Focus on real reform that gets schools out of the 19th-century factory model and into the 21st-century technology age: instead of measuring learning in terms of days, hours, weeks, insprire learning in terms of projects, presentations, portfolios(students will need computers, teachers-as-coaches[instead of police]and less focus on standardized tests. Going to a 4-day week will take all those busses off the road for one day a week, help the environment, give students time for projects, etc. and enable teachers to plan projects and grade them thoroughly. Tony Bennett's idea to give schools a letter grade is so stifling and into that myopic "one-size-fits-all" stulifying, crippling, antiquated mentality.
Accountability--Accountability--Accountability--if Eugene White thinks that 60% of his teachers are ineffective then he needs to be fired. Clearly he has failed to hold his principals accountable and those principals have failed to hold teachers accountable.
Community and Parent Engagement--stop making decisions from the top down without involving the community and parents.
Decentralization--the top-down management model is old fashioned and simply does not work.
Consolidation--Education funding is going to continue to shrink. Consolidating non-instructional functions needs to happen.
Listen to the people that got you into office. Annie and Samantha need to pay close attention to the parents that voted for them. They must also beware of the snakes. Micheal Brown and Mary Bush are snakes in the grass. Propose to remove the high school principals who have been at failing school more than three years. They have been given an opportunity to achieve, yet they have failed.
Beware of the dull witted incumbent board members like Michael Brown, Mary Busch and Elizabeth Gore. They are puppets for the bully tactics and intimidation of the Eugene White bash and trash his employees policy.
Start looking for candidates to run against the mindless bobble head board members.
Ask questions in open meetings so that while you may be outvoted, the public will be aware of some of the unprofessinal behavior of Eugene White and his colleagues.
Samantha White represents the area of the city where a high percentage of people don't send their kids to IPS--they send their kids to private schools or across the district line to Washington Township. These same people pays the most in property taxes. Samantha White needs to reach out to families and neighborhood associations and ask them what they want.
Obviously the above poster does not recognize the boundaries of Adair White's district. She will represent a big chunk of Center township like Mapleton Fall Creek and running into the east side. She will represent the Meadows areas and areas close to Arlington High School. Before you make some sweeping statements about the makeup and attitudes of the district, you should do your homework.
I wouldn't worry much about Samantha White. Dr. White and the groupies will kiss her ass because they know Jeffrey White has the evidence. If I were Dr. White, I would pack up and get out of town because Annie Roof is going to be on this ass like a K-9 unit.
Annie Roof is the new and improved Kelly Bentley. She also has a big church in Irvington that backs her up. This is going to be so much fun that I am going to take popcorn to the board meetings
Eugene White may be checking his retirement options now. All of those Ed Center scandals and mismanagament will now have to be answered and there will be some accountability.
To the person who posted three post up.........no one said President Barack Obama was going to "save" this country. Only God can save this country. President Obama is trying to help rebuild this country but he can't do it over night, he has several years of mess to clean up following behind Bush and the problems and mess he created. Bush sure as hell didn't help save this country............and if you think so, something is wrong with you!
Were these guys teachers? Will they be teachers/coaches or Dean of the Lunchroom/coaches? Teachers/coaches IMHO all cool. Ghost position/coaches ain't makin' it.
White represents virtually the entire IPS district north of 38th Street. And yes, she also represents Mapleton-Fall Creek and part of the Meadows/Forest Manor areas--again areas where there are lots of families attending private schools and charter schools. My point is Samantha White (and IPS for that matter) needs to reach out to ALL neighborhood groups and families in District 3 to find out what they like/don't like about IPS. Ignoring the Northside--the neighborhood associations and families--would be a huge mistake and very damaging to IPS as a whole.
I would agree that she needs to reach out to the BTNA and MKNA. Although I think we will not see any fireworks between her and Dr. White. The rumor is that the truth has come out within IPS about Prudence Bridgwaters and Jane Kendricks. Annie is another case. I concur with the previous post. I'm taking a six pack of Coke and popcorn with me when I go to the board meetings.
Gosh how would it be if the BTNA and the MKNA reached out to her? appx 10 elementary schools in Dist.3, 3 MS I believe, one school for alternative education, a High School, etc., etc. She might have a bit on her plate.
Besides the term "reaching out" is so touchy, feelie. Maybe the MKNA and BTNA could invite her to speak at one of their monthly meetings.
I would like the commissioners to find out why we have a high school principal who has an affair with one of his teachers and when it went sour, the teacher is placed on administrative leave and nothing happens to the principal. Workplace relationships are inappropriate but why only the teacher is disciplined and not the principal who was the boss in the situation.
Why would Samantha Adair-White ignore BTNA when she lives in that neighborhood? She is only one block over from MKNA. I dont know why the assumptions are being made that she is not connected or will ignore those areas. I am certain she knows the boundaries of her district and the schools in her district. She did win the election over several very well funded opponents.
