Comparisons which dont involve death counts

[Deborah]

Well, you have to understand this from a parent?s perspective.  If a parent has a child who is ?at risk? and is not attending school, the reason typically is buried somewhere in what is causing the ?at risk? behavior and if that can be dealt with and rooted out then the academics will fall back into line.  So, with that being said the focus should be put on getting to the root cause of the problem and if the TBS can provide some academic structure (as a minimum) with at least enough to keep them going so they don?t fall behind then it would be beneficial to the child, in my opinion and when the problems are resolved the child can reenter his previous school (or new school) and continue on, which many do.
It would be overkill in my opinion to seek out and pay Harvard grads to teach at TBS when the kids focus is elsewhere.  These teachers would serve a better purpose at a high end boarding school or someplace where the kids are presently self motivated to learn.

So, for $6000 month you get 1 private counseling session per week (if that), 3 group confrontation/humiliation sessions, and "some" academics with uncertified teachers. What a bargain!!
BTW,

Academics
The Academy at Swift River is a private college prepatory boarding School in Massachusetts for underachieving girls and boys struggling in a traditional academic environment. Swift River?s college prep high school progam prepares students to continue their education at leading colleges and universities.
http://www.swiftriver.com/defaultacademics.htm

Given they aren't accredited after what, 10 years, and provide "some" education, might it be fraudulent to claim to be a "college prep high school program"?

[TheWho]

Harvard grads? How about just college grads? You can try and spin it anyway you like, anyone who has ever been locked up in one of these places can tell you the education is garbage. Plain and simple.

Im interested to know though why you continue to believe you are qualified to speak on what parents need. Your qualifications have already been dismissed. Did you have something new to share with us? If not you should stop.

Oh and go answer the question.

Bob, I am not going to keep answering the same questions over and over again.  Please go back and find my response to this, it hasnt changed.

[Anonymous]

Given they aren't accredited after what, 10 years, and provide "some" education, might it be fraudulent to claim to be a "college prep high school program"?

Only one way to find out, and that's to round up enough dissatisfied parents to see if it holds up in court! :tup:

[TheWho]

Deborah wrote:

Given they aren't accredited after what, 10 years, and provide "some" education, might it be fraudulent to claim to be a "college prep high school program"?

No, I don?t think fraudulent, although I agree saying "College prep" does make it more appealing.  When I was talking to them it was made very clear what the academic level was.  They work with the local school district and I believe someone mentioned they can hand out diplomas now.  The kids in my daughters peer group and many other parents I spoke to had their kids take the SATs and PSATs and they did very well and applied and many got early acceptances into the colleges of their choice.  So yes, the education isn?t up to the same standards as some of your better known boarding and some public schools but the kids don?t suffer academically, they move forward.

I don?t think ASR will ever get fully accredited in Ma.(in my opinion) Because that state has an MCAS requirement which requires each grade to pass a standardize test before the child can move onto the next grade.  These kids come to ASR for a year and a half from all over the world and each area teaches at different rates and each state may offer different subjects each year so it would be almost impossible to standardize their academic system and place these requirements on kids from out of state unless they get a special certificate of some sort.  I think working along with the local school district is a big step and provides some oversight.  
I may be speaking out of line because I don?t know what ASR?s position is, but I do know that Ma has strict rules for each grade which may explain this.

[Anonymous]

someone mentioned they can hand out diplomas now.

Who, exactly, mentioned this? Are they actually handing out diplomas?

[TheWho]

someone mentioned they can hand out diplomas now.

Who, exactly, mentioned this? Are they actually handing out diplomas?

Ya know, I am not sure...before I left on my trip last year someone mentioned they were doing this.  This wasnt the case when my daughter was there....  be nice to find out for sure.

[Troll Control]

Given they aren't accredited after what, 10 years, and provide "some" education, might it be fraudulent to claim to be a "college prep high school program"?

Only one way to find out, and that's to round up enough dissatisfied parents to see if it holds up in court! :tup:

Let's do it.  I'm going to be working on NATSAP, so I can throw in ASR - they have the NATSAP seal of approval!  :roll:

College preperatory unaccredited classes taught by unlicensed teachers?  Naw, that don't sound funny...

[Troll Control]

Well, you have to understand this from a parent?s perspective.  If a parent has a child who is ?at risk? and is not attending school, the reason typically is buried somewhere in what is causing the ?at risk? behavior and if that can be dealt with and rooted out then the academics will fall back into line.  So, with that being said the focus should be put on getting to the root cause of the problem and if the TBS can provide some academic structure (as a minimum) with at least enough to keep them going so they don?t fall behind then it would be beneficial to the child, in my opinion and when the problems are resolved the child can reenter his previous school (or new school) and continue on, which many do.
It would be overkill in my opinion to seek out and pay Harvard grads to teach at TBS when the kids focus is elsewhere.  These teachers would serve a better purpose at a high end boarding school or someplace where the kids are presently self motivated to learn.

