tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post3340314568432274345..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: PPS giving additional "glimpses" of PSSA performanceQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-56892493594102126662011-08-27T21:56:30.278-04:002011-08-27T21:56:30.278-04:00I think we could affect parenting...but it would n...I think we could affect parenting...but it would never happen. If we told students/parents they would receive 1K if their child was proficient on the PSSA -- how fast do you think scores would rise? If we told parents that if their child continues to act out in class they would win the title 'homeschooling parent' how fast do you think their child might be brought under control? Obviously this can't be done, but if it could be, our schools would change over night. And I'm not a teacher/administrator. I'm just a parent stuck in a lousy district doing whatever I can to make sure my kid gets a decent education despite the constant distractions.<br /><br />And what happens when there are no schools left for 'school choice' to be applicable? I'm guessing that is where the district will be a year from now and if it is that other districts have to open their doors to our children, I will be first in line!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-19326649171912162172011-08-18T21:48:08.210-04:002011-08-18T21:48:08.210-04:00Hey, but as long as we inflate their grades, they&...Hey, but as long as we inflate their grades, they'll all be "promise ready", even if there are psychological issues, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-79644997154878658832011-08-18T19:01:47.019-04:002011-08-18T19:01:47.019-04:00I wish all students that come to school "wish...I wish all students that come to school "wish to be successful." The reality is, that there are some very disturbed children whose behavior disrupts any THOUGHT toward school success. You can feel sad about this, you can attempt to help them; sometimes you can really connect. Love and attention from teachers certainly helps- until something jumps off in their lives again-- but, to expect these very needy children to do the "accountable talk" and parrot the script day after day in every class is almost like say, expecting 100% to read on grade level by 2014.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-38074899692572639632011-08-18T18:25:37.307-04:002011-08-18T18:25:37.307-04:00All students don't want to be successful, they...All students don't want to be successful, they are there because they have to be. I applaud the teachers that try to make it interesting, and some students actually get it. But from my view there are many more that just don't care and have no one at home that cares either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-90867158410699159742011-08-18T18:06:30.316-04:002011-08-18T18:06:30.316-04:00What "truth" sees is what he/she sees; h...What "truth" sees is what he/she sees; however, there are classrooms where the same kinds of kids do NOT act out in this way. It seems difficult for many to accept that fact but it ALL depends on communication, caring, the delivery of teaching, learning and assessment strategies that respect the community, the culture, the class of students and demonstrates commitment to the SUCCESS of all students. All students want to be successful and can be reached if they see that is the PURPOSE of the "lesson."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-60918752726944473952011-08-18T17:10:13.717-04:002011-08-18T17:10:13.717-04:00Truth, don't be done. Unless what you say get...Truth, don't be done. Unless what you say gets repeated enough those that have no contact with real kids in real classrooms will never believe there are students disputive enough to interrupt learning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-57947104421825617172011-08-18T16:22:35.800-04:002011-08-18T16:22:35.800-04:00Relax, Truth. I think that your posts were misread...Relax, Truth. I think that your posts were misread or skimmed over. That seems to be pretty common among students and adults, alike.RigbyReardonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-1981240990669729082011-08-18T15:48:46.359-04:002011-08-18T15:48:46.359-04:00Anonymous 1:47.