Neither Roof nor Adair-White have to kiss the ring of Gene White and his people. My guess is that we will see a few central office administrators and principals get out of IPS real quick. One would be a fool to think that Kelly Bentley and Jeffrey White have not told Annie and Samantha the truth about whats going on. Northwest, Arlington, Tech, and Arlington are the likely targets. My suggestion for both board members would be to pick their battles.
Tech is going downtown by the day despite a dedicated staff and some wonderful magnets. There is absolutely no leadership at the top. She doesn't know and she doesn't care.
To get back on topic: I ask that the new board members spend time in schools at all levels and spend time talking with students, parents, teachers and administrators to find out what the real needs are. Elementary needs differ from Middle School needs, just as they are vastly different than needs of high school. To understand what will help the students of this district, you first must get to know the building-level needs are. Please sit in on classes and talk to all who will sit down with you.
my advice to the board members... don't spend too much money on business cards, because the state will be taking over the district in 2011... Bennett has all but verified this to everyone downtown at doe... IPS is too far gone and the same 4-3 stalemate isn't going to work... the best thing for the KIDS and the taxpayers is for the state to take over so they can fire 100% of the administrators and 50% of the teachers.
Adair-White will reach out to everyone in her district. She is very concern about all kids. One thing I can say Central Office Watch out! Eugene she's coming after you and your staff. That's a promise!
Either close down some schools or take some area away from Tech and bring stuents back to Howe, Manual, Northwest, Arlington. These HS schools are small (enrollment wise).
Maybe bring the MS into Manual and Northwest. Save money by closing Donnan and Gambol.
Take some of the small magnets locations and put them into a traditional HS. Magnets are stripping the traditional schools of parents and students who care. Don't allow them to stand alone. Force them into HS (not Tech that already has a lot) spreading them throughout the district. You could then close down the smaller buildings (saving money).
Try to find public or outside funding to get shop and trades back into the school. Business classes, wood shop, print shop, auto mechanics, etc. all provide resources that use to help the classroom. Now we only teach the basics (except at Tech). Bring them back for a balanced education.
Ask Dr. White for all his coaches to be in the classrooms. Not in basketball advising or football dean etc. There is no real reason the basketbll coach at Broad Ripple needs to be paid more than a classroom teacher and the regular stipend. Same at other schools.
Have all sports and clubs for all. Stop eliminating because of no trophies. There is more to athletics than trophies. Sports and clubs are what hooks (right or wrong) some of our HS kids. Stop eliminating them (football in mind here). I would actually say expand. Key school should either have teams or be moved to Manual (take a hole wing they only have 600 students there, Key is a lot smaller). Key HS at Manual would allow those students in addition to the Key Program an opportunity for clubs and athletics not currently offered because of the k-12 set up.
Oh, if our HS are so horrible. Stop worry about transportation. Move the HS to the magnet schedule. All studies say that HS students do better when schools start later. Must look at cities like Minneapolis and others. Scores went up over 10%. Just tell transporation and the busses to figure it out. Same with the parents we are at war and need to try everything. Don't be at mercy of the busses.
Parents are more likely to choose magnets when they are separated from the traditional schools. When they are combined, parents tend to go for the charter schools. Just something we have to keep in mind.
Cost is what we need to keep in mind with the current funding. Not what seems. Remember for the most part 80% of the charters perform worse than our schools (especially when you look at the 10 yrs they have been around). Many kids are returned from charters.
With good programs the kids will come and stay. No matter the location.
So keeping cost down is the number one priority to do.
Decreasing per-student spending isn't enough if it costs us too many students. I think you're speaking more "wishful thinking" then anything data-based. We will lose most of our magnet students if we ignore the wishes of their parents. They won't just swallow it. Of course, they won't go to the 10-year-old crummy charters. They'll go to one of the newer ones who have learned from the others. Or one of the ones that are still yet to open. But they won't just shrug their sad shoulders and take whatever we dish out anymore.
Just look at the number of schools (charters) here in Indy that have been open more than 5-10 years. Show me over 20-30 percent that are out performing the local school here in Indy. Especially, IPS.
These schools are fads. Many cannot (will not take kids for certain reasons such as special education) keep up for whatever reason to their public counter part. Not all there are a very FEW that are working, most do nothing but siphen off resources that are better served in the traditional public school.
These schools also send kids back to schools all the time. My husband (whom I help grade his papers) has shown me at least 8 students who Fountain Square Academy sends back. He has also had four from Herron. Most are over age and under credit for graduation on time. Now his school(s), as he travels between two, will take the hit on graduation because of their failures. Will the STAR talk about Charters doing this? No! So, I agree Charters are probably near 80% failure to at least reach the testing results of the traditional counter parts.
As a parent I like the idea of HS Magnets (as long as sperated like small schools) housed in the traditional buildings.
While I love the school aspect of Key (mentioned above) the after school activities for a well rounded child is less than available. Key for at Manual (as mentioned) would allow my daughter to be in stage (I have read there) in addition to running cross country, basketball, and softball or track (that she loves to do but can't at key).
If Manual enrollment is down that much they should be able to house a wing of Key HS (not much different than the cramped location they are now with k-8 kids).
In addition with a little shared resources Key might be able to offer or allow kids to take the A.P. classes not currently offered.
