Really strong reporting on how policy creates reverse meritocracy. The part about Max being ranked #1 but unable to access AP courses becuse of the 15-student threshold is wild. Districts subsidize dual credit for cost efficiency and student retention, so Elmwood Park's approach seems short sighted. I've watched similar dynamics play out in underfunded districts where gifted programs get cut first.
This definitely changes our plans as our child reaches high school age. Our excelling students deserve to be challenged and enriched, not “taught to the baseline”. It’s becoming more clear with each passing incident that this school district and board does not have its priorities in order!!
I have a similar experience to this as an EPHS student. I was outplaced from the EPCUSD district into a therapeurtic-day school because of personal conflicts that were escalated and mishandled (I am fine now but the administration doesn't see the progress since they value their jobs more than student success.) The therapeurtic-day school is meant for kids with low-functional needs and behavioral problems which results in easy work and a higher focus on social-emotional learning. I have requested to my therapeurtic school to take just the exam portion of the AP Class but they have to ask your resident district for the service. EPHS had told me "I can't take the AP Exam or enroll in any future AP Class becuase of my behavior and I have lost that privilege." I am also not allowed to take dual-enrollment classes at Triton. I know AP classes are a privilege but the behavior that they are referencing was caused by mental health conflicts and escalation of it (the administration is not trained nor have the knowledge for it). In this case, my situation is considered a "disability" since I have an IEP for it. Excluding a student from assessments based on their disability generally violates Section 504 and the ADA. Schools must provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all services and programs, including high-rigor courses like AP. I am still enrolled in EPHS and therefore I should still have access to testing. It is also hard for me to return back to a regular school as the administration didn't clarify any requirements for re-engagement and at my last IEP meeting, they were overly concerned about 3 small write-ups from goofing off with my friends even though I had good grades (straight A's), good attendance, no major school conficts such as fighting or threats, and mutiple staff members stating I am qualified to re-engage back into my regular public school and I am an overall good student.
The school district has never said it does not have the money. The parents of these students asked for an explanation, and they were told, hey, this is how the district decided to do it. —Kevin Gosztola
It was decided before this student even started at the HS correct?
Was not retaliatory towards the kid.
Based on what we as parents have to provide supply wise I would say the school district does not have the free resources. I chaulk it up to going to cover those who cannot afford to make these contributions to the classes.
Ok and what is the problem in that statement? Folks seemed happy enough that the attempted changing of the status you did not go anywhere last election.
Because until the next election that is what has decided the roadmap for the village. When the next one comes up maybe it will take a turn on the left fork of the road but that is yet to be seen.
I would have thought you would understand how elections work and the drive policy moving forward until the next one.
Elmwood Park in general is a disappointment. It is a village but not a community.
Really strong reporting on how policy creates reverse meritocracy. The part about Max being ranked #1 but unable to access AP courses becuse of the 15-student threshold is wild. Districts subsidize dual credit for cost efficiency and student retention, so Elmwood Park's approach seems short sighted. I've watched similar dynamics play out in underfunded districts where gifted programs get cut first.
This definitely changes our plans as our child reaches high school age. Our excelling students deserve to be challenged and enriched, not “taught to the baseline”. It’s becoming more clear with each passing incident that this school district and board does not have its priorities in order!!
I have a similar experience to this as an EPHS student. I was outplaced from the EPCUSD district into a therapeurtic-day school because of personal conflicts that were escalated and mishandled (I am fine now but the administration doesn't see the progress since they value their jobs more than student success.) The therapeurtic-day school is meant for kids with low-functional needs and behavioral problems which results in easy work and a higher focus on social-emotional learning. I have requested to my therapeurtic school to take just the exam portion of the AP Class but they have to ask your resident district for the service. EPHS had told me "I can't take the AP Exam or enroll in any future AP Class becuase of my behavior and I have lost that privilege." I am also not allowed to take dual-enrollment classes at Triton. I know AP classes are a privilege but the behavior that they are referencing was caused by mental health conflicts and escalation of it (the administration is not trained nor have the knowledge for it). In this case, my situation is considered a "disability" since I have an IEP for it. Excluding a student from assessments based on their disability generally violates Section 504 and the ADA. Schools must provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all services and programs, including high-rigor courses like AP. I am still enrolled in EPHS and therefore I should still have access to testing. It is also hard for me to return back to a regular school as the administration didn't clarify any requirements for re-engagement and at my last IEP meeting, they were overly concerned about 3 small write-ups from goofing off with my friends even though I had good grades (straight A's), good attendance, no major school conficts such as fighting or threats, and mutiple staff members stating I am qualified to re-engage back into my regular public school and I am an overall good student.
Thank you for sharing what you've experienced.
The other schools you listed do come from much larger tax bases which could explain the extra aid.
The school district has never said it does not have the money. The parents of these students asked for an explanation, and they were told, hey, this is how the district decided to do it. —Kevin Gosztola
How is that not a good enough answer?
It was decided before this student even started at the HS correct?
Was not retaliatory towards the kid.
Based on what we as parents have to provide supply wise I would say the school district does not have the free resources. I chaulk it up to going to cover those who cannot afford to make these contributions to the classes.
That’s ridiculous. And that attitude is what is keeping EP where it’s at.
Ok and what is the problem in that statement? Folks seemed happy enough that the attempted changing of the status you did not go anywhere last election.
Why are you still talking about the April election in 2025? It is February 7, 2026. —Kevin Gosztola
Because until the next election that is what has decided the roadmap for the village. When the next one comes up maybe it will take a turn on the left fork of the road but that is yet to be seen.
I would have thought you would understand how elections work and the drive policy moving forward until the next one.