Saturday, October 25, 2014

Resignation of LA reformer (last week)

Broad Gates background:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/us/lausd-john-deasy-resigns-superintendent-los-angeles.html?_r=1

How serious are conditions at U Prep?

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"Westinghouse was never totally out of control with fights and fear the dominating climate.

Teaching and learning are serious problems at both schools for whatever reasons, but the total chaos described at UPrep is downright dangerous."

- If that is the case, it seems that people just do not understand.  At the task force meeting there was a passionate description of students crying out for help, but there was no real reaction and speakers turned to other issues.  Most, probably all, of those at the table are or were "involved parents" and likely assume that if conditions were really that bad parents would be out in force.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Building social capital in schools

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"Interesting article from two University of Pittsburgh professors.

http://shankerblog.org/?p=10682http://shankerblog.org/?p=10682

"Building social capital in schools is not easy or costless. It requires time and, typically, the infusion of additional teaching staff into the school. It requires a reorientation away from a “Teacher of the Year” model and toward a system that rewards mentoring and collaboration among teachers. It also asks school principals and district administrators to spend less time monitoring teachers and more time encouraging a climate of trust and information sharing among them. The benefits of social capital are unequivocal, and unlike many other policy efforts, initiatives that foster it offer far more promise in terms of measurable gains for students."

The opposite has been going on in this district for some time now!"

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Does PPS get bad press?

Let's keep a count.

At the Mayor's task force meeting yesterday, the Superintendent claimed that the media is quick to write about problems, noting that if there's a fight it will be in the paper, but not so quick to write about the good things about our schools.

It doesn't SEEM that way but maybe it's a matter of perception- let's keep a count, good articles v. bad articles in the PG.  Of course that doesn't tell us if the paper is missing more of the "good" stories than the "bad" stories, but it will at least tell us if there really are more "bad" reports.

Starting score, good/ bad, is 0/0.

Former Westinghouse principal resigns from new position

An article from the Trib cites problems similar to those that plagued Westinghouse- discipline and scheduling.  The printed Trib headline refers to the resignation as "abrupt."

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/7002733-74/principal-abbott-listed#axzz3GtCjxJxx

The Trib article mentions the failed experiment in single gender schooling but does not clarify that this experiment was the administration's idea, not the principal's.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Mayor's education task force

On another post Anonymous wrote:


"new post

mayor education task force meets tonight and is open to public 4:30 to 7:30. let him know what is going on at u prep, print out u prep thread and show it to him.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/10/20/Pittsburgh-mayor-s-education-task-force-invites-public-to-Tuesday-meeting/stories/201410200168 "

Monday, October 20, 2014

Teen arrested for bomb threats

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"
** new post please**

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6999379-74/threats-counts-juvenile#axzz3Gj7oToaO

So the PPS student calling in the bomb threats has been arrested and charged. Of course this came from the Tribune as The Post Gazette only prints positive PPS press releases.

Poor terrorist probably had ineffective teachers, lol : )"

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Enrollment statistics October 2014

From the PG, one statistic is that kindergarten enrollment declined by 11.5%.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/10/14/Kindergarten-enrollment-declines-11-5-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201410140045

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Additional incident(s) at U Prep

The PG reports that a 19 year old has been taken into custody.

"Smith was charged by school police with aggravated assault and criminal trespass for an incident at an undisclosed date at University Prep High School in the Hill District."

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/10/11/Pittsburgh-police-searching-for-man-in-connection-with-University-Prep-High-School-incident/stories/201410110186

Perry/ Westinghouse fight

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"Perry High School and Westinghouse Fight!
Last night the two teams fist fought in the middle of the South Stadium field. Pittsburgh Public School Police Officers and Security Officers had to get the situation under control. Many Officers were hit and without them it would had been students severely hurt! No City of Pittsburgh Officers were called or present. The fight was down right ugly! Many parents have it on film. Good Job Pittsburgh Public School Public Safety! Good Job!"

Friday, October 10, 2014

PPS to spend $8 million to improve learning environment

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/10/07/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-to-spend-8M-to-improve-learning-climate/stories/201410070227

Thursday, October 9, 2014

New academy at Holy Family

This looks like a good model for a magnet for PPS- it is impressive, and most likely was developed with few or any consultant dollars or huge grants, despite a fair amount of coordination and individualized programming:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2014/10/09/Holy-Family-Academy-Emsworth-emphasizes-dignity-of-all-work/stories/201410090030


Student shot and killed on the way to school

Updated PG coverage; looks like they are not allowing comments on this article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/10/08/Man-fatally-shot-in-Hill-District-Pittsburgh/stories/201410080153

Monday, October 6, 2014

Grant to investigate school safety and suspensions

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"New Post Please
As if we don't have enough already. Now the government is involved. 3 Million to look into school safety, suspensions... This in todays Post Gazette.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/10/06/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-to-announce-3-million-research-grant/stories/201410060172

Saturday, October 4, 2014

"The Public Hearing Show"

A new program on PCTV features the presentations by speakers at the monthly Pittsburgh Public Schools public hearing.  Future shows will add a discussion about the presentations and interviews relevant to the topics discussed.  The intent is for these presentations to reach a wider audience than those who are able to actually attend the hearings in person, and so encourage more people to come out and speak.

Air dates for  "The Public Hearing Show," which presents speakers at the September 22, 2014 hearing, are as follows on PCTV (Comcast Channel 21 and Verizon Channel 47).  The show will also be available on You Tube at a later time.

UPDATED ON OCTOBER 9, 2014:

Monday 10/13/2014, 7:00 PM, Channel PCTV

Tuesday 10/14/2014, 7:00 AM, Channel PCTV

Wednesday 10/15/2014, 8:00 PM, Channel PCTV

Thursday 10/16/2014, 10:00 AM, Channel PCTV

Friday 10/17/2014, 5:00 PM, Channel PCTV

Monday 10/20/2014, 7:00 PM, Channel PCTV


Transportation problems at magnet high schools

On another post Mark Rauterkus wrote:

"
New topic.

http://www.obamaeagle.org/sports/2014/10/03/afterschool-annoyances/


Repost entire article please. All city magnet located outside of Oakland and Downtown have an extra burden."