Center for Inquiry has the Bachelorate Progam at Northwest for HS. Why not move Key HS program into Manual. I believe it would be a benefit for both sides.
Again, I love the schooling philosophy of Key. I though wish they had more (AP classes) and offered after school clubs and athletics (most importantly). Would I change my daughter for these "NO" but still wish. I hate with the principal shuts us (parents) up when trying to discuss these. Saying it is not in the philosophy. If it betters the school than find a way to work it in is what I say.
Oh for the love of Pete, the idea that people would go back to IPS from Herron is absurd. You're obviously lying. These two schools are not even comparable. Yes, it's possible your husband got kids back from Fountain Square. It's the lowest performing school in the city, aside from Hope Academy which is part of inpatient drug rehab. And I agree that there are some charters that should be shut down, including FSA. But any criteria you would use to shut down Herron would shut down all IPS high schools, Warren Central, Ben Davis, Beech Grove, and Decatur.
I love the idea of switching elementary kids back to an earlier schedule. Read the brain research that supports high school and middle school kids going to a later schedule. Lets try it! Also, we need to look seriously at parent accountability. Most parents want their kids to go to a safe learning environment, but we too many parents who do little to support their children. It's a serious, serious problem that is being overlooked all too often.
Sorry, but he has received four Herron. I don't know if it is one that does not messure up over all or not, but since he has gotten them (students) from there I mentioned them.
The point still goes. If schools (charters) cannot outperform or at least equal the performance of traditional schools they should go. Stop diluting the funds by more buildings and administrators for each of these places. Put the kids back with traditional schools if the charter or magnet cannot perform.
According to the DOE, there hasn't been significant migration (more than 5 students) from Herron to any IPS school in the history of Herron. So what are the odds that 4 students (the maximum that would transfer without being recorded) would migrate from Herron to a far inferior school and then all four of them would end up having the same teacher? I agree with the poster above. It sounds fabricated. I guess it's a compliment to charter schools when IPS teachers have to resort to making up stuff to criticize charters because they don't have anything legitimate to use, lol.
I find your comment offensive. Where do you get off calling our schools inferior? Our schools and teachers provide a quality education. All you have to do it grab it. It's free. If students choose not to take advantage of the quality, free education we provide that's on them.
I find it insulting that you are calling my husband a liar.
At one of the schools he is at one of the two students who came there (from Herron) was suppose to make Herron a basketball powerhouse.
That is well documented before basketball season this year.
I have half a mind to get his grade book and list names but know privacy issues come into it. No matter if the kids were just there from some where else a few weeks or were there over two years (as one was from what my husband has said) they still did not last at Herron.
Again, I say that I am not familiar with Herron or its academics. I do know that even schools like Carmel, North Central, Warren, Cathedral all have kids who come in and out (for various reasons, some short times and other just a few weeks).
I believe the DOE just looks at kids who are spending over half the year. These kids may or may not have done that. We know that there are kids who are very transient. These kids may be in that catagory or may not.
Either way do not call my Husband a liar. He keeps copies of the transcrips sent (for his records of grades when they come in especially during a semester.) I looked to make sure they clearly say Herron.
I'm new to this thread, but in your post above, you made it sound like Herron failed these kids and then sent them back to IPS. I think that's what caused the argument and accusations of lying. Now you're saying maybe they were a group of transient kids. Well that's completely different, isn't it? If Herron had them long enough to screw them up, they'd be in the DOE statistics. If they weren't at their previous school half the year, then don't blame that school for these kids being behind. Blame their transience. You're talking in circles and then blaming other people for calling bullshit.
I have a child at Herron, and nobody who has been in any IPS high school and Herron High School would hesitate to call IPS inferior. We can debate all day about WHY it's inferior (teachers, kids, parents, administration, curriculum, philosophy, etc.) But let's be clear. It IS inferior.
Also, I don't know anyone who has transferred back to IPS. I do know a couple of kids who transferred out to another school with looser graduation requirements, but they went to another charter school, not IPS.
While I understand, and sympathize, with why it may be helpful for a spouse to volunteer his or her time at home to help with grading, it is already a violation of the student's privacy and privacy laws for you to view their transcripts and grades. That doesn't mean I blame you or your husband. It sounds like he needs more time to do the grading, which likely isn't available with commuting to two schools and his class load. Difficult dilemma, but at least stop at the grade book and don't look at or share information, even generally, from the transcripts.
For those who don't know which charters are good and which ones are not, or how long they've been around, here's a cheat sheet.
