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Watching the Agenda Review gave you a sense that disagreement from Board is widening and deepening and rightly so. While the issues are different, it is likely that there agreement on most with the exception of Floyd McCrea's comments on the diversity issues covered by "Courageous Conversations" as the Pacific Group's contract was renewed or expanded. His comments revealed what we have long known and that is that such conversations about "race" and "racism" do NOT change minds. Rather, it goes underground and is exacerbated. It is an exercise in futility to change racist minds, attitudes and even behaviors unless their jobs are threatened. (McCrea proved that by his comments.) The money paid to Pacific Group would be much better spent!
There is general agreement on CTE even if some were quiet.
This administration has lost sight of the reason for their existence which is about EDUCATION ALL of the CITY'S CHILDREN for SUCCESSFUL and PRODUCTIVE FUTURES. (The children are our future!!!) A very FEW of our schools are doing that creating opportunities for alternatives in charters, private, and parochial where those who can will go. Our PPS school, unless there are entrance requirements are an utter failure. They are not preparing students for ANYTHING much less successful and productive futures.
The PUBLIC MUST TAKE ACTION for all of our sakes! And
Here is a question to be "mulled over", pondered, contemplated and perhaps even to draw some conclusions about regarding the matter:
Why would the Board/Admin post a position for "Design Director" at Westinghouse, then screen, interview and finally select someone who does NOT have the QUALIFICATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS to do that critically important task?
The person chosen may be a fine person, a person with connections at Westinghouse, someone who has previously worked on behalf of Westinghouse students in a wide variety of positions, but, unfortunately does not possess the skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, certifications and above all the expertise to design, develop, direct, and implement a high quality, culturally congruent, rigorous program design that will prepare and propel Westinghouse students into highly productive and even world class futures.
This person could possible assist a team who might take on the task; but, to lead the effort raises far too many questions?
Given these facts, this selection begs the question WHY and HOW?
It was mentioned at the agenda review that additional CTE is being considered for Westinghouse. In its May 2010 report the Open East End Panel recommended strong CTE for the Westinghouse location and discussed this issue in detail.
Let me just interject at this point and MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, this is to emphasize, widely, that the STUDENTS at WESTINGHOUSE, on the whole, were the BRIGHTEST, (naturally intelligent, creative, inventive, and responsive ) that I have ever taught BAR NONE!
There are NO LIMITS to what can be accomplished with Westinghouse students in a VERY short period of time!
That includes INTELLECTUAL endeavors, ACADEMIC achievement, CREATIVE and ARTISTIC venues, as well as rigorous CTE opportunities!
Additionally, it will take a TEAM of caring, committed, creative, (credentialled and certified) educators coming together in collaboration and cooperation with parents, community, students, and concerned, caring citizens of this city___working together on behalf of students (without regard to cost__ that will take care of itself) to truly provide equity and excellence outside of the current PPS 'box' to accomplish this post haste.
On the thread about surveys given to teachers there was a mention of Mr. R. not moving CTE ahead and his evaluation could have reflected that but did not.
In one of his first interviews (a saturday on WAMO) he said "the students we are serving the least well right now are our non-college bound students." CTE programs are expensive. I learned the word "consumables" recently in regard to trades and other CTE classes. Was it the high cost and low interest that killed the programs? Is it too late to build these again? Closing the award winning welding program kinda indicates an end. I am done, but thinking about the next generation of kids.
Yes, in a way Roosevelt was sort of right, but had the facts backwards, as usual. CTE was not costly. It was the removal of CTE that was costly. Our students became the consumables and he saw no value in their upkeep...so sad.
How many carpenters, plumbers, welders and electricians are used not only in our district, but in ALL businesses throughout the world on a daily basis and are making more than many college grads.
10 comments:
According to board member Fink there is a fully furnished carpentry workshop sitting unused at Carrick.
"...there is a fully furnished carpentry workshop sitting unused at Carrick"
There certainly is. Carrick had an excellent carpentry program run by an excellent carpentry teacher.
Not only did the students learn the basics in the classroom, they actually went out and built things in the community!
