This is the blog section of the PURE Reform website. Please leave your thoughts and comments here.
PURE Reform has created this blog as a forum for parents, teachers and community members to share information and voice concerns regrading the reform process in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Although we would like to foster constructive dialogue, PURE Reform does not edit content. The views expressed by bloggers in this forum are not necessarily views held by PURE Reform.
To comment on an existing topic, go to the line at the bottom of the post for that topic that begins "Posted by..." That line will list "1 comment," "2 comments," etc. Click on "comments," then leave your comment in the box provided. To post as Anonymous, no registration is required, OR you can choose an identity.
To suggest a new topic, go to this month's post labeled "Start a New Post" and add your comment (as described above) about the new suggested topic. PURE Reform will use these comments to start new posts.
Re: "Schoolwide, King teachers this year are in small reading groups centered around the book “How to Teach Students Who Don’t Look Like You: Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies” by Bonnie M. Davis."
- The article also notes that 35% of teachers at King are African American. Is there a large gap in the achievement of students with white teachers v. those with African American teachers, ie are the African American teachers getting better results?
Once upon a time there was in the district a very successful division called THE MULITCULTURAL OFFICE. The staff were outstanding and trained in all aspects of diversity, racism, conflict resolution and learning styles. How unfortunate that those now making decisions know nothing of the history of the district or what truly was successful for all students, parents, and staff!
Yes, it is so so sad that we (PPS) have lost so so much over the past decade. We were on our way to making history in addressing so many of the problems that engulf "urban" districts. We were on the "cutting edge" developing THE model . . .
I listened intently to the town hall meeting sponsored by A+ Schools and hosted by Carrie Harris last night. Before my phone connection dropped, a caller, Janet, called to ask Dr. Lane about her granddaughter's college experience so far. The girl was a 2014 grad who had taken AP classes and had a GPA higher than 3.5 (janet gave the exact GPA but I do not recall the full number) who did poorly on a placement test when she started college. Apparently the kid and grandmother were stunned by her low performance. There were technical issues and Janet had to call back a second time where Dr. Lane asked her some clarifying questions and gave some possible causes including "some kids don't test well." These town halls are a hard way to really have a deep conversation but nobody (Lane, Harris, male producer) pointed out the caller's intended question, which I believe was ---how can a high performing pps student do poorly on a college placement test? I hope there is a podcast of the town hall. The exchange deserves more discussion. My kid graduated a few years ago and was stunned at what she did not know when she got to college.
The Multicultural Department was alive and active during the 90's. All the work done with staff throughout the district was provided by the Multicultural staff not an outside consultant. There were materials developed and used throughout the district that were beneficial to parents, students and staff. There was staff development training offered to all personnel not just teachers; paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, clerical and secretarial etc. ANYONE who has contact with children in any capacity needs to understand about the racial achievement gap!
Suburban schools are academically way tougher the PPS-- many kids from comprehensive suburban high schools actually find college "easier" than high school. They still have the time management issues of all freshmen- but as far as actual skills- no problem. I have seen adults trying to pass the PRAXIS and GRE etc-- and reality is-- they didnt get the writing skills in HIGH SCHOOL-- so even after college they were behind. People in the suburbs do't do a happy dance for kids taking AP- they expect them to take the class and TAKE THE TEST! Going to HS is your JOB in the suburbs. Those kids would LOVE free classes to prep for SATS-- and parents would push them to get them there. Suburban kids are competitive as hell about academics.
Believe it or not, city kids (PPS) can learn anything suburban kids can learn. A decade or so ago they did!A a far, far greater rate than today?
One huge difference is the curricula; another is the lack of experience, expertise and AUTONOMY of teachers! We have lost good teachers under this new regime (Broad, Gates, Consultants and nauseum). Teachers developed and treated as "professionals" knew or learned how to manage and educate their own WHOMEVER student population and each school or neighborhood was different! Let's get back to what works for teachers and students instead of foundations, consultants, administrators, etc.
PPS has closed itself off to the greater world of global, modern, productive educational practice and its too too sad to observe the devastating results for young people!
I agree 4:19--when we were world class-- teachers were allowed to excite students about learning, we had a wide range of subjects at every level. You are right-- PPS students CAN learn, but we dont have half the subjects that other schools have. Especially at the middle school level- there is NO comparison-you cant compare now with our own middle schools of the past--let alone other districts. So much was done at that level-- theater, music, languages, CTE-- we HAD it all. And now-- any mention of the past is shot down by the scripted admin. Families bought into the garbage that "small was better"- and hey you dont need middle school sports. Look at Milliones-- a superior sports program - preparing kids for hs and leading them to be their academic best.
