tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post7635238748383979424..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: PSSA cheating reforms lead to lower scores across PAQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-91937445324207166472012-09-28T21:52:33.308-04:002012-09-28T21:52:33.308-04:00I remember when that woman was using post-it-notes...I remember when that woman was using post-it-notes. She worked at an elementary school on the north side. I also remember a year or two earlier, my principal had my colleague and I in his office stating in no uncertain terms that we needed to do "whatever we needed to do" to raise test scores. I left that school and was replaced by that woman with the post-it-notes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-26265145030734990172012-08-23T17:41:41.065-04:002012-08-23T17:41:41.065-04:00Talk about old school principals retiring let me a...Talk about old school principals retiring let me add Arsenal's to the mix. Principal Rucki was known to have a no nonsense style that kept Arsenal on an even keel. Growing students academically, setting clear expectations and consequences for inappropriate behavior, encouraging a collaborative atmosphere between staff, initiated positive relationships with parents and secured community partners for the good of our students unlike any principal I have ever worked for and served as an instructional leader who thought out of the box. <br /><br />Staff often wondered if she bled Arsenal as her passion for the students was without question. It's apparent that her retirement was premature with the onset of RISE. Wether she was pressured to place teachers on an Improvement Plan is unknown but I can tell you this, she would never yield to compromising her professional ethics and convictions. Old school principals were clear and concise. <br /><br />Now the district has so many PELA principals who are learning the responsibilities of leadership through on the job training. Then again, this appears to be the standard supported through the philosophy of Gates and Broad. Our district administrators are on the job trainees so it's uncomfortable when successful veteran principals challenge the current educational philosophy and best practices that stifle creativity in the classroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-64716830277908671302012-08-23T12:28:39.096-04:002012-08-23T12:28:39.096-04:00Ms. Getty was demoted at Minadeo a few years ago a...Ms. Getty was demoted at Minadeo a few years ago as soon as the first or second RISE class "gradated". The school has been in free fall ever since. It is such a shame because it was a pretty decent school for a long time.<br /><br />It is really sad to see experienced prinipal's with principles get pressured, relocated, "retire" and demoted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-75885814480348204792012-08-23T08:17:46.514-04:002012-08-23T08:17:46.514-04:00I thought that was a counselor but I may be wrong....I thought that was a counselor but I may be wrong. I stand corrected. She was one who clearly sold her soul for greater results.<br /><br />I mentioned Sumpter, Kendricks and Walters up above and I will say this about the old school style of principals who remain: it is obvious to me that they have been threatened by central office. I am positive that the word has come down that if they don't focus teachers and put them on corrective action plans, then they will be focused. Knowing what I do about each and watching the lunacy of RISE evolve, it's pretty clear.<br /><br />These people know that RISE only empowers administrators, and they wanted no parts of such a witch hunt. Kudos to them and they should know that teachers understand the predicament they are in.<br /><br />It's funny to me to hear people like Lippert say that "managed curriculum is not scripted curriculum." That's for public consumption and may sound politically correct to parents, but it is patently false.<br /><br />I defy any teacher to stray one word off of this "managed curriculum" when an administrator is present. The result will make hell seem like a playground.<br /><br />Awful times to be a teacher in PPS.Professional Outstanding Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-48046156147450816102012-08-22T21:31:57.381-04:002012-08-22T21:31:57.381-04:00Well, there was that one teacher with the post-it ...Well, there was that one teacher with the post-it notes on tests (which tests? not sure) for the kids telling them which ones to redo. That was a while ago though, and I can't remember which school it was in. <br /><br />Far more difficult with current tests though, since teachers really shouldn't have access to them for any length of time without a classroom full of kids to tell on them. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-79495210090469460232012-08-22T21:20:54.675-04:002012-08-22T21:20:54.675-04:00The cheating issue started years ago and a couple ...The cheating issue started years ago and a couple of principals who I knew quite well rebuffed pressure from higher-ups to "engineer" some positive results.<br />Political hacks who moonlight as education secretaries should tell it like it is. I've been in this district for almost three decades. I've never heard even a whisper of a teacher lowering him or herself to change answers.<br />I can't say the same about administrators.<br />I can only imagine that with the bunch that is now in charge--you know, the characters who exude ethical integrity--that it is worse.