tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post6208181021406744433..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: "Making the grade"Questionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-47611992669173452642010-08-21T00:59:51.224-04:002010-08-21T00:59:51.224-04:00I am amazed the community and media are not questi...I am amazed the community and media are not questioning the lack of information. <br /><br />I want to know the trend/scores before I enroll my kids in a school based on current data. <br /><br />It seems like this administration is either very arrogant or is hoping that nobody cares enough to ask questions anymore. <br /><br />I don't understand why Roosevelt would look for a job elsewhere. Pittsburgh is his harem, and the school board and media are hand feeding him grapes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-64292853056583605082010-08-20T22:00:30.610-04:002010-08-20T22:00:30.610-04:00I'm somewhat amazed that school by school numb...I'm somewhat amazed that school by school numbers and contrasts to last year in each case have not been released yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-59813626386031330072010-08-20T18:34:40.742-04:002010-08-20T18:34:40.742-04:00http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10232/1081360-298.s...http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10232/1081360-298.stm<br /><br />Why is it ok for the numbers to go down? Has anyone thought jerri lipert or the curriculum has played a part in this decline?<br /><br />I guess it is easier to blame the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-6188746697174771682010-08-20T14:58:32.818-04:002010-08-20T14:58:32.818-04:00Clydesdale, I hope you are teaching HS English and...Clydesdale, I hope you are teaching HS English and I hope everyone will print and paste the little story. Now excuse me, while I go ponder the #8&%$ gist!!anontoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-9773487162200566422010-08-20T13:52:12.690-04:002010-08-20T13:52:12.690-04:00Brilliant ____no need for the "replace"_...Brilliant ____no need for the "replace"___ could be aptly used to teach 'METAPHORS', one of the PSSA skills assessed at grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 ____ particularly at the three PPS high school that the PG reports to have 80% of the students NOT proficient!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-49933657957779480492010-08-20T13:34:42.460-04:002010-08-20T13:34:42.460-04:00A city slicker buys a farm. He has no experience r...A city slicker buys a farm. He has no experience running a farm, but he once read a story about a farm.<br /><br />No matter. There is a field to be cleared! He hooks his sturdy horse to a 20 ton boulder. <br /><br />No need to break the boulder into smaller parts. No need to consult people who have actually cleared fields for decades.<br /><br />The horse pulls, but the boulder barely budges. The city slicker is enraged at the horse and beats him.<br /><br />The city slicker tells all who will listen how bad the horse is. He brings in self-described experts to lecture the horse.<br /><br />The horse sweats and keeps on trying. The 20 ton boulder still won't budge...<br /><br />----<br /><br />Now replace:<br />"farm" with "school district"<br /><br />"horse" with "PPS teacher"<br /><br />"20 ton boulder" with "scores"<br /><br />Oh, and replace "city slicker" with you-know-who.Clydesdalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-74633437435027526752010-08-20T10:55:28.670-04:002010-08-20T10:55:28.670-04:00anontoo, you have a better chance of seeing Santa ...anontoo, you have a better chance of seeing Santa Claus than getting the individualized school report by deadline. PPS's crack PR team has to package it, put in a great many pretty colors and get school-by-school spin from the grand poobah and his cronies before you can see it. Sorry, you just aren't worthy.<br />And teachers, you aren't worthy either. You can travel all over the pghboe site but you won't find the listing. You'll only find the info about what step you are on, and if you're in a HS almost everyone is on corrective action II.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-25673040681128562772010-08-20T10:22:36.648-04:002010-08-20T10:22:36.648-04:00If parents are trying to make decisions for their ...If parents are trying to make decisions for their child based on the performance of his school on the PSSAs the data by building will be helpful. There is about a week left to attempt a change for this year and I can see how a change in location is tempting with the hope of improving ATTITUDE about school for some kids.anontoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-6854635553924290922010-08-20T09:04:21.184-04:002010-08-20T09:04:21.184-04:00The PG information was not available at the Distri...The PG information was not available at the District presentations on Monday morning at CAPA and Tuesday evening at the Board Education Meeting. However, the scaled scores from DRC were sent to the District in early June. E-metric disaggregation of all PSSA DATA was available to the District in July with a password. It is my understanding that yesterday (August 19 a large binder with all PSSA data was made available to Board Members and Media at the Board. This information is not yet online at PDE where it is typically accessible to everyone in September. <br />I do not know if this can currently be accessed by the public at PPS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-9315795861305798492010-08-20T07:54:56.142-04:002010-08-20T07:54:56.142-04:00In today's PG, Roosevelt makes it clear that d...In today's PG, Roosevelt makes it clear that drastic action is in the offing for PPS high schools.<br /><br />He also provides numbers for a few schools in terms of PSSA scores.<br /><br />Has a document been published that shows gains, losses, last year's scores compared to this years for every school? If so, where can I find it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-17974603195352184522010-08-19T07:43:35.920-04:002010-08-19T07:43:35.920-04:00And even more shocking, many of us will no doubt b...And even more shocking, many of us will no doubt be looking for jobs after the next year or so....while administrators will continue to live it up.<br /><br />Amazing. This city sucks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-36851546546069247892010-08-19T03:15:36.930-04:002010-08-19T03:15:36.930-04:00It is shocking and true.
