Walton County National Merit Finalists/Semi-Finalists?

Could someone articulate a parent's role in educating their children?

I think every family views it differently.

For our family, it means being involved at our kids' schools - not only to help the schools, but for our kids to see that we take their education seriously and they are important enough to put in the time with them.

It also depends on the school/school system.

A parents role in educating their children should be as the prime provider. From the moment your child becomes aware of the world around them, you should start teaching them. That doesn't end when they get on the school bus.

Could someone articulate a parent's role in educating their children?

In our family education begins in the home and what children learn at home should supplement and enhance what children learn in the schools. It's always been important for us to support our kids' activities such as sports, band, etc. as well as to monitor children's progress. We've always felt it was important to keep a line of communication open with teachers but we don't believe parents should butt in on teachers doing their jobs.

Now a days, School is more of a day care while parents work.

Kids need to learn, not be baby sat.

Who was ever slobbering over Carlene Anderson? Maybe you are confusing "working with what you have" with slobbering. It's not like the voters had any real choice of truly qualified candidates.

Oh wait- we never will, thanks to Walton County voters thinking their "right" to vote will continue to produce such great results.

And keep on beating that dead horse JP, it really seems to be working for you and enabled you to contribute so much to the discussion and Walton County education.

Perhaps "beating a dead horse" as you put it is meant to remind folks here of mismanagement and what I see as unethical behavior of one of the darlings of Walton county politics. It appears a lot of people seem to forget about incidents like 'cocaine teacher', the financial mess caused by unqualified personnel and the fact that nobody seems to be accountable. And I haven't beat the dead horse and contributed to the conversation almost 18,000 times. Please feel free to ignore my opinions and the facts surrounding them.

Perhaps "beating a dead horse" as you put it is meant to remind folks here of mismanagement and what I see as unethical behavior of one of the darlings of Walton county politics. It appears a lot of people seem to forget about incidents like 'cocaine teacher', the financial mess caused by unqualified personnel and the fact that nobody seems to be accountable. And I haven't beat the dead horse and contributed to the conversation almost 18,000 times. Please feel free to ignore my opinions and the facts surrounding them.

Um, tell me again about your attempts to make improvements in the Walton County School system?

Um, tell me again about your attempts to make improvements in the Walton County School system?

not sure that we need to be reminded of the issues, JP. We know the problems. It's time to quit rehashing the past and work toward solutions for the future.

I have a question. How soon can the question of an elected vs. an appointed superintendent be put back on the ballot?

I have a question. How soon can the question of an elected vs. an appointed superintendent be put back on the ballot?

Depends on whether you want the taxpayers to pick up the cost of a special election or pay for part of it during a regular election cycle.

OK back on topic. I am going to ask some of my high school teacher friends about the PSAT and if any emphasis/preparation is devoted to it. I will report back!

Jdarg, to address your original question....I believe it is because National Merit Scholars are based on SAT scores. Most students in this county take the ACT because it is given in the schools. The nearest SAT testing center is at Northwest Florida State College. My personal children took both but I know most students in this area take the ACT. Not sure what your question was about the PSAt you referenced in your last post. Walton county high schoolers do take the PSAT. In fact it is coming up in the next couple of weeks. Hope that helps.

Jdarg, to address your original question....I believe it is because National Merit Scholars are based on SAT scores. Most students in this county take the ACT because it is given in the schools. The nearest SAT testing center is at Northwest Florida State College. My personal children took both but I know most students in this area take the ACT. Not sure what your question was about the PSAt you referenced in your last post. Walton county high schoolers do take the PSAT. In fact it is coming up in the next couple of weeks. Hope that helps.

National Merit scholarships are based on PSAT scores, which is why they are so important. I'm concerned that they are not getting the attention they need, based on the numbers of scholarships awarded in our county.

Um, tell me again about your attempts to make improvements in the Walton County School system?

Four years ago, I started writing to and calling the offices of our elected representatives in the legislature urging them to sponsor legislation that would require school superintendents to be appointed/hired rather than elected in keeping with the rest of the country. I also asked that they sponsor bills that would encourage the recruitment and retention of better teachers in the state, not just Walton County. My understanding is that many states have taken legislative action that eliminated elected superintendents. I also voted yes on the referendum. How would you have me or any other parent attempt to make improvements in the school system?

Four years ago, I started writing to and calling the offices of our elected representatives in the legislature urging them to sponsor legislation that would require school superintendents to be appointed/hired rather than elected in keeping with the rest of the country. I also asked that they sponsor bills that would encourage the recruitment and retention of better teachers in the state, not just Walton County. My understanding is that many states have taken legislative action that eliminated elected superintendents. I also voted yes on the referendum. How would you have me or any other parent attempt to make improvements in the school system?

R's already did that, thus you've got the FCAT. Keep voting republican, perhaps they can enhance the FCAT.

R's already did that, thus you've got the FCAT. Keep voting republican, perhaps they can enhance the FCAT.

I don't understand the FCAT controversy. Can you explain it more?

R's already did that, thus you've got the FCAT. Keep voting republican, perhaps they can enhance the FCAT.

What makes you think I always vote Republican? I voted against Don Gaetz and I voted for the Democratic candidate for superintendent of Walton Schools in the 2012 general election. Gaetz love FCAT. He prides himself on raising the FCAT based grading system in Okaloosa schools when he was superintendent there.

R's already did that, thus you've got the FCAT. Keep voting republican, perhaps they can enhance the FCAT.

Who do the Dems have running for Gov???? Blind loyalty to either party leads to really bad choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjsCGerNtI4

I don't understand the FCAT controversy. Can you explain it more?

Everything you could ever want to know about Florida State Assessments.

http://fcat.fldoe.org/hsaphome.asp

Who do the Dems have running for Gov???? Blind loyalty to either party leads to really bad choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjsCGerNtI4

Yeah, blind faith and not seeing the train wreck that Scott is grinning like a down syndrome baby over, for what it is.

So your recycled pile of **** is better than the current pile of ****? What a ringing endorsement. No wonder people don't vote.

The other reference regarding the baby is beyond bad taste. Even by your standards.

Well so much for staying on topic!

I was hoping for some insight. Is it even possible to have an adult discussion, like people would have if they were face-to-face?

Sorry. I was able to for a while.

OK I actually spent some time on the link...

Saw the suits, most recent in Nov 2001.

I have a serious question, I may be silly for asking...

Wouldn't any State exam questions (Questions, not answers), based on the actual exam, be available via public records?

How does identifying how many Walton county students are finalists and semi finalists on National Merit improve schools in Walton County?

National Merit scholarships are based on PSAT scores, which is why they are so important. I'm concerned that they are not getting the attention they need, based on the numbers of scholarships awarded in our county.

Interesting that you commented how difficult it is to have adult conversation on here, but when I tried to answer your original question, you responded not with a "thanks for the info!" , but a terse response that negated what I said! You were wondering why more students from this area aren't National Merit Scholars Finalists. I explained to you that you have to take the SAT to be a finalist and most kids here take the ACT because it is more convenient (given at the school) and most colleges accept either. So unless a student has applied to a school that specifically requires the SAT or the student is trying to become a National Merit Finalist, they don't take the SAT. If you want to read it for yourself, read the blue box on page 7 of the PSAT student guide that went home with walton county high schoolers last week. They will take the PSAT next week, but to be a finalist, they must take the SAT. You're welcome.