I said I work for TECHNOLOGY!!! ...Anonymous 1:47.<br /><br />I said I work for TECHNOLOGY!!! I have no idea about the "curricula" you speak of, I am NOT A TEACHER. I don't care what is being taught, I simply see what happens for the 10-30 minutes I'm in a classroom doing the job I do, which is completely un-related to teaching or "curricula". What I see is bad kids being disrespectful and unwilling to attempt to learn and I blame the parents, or lack there of. So, take a pill and don't be so defensive. I'm done with this.The Truth Hurtsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-24036790064767156672011-08-18T15:27:54.989-04:002011-08-18T15:27:54.989-04:00Anon, I would have quickly agreed with you 10 or 1...Anon, I would have quickly agreed with you 10 or 15 years ago. Now, there is no doubt in my mind that this district--through its outrageously deficient curriculum in all subject areas--has created a have and have not situation in our schools. <br />Your comments are right on target and it shows in the disparity between black and white students. If it wasn't so tragic, it'd be laughable to think that there are people who actually believe the tripe they spew--that this curriculum set-up is rigorous and aiding in achievement.<br />PSP, CAS and AP-types of students are propelling schools right now, through no help of PPS curriculum. Kids at risk are remaining that way thanks to incredible shortsightedness and above all, the wish to cling to ideology by PPS administration.<br />Black students are not being brought up to speed, but we are losing white kids now, too.<br />This love affair between PPS and Pitt's IFL should be investigated and as you say, jettisoned in short order.<br />Let real teachers whose livelihoods depend on PSSA scores devise the curriculum. They forgot more than those in charge will ever learn.Rigby Reardonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-86324658037188453082011-08-18T14:41:55.559-04:002011-08-18T14:41:55.559-04:00". . . administrators (who used to come from ...". . . administrators (who used to come from the teaching ranks) . . . captures one very huge flaw in PPS Central Office. These folks, not all, but most) are not coming from academic classroom teaching (and pardon the colloquialism), they do not appear to have a clue about how to educate children, most particularly African American children.<br /><br />It is clearly evident in the refusal to deviate from the "managed curriculum;" the lack of culturally relevant pedagogy and content; the lack of true alignment to PSSA "thinking skills;" the critical importance of students seeing themselves and their race as models of high-levels of substantive contribution to Pittsburgh and the World. (All of this can be provided simultaneously in the teaching and learning process; but, teachers need the "right" PD.<br /><br />Right now the deck is stacked against Black kids in PPS and the "one-size fits all" curricula MUST be jettisoned! NOW!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-65032121158191492022011-08-18T13:47:02.464-04:002011-08-18T13:47:02.464-04:00Sounds like a lot of baloney, 'Truth'. In ...Sounds like a lot of baloney, 'Truth'. In fact, it sounds like you see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear. There are a lot of reasons for failure to attain AYP and to be sure, lack of parental concern is one of them. But being ignorant to the fact that our respective curricula just don't address the needs of our kids and their academic abilities is ridiculous. You do work for PPS, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-36170446770982980482011-08-18T10:11:06.998-04:002011-08-18T10:11:06.998-04:00Hi tech employee..
You are very right...but.. ...Hi tech employee..<br /> You are very right...but.. sadly no one here can affect parenting. PPS is charged with educating to the best of our ability, the students as they appear. Admin can affect discipline-protecting the kids who do come to learn. Prinicpals used to have an attitude "You will not disrupt the learning at ________ school." Parents were held accountable for their children's behavior. If they have mental health issues being acted out in aberrant behavior. no amount of rewarding them and raising their self esteem helps their issues. Obviously, Broad,PELA and all the other programs skipped some classes- child psychology, abnormal psychology-- all those classes that teaching candidates took in college. That is WHY we have teacher education- so that teacher and administrators (who used to come from teaching ranks) could make decisions to HELP all students to achieve their potential- not put on a show of buzzwords and accountable talk.<br />Of course people without education degrees "can teach today"-- brainwashing is takes very different credentials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-44090829817978770282011-08-18T09:42:40.614-04:002011-08-18T09:42:40.614-04:00Anonymous 10:35,
I would love to talk about "...Anonymous 10:35,<br /><br />I would love to talk about "the ridiculous curriculum, the heavy handed RISE process, the lack of discipline" but I don't deal with that, I am a technology employee. I go in, do my job, and move on to the next. But I see how the students act and I blame it on a lack of parents/guardians being involved with their kids.The Truth Hurtsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-38713313576016968782011-08-17T06:52:49.656-04:002011-08-17T06:52:49.656-04:00Thank you for the Lewis quotes. Tremendously appli...Thank you for the Lewis quotes. Tremendously applicable.<br />Perhaps it was the late hour or perhaps I am getting older and more forgetful, but I meant Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote:<br /><br />"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."Old Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-52084015308916570912011-08-16T23:06:10.759-04:002011-08-16T23:06:10.759-04:00Speaking of C.S. Lewis...