So naturally the program was shut down. I do not recall Jean Fink making any big protest about that.
So where did all the carpentry students go, you might ask. Well, they are all in physics class now.
Yes, that is correct. The superintendent eliminated the trade classes, but make physics mandatory.
Now I ask you, does the city need more rocket scientists, or does the city need more skilled carpenters?
Watching the Agenda Review gave you a sense that disagreement from Board is widening and deepening and rightly so. While the issues are different, it is likely that there agreement on most with the exception of Floyd McCrea's comments on the diversity issues covered by "Courageous Conversations" as the Pacific Group's contract was renewed or expanded. His comments revealed what we have long known and that is that such conversations about "race" and "racism" do NOT change minds. Rather, it goes underground and is exacerbated. It is an exercise in futility to change racist minds, attitudes and even behaviors unless their jobs are threatened. (McCrea proved that by his comments.) The money paid to Pacific Group would be much better spent!
There is general agreement on CTE even if some were quiet.
This administration has lost sight of the reason for their existence which is about EDUCATION ALL of the CITY'S CHILDREN for SUCCESSFUL and PRODUCTIVE FUTURES. (The children are our future!!!) A very FEW of our schools are doing that creating opportunities for alternatives in charters, private, and parochial where those who can will go. Our PPS school, unless there are entrance requirements are an utter failure. They are not preparing students for ANYTHING much less successful and productive futures.
The PUBLIC MUST TAKE ACTION for all of our sakes!
And
Here is a question to be "mulled over", pondered, contemplated and perhaps even to draw some conclusions about regarding the matter:
Why would the Board/Admin post a position for "Design Director" at Westinghouse, then screen, interview and finally select someone who does NOT have the QUALIFICATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS to do that critically important task?
The person chosen may be a fine person, a person with connections at Westinghouse, someone who has previously worked on behalf of Westinghouse students in a wide variety of positions, but, unfortunately does not possess the skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, certifications and above all the expertise to design, develop, direct, and implement a high quality, culturally congruent, rigorous program design that will prepare and propel Westinghouse students into highly productive and even world class futures.
This person could possible assist a team who might take on the task; but, to lead the effort raises far too many questions?
Given these facts, this selection begs the question WHY and HOW?
It was mentioned at the agenda review that additional CTE is being considered for Westinghouse. In its May 2010 report the Open East End Panel recommended strong CTE for the Westinghouse location and discussed this issue in detail.
Let me just interject at this point and MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, this is to emphasize, widely, that the STUDENTS at WESTINGHOUSE, on the whole, were the BRIGHTEST, (naturally intelligent, creative, inventive, and responsive ) that I have ever taught BAR NONE!
There are NO LIMITS to what can be accomplished with Westinghouse students in a VERY short period of time!
That includes INTELLECTUAL endeavors, ACADEMIC achievement, CREATIVE and ARTISTIC venues, as well as rigorous CTE opportunities!
INDUBITABLY!
Additionally, it will take a TEAM of caring, committed, creative, (credentialled and certified) educators coming together in collaboration and cooperation with parents, community, students, and concerned, caring citizens of this city___working together on behalf of students (without regard to cost__ that will take care of itself) to truly provide equity and excellence outside of the current PPS 'box' to accomplish this post haste.
On the thread about surveys given to teachers there was a mention of Mr. R. not moving CTE ahead and his evaluation could have reflected that but did not.
In one of his first interviews (a saturday on WAMO) he said "the students we are serving the least well right now are our non-college bound students." CTE programs are expensive. I learned the word "consumables" recently in regard to trades and other CTE classes. Was it the high cost and low interest that killed the programs? Is it too late to build these again? Closing the award winning welding program kinda indicates an end. I am done, but thinking about the next generation of kids.
Maybe expensive in the short run but cost effective in the long run?
Yes, in a way Roosevelt was sort of right, but had the facts backwards, as usual. CTE was not costly. It was the removal of CTE that was costly. Our students became the consumables and he saw no value in their upkeep...so sad.
How many carpenters, plumbers, welders and electricians are used not only in our district, but in ALL businesses throughout the world on a daily basis and are making more than many college grads.
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