Vista Watchdog wrote on May 30, 2007 11:21 PM:Another empty award! When we look at GPA's SAT scores and API from last year we have to wonder if GPA has improved so much as to truly deserve the ranking. Did they really "Acheive","Plan and Execute", and "Satisfy"? Guess we will all have to wait until August and see how they did on this year's test scores.

Vista Parent wrote on May 31, 2007 6:54 AM:The “Center for Education Reform” is nothing more then a political and lobbyist group that spends a lot of money in Sacramento. They lobby for the proliferation of charter schools with NO ACCOUNTABILITY. Just do a goggle search and read for yourselves. Things are changing however because some legislators are introducing AB-Bills to hold charter school accountable for their questionable actions. Guajome Park Academy’s lawyer and one of the insurance companies are a heavy lobbyist and member of some committees in CDE. These interconnections are public information, there is NO VALIDATION here just inner connections Mr. Canaletti should know this well. Mrs. Harrison is perhaps correct; “the Super Bowl” is at the Senate and at the courts with their narly lawsuits. What ever happened to their lawsuit against the former teachers and some are in higher courts. I always say every time there is a FEEL GOOD ARTICLE going on in VUSD there is something that they are trying to cover up. So the question is what is it this time? Lets not forget about the Shirk oral arguments in The California Supreme Court today!! Was there another lawsuit also in the United States Supreme Court that they are waiting to hear from?

maria wrote on May 31, 2007 10:54 AM:GPA IN VISTA? OH WELL, I HAVE ANOTHER AWARD FOR YOU ; BUT WAIT LET ME CALL NCT FIRST.

Why negativity? wrote on May 31, 2007 12:44 PM:Education is our future, whether it is from public schools, charter schools, home-schools or private schools. Have you visited them all, in-depth? Why these judgements then? Does YOUR kid know the METRIC system or is that only in OTHER countries? Does your kid read and write and speak Japanese? If not, start worrying big time! Forget GPA's, SAT scores - they only tell you a kid can pencil in a bubble with a good guess. What test score tells you a student is of good character, not on drugs, not depressed, not a terrorist? Come on, is all you care about test scores now? Look at your own intelligence and character: how appointed you judge and jury of others?

Allison wrote on May 31, 2007 5:43 PM:Why negativity- When students in VUSD schools have the worst scores according to state standards it means A LOT!! Yes my kids know the metric system all right and they also do calculus in 10th grade what math do GPA students do in 10th grade? My kids speak 3 languages French, Spanish and English do GPA kids? My kids also score ADVANCED in the star-9, QWA, and CHASSE they are excellent with bubbles also since the bubbles reflects which kids can read, write, have reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and basic math skills. With the analogies you used I can see why most VUSD parents buy into the theory that test don’t matter nor do they reflect how your kids are doing. Our family has high morals, character and integrity and I believe that it is the responsibility of the parents to instill these traits in their children. I pulled my 3 kids out of GPA because these same characteristics were missing.

Hey VistaWatchpup wrote on May 31, 2007 6:06 PM:What's the deal? The cup is always half empty with you. Let me get this straight, you want to wait until August to see if they failed. You my friend are negative.

Give me a G give me a P give me an A -GPA!! wrote on May 31, 2007 7:39 PM: Why so negative WATCHPUP maybe GPA will take the State by surprise this year. Maybe VUSD will get the highest scores in the entire SD County this year. Unless you know otherwise? Maria, I am curious what other possible award can GPA have they have taken the entire country with awards here and there. Can there possibly be more awards for a school that has tragically failed since it opened? Are you part of the PTA (friends of frogs) and have a parent award of excellence for GPA?

Vista Teacher wrote on May 31, 2007 9:28 PM:It is no wonder parents have the belief Test Scores don't matter, when many teacher spend many hours preparing their students to take tests as opposed to teaching them the material and content. Under such methods tests really don't amount a hill of beans! However, this said, the State and Federal Gov. (US Dept of Ed) do care about test scores and VUSD has been failing in this arena for too many years. So, teaching to the test has also failed. Now however, with Dr. Bales at the helm many of our students are beginning to achieve great things: like reading for the first time and actually understanding their math homework. So, we might actually see improvement in August when the results come in. Personally, I've seen great strides at a number of schools and have to praise the teachers who have worked so hard to finally see their students begin to learn. This, despite the rhetoric from our Union leaders and certain members of the community who desire to keep our children stupid. No, I'm not saying VUSD is out of the woods just yet, but they do seem to be turning a new leaf, even if the powerful Union elites are against it.

pay attention wrote on Jun 1, 2007 10:41 AM:to the comments about the group that sponsors this award. They are VERY anti-public schools, and charters are one way to get rid of teacher unions. Regardless of how one feels about these issues, it should be noted that this is a political group, not an education think tank. These are the same people who would like to see all publicly owned and operated institutions be handed over to the private sector so that the "magic market" can wave its wand and make everything wonderful.

Jamie wrote on Jun 1, 2007 1:51 PM: Pay attention- this “political group” spends a lot of money lobbing in Sacramento Assembly and CDE. They are vocal members of the committees in CDE and their insurance company’s lawyer is a member also. Most charter schools belong to this POLITICAL GROUP [JPA’s]. They pool their resources together and are just as powerful than the CTA. The worst charters receive constant AWARDS that don’t mean much like, “The all American High School.” They have a newsletter and one can find info. Online.