So, what you're saying is that ASR isn't really a "school" per se, but rather a residential treatment center for adolescents?

Why do they call it a "school" with no accreditation or licensed teachers?

I know why they can't call it an RTC - they have no qualified mental health practitioners and no license to treat anyone for anything - but why do they call it a "college preperatory boarding school" when clearly, by your own admission, they have completely subpar, unfailable, remedial classes that they don't even place focus upon?

Sounds like they're squirming around trying to avoid proper oversight that would be afforded a school or an RTC, but since they don't qualify as either they avoid even trying to become licensed or accredited.  They know they can't pass muster either academically or treatment-wise.

[Troll Control]

someone mentioned they can hand out diplomas now.

Who, exactly, mentioned this? Are they actually handing out diplomas?

Ya know, I am not sure...before I left on my trip last year someone mentioned they were doing this.  This wasnt the case when my daughter was there....  be nice to find out for sure.

they are, in fact, legally barred from issuing state diplomas.  If they are doing it, it is a crime and a tort.  Cannon fodder for a huge lawsuit in my estimation if they are representing themselves as an entity that is allowed to issue diplomas.

This is why ASR "grads" have to get a GED before applying to or being accepted by colleges.

[Anonymous]

:roll:

DJ! Don't give it away next time! I was trying to see if I could get some info out of him.. info used to shut the place down with.

[RobertBruce]

Bob, I am not going to keep answering the same questions over and over again. Please go back and find my response to this, it hasnt changed.

So you still believe that your kid going to a single school qualifies you to not only commentate on the entire industry but enables you to determine what information parents do or do not need.



Do you at least recognize that youre an arrogant asshole?

You know under your philosphy I could be a doctor, afterall Ive seen an episode or two of ER, so that should qualify me under your standards correct?

[Troll Control]

:roll:

DJ! Don't give it away next time! I was trying to see if I could get some info out of him.. info used to shut the place down with.

No worries, Milk.  There's plenty of public record information out there to shutter ASR (or at least cripple it).  We just need some motivated people to start digging up the "facts" that ASR has presented to regulatory bodies in order to undermine oversight of its practices.  Find those written submissions and you'll find enough false representation to, at a minimum, organize a lawsuit or even to get the state to start up a full-blown investigation into exactly how ASR provides casework services and unlicensed therapy at a "school."  Blow the whistle, Milk!

[TheWho]

This is why ASR "grads" have to get a GED before applying to or being accepted by colleges.

All the kids I knew would take time off from ASR to visit colleges, try to get early acceptance (if that was the stage they were in) and then finish up and get their diploma at home.  Most kids were transfering their credits back to their home school......  if ASR is able to give diplomas that would be a leg up to the kids.  Does anyone know if this is true?

[TheWho]

:roll:

DJ! Don't give it away next time! I was trying to see if I could get some info out of him.. info used to shut the place down with.

No worries, Milk.  There's plenty of public record information out there to shutter ASR (or at least cripple it).  We just need some motivated people to start digging up the "facts" that ASR has presented to regulatory bodies in order to undermine oversight of its practices.  Find those written submissions and you'll find enough false representation to, at a minimum, organize a lawsuit or even to get the state to start up a full-blown investigation into exactly how ASR provides casework services and unlicensed therapy at a "school."  Blow the whistle, Milk!

Any light we can bring to this would be great.  If there are holes we can expose them, bring it to their attention and get them resolved.

 If they are deficient in any area we should find it and put it under a microscope.  This is what makes schools improve themselves and make it better for the next group of kids.  If the state isn?t doing it then the parents typically step in and voice their concerns.  

I know when my daughter attended, a group of parents got together and spoke to ASR about some of the restrictions, rules and home visits.  ASR listened to our concerns, expressed their opinions and changes where made upon a consensus.  We were able to affect some changes which benefited the next group of kids.  What we need to do is realize that any organization or business is an ever evolving entity and constant input and feed back is needed to keep it growing and viable.  If there are state regulations that are not being followed then we need to understand why or if there are special circumstances and gain some understanding.

[Troll Control]

Most kids were transfering their credits back to their home school......

I'm not sure how this is possible.  Why would any bona-fide school accept credits from an unaccredited treatment center without licensed teachers?  Doesn't pass the smell test.

Milk, this may be another avenue for you to pursue with ASR.  Like AIR and HLA have learned, lying to the state to avoid oversight or to issue diplomas is a serious no-no.  

If schools are accepting "credits" from ASR, it seems they must necessarily have been lied to as to ASR's status as a "school."