white and Asian, and we all benefit from the diversity!) Many Northside students got in with extremely high scores, 990 and even perfect 1000s. Every year the composite score needed to get in has gone up! Why?
Word on the street says private school parents are coming to CPS more and more for high school; both because of the tanking economy and because the top schools really are great. But for those who have put their time and energy into public education it’s infuriating to see those precious slots get nabbed by families that can afford private. I heard 40% of this fall’s freshman class at Northside went to private elementaries.

Also, students with 5th percentile ISATs can take the SEHS test, but really, only 9th percentile kids get in- thus the huge number that applied. I think it gives families false hopes to allow students to take the test with less than 9th percentile scores.

By: the heckler

the heckler — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:38:54 +0000

and here is the scores needed to get into those selective schools

http://www.selectiveenrollment.org/about/competition.jsp?rn=3835727

By: the heckler

the heckler — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:32:51 +0000

7th grade is the BIG year. Getting into a selective enrollment high school (14,000 applicants this year for 3,000 spots) is based on a 1000 point system. 300 for ISATs, 300 for grades, 300 for Sel. Enrollment Exam and 100 for attendance. Here is the site for the exact break down:

http://www.selectiveenrollment.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=79374&id=0&rn=7161793

I foresee big problems as the amount of students qualified to take the exam increases in the years to come…

By: CPS parent

CPS parent — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:14:55 +0000

My child, caucasin, Scored 99.9% on both classical and gifted – twice. He was accepted to both Edison and Decatur. We choose Edison for K. My child was bored at Edison. It was to easy. Now at Decatur and a straight A student. The work is more challenging and while my child could probably take on a heavier load. It is challenging enough and there is still time to be a kid.

Also, for what it is worth as of today there are two Edison 2nd grade spots and 1 Edison 4th grade spot that I know of for anyone looking . I know of 2 families who annonced they were leaving on Friday.

By: C

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:53:04 +0000

Heckler- thanks for the link; it provided some useful information.

Speaking of high schools, Does anyone know what year the selective enrollment high schools began testing to get in or even when the grade school level began administering testing? I remember taking an exam a long while ago but I don’t remember if I took an entrance exam or a placement exam before I went to Young. Appreciate the help.

Also, about how many freshman seats are available each year per selective enrollment high school (Young, Payton, Northside)?

By: curious

curious — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:44:17 +0000

South Side Mom

Thanks for sharing. These decisions are so hard to make and everyone sharing their thoughts, information and experiences here is so helpful!

By: South Side Mom

South Side Mom — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:42:47 +0000

Curious,
The gifted program teaches two years above grade level and the classical program teaches one year. I have heard in the upper grades at RGCs the children have several hours of homework per day, which leaves little time for leisure. I think leisure time is important given that the children function above grade level. I just didn’t want my child stressed out. I think he’s challenged MOST days in the classical program, but would have bocme frazzled as he got older.

By: the heckler

the heckler — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:38:48 +0000

About seeing where kids get into high schools, go to
http://research.cps.k12.il.us/resweb/schoolqry
enter the school you want, then go under “other” and there should be an “Elementary to High School Transition” report. Unfortunately, it looks like they stopped reporting this in 2005.

By: cpsobsessed

cpsobsessed — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:31:46 +0000

C – they supposedly “grade” the test based on the child’s birth month, so age shouldn’t give an advantage. But I too saw a huge leap in my son’s early reading skills (I mean VERY early – like 2-3 letter words) a few months after the test (closer to age 5.) It’s a key time when a couple months can make a huge difference. So in theory, maybe it’s not older children who have the edge, but those who happen to advance even a couple months ahead of schedule. Which reminds me how crazy it is to test at this age for a program that runs until 8th grade!