We, at StopRocketship.com, have been following educational models in the community closely.  At first, Rocketship showed very impressive test scores, which left everyone in the community excited to see what would happen next.  But over time, the scores have fallen, along with our excitement as Rocketship’s aggressive recruiting and singular focus on test scores has left a divided community.

We think the answer is Community Based Holistic Education.  You can get short term gains by drilling students with computers and worksheets.  But if you want real long term gains, you have to change students, families, and the community as a whole.  That’s exactly what’s happening at Washington Elementary.