To think that the spect...Speaking of C.S. Lewis...<br /><br />To think that the spectre you see is an illusion does not rob him of his terrors: it simply adds the further terror of madness itself -- and then on top of that the horrible surmise that those whom the rest call mad have, all along, been the only people who see the world as it really is.<br /><br />C.S. LEWIS, Perelandra<br /><br />What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are.<br /><br />C.S. LEWIS, The Magician's Nephew<br /><br />And more pertinent to Old Timer...<br /><br />A man who has been in another world does not come back unchanged. One can't put the difference into words. When the man is a friend it may become painful: the old footing is not easy to recover.<br /><br />C.S. LEWIS, PerelandraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-43157737761796376962011-08-16T22:53:38.002-04:002011-08-16T22:53:38.002-04:00Questioner, you are 100% correct. Participation c...Questioner, you are 100% correct. Participation counts and huge efforts are made to get every student to test. So, many students (in 11th grade) show up to test that normally have very poor attendance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-32162002592621359922011-08-16T22:51:20.014-04:002011-08-16T22:51:20.014-04:00In my school, some students went in and out of tes...In my school, some students went in and out of testing rooms like a revolving door to the bathroom- to avoid testing. If the proctors told them no, they walked out anyway. One student was told no and he left and sat in the hallway – on the floor. Yes, I am describing 11th graders. Many students were done in 10 minutes despite prompting and encouragement. Don’t get me wrong, many students worked hard. However, many did not. It is a constant battle. So, Old Timer, while I agree with your posts over 90% of the time, this one I don’t agree with. As Questioner said, my disagreement is based on what I see (experience), not on what I hear or what I am told. <br /><br />There is a lot of good, accurate information coming from truth hurts, veteran teacher, and anon 5:24.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-65100470970849949132011-08-16T22:35:45.732-04:002011-08-16T22:35:45.732-04:00"Truth", if you have been in so many cla..."Truth", if you have been in so many classrooms, then continue to "tell the truth" and weigh in about the ridiculous curriculum, the heavy handed RISE process, the lack of discipline.<br />Yeah, you're in classrooms...and I can guess in what role...but you are only telling part of the story.<br />Scripted curriculum itself has destroyed the landscape of classroom instruction. That this district has the utter audacity to call it "rigorous" is a true outrage.<br />The truth hurts, but the lies will kill you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-84394042270428664102011-08-16T22:35:18.571-04:002011-08-16T22:35:18.571-04:00There has been a big push in recent years to incre...There has been a big push in recent years to increase participation so it could be that students are showing up who would not have done so in the past.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-5999833045160034312011-08-16T22:32:20.461-04:002011-08-16T22:32:20.461-04:00Point is, Questioner, those who drop out usually d...Point is, Questioner, those who drop out usually do so long before PSSA tests in grade 11, and certainly won't show up to take them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-44229656600207870192011-08-16T22:19:03.081-04:002011-08-16T22:19:03.081-04:00Heads down happens- per those who were there. Too...Heads down happens- per those who were there. Too many kids don't graduate. Those who drop out don't have to come back and do it again.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-4141258772832356362011-08-16T22:14:55.201-04:002011-08-16T22:14:55.201-04:00And where does this lack of even attempting or car...And where does this lack of even attempting or caring enough to take the PSSA's seriously come from? The lack of discipline and structure and care and support at home. It all starts and ends at home. I applaud all of the teachers that do it everyday whether they are trying to engage the students or just go through the motions. I also agree with everything Veteran Teacher has said. My job gives me the chance to go to every school in different classrooms, I see what happens, I have no interaction with the students at all, I wish the world could see how it really is.The Truth Hurtsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-63038971749261127582011-08-16T21:55:10.597-04:002011-08-16T21:55:10.597-04:00There are so many comments within this thread that...There are so many comments within this thread that I both agree and disagree with that I am not sure where to begin.