13 comments:
Re: "Schoolwide, King teachers this year are in small reading groups centered around the book “How to Teach Students Who Don’t Look Like You: Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies” by Bonnie M. Davis."
- The article also notes that 35% of teachers at King are African American. Is there a large gap in the achievement of students with white teachers v. those with African American teachers, ie are the African American teachers getting better results?
Once upon a time there was in the district a very successful division called THE MULITCULTURAL OFFICE. The staff were outstanding and trained in all aspects of diversity, racism, conflict resolution and learning styles. How unfortunate that those now making decisions know nothing of the history of the district or what truly was successful for all students, parents, and staff!
Replaced by consultants from far away. When was the multicultural office disbanded?
Yes, it is so so sad that we (PPS) have lost so so much over the past decade. We were on our way to making history in addressing so many of the problems that engulf "urban" districts. We were on the "cutting edge" developing THE model . . .
I listened intently to the town hall meeting sponsored by A+ Schools and hosted by Carrie Harris last night. Before my phone connection dropped, a caller, Janet, called to ask Dr. Lane about her granddaughter's college experience so far. The girl was a 2014 grad who had taken AP classes and had a GPA higher than 3.5 (janet gave the exact GPA but I do not recall the full number) who did poorly on a placement test when she started college. Apparently the kid and grandmother were stunned by her low performance. There were technical issues and Janet had to call back a second time where Dr. Lane asked her some clarifying questions and gave some possible causes including "some kids don't test well." These town halls are a hard way to really have a deep conversation but nobody (Lane, Harris, male producer) pointed out the caller's intended question, which I believe was ---how can a high performing pps student do poorly on a college placement test? I hope there is a podcast of the town hall. The exchange deserves more discussion. My kid graduated a few years ago and was stunned at what she did not know when she got to college.
There are student leaders from Allderdice with the highest of GRADES who are struggling immensely in college.
There is something seriously wrong with curricula and instruction in PPS.
The Multicultural Department was alive and active during the 90's. All the work done with staff throughout the district was provided by the Multicultural staff not an outside consultant. There were materials developed and used throughout the district that were beneficial to parents, students and staff. There was staff development training offered to all personnel not just teachers; paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, clerical and secretarial etc. ANYONE who has contact with children in any capacity needs to understand about the racial achievement gap!
Re: "some kids don't test well"- if the student had a 3.5+ GPA, it doesn't seem like not testing well is the problem.
Suburban schools are academically way tougher the PPS-- many kids from comprehensive suburban high schools actually find college "easier" than high school. They still have the time management issues of all freshmen- but as far as actual skills- no problem. I have seen adults trying to pass the PRAXIS and GRE etc-- and reality is-- they didnt get the writing skills in HIGH SCHOOL-- so even after college they were behind.
People in the suburbs do't do a happy dance for kids taking AP- they expect them to take the class and TAKE THE TEST! Going to HS is your JOB in the suburbs. Those kids would LOVE free classes to prep for SATS-- and parents would push them to get them there. Suburban kids are competitive as hell about academics.
Believe it or not, city kids (PPS) can learn anything suburban kids can learn. A decade or so ago they did!A a far, far greater rate than today?
One huge difference is the curricula; another is the lack of experience, expertise and AUTONOMY of teachers! We have lost good teachers under this new regime (Broad, Gates, Consultants and nauseum). Teachers developed and treated as "professionals" knew or learned how to manage and educate their own WHOMEVER student population and each school or neighborhood was different!
Let's get back to what works for teachers and students instead of foundations, consultants, administrators, etc.
PPS has closed itself off to the greater world of global, modern, productive educational practice and its too too sad to observe the devastating results for young people!
The curre
I agree 4:19--when we were world class-- teachers were allowed to excite students about learning, we had a wide range of subjects at every level. You are right-- PPS students CAN learn, but we dont have half the subjects that other schools have. Especially at the middle school level- there is NO comparison-you cant compare now with our own middle schools of the past--let alone other districts. So much was done at that level-- theater, music, languages, CTE-- we HAD it all. And now-- any mention of the past is shot down by the scripted admin. Families bought into the garbage that "small was better"- and hey you dont need middle school sports. Look at Milliones-- a superior sports program - preparing kids for hs and leading them to be their academic best.
When can we get some training on hard work, ethics, integrity and dignity. Classic virtues that trump all new buzzwords.
Will there be any training for teachers regarding discrimination of all sorts in the pps?
Post a Comment