Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Questions for the school board?

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"NEW POSTING PLEASE

Who has questions for the School Board?"

Additional evidence in favor of later start times for HS

From the PG, similar to many previous threads:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/08/25/Experts-urge-later-start-times-in-higher-grades/stories/201408250008

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Hires from out of state

On another post Anonymous wrote

"*new post*

What's up with all the new Elementary hires? At my building I have so far met 2 teachers, new to the district, from other states!
There were more today from other schools at our trainings.
I thought we furloughed elementary teachers. Even if we didn't, we have an extensive eligibility list that include subs and PPS grads, etc, who would have priority over new out of state hires.
Are they TFA or some kind of Gates/ Broads temp workers? Has anyone else noticed this? What is the unions role in investigating this?
It just gives me a bad feeling, like it's the next step in replacing us all with out of state temp workers, TFA style. "

Latest PPS test scores

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"New Post:


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/08/20/Test-scores-show-some-improvement-in-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools/stories/201408200175#ixzz3AzHUkWBk

The PSSA and Keystone Achievement Results for 2014 presented by the Superintendent at the August 20th Agenda Review reveals the following:

In both Reading and Math, PPS 2014 increased by 2 points from 2013. However, in both Reading and Math, scores have decreased by 7 points from 2011. So, in the final analysis PPS ACHIEVEMENT is DECREASING over time INSTEAD of INCREASING "

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Arne Duncan visiting Pittsburgh

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"** new post**

I was never drinking the Peduto Kool aid. I think he is a snake oil salesman on par with Roosevelt. His obsession with PPS & his task force worry me and now this??!!!
He is definitely evil! Meeting with Arne Duncan!??

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/08/11/Education-Secretary-Arne-Duncan-to-visit-Pittsburgh-this-week/stories/201408110137

PG/ Investigative reporting

PG reporters are quite capable of investigative reporting:  see the articles looking into the ongoing salary of former Secretary of Education Tomalis:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2014/08/12/Deleting-all-emails-violates-state-policy/stories/201408110142

Wouldn't it be great to see this level of investigation when there are questions about education locally (consultants, contracts, raises and bonuses,  Schenley, Westinghouse, performance, etc).

Saturday, August 9, 2014

District SPP scores

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"Possibly a new post:
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/08/09/Pennsylvania-releases-first-performance-scores-for-school-districts/stories/201408110015

Today the Post Gazette released (front page) the PA District SPP scores for 2012-13 (not to be confused with School SPP scores for 2012-13)

It is interesting to note that the SPP for U-Prep for 2012-13 was 48. The SPP score for Wilkinsburg was 45 and the SPP for Duquesne was 49.

Note: Neither the School nor District SPP scores for this past year, 2013-14, have yet been made public."