Monday, April 18, 2011

Promis Readiness Corps

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11108/1140096-53-0.stm

7 comments:

Questioner said...

The article mentions that there are 67 first time ninth graders at Langley. 67?!! That means that even if all students stay at Langley, if this level of enrollment continues then in 3 years enrollment will be about 260 students (currently the PPS website lists enrollment at 386).

Why isn't the district taking its usual approach of merging schools or creating a 6-12?

Anonymous said...

Madison, Wi has a very similar enrollment as Pittsburgh. They now have the added element of open enrollment with no borders. If you want your kids to go the "Pleasantville district" and there is an opening Madison pays Pleasantville out of their budget. Madison, as does Pittsburgh ends up with a disproportionate amount of special needs & kids with hard core IEP's.

Here is a link that shows how few schools they have compared to PPS. There are really 4 high schools, ok 5 since Shabazz does serve a unique purpose, and is a last
resort for many kids. It had it's own wing in a school, and may now inhabit it's own building.

http://infosvcweb.madison.k12.wi.us/node/973

The other "schools" are pretty much programs within a
school or cyber, and have no brick & mortar, overhead behnd them.

La Follette is the smallest of the 4 high schools with an enrollment of 1,585.

I am not a number cruncher, it seems like there are so many more schools in regards to the population. How
many schools does Pittsburgh have?

I do think PPS needs to close more schools and consolidate, however, it has to be done in a sensible manner. We can't be the next Detroit, and we can't leave the kids & community with no help or hope.

I would love to see how many central administrators work in similar districts V. PPS. I think collective jaws would drop if anyone had the desire and chutzpah to uncover the pyramid scheme.

Anonymous said...

Madison has 48 total schools.

There are also some school districts in PA with not that many fewer kids than PPS: Central Bucks and Allentown just to name two.

Old Timer said...

The PRC situation for teachers has caused a great deal of rancor. The group of teachers who piloted this program at each of the listed schools did not receive the stipend they were promised. The PFT--which is now owned by PPS--said sorry, there's nothing we can do. Teachers who then opted out of the program are now displaced teachers without building seniority, I believe. Again, the PFT--you know, those people owned by PPS--told those who complained, "Sorry, you took your chances. Good luck."
In principle, the PRC is a nice program for students. But if anyone here cares about the further destruction of the teaching force in PPS, it is full of mis-truths. The career ladder idea means that teachers could take a substantial pay cut, depending on the whims of the principal.
I would have more respect for PPS if they simply offered teachers with 25 years or more experience attractive buy out packages. At least they would be above board in telling them that they are no longer wanted.
It may take the rest of my life, but someday I will find out what John Tarka was told that made him capitulation as he has.

Mark Rauterkus said...

During first period on two mornings a week, the team meets with students or parents. One morning, four students who had been picking on each other were called in for a chat, and the behavior changed that day.

...

AM swim practices happen way more than once a week. Happen out of class time. Happen so kids get to school. Happen without the pay check bonus costs. Plus, with peers, address performance, wellness, college eligibility, recruitment to colleges, and more.

Oh well....

Students on swim teams have adult mentors who care greatly about the student's health and progress throughout the course of weeks, months and years.

The P R C does some of the same things as a swim coaching staff of a decent program but the PPS P R C is 100 X less effective. (Your miles may vary.)

So, IMNSHO, getting 1/10th of the $ for athletics and activities of P R C would get 10x the desired results.

Plus, if PPS had great sports, activities, Afterschool and care and coordination for those realms, then the PRC would be off the radar in terms of needs.

Anonymous said...

i notice the schools mention for
"Promis Readiness Corps" Westinghouse school not mention.
you talk about "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" i look at it this way
NO PROMIS NOT READY!!!!! i guest for Westinghouse we are going to
outsource a Promis Readiness Program now we are running out of cans to KICK down the ROAD other words we preparing these students to be OUTCAST that is a DISGRACE to PPS they on the RIGHT TRACK but the WRONG TRAIN.

Anonymous said...

At a cost of 3.8 million, will the 315 students at Clayton be made "promise ready" under the new management?

City changing operator of alternative school
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11108/1140202-100.stm