System % passing ISTEP % free/reduced lunch passing ISTEP Graduation Rates Category Placements (based on improvement) (Excludes new students < 162 days) Beech Grove 74.1 68.8 73.7 Academic Watch Decatur 65.2 60.0 73.1 Academic Watch Franklin 75.6 63.0 77.2 Academic Progress IPS 52.7 49.3 48.6 Academic Probation Lawrence 64.9 46.3 85 Academic Watch Perry 70.3 61.6 77.9 Academic Watch Pike 65.5 47.8 86.1 Academic Watch Speedway 75.1 59.6 96.6 Academic Watch Warren 68.2 55.8 72.1 Academic Watch Washington 73.0 59.2 86 Academic Watch Wayne 62.0 57.8 74.7 Academic Watch
Year Established A. J. Brown 63 71.5 n/a Exemplary 2003 Challenge 48.8 48 n/a Academic Progress 2006 Christel House 74.3 72 n/a Exemplary 2002 Decatur Disc. 56.3 Not given 59.5 Academic Probation 2005 Fall Creek 53.3 57 44.4 Academic Progress 2003 Flanner House 75.9 66.5 n/a Exemplary 2002 Fountain Sq 42.9 50.0 14.3 Academic Progress 2005 Herron 65.6 67.5 76.9 Exemplary 2006 Hope Acad. Not given Not given 25.0 Academic Progress 2006 Hoosier Acad. 59.8 Not given n/a Not given 2008 Hoosier VPS Not given Not given n/a Not given 2009 IN Math and Sc. 60.7 65 n/a Exemplary 2007 Imagine East 38.7 Not given n/a Not Given 2008 Imagine West Not given Not given n/a Not Given 2009 Indpls L.H. 45.7 41 n/a Academic Progress 2005 Indpls Metro 21.8 20 63.5 Academic Watch 2007 Indpls Project 39.6 Not given n/a Not given 2008 Irvington 73.2 72 n/a Academic Watch 2003 KIPP 49.2 54.5 n/a Academic Progress 2004 Monum. L.H. 41.1 51 n/a Academic Watch 2007 SENSE 64.8 63 n/a Academic Progress 2004 Stonegate 44.2 40 84.4 Academic Probation 2006 Tindley 76.9 81 60 Exemplary 2004
My columns were messed up, but to clarify, the second number, is percentage of free/reduced lunch students who passed ISTEP. This figure, per NCLB, excludes students who have attended their school less than 162 days.
Thanks for posting that. It shows what I was saying yesterday about those who want to shut down some of the charters. Any criteria used to shut down the "bad" charters would shut down most IPS schools.
Herron is a mess. I personally know one family who received the suggestion that they move their son back to IPS. In addition, I know a former teacher there who could tell stories that you would not believe. The teacher turnover rate at Herron is out of control and so are the students.
You pro charter school people need to start your own blog, that way you can all sit around and talk about how great you are. We who are trying to improve IPS are really tired of hearing from you.
The newer generation of teachers doesn't see charters as the enemy the way the older ones do. it's not that we're pro charter, it's that we're not anti-charter. Just because I teach at IPS doesn't mean I shouldn't be informed about the other public schools in the city and what they might be doing better, worse, similar, different, etc. Evaluating how other programs fail or succeed with urban kids is certainly relevant to improving IPS, isn't it?
I feel the need to point out that each of the charters listed has fewer than 400 students which makes comparision to any of the public schools IPS or townships ridiculous. I did laugh when I say the Indianapolis Met numbers, I regularly get their kids and failing Tindley kids. So, lets all be really honest about the fact that in some cases there is a revolving door between charters and IPS and township schools.
The IDOE doesn't show any migration from Indianapolis Met, but it does verify significant migration from Tindley to IPS every year since it's been open.
To the post about consolidating the schools, consider this: Dr. White is skimming the best students out of the middle schools and high schools via Attucks and Shortridge and maybe now Broad Ripple. That way when Tony B. tries to threaten him by taking over Arlington or Tech or Gambold, Dr. White can say go ahead, knock yourself out. It'll be like one big game of chicken as to who gets our low performing schools.
To the poster who said "Tech is going downtown," etc. I say even God couldn't manage this huge project: 78 acres, 16 buildings, 2000+ students, 400 staff; materials, meetings, hiring, etc. Who would criticize this principal??? She's so dedicated to Tech: 12 hour days; meetings that require study and research. I can't believe anyone would not support her! Walk a mile in her shoes!
Focus on real reform that gets schools out of the 19th-century factory model and into the 21st-century technology age: instead of measuring learning in terms of days, hours, weeks, insprire learning in terms of projects, presentations, portfolios(students will need computers, teachers-as-coaches[instead of police]and less focus on standardized tests. Going to a 4-day week will take all those busses off the road for one day a week, help the environment, give students time for projects, etc. and enable teachers to plan projects and grade them thoroughly. Tony Bennett's idea to give schools a letter grade is so stifling and into that myopic "one-size-fits-all" stulifying, crippling, antiquated mentality.
ReplyDeleteAccountability--Accountability--Accountability--if Eugene White thinks that 60% of his teachers are ineffective then he needs to be fired. Clearly he has failed to hold his principals accountable and those principals have failed to hold teachers accountable.
ReplyDeleteCommunity and Parent Engagement--stop making decisions from the top down without involving the community and parents.
Decentralization--the top-down management model is old fashioned and simply does not work.
Consolidation--Education funding is going to continue to shrink. Consolidating non-instructional functions needs to happen.
