And I'd not be true to the name of the blog if I did not point out that today is the birthday of Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss. The spoof that gives the blog its name is here. It is also celebrated as Read Across America Day.
In hopes that we can say, as Miss Bonkers does:"We've taught you that the earth is round, / That red and white make pink, / And something else that matters more - We've taught you how to think."
(And showing that Seuss spoofs are alive and well comes this from Canada.)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Level four schools money: up for grabs?
I was holding off on posting about this, hoping to get more complete information. I haven't, despite asking, so I share here what I do know.
Worcester sent a delegation off to present Level 4 school plans to state officials just before February break, in hopes of winning School Turnaround Grant funds. "Winning" is the term here now, because the game has changed, yet again.
The state threw open the competition for those funds to many others--I've heard 70, I've heard 100--more schools around the state. Thus it is not only a question of "did you do what we asked=getting the funds," but now also WPS (and other districts with Level 4 schools) have to show that they are doing better or more than these other schools.
I don't know how, when, or by whom the decision was made. I also should point out that Boston, due to declaring their schools early, did NOT have to compete for their funds.
Thus the question of whether we'll get money for Union Hill and Chandler Elementary at all.
The superintendent has told us that we will know by the end of the day tomorrow.
I will post here once we do.
Worcester sent a delegation off to present Level 4 school plans to state officials just before February break, in hopes of winning School Turnaround Grant funds. "Winning" is the term here now, because the game has changed, yet again.
The state threw open the competition for those funds to many others--I've heard 70, I've heard 100--more schools around the state. Thus it is not only a question of "did you do what we asked=getting the funds," but now also WPS (and other districts with Level 4 schools) have to show that they are doing better or more than these other schools.
I don't know how, when, or by whom the decision was made. I also should point out that Boston, due to declaring their schools early, did NOT have to compete for their funds.
Thus the question of whether we'll get money for Union Hill and Chandler Elementary at all.
The superintendent has told us that we will know by the end of the day tomorrow.
I will post here once we do.
Worcester Educational Collaborative et al statement
Also presented last night for consideration at CPPAC was a statement from the Worcester Educational Collaborative and others that will be presented at Thursday night's School Committee meeting. Due to the short term around time--members received the statement Monday and were being urged to vote Tuesday--some errors within the statement, and concerns around some of what was being said, CPPAC declined to sign on at this time.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Continuing spending resolution...now with ed cuts
The House has passed a compromise bill to keep government up and running. In the bill, however, are some education cuts:
I've got to go back through my grants list to tell you if and how much this would change Worcester's numbers. If it passes the Senate, I'll update.
The measure also includes significant cuts to education programs that would extend beyond the two-week period, including entirely scrapping the $250 million Striving Readers program, the $88 million Small Learning Communities Program, and the $66 million Even Start program. It also would get rid of the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships, or LEAP, program, financed at $64 million.
I've got to go back through my grants list to tell you if and how much this would change Worcester's numbers. If it passes the Senate, I'll update.
Parent advocacy at CPPAC
Parent advocacy for increased funding to schools being spoken of at CPPAC. Currently the city is contributing .3% over foundation; the statewide average is 15% over foundation. Urban districts have an average of 3.6% over foundation. The goal for the parents is to work the city contribution up to the urban average.
Sleepless on Vernon Hill
Some Holy Cross students, led by Christina Kyriakos'11, will be bringing good sleep habits to 270 students at Vernon Hill School. According the article on the college website:
They've been looking for donations for their good work (and I'm sure we can track them down if you're interested in helping out!).
h/t Nicole
Sweet Dreamzzz' R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Program will be replicated at Vernon Hill where 84 percent of the student body is eligible for free or reduced lunch. The program teaches children how to prepare for a good night’s sleep through healthy eating, activities and bedtime routines. Following the interactive 45-minute program, each child will be supplied with a sleep kit that includes a sleeping bag, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, crayons, stuffed animal and fun sleep educational materials.
While often overlooked, good sleep is essential to well-being and has a sustainable impact on children’s success in learning, Kyriakos explains. According to the National Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep has been linked to childhood obesity, academic difficulties, attention deficit disorder, mood disorders, heart disease and other health issues.
They've been looking for donations for their good work (and I'm sure we can track them down if you're interested in helping out!).
h/t Nicole
Board of Ed wrap-up
Yesterday the Massachusetts Board of Education, after an interesting conversation, voted to grant charters to 16 new charter schools across the state. According to the Herald, "Ten of the 16 schools are in Boston. Two are in Lawrence and the others are in New Bedford, Chelsea, Salem and Springfield." Two of those in Boston and the one in Salem are Horace Mann charters, subject to their local school boards.
The one charter that was denied, despite the endorsement of the Commissioner, was Lynn Prepartory Charter, which was also denied a charter last year, and for similar reasons:
Tellingly, all of this is not good enough for the Mass Charter School Association who are now, according to the same report, considering calling for an end to all charter school caps. This despite the repeated assurance (I remember being in several meetings in which this argument was made by Stand for Children staff) that this would be "off the table" if the new ed law passed. I didn't buy it then, either.
Worcester's Seven Hills Charter was put on probation pending improved MCAS scores. Principal Krista Piazza is quoted in today's Telegram and Gazette as saying that the report on Seven Hills doesn't consider many of the school's successes. I couldn't agree more. That's been true, however, of all schools put on probation, labeled as "failing" or "Level 4," and otherwise considered lacking by the state.
But if all one looks at are MCAS scores, then that's the answer you're going to get.
The one charter that was denied, despite the endorsement of the Commissioner, was Lynn Prepartory Charter, which was also denied a charter last year, and for similar reasons:
The school was proposed by the founders of the Hathaway School, a small, private elementary school in Swampscott, and some concerns had been raised about the distinction between the private and public schools.Last year, as you may recall, Chester pulled his endorsement of Lynn Prep at the last minute, leaving only Spirit of Knowledge in Worcester on the table for the Board's consideration.
Chester originally recommended against a charter for the Lynn school because it might violate a prohibition against converting a private school into a charter school. He reversed course and recommended approval after assurances that the private Hathaway school would not close if the charter for the public school was granted
Tellingly, all of this is not good enough for the Mass Charter School Association who are now, according to the same report, considering calling for an end to all charter school caps. This despite the repeated assurance (I remember being in several meetings in which this argument was made by Stand for Children staff) that this would be "off the table" if the new ed law passed. I didn't buy it then, either.
Worcester's Seven Hills Charter was put on probation pending improved MCAS scores. Principal Krista Piazza is quoted in today's Telegram and Gazette as saying that the report on Seven Hills doesn't consider many of the school's successes. I couldn't agree more. That's been true, however, of all schools put on probation, labeled as "failing" or "Level 4," and otherwise considered lacking by the state.
But if all one looks at are MCAS scores, then that's the answer you're going to get.
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