Goodbye and thank you, Mr. Escalante

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the legacy of Jaime Escalante, a notable math teacher known for his impact on students at Garfield High School, as well as the circumstances surrounding his passing. Participants reflect on his contributions to education, the state of the school after his departure, and the broader implications for educational challenges faced by similar institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express condolences and admiration for Escalante's teaching methods and dedication to his students.
  • One participant notes that after Escalante left Garfield High School, the school experienced a decline, suggesting that his influence was not sustained.
  • Another participant counters that while the school may have faced challenges, Escalante's work was not entirely lost, indicating a mixed view on the long-term effects of his teaching.
  • References are made to rankings of Garfield High School, highlighting its performance in Advanced Placement courses during Escalante's tenure.
  • Some participants share personal reflections on the impact of Escalante's story and the film "Stand and Deliver" on their views of education.
  • A link to an article about a teacher from a middle school feeding into Garfield is shared, suggesting further context on the educational environment during and after Escalante's time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on Escalante's positive impact as a teacher, but there are differing views on the lasting effects of his work at Garfield High School, with some asserting a decline and others suggesting that his influence remains significant.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and rankings to support their claims, but the discussion does not resolve the complexities of the school's current state or the full extent of Escalante's legacy.

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http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/417625_tvgif30.html

Jaime Escalante, the math teacher who inspired the 1988 film Stand and Deliver, died Tuesday. He was 79.

Escalante died at his son's home after battling bladder cancer for several years, family friend Keith Miller told The Associated Press.

As a math teacher at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, Escalante completely transformed the school's mathematics curriculum and pushed his struggling students to master advanced math and science courses. At one point, Garfield High School had the fifth-highest number of advanced placement calculus students in the country.
 
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RIP, talented teacher.
 
From what I heard after he left that school it quickly make a downward deathspiral back towards being the mess that it is today.
 
aquitaine said:
From what I heard after he left that school it quickly make a downward deathspiral back towards being the mess that it is today.

I'm sure it is a very rough school, but I wouldn't say the work of Escalante was completely lost.

btw, I grew up about ten miles from there.

In 2004, Newsweek ranked Garfield 581st top high school [of ~23,000] in the nation. The rank was based on the number of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a school in 2004 divided by the number of graduating seniors.[8]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield_High_School_(Los_Angeles_County,_California )

Escalante stopped teaching in 1991.
 
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So sad, I loved that movie BTW. With all the education woes in my state, the thought of what he did comes to mind often. It just goes to prove that one dedicated man can make a huge difference in the lives of kid's who come from tough backgrounds.

Salute, Mr. Escalante...

Rhody...
 

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