Listen to the people that got you into office. Annie and Samantha need to pay close attention to the parents that voted for them. They must also beware of the snakes. Micheal Brown and Mary Bush are snakes in the grass. Propose to remove the high school principals who have been at failing school more than three years. They have been given an opportunity to achieve, yet they have failed.
ReplyDeleteBeware of the dull witted incumbent board members like Michael Brown, Mary Busch and Elizabeth Gore. They are puppets for the bully tactics and intimidation of the Eugene White bash and trash his employees policy.
ReplyDeleteStart looking for candidates to run against the mindless bobble head board members.
Ask questions in open meetings so that while you may be outvoted, the public will be aware of some of the unprofessinal behavior of Eugene White and his colleagues.
Don't leave out Marianna Zaphirou out. She's as useless as the other three.
ReplyDeleteSamantha White represents the area of the city where a high percentage of people don't send their kids to IPS--they send their kids to private schools or across the district line to Washington Township. These same people pays the most in property taxes. Samantha White needs to reach out to families and neighborhood associations and ask them what they want.
ReplyDeleteObviously the above poster does not recognize the boundaries of Adair White's district. She will represent a big chunk of Center township like Mapleton Fall Creek and running into the east side. She will represent the Meadows areas and areas close to Arlington High School. Before you make some sweeping statements about the makeup and attitudes of the district, you should do your homework.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry much about Samantha White. Dr. White and the groupies will kiss her ass because they know Jeffrey White has the evidence. If I were Dr. White, I would pack up and get out of town because Annie Roof is going to be on this ass like a K-9 unit.
ReplyDeleteLets see how long Larry Yarrell, Prudence Bridgwaters, and Jane Kendricks last.
ReplyDeleteAnnie Roof is the new and improved Kelly Bentley. She also has a big church in Irvington that backs her up. This is going to be so much fun that I am going to take popcorn to the board meetings
ReplyDeleteEugene White may be checking his retirement options now. All of those Ed Center scandals and mismanagament will now have to be answered and there will be some accountability.
ReplyDeleteYeah and we all thought Barak was going to save this country too. There's a lesson in here...Don't get too excited. Wait and see how it all develops.
ReplyDeleteOops, don't jump down my throat I realize it's really Barack.
ReplyDeleteJust do what you can do to clean out the cesspool at the Ed. Center.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who posted three post up.........no one said President Barack Obama was going to "save" this country. Only God can save this country. President Obama is trying to help rebuild this country but he can't do it over night, he has several years of mess to clean up following behind Bush and the problems and mess he created. Bush sure as hell didn't help save this country............and if you think so, something is wrong with you!
ReplyDeleteBush was horrible. Obama is worse. (I'm not the person who posted above, just throwing in my two cents.)
ReplyDeletenew basketball coaches for Howe and Washington
ReplyDeleteMike Elliott, Jason Delaney
my three cents
Were these guys teachers?
Will they be teachers/coaches or Dean of the Lunchroom/coaches?
Teachers/coaches IMHO all cool.
Ghost position/coaches ain't makin' it.
White represents virtually the entire IPS district north of 38th Street. And yes, she also represents Mapleton-Fall Creek and part of the Meadows/Forest Manor areas--again areas where there are lots of families attending private schools and charter schools. My point is Samantha White (and IPS for that matter) needs to reach out to ALL neighborhood groups and families in District 3 to find out what they like/don't like about IPS.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring the Northside--the neighborhood associations and families--would be a huge mistake and very damaging to IPS as a whole.
I would agree that she needs to reach out to the BTNA and MKNA. Although I think we will not see any fireworks between her and Dr. White. The rumor is that the truth has come out within IPS about Prudence Bridgwaters and Jane Kendricks. Annie is another case. I concur with the previous post. I'm taking a six pack of Coke and popcorn with me when I go to the board meetings.
ReplyDeleteGosh how would it be if the BTNA and the MKNA reached out to her? appx 10 elementary schools in Dist.3, 3 MS I believe, one school for alternative education, a High School, etc., etc.
ReplyDeleteShe might have a bit on her plate.
Besides the term "reaching out" is so touchy, feelie. Maybe the MKNA and BTNA could invite her to speak at one of their monthly meetings.
I would like the commissioners to find out why we have a high school principal who has an affair with one of his teachers and when it went sour, the teacher is placed on administrative leave and nothing happens to the principal. Workplace relationships are inappropriate but why only the teacher is disciplined and not the principal who was the boss in the situation.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Samantha Adair-White ignore BTNA when she lives in that neighborhood? She is only one block over from MKNA. I dont know why the assumptions are being made that she is not connected or will ignore those areas. I am certain she knows the boundaries of her district and the schools in her district. She did win the election over several very well funded opponents.
ReplyDeleteNeither Roof nor Adair-White have to kiss the ring of Gene White and his people. My guess is that we will see a few central office administrators and principals get out of IPS real quick. One would be a fool to think that Kelly Bentley and Jeffrey White have not told Annie and Samantha the truth about whats going on. Northwest, Arlington, Tech, and Arlington are the likely targets. My suggestion for both board members would be to pick their battles.