<br />I'm at the tail end of my career and still enjoy working with students immensely. I see promise in each of my kids and always hope that a combination of time, maturity and inspiration/motivation will propel my students to a lifetime of great achievement.<br />I see things differently than many here, I guess, and perhaps my own personal background taught me how to teach and coach, in reverse.<br />My four years of high school were the worst years of my life, lost in a giant school system surrounded by teachers who did not care in the least and by cliques and bullies of all types that made day to day academic and social life a living train wreck.<br />To this day, I don't remember one teacher or one class, and that's sad.<br />I had no great motivator or inspiration who saw something in me. I had no instructor who intervened in trying to motivate me to use my potential. It's amazing that as an under-achiever, I made it to college and have had a career in teaching.<br />I've taught in gangland and have been to more grotesque layouts for slain children than I care to remember. I've taught in schools where the apathy of students and staff alike could only be called sickening. I've told myself that in every situation, my job is to work through the hopelessness and despair, through the apathy, and to motivate and inspire while I teach the prescribed curriculum.<br />Beyond it being my job, it's my own obligation to be a positive part of each child's life, in some way, shape or form.<br />I actually do believe that countless students have done something with their lives over my 30 years, and that the influence that positive teachers had on them led them down that road, whether they actually know it or not.<br />It's easy to get bogged down in the hopelessness. It's easy to read the paper, see deaths in some part of town and remember that kid being one of your students. Really, it's easy to have your perceptions painted in a negative way, but I try to be wary of darkness and remember that kids who achieve generally don't make the headlines, don't come and hang out and certainly don't send thank you notes.<br />But they're out there.<br />C.S.Lewis had a great quote about 'Success' and if you aren't familiar with it, you might want to look it up and print it. Most teachers in PPS today are the picture of success, again, whether they know it or not.<br />Incidentally, the generalization about 11th graders is erroneous. When a student gets to grade 11, they generally want to graduate and the constant motivation is generally more appreciated. Hard to imagine an 11th grader putting his head down when he'll have to do it again the next year.Old Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-21483660081490083162011-08-16T17:28:22.624-04:002011-08-16T17:28:22.624-04:00Have heard the same thing about PSSA testing- scho...Have heard the same thing about PSSA testing- schools trying special snacks, encouragement, etc. but kids putting their heads on their desks or refusing to come in.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-24378618048422873682011-08-16T17:24:40.278-04:002011-08-16T17:24:40.278-04:00I've said this before in other posts...come do...I've said this before in other posts...come do what we do as educators in this Titanic-esque district for a week. I truly wish there was a way to offer that to the community. Perhaps then everyone would see what little effect we have after the time the students are in our class. <br /><br />Anonymous at 2:36 - I admire that you can begin a new year with such hope that you can make a difference, even when at the end of every year, you need to recover from the "beating." And it is just that. Hope is only lost if it was there to begin with. Kudos on finding it again year after year.<br /><br />As for PSSA results, I'll give everyone a hint as to why they suck in the 11th grade...Kids flat out refuse to complete it. Maybe everyone could come watch their kid actually take the test. Maybe that would encourage them to complete it. Not just complete it, but actually try. In my building, teachers proctoring the test never take a seat, unless it is by a student, to silently show support. Other times, teachers announce things like, "Keep going! You can all do this. Make sure you're checking your work!" All too often, kids put their heads down and ignore the prompts, even the physical ones, like a hand on the shoulder. After it's all over, there are a number of students who complain of being over-tested, and worse, just not caring. Many know that they can do it and still refuse or bubble in anything.<br /><br />Come check that out this testing year, and then tell me who you blame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com