We have a huge top hea...It is shocking and true. <br /><br />We have a huge top heavy administration that keeps growing. As sad as it is to admit, many do not care about the kids.<br /> <br />Politics 101<br /><br />It is all about self promotion. Examples: Mark roosevelt, who really never had a job other than a failed attempt for running for governor of MA. He was recently outed for applying for another job outside the district, as was Linda <br /> Lane.<br /><br />We are in this for the long haul, they are not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-72933138432762216502010-08-18T21:23:20.745-04:002010-08-18T21:23:20.745-04:00When you have so many people who are in leadership...When you have so many people who are in leadership positions within schools and in offices at Bellefield Avenue, without having even the foggiest notion of how to teach kids, the situation can only be called "dangerous". Actions which are borne from somewhere between supreme arrogance and self-preservation merely to justify holding a position are obfuscated via a public relations department that seemingly holds local media in the palm of its hand.<br />Amazing times. For teachers, it would be hilarious if it weren't so shockingly real.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-38653828065288735612010-08-17T21:45:46.733-04:002010-08-17T21:45:46.733-04:00While she is busy making a name for herself, perha...While she is busy making a name for herself, perhaps Ms.Harris will want to explore "inconsistencies" in curriculum matching the needs of students, especially where PSSA's are concerned.<br />No matter. I am sure Harris and her friends will drop the Superintendent to a B- grade this year. They don't want to be too heavy-handed or anything.<br />I'll just file this under "yawn".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-8493255544618343232010-08-17T21:20:20.228-04:002010-08-17T21:20:20.228-04:00Including the chant in the videotaped presentation...Including the chant in the videotaped presentation assured a wider audience than otherwise would have been available.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-11884207223066246372010-08-17T20:32:06.297-04:002010-08-17T20:32:06.297-04:00justsayin' @.. August 17, 2010 7:46 PM
Thanks...justsayin' @.. August 17, 2010 7:46 PM<br /><br />Thanks-I really want to read and listen to the media representation and presentation of the snippets of facts. <br /><br />I already went to the A+ site-prior to the media. <br /><br />The media amazes me with their portrayal.<br /><br />Yesterday, the worst was Roosevelt at CAPA with the 2009 PSSA Score PowerPoint presentation that is listed at the PPS web site with his interpretative jargon. <br /><br />The end slides had the Summer Dreamers Academy Chant as the last several slides of his presentation of the 2009 PSSA PPS District test scores with his analysis. <br /><br />Many people were dumbfounded by his move to place the Chant in the presentation-not at this juncture.<br />Actually, hr can save the $5 mil next year and add a high school program instead of Middle according to his statistical analysis of interpretative data of the PSSA Scores.<br /><br />This is not what this is about-we have problems from elementary up to high school that need to be addressed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-36320517277154298522010-08-17T19:46:37.658-04:002010-08-17T19:46:37.658-04:00http://www.aplusschools.org/pdf/0910Findings.pdf
...http://www.aplusschools.org/pdf/0910Findings.pdf<br /><br />The link will take you to the info on the A+ site.justsayin'noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-10398952133785554732010-08-17T16:52:57.203-04:002010-08-17T16:52:57.203-04:00Another Story for Blog Posting-Recent article just...Another Story for Blog Posting-Recent article just up:<br /><br />WHAT ABOUT THE K-5 SCHOOLS?<br />LET'S FOCUS ON THE WHOLE DISTRICT AND EDUCATION.<br /><br />TONIGHT'S PPS EDUCATION MEETING WILL BE THE PPS BOARD AND PPS ADM<br />ABOUT THE PSSA SCORES.<br /><br />PLEASE READ ARTICLE BY PGH POST. <br />Survey finds inconsistency in city school procedures<br />Tuesday, August 17, 2010<br />By Eleanor Chute, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<br /><br />A survey of middle and high school principals in Pittsburgh Public Schools shows inconsistency in how students are selected for tougher courses, disciplined, monitored for dropout prevention and prepared for college and careers.<br /><br />Those are among the findings of the survey released today by A+ Schools, a local public education advocacy organization, as part of its School Works initiative.<br />"We want to make sure that school works for all Pittsburgh students, who bring different strengths and needs to the classroom. Equity means all students are given the support and resources needed to succeed -- regardless of their differences," said Carey Harris, executive director of A+ Schools.<br /><br />Ms. Harris said some actions by the school district provide reassurance -- including new teacher training and evaluation systems -- and urged the district focus on three priorities: providing every student access to rigorous courses, a safe learning environment with behavioral expectations, and a system to keep tabs on students at risk of dropping out.<br /><br />In Pittsburgh, some high school students who have tested into the gifted program take courses in the Centers for Advanced Studies. The next level of courses is the Pittsburgh Scholars Program, and the level below that is mainstream. The study found there were no consistent standards for determining which students take scholars courses.