ReplyDeleteTech is going downtown by the day despite a dedicated staff and some wonderful magnets. There is absolutely no leadership at the top. She doesn't know and she doesn't care.
ReplyDeleteShe did win the election over several very well funded opponents.
ReplyDeleteShe did win the election over one very well funded opponent.
To get back on topic: I ask that the new board members spend time in schools at all levels and spend time talking with students, parents, teachers and administrators to find out what the real needs are. Elementary needs differ from Middle School needs, just as they are vastly different than needs of high school. To understand what will help the students of this district, you first must get to know the building-level needs are. Please sit in on classes and talk to all who will sit down with you.
ReplyDeleteI hear a recount is underway.
ReplyDeleteYou heard wrong. There is no recount.
ReplyDeletemy advice to the board members... don't spend too much money on business cards, because the state will be taking over the district in 2011... Bennett has all but verified this to everyone downtown at doe... IPS is too far gone and the same 4-3 stalemate isn't going to work... the best thing for the KIDS and the taxpayers is for the state to take over so they can fire 100% of the administrators and 50% of the teachers.
ReplyDeleteAdair-White will reach out to everyone in her district. She is very concern about all kids. One thing I can say Central Office Watch out! Eugene she's coming after you and your staff. That's a promise!
ReplyDeleteAgain people, get you a coke and a bag of popcorn. This is going to be fun.
ReplyDeleteAdvice? Get out now. Move far away. Don't look back.
ReplyDeleteEither close down some schools or take some area away from Tech and bring stuents back to Howe, Manual, Northwest, Arlington. These HS schools are small (enrollment wise).
ReplyDeleteMaybe bring the MS into Manual and Northwest. Save money by closing Donnan and Gambol.
Take some of the small magnets locations and put them into a traditional HS. Magnets are stripping the traditional schools of parents and students who care. Don't allow them to stand alone. Force them into HS (not Tech that already has a lot) spreading them throughout the district. You could then close down the smaller buildings (saving money).
Try to find public or outside funding to get shop and trades back into the school. Business classes, wood shop, print shop, auto mechanics, etc. all provide resources that use to help the classroom. Now we only teach the basics (except at Tech). Bring them back for a balanced education.
Ask Dr. White for all his coaches to be in the classrooms. Not in basketball advising or football dean etc. There is no real reason the basketbll coach at Broad Ripple needs to be paid more than a classroom teacher and the regular stipend. Same at other schools.
Have all sports and clubs for all. Stop eliminating because of no trophies. There is more to athletics than trophies. Sports and clubs are what hooks (right or wrong) some of our HS kids. Stop eliminating them (football in mind here). I would actually say expand. Key school should either have teams or be moved to Manual (take a hole wing they only have 600 students there, Key is a lot smaller). Key HS at Manual would allow those students in addition to the Key Program an opportunity for clubs and athletics not currently offered because of the k-12 set up.
Oh, if our HS are so horrible. Stop worry about transportation. Move the HS to the magnet schedule. All studies say that HS students do better when schools start later. Must look at cities like Minneapolis and others. Scores went up over 10%. Just tell transporation and the busses to figure it out. Same with the parents we are at war and need to try everything. Don't be at mercy of the busses.
Just a few to start with.
Sleep with one eye open and your finger on the trigger.
ReplyDeleteParents are more likely to choose magnets when they are separated from the traditional schools. When they are combined, parents tend to go for the charter schools. Just something we have to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteCost is what we need to keep in mind with the current funding. Not what seems. Remember for the most part 80% of the charters perform worse than our schools (especially when you look at the 10 yrs they have been around). Many kids are returned from charters.
ReplyDeleteWith good programs the kids will come and stay. No matter the location.
So keeping cost down is the number one priority to do.
LOL Where on earth are you getting your 80% figure! Nothing reality-based, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteDecreasing per-student spending isn't enough if it costs us too many students. I think you're speaking more "wishful thinking" then anything data-based. We will lose most of our magnet students if we ignore the wishes of their parents. They won't just swallow it. Of course, they won't go to the 10-year-old crummy charters. They'll go to one of the newer ones who have learned from the others. Or one of the ones that are still yet to open. But they won't just shrug their sad shoulders and take whatever we dish out anymore.
ReplyDeleteNationally the majority of charters have failed or are failing. I don't know about the 80% figure but it is a large percentage.
ReplyDeleteJust look at the number of schools (charters) here in Indy that have been open more than 5-10 years. Show me over 20-30 percent that are out performing the local school here in Indy. Especially, IPS.
ReplyDeleteThese schools are fads. Many cannot (will not take kids for certain reasons such as special education) keep up for whatever reason to their public counter part. Not all there are a very FEW that are working, most do nothing but siphen off resources that are better served in the traditional public school.
These schools also send kids back to schools all the time. My husband (whom I help grade his papers) has shown me at least 8 students who Fountain Square Academy sends back. He has also had four from Herron. Most are over age and under credit for graduation on time. Now his school(s), as he travels between two, will take the hit on graduation because of their failures. Will the STAR talk about Charters doing this? No! So, I agree Charters are probably near 80% failure to at least reach the testing results of the traditional counter parts.
