Thursday, July 2, 2009

Start a new post; search PURE Reform's blog

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dr Barnette is always pointing the finger @ teachers. Everyone knows there are many factors involved in the US failure to educate children. The main reason is racism and class. I question any so called PH.D graduate with such a bias and narrow minded way of discussing student failure being "only" due to teachers. I think Dr Barnette should go back to school. Maybe her so called LIm the only one for kids" is a front

Anonymous said...

Dr Barnette is always pointing the finger @ teachers. Everyone knows there are many factors involved in the US failure to educate children. The main reason is racism and class. I question any so called PH.D graduate with such a bias and narrow minded way of discussing student failure being "only" due to teachers. Maybe her so called "Im the only one for kids" is a front

Questioner said...

Did Dr. Barnett say or do something recently to prompt comments or a post?

deegazette said...

Questioner, I wondered about this too. It could be because Imani Christian Academy (name?) was recently in the news. I think it was within the last few weeks about a new location. (I am usually at least a week behind in the summer in keeping up with news, so I understand)

Dr. Barnett has some association with Imani. Although I can't say I have seen or heard her on talk shows for some months, she has been critical on a lot of issues, but seems to not be specific in discussing them. Because this vagueness is what I have gotten used to, I generally ignore any reporting or discussion where I hear her mentioned. It is kinda like Animal Farm, "four legs good, two legs bad," only it comes out "my ideas great, city public ed. bad." We seem to be learning to be skeptical of almost everything. Really though, I am only a parent who likes to type, so what do I know?

Questioner said...

Parents' views and insights are valuable- let's not undermine ourselvews by adding that we are "only a parent"!

Anonymous said...

Parents are the ONLY group of people who can bring change. The teachers are ignored. They have no union and younger teachers especially live in fear. The union? They sold out a long time ago...before Tarka took office. The mentality of this administration is that it can do as it pleases. Witness the Schenley debacle. I believe only parents can change things---but the trouble is, you need a large group to bring a LOUD voice. We wonder why the kids are so apathetic. Look at the adults in this town.

As for Dr.Barnett, it's convenient to blame teachers. They are an easy scapegoat. Bush did it. Obama is doing it. Academic achievement will never grow until parents stress the need for a solid work ethic in the classroom. Unfortunately, too many "parents" are absent in the lives of their kids. Barnett is smart enough to know this is what particularly troubles the black community, and it's getting worse. Too bad she lacks the courage to tell it like it is.

Don't worry Mrs.Barnett. The white community--especially in urban areas, is quickly catching up in this regard. Then you'll have brothers in arms to castigate teachers.

Anonymous said...

Change of subject: The most recent teacher postings included MANY ALA positions. Teachers can't change positions unless they are displaced or there is an opening somewhere because of retirement, resignation, etc. Where have/are all these people gone/going that there are so many vacancies? Also there were several positions that were one part in one building and another part in a differnt building. The next board minutes should reveal if there have been a number of retirements/resignations leaving all these positions open.

whatnext said...

The START A NEW POST offers the blog as a way to ask a question.

This question concerns PELA. The PPS website provides minutes of legislative board meetings and the ability to watch previous board meetings. PELA was mentioned during the press conference at Sunnyside on the PSSAs. The June legislative meeting included time spent on PELA (pages 313-315 minutes). Is PELA to principals as Broad is to superintendents? IS PPS in such dire need of principals that we open PELA to non-PPS principal recruits? How do individuals outside PPS even know how to apply to PELA? Do we advertise in a magazine that we have the academy available? When the grant money used to begin PELA is all gone will it continue?