Test Scores, Statistics
Quotes By Catagory

CUSD teacher says district "plays with" statistics, touting 94% as going on to higher learning, when less than 45% complete four years

Oct 15, 2007
Mary Ann Irwin 5_2
Marianne Irwin, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "I think we need to address another statistic. The district has published a great one, and that is that 94% of our students go on to higher learning, when I know the fact is fewer than 45 are attending four years. And I think that’s a statistic that’s played with, and I think we can do better."

Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.

CUSD teacher concerned about district's emphasis on standards, while quality of educational experience suffers

Oct 15, 2007
Mary Ann Irwin 5_2
Marianne Irwin, CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting "So I ask you, when we talk about the standards, I agree with the standards. I think they’re great. But the fact is, I’ve butcher-papered so many standards, every late start is standards. I feel like I’m calling audibles in a football game, 'Twelve point two four, twelve point…' I want to 'live it.' I’m really…I’m tired of just coming to my classroom and talking. I think we need to 'live it.' ”

Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.

Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents

May 26, 2005
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley News "I care about hard-working people getting the recognition and credit they deserve. Most of us in the community are aware that the job of a school board member is not an easy one. As Ms. Friess states, 'They perform [it] knowing that they will not be able to please everyone all of the time.' On this topic, Ms. Friess speaks accurately, but she grossly misspeaks by stating that 'These seven individuals are responsible for the education of our children.'"

Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.

Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents

May 26, 2005
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley News "Gosh, if I'd known that, I wouldn't have spent the past 15 years of my life teaching English at Marco Forster Middle School, nor would I have spent the past seven years supplementing at home what my daughter has been learning in CUSD schools. I think I would have gone shopping, booked a day at the spa, or gone to the beach. After all, according to Ms. Friess's words, these seven people are responsible for the education of the 140+ students that I see every day in my classroom. I guess I don't need to be there."

Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.

Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents

May 26, 2005
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley News "Here's the real deal: The seven CUSD board members are not solely responsible for the education of our children. They do make many policy decisions that impact on our children's education. I feel confident that CVN readers are savvy enough that it takes a lot more than these seven elected officials, most of whom have no experience actually teaching kids, to be responsible for teaching our children. This responsibility involves parents and teachers working together. During these lean financial times, it takes the help of community members and business partners to make things happen for the benefit of our children. All of us who work hard to educate children deserve public praise, not just the seven members of the school board."

Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.