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We need a Superintendent who can address the declining achievement in PPS and who has demonstrated that the "achievement gap" can be eliminated. The city of Pittsburgh cannot wait 40 years to eliminate the gap or to see substantial improvement in overall academic achievement.
Check out the statistics in this week's Pittsburgh Courier. Rebecca Nuttall is the ONLY reporter in Pittsburgh who reports the unadulterated facts.
Following is a sharp observation from the article that does not seem to have been made elsewhere:
"The report states that in comparison to all PPS students, Black PPS students made greater gains. However, the relationship between the increase in drop out rates at many schools and the high percentage of Black males who dropout of high school, might have impacted these numbers. If poor performing Black males are dropping out they are not being tested with their higher performing counterparts." Those who quickly scan the headlines and conclude that all is well may be misinformed.
Additionally, check the article for what "narrowing" means: "Overall, since the previous school year, the gap narrowed by 0.3 percentage points in math and 1.8 percentage points in reading.
The total gap for the 2009-2010 was 28.7 percent in reading and 27 percent in math.
However at Oliver, Carrick, Brashear and Westinghouse high schools the gap was greater than 50 percent."
During the past five years what evidence is there that anyone in the PPS Central Office Administration has been able to improve achievement when we see that IF there is improvement, such as touted regarding the "achievement gap" it generally amounts to less than 1%____ or across the boards to single digit improvements. Given the millions spent, highly-paid administrators, cadres of consultants, PELA, longer hours, etc., it is abundantly clear that we need a new Superintendent and new Team at top levels.
What steps are in place to ensure a Search that will address the poor achievement for the majority of PPS students?
If you believe that a "change at the top levels" is in the offing, I am sure that Santa and the Tooth Fairy will be stopping by shortly. Look, $40 million in Gates/Broad money and $40 million in matching funds. Millions from the state and millions more at stake via the Pittsburgh Promise. Do you think that the school board is going to tell everyone to keep their money? Is that your issue? Only individuals of courage determine what is needed, realize that those needs run counter to big money and propaganda, and stand up for what's right. Sadly, only Mark Brentley can even spell courage on this board.
Real change at the top is imperative if the all of the money acquired and channeled is not to be wasted. It is wasted when the academic achievement is decreasing as cost in increasing______and contrary to prevailing P.R. the academic achievement is on a steady downward spiral.
Pittsburgh educators, believe it or not, are capable of educating students even beyond the formerly competitive level____a little autonomy might go a long way_____nothing left to lose in allowing educators to practice their craft.
However, it will take a new leadership team with vision and expertise.
I don't know enough to offer an opinion and I read about the Broad affect from time to time. Isn't it possible that Dr. Lane's sense of what she knew, learned and did as an educator prior to going the the Broad Academy might dictate her direction? Possibly be of greater influence than what the academy taught?
But the problem is that the money which has flowed into Pittsburgh is meant to change teaching. It targets teachers as being the problem. It identifies managed curriculum that comes from outsiders like Pitt's IFL as being essential.
And all of this money misidentifies why kids are not achieving...and why our black kids are not able to make significant gains in closing the achievement gap.
It sinks to the lowest common denominator--the gutter--in once again beating the dead horse of teachers being the problem.
That said, this school board lacks the courage to turn away such funding. It lacks the gumption to do what is right for Pittsburgh's kids. The number one requirement for the "new" superintendent will come down to an old Who song's refrain:
15 comments:
We need a Superintendent who can address the declining achievement in PPS and who has demonstrated that the "achievement gap" can be eliminated. The city of Pittsburgh cannot wait 40 years to eliminate the gap or to see substantial improvement in overall academic achievement.
Check out the statistics in this week's Pittsburgh Courier. Rebecca Nuttall is the ONLY reporter in Pittsburgh who reports the unadulterated facts.
http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=3507:achievement-gap-on-pace-to-disappear-in-40-years&catid=38:metro&Itemid=27
Pittsburgh Courier
Achievement Gap on Pace to Disappear in 40 years:
by Rebecca Nuttall
http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3507:achievement-gap-on-pace-to-disappear-in-40-years&catid=38:metro&Itemid=27
Following is a sharp observation from the article that does not seem to have been made elsewhere:
"The report states that in comparison to all PPS students, Black PPS students made greater gains. However, the relationship between the increase in drop out rates at many schools and the high percentage of Black males who dropout of high school, might have impacted these numbers. If poor performing Black males are dropping out they are not being tested with their higher performing counterparts." Those who quickly scan the headlines and conclude that all is well may be misinformed.
Additionally, check the article for what "narrowing" means:
"Overall, since the previous school year, the gap narrowed by 0.3 percentage points in math and 1.8 percentage points in reading.
The total gap for the 2009-2010 was 28.7 percent in reading and 27 percent in math.
However at Oliver, Carrick, Brashear and Westinghouse high schools the gap was greater than 50 percent."
Not mentioned in the article is the GAP at Allderdice which, in 2009, was 44%_____and in 2010 it is 47% in Reading alone.
During the past five years what evidence is there that anyone in the PPS Central Office Administration has been able to improve achievement when we see that IF there is improvement, such as touted regarding the "achievement gap" it generally amounts to less than 1%____ or across the boards to single digit improvements. Given the millions spent, highly-paid administrators, cadres of consultants, PELA, longer hours, etc., it is abundantly clear that we need a new Superintendent and new Team at top levels.
What steps are in place to ensure a Search that will address the poor achievement for the majority of PPS students?
If you believe that a "change at the top levels" is in the offing, I am sure that Santa and the Tooth Fairy will be stopping by shortly.
Look, $40 million in Gates/Broad money and $40 million in matching funds. Millions from the state and millions more at stake via the Pittsburgh Promise. Do you think that the school board is going to tell everyone to keep their money? Is that your issue?
Only individuals of courage determine what is needed, realize that those needs run counter to big money and propaganda, and stand up for what's right.
Sadly, only Mark Brentley can even spell courage on this board.
Real change at the top is imperative if the all of the
money acquired and channeled is not to be wasted. It is wasted when the academic achievement is decreasing as cost in increasing______and contrary to prevailing P.R. the academic achievement is on a steady downward spiral.
Pittsburgh educators, believe it or not, are capable of educating students even beyond the formerly competitive level____a little autonomy might go a long way_____nothing left to lose in allowing educators to practice their craft.
However, it will take a new leadership team with vision and expertise.
I don't know enough to offer an opinion and I read about the Broad affect from time to time. Isn't it possible that Dr. Lane's sense of what she knew, learned and did as an educator prior to going the the Broad Academy might dictate her direction? Possibly be of greater influence than what the academy taught?
Doubtful, little evidence to support this hypothesis.
Well, she did spend many more years as an educator than her brief time at Broad training or even as second in command under a Broad superintendent.
But the problem is that the money which has flowed into Pittsburgh is meant to change teaching. It targets teachers as being the problem. It identifies managed curriculum that comes from outsiders like Pitt's IFL as being essential.
And all of this money misidentifies why kids are not achieving...and why our black kids are not able to make significant gains in closing the achievement gap.
It sinks to the lowest common denominator--the gutter--in once again beating the dead horse of teachers being the problem.
That said, this school board lacks the courage to turn away such funding. It lacks the gumption to do what is right for Pittsburgh's kids. The number one requirement for the "new" superintendent will come down to an old Who song's refrain:
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
For shame. What a dark era for Pittsburgh.
What is the IFL?
University of Pittsburgh Institute For Learning. Great, ivory tower thinking about urban education.
I met Linda Lane and she was as cold as Mark Roosevelt. They are cut from the same cloth.
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