<br />It also found some schools had no systems in place to monitor students who were most likely to disengage, a key step toward reducing the number of dropouts.<br />Some schools did not teach skills needed for success, such as note taking and time management, while some did not have systems for positive discipline.<br />The surveys of 23 principals were done by a cadre of volunteers last year.<br /><br />More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.<br />Education writer Eleanor Chute: echute@post-gazette or 412-263-1955<br /><br /><br />Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10229/1080662-100.stm#ixzz0wtlHg3eVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-58550646918291511142010-08-17T14:47:42.013-04:002010-08-17T14:47:42.013-04:00Group Releases Findings About City Schools
Enclos...Group Releases Findings About City Schools<br /><br />Enclosed is A+ schools findings released today about the PPS.<br /><br />Maybe this should be a separate blog listing for commentary.<br /><br />http://kdka.com/school/watchdog.report.schools.2.1864518.html<br /><br />An independent watchdog group that keeps an eye on Pittsburgh Public Schools released its findings today.<br /><br />According to A+ Schools, improvements are being seen, but there are still some areas that need to be addressed in the schools.<br /><br />The watchdog group released is schoolwork findings, which involved collecting data on the workings of the schools in Pittsburgh.<br /><br />"That the access to our most rigorous courses is uneven and limited across schools and within schools in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Second, is that there is a lack of behavior management systems in many of our schools. And third, we found that schools were not positioned to address students at risk of disengaging and dropping out in time to get them reengaged," A+ Schools Executive Director Carey Harris said.<br /><br />Harris said that with these issues being highlighted, immediate action needs to be taken.<br /><br />After the review of Pittsburgh high schools and middle schools, they learned that 50 percent of black males are not graduating.<br /><br />"So we're going to be going into schools again this fall, to interview principals and guidance counselors. This time about the extent to which kids have access to rigorous courses and they're equitably accessible. The extent to which we have safe learning environments in every building and the extent to which there's a system to engage," Harris said.<br /><br />Keenan Johnson is hooping to graduate next year and move on to college. Johnson said that the positive change should begin with students when they begin their schooling.<br /><br />"Keep them constantly involved in school and make it fun for them so that as they grow up [they will] stick to the habits you develop. So, if you develop the habit of wanting to be in school and wanting to do this, then everyone is going to want to do better," Johnson said.<br /><br />There were some grades where African-Americans did achieve 100 percent success levels, but the district was unavailable for comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-39977937587697193252010-08-17T14:44:27.122-04:002010-08-17T14:44:27.122-04:00Enclosed is A+ schools findings released today abo...Enclosed is A+ schools findings released today about the PPS.<br /><br />Maybe this should be a separate blog listing for commentary.<br /><br />http://kdka.com/school/watchdog.report.schools.2.1864518.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-32646117319831739332010-08-17T12:36:40.640-04:002010-08-17T12:36:40.640-04:00Baloney.Baloney.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-77385821634448478302010-08-17T12:14:43.211-04:002010-08-17T12:14:43.211-04:00It was disrespectful of the district to use the Ob...It was disrespectful of the district to use the Obama name and unfortunate that the media did not correct or clarify by mentioning the final class of Schenley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-30894703096592502792010-08-17T11:05:31.155-04:002010-08-17T11:05:31.155-04:00Incorrect or not, anon, mark my words---they are c...Incorrect or not, anon, mark my words---they are counting Obama's middle school scores in that scenario.<br />And "disrespectful"? Please. Look, no one here is responsible for closing Schenley. That's baloney.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-68216773026822842842010-08-17T10:14:19.676-04:002010-08-17T10:14:19.676-04:00The district, which educates more than 24,000 stud...The district, which educates more than 24,000 students, missed by just a "few students," Superintendent Mark Roosevelt said.<br /><br />QUESTION for mathematicians: <br /><br />Given the data (in today's P.G.) how many are a "few students" at each grade level who did not meet the minimum PA standards? <br /><br />A rough estimate puts the "few" in excess of 12,000 students______is that right?<br /><br /> Does that number qualify under the definition for "few"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-12348480742095567572010-08-17T10:02:48.992-04:002010-08-17T10:02:48.992-04:00Anon 9:21, it was disrespectful to not use the Sch...Anon 9:21, it was disrespectful to not use the Schenley name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com