As a parent I like the idea of HS Magnets (as long as sperated like small schools) housed in the traditional buildings.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love the school aspect of Key (mentioned above) the after school activities for a well rounded child is less than available. Key for at Manual (as mentioned) would allow my daughter to be in stage (I have read there) in addition to running cross country, basketball, and softball or track (that she loves to do but can't at key).
If Manual enrollment is down that much they should be able to house a wing of Key HS (not much different than the cramped location they are now with k-8 kids).
In addition with a little shared resources Key might be able to offer or allow kids to take the A.P. classes not currently offered.
Center for Inquiry has the Bachelorate Progam at Northwest for HS. Why not move Key HS program into Manual. I believe it would be a benefit for both sides.
Again, I love the schooling philosophy of Key. I though wish they had more (AP classes) and offered after school clubs and athletics (most importantly). Would I change my daughter for these "NO" but still wish. I hate with the principal shuts us (parents) up when trying to discuss these. Saying it is not in the philosophy. If it betters the school than find a way to work it in is what I say.
Oh for the love of Pete, the idea that people would go back to IPS from Herron is absurd. You're obviously lying. These two schools are not even comparable. Yes, it's possible your husband got kids back from Fountain Square. It's the lowest performing school in the city, aside from Hope Academy which is part of inpatient drug rehab. And I agree that there are some charters that should be shut down, including FSA. But any criteria you would use to shut down Herron would shut down all IPS high schools, Warren Central, Ben Davis, Beech Grove, and Decatur.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of switching elementary kids back to an earlier schedule. Read the brain research that supports high school and middle school kids going to a later schedule. Lets try it! Also, we need to look seriously at parent accountability. Most parents want their kids to go to a safe learning environment, but we too many parents who do little to support their children. It's a serious, serious problem that is being overlooked all too often.
ReplyDeleteThere is no real reason the basketbll coach at Broad Ripple needs to be paid more than a classroom teacher and the regular stipend.
ReplyDeleteThere is no real reason that a BB coach anywhere needs to draw the salary of a classroom teacher.
Sorry, but he has received four Herron. I don't know if it is one that does not messure up over all or not, but since he has gotten them (students) from there I mentioned them.
ReplyDeleteThe point still goes. If schools (charters) cannot outperform or at least equal the performance of traditional schools they should go. Stop diluting the funds by more buildings and administrators for each of these places. Put the kids back with traditional schools if the charter or magnet cannot perform.
According to the DOE, there hasn't been significant migration (more than 5 students) from Herron to any IPS school in the history of Herron. So what are the odds that 4 students (the maximum that would transfer without being recorded) would migrate from Herron to a far inferior school and then all four of them would end up having the same teacher? I agree with the poster above. It sounds fabricated. I guess it's a compliment to charter schools when IPS teachers have to resort to making up stuff to criticize charters because they don't have anything legitimate to use, lol.
ReplyDeleteI find your comment offensive. Where do you get off calling our schools inferior? Our schools and teachers provide a quality education. All you have to do it grab it. It's free. If students choose not to take advantage of the quality, free education we provide that's on them.
ReplyDeleteI find it insulting that you are calling my husband a liar.
ReplyDeleteAt one of the schools he is at one of the two students who came there (from Herron) was suppose to make Herron a basketball powerhouse.
That is well documented before basketball season this year.
I have half a mind to get his grade book and list names but know privacy issues come into it. No matter if the kids were just there from some where else a few weeks or were there over two years (as one was from what my husband has said) they still did not last at Herron.
Again, I say that I am not familiar with Herron or its academics. I do know that even schools like Carmel, North Central, Warren, Cathedral all have kids who come in and out (for various reasons, some short times and other just a few weeks).
I believe the DOE just looks at kids who are spending over half the year. These kids may or may not have done that. We know that there are kids who are very transient. These kids may be in that catagory or may not.
Either way do not call my Husband a liar. He keeps copies of the transcrips sent (for his records of grades when they come in especially during a semester.) I looked to make sure they clearly say Herron.
I'm new to this thread, but in your post above, you made it sound like Herron failed these kids and then sent them back to IPS. I think that's what caused the argument and accusations of lying. Now you're saying maybe they were a group of transient kids. Well that's completely different, isn't it? If Herron had them long enough to screw them up, they'd be in the DOE statistics. If they weren't at their previous school half the year, then don't blame that school for these kids being behind. Blame their transience. You're talking in circles and then blaming other people for calling bullshit.
ReplyDeleteI have a child at Herron, and nobody who has been in any IPS high school and Herron High School would hesitate to call IPS inferior. We can debate all day about WHY it's inferior (teachers, kids, parents, administration, curriculum, philosophy, etc.) But let's be clear. It IS inferior.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't know anyone who has transferred back to IPS. I do know a couple of kids who transferred out to another school with looser graduation requirements, but they went to another charter school, not IPS.
While I understand, and sympathize, with why it may be helpful for a spouse to volunteer his or her time at home to help with grading, it is already a violation of the student's privacy and privacy laws for you to view their transcripts and grades. That doesn't mean I blame you or your husband. It sounds like he needs more time to do the grading, which likely isn't available with commuting to two schools and his class load. Difficult dilemma, but at least stop at the grade book and don't look at or share information, even generally, from the transcripts.
ReplyDeleteFor those who don't know which charters are good and which ones are not, or how long they've been around, here's a cheat sheet.
ReplyDeleteSystem % passing ISTEP % free/reduced lunch passing ISTEP Graduation Rates Category Placements (based on improvement)
(Excludes new students < 162 days)
Beech Grove 74.1 68.8 73.7 Academic Watch
Decatur 65.2 60.0 73.1 Academic Watch
Franklin 75.6 63.0 77.2 Academic Progress
IPS 52.7 49.3 48.6 Academic Probation
Lawrence 64.9 46.3 85 Academic Watch
Perry 70.3 61.6 77.9 Academic Watch
Pike 65.5 47.8 86.1 Academic Watch
Speedway 75.1 59.6 96.6 Academic Watch
Warren 68.2 55.8 72.1 Academic Watch
Washington 73.0 59.2 86 Academic Watch
Wayne 62.0 57.8 74.7 Academic Watch
Year Established
A. J. Brown 63 71.5 n/a Exemplary 2003
Challenge 48.8 48 n/a Academic Progress 2006
Christel House 74.3 72 n/a Exemplary 2002
Decatur Disc. 56.3 Not given 59.5 Academic Probation 2005
Fall Creek 53.3 57 44.4 Academic Progress 2003
Flanner House 75.9 66.5 n/a Exemplary 2002
Fountain Sq 42.9 50.0 14.3 Academic Progress 2005
Herron 65.6 67.5 76.9 Exemplary 2006
Hope Acad. Not given Not given 25.0 Academic Progress 2006
Hoosier Acad. 59.8 Not given n/a Not given 2008
Hoosier VPS Not given Not given n/a Not given 2009
IN Math and Sc. 60.7 65 n/a Exemplary 2007
Imagine East 38.7 Not given n/a Not Given 2008
Imagine West Not given Not given n/a Not Given 2009
Indpls L.H. 45.7 41 n/a Academic Progress 2005
Indpls Metro 21.8 20 63.5 Academic Watch 2007
Indpls Project 39.6 Not given n/a Not given 2008
Irvington 73.2 72 n/a Academic Watch 2003
KIPP 49.2 54.5 n/a Academic Progress 2004
Monum. L.H. 41.1 51 n/a Academic Watch 2007
SENSE 64.8 63 n/a Academic Progress 2004
Stonegate 44.2 40 84.4 Academic Probation 2006
Tindley 76.9 81 60 Exemplary 2004
My columns were messed up, but to clarify, the second number, is percentage of free/reduced lunch students who passed ISTEP. This figure, per NCLB, excludes students who have attended their school less than 162 days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that. It shows what I was saying yesterday about those who want to shut down some of the charters. Any criteria used to shut down the "bad" charters would shut down most IPS schools.
ReplyDeleteHerron is a mess. I personally know one family who received the suggestion that they move their son back to IPS. In addition, I know a former teacher there who could tell stories that you would not believe. The teacher turnover rate at Herron is out of control and so are the students.
ReplyDeleteYou pro charter school people need to start your own blog, that way you can all sit around and talk about how great you are. We who are trying to improve IPS are really tired of hearing from you.
ReplyDeleteThe newer generation of teachers doesn't see charters as the enemy the way the older ones do. it's not that we're pro charter, it's that we're not anti-charter. Just because I teach at IPS doesn't mean I shouldn't be informed about the other public schools in the city and what they might be doing better, worse, similar, different, etc. Evaluating how other programs fail or succeed with urban kids is certainly relevant to improving IPS, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to point out that each of the charters listed has fewer than 400 students which makes comparision to any of the public schools IPS or townships ridiculous. I did laugh when I say the Indianapolis Met numbers, I regularly get their kids and failing Tindley kids. So, lets all be really honest about the fact that in some cases there is a revolving door between charters and IPS and township schools.
ReplyDeleteThe IDOE doesn't show any migration from Indianapolis Met, but it does verify significant migration from Tindley to IPS every year since it's been open.
ReplyDeleteTo the post about consolidating the schools, consider this: Dr. White is skimming the best students out of the middle schools and high schools via Attucks and Shortridge and maybe now Broad Ripple. That way when Tony B. tries to threaten him by taking over Arlington or Tech or Gambold, Dr. White can say go ahead, knock yourself out. It'll be like one big game of chicken as to who gets our low performing schools.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster who said "Tech is going downtown," etc. I say even God couldn't manage this huge project: 78 acres, 16 buildings, 2000+ students, 400 staff; materials, meetings, hiring, etc. Who would criticize this principal??? She's so dedicated to Tech: 12 hour days; meetings that require study and research. I can't believe anyone would not support her! Walk a mile in her shoes!
ReplyDelete