<br />Funny thing is that these folks are insulated from everything: no job descriptions, no critiques, no furloughs. <br />Amazing time to be a teacher.<br />Why would anyone want to do this job?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-8007979706562771182012-08-22T20:01:41.843-04:002012-08-22T20:01:41.843-04:00I totally agree that Mrs. Sumpter is a woman of in...I totally agree that Mrs. Sumpter is a woman of integrity and good judgement. And shame on anyone who thinks differently.<br /> <br />Let us not forget that the Administration changed the feeder patterns for Sterrett from a whole magnet to a feeder/magnet.<br /><br />There are several other schools that had been rumored that the principals have cheated.<br /><br />BUT...not Sterrett. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-6852797080816933692012-08-22T12:47:37.993-04:002012-08-22T12:47:37.993-04:00Again, there is no "big jump" when the &...Again, there is no "big jump" when the "Growth Model" is used by PDE to "project" scores. <br /><br />The scores on the PDE PAAYP website sometimes have letters next to the scores. The "letters" such as SH, CI, GM represent a formula that was used to allow an "AYP" designation based on certain conditions represented by the "letters" used. <br /><br />Any PSSA scores that had a "GM" (Growth Model) after it (such as Weil) indicates that it was not the actual score, but, instead was a "projection" of some future score based on the formula used.<br /><br />This GM explains that it is a projection, not a real, current score. So, using projected scores makes it seem as though there was a "jump" that does not exist in real time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-72150349184338176522012-08-22T10:05:49.695-04:002012-08-22T10:05:49.695-04:00I wouldn't use the Great Schools data, it'...I wouldn't use the Great Schools data, it's close but not exactly what's reported. <br /><br />Most schools saw a big jump in the 2011 scores, statewide. That big jump plus all the "anti-cheating"measures this year which meant kids often tested in a room with what amounted to a substitute may go a long way to explaining this year's score drops. <br /><br />Last year was an odd spike both in our district and statewide. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-40213525673307099932012-08-22T08:54:02.617-04:002012-08-22T08:54:02.617-04:00Always pay attention to HOW a school made or did n...Always pay attention to HOW a school made or did not make AYP----Safe Harbor, Confidence Interval, Growth Model, etc.<br /><br />Here is the complete, official explanation of Growth Model from PDE:<br /><br />http://paayp.emetric.net/Home/About#q14<br /><br />What is the Growth Model?<br /><br />"The Growth Model recognizes the efforts of schools whose students have not achieved proficiency but are on trajectories towards proficiency on future PSSA exams. The Growth Model will be calculated for Performance Indicators (i.e., the all student group and up to nine subgroups). Projected scores are calculated for all students - including students who are proficient. If a projected score cannot be calculated for a particular student, the student’s actual score is used. The Growth Model will be applied to an AYP Performance Indicator only if the indicator cohort has not met AYP performance by any of the existing goals or targets. Actual, not projected, PASA scores, PSSA-M scores, 3rd grade scores, and 11th grade scores are always used, as well as the scores for any students with insufficient data points to make a projection."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-44628004147473189422012-08-22T08:32:32.332-04:002012-08-22T08:32:32.332-04:00Weil's scores, as reported here previously, ar...Weil's scores, as reported here previously, are not the actual scores.<br /><br />Weil used the "Growth Model" (GM) which is a "projected" score, as PAAYP states: <br /><br />"The Growth Model will be applied to an AYP Performance Indicator only if the indicator cohort has not met AYP performance by any of the existing goals or targets."<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-62801468552495537062012-08-22T06:38:04.851-04:002012-08-22T06:38:04.851-04:002010-2011?2010-2011?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-16615950902545952302012-08-21T21:36:17.311-04:002012-08-21T21:36:17.311-04:00Wow check out these jumps at Weil!
http://www.gre...Wow check out these jumps at Weil!<br /><br />http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/pa/6450#from..HeaderLinkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-48768862740942306882012-08-21T20:44:37.188-04:002012-08-21T20:44:37.188-04:00Great schools test scores show huge gains 2010-201...Great schools test scores show huge gains 2010-2011 at Colfax. Lots of information on that site, I only checked a few schools.<br /><br />http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/pa/2252#from..HeaderLink<br /><br />I agree Sumpter is being hung out to dry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-39521915974633824222012-08-21T19:16:47.234-04:002012-08-21T19:16:47.234-04:00Mrs.Sumpter was one of the last "old school&q...Mrs.Sumpter was one of the last "old school" principals who likely look at what this new administration and PELA is doing with great distress. There is no doubt that Mrs.Sumpter, Toni Kendrick, Wayne Walters and a perhaps a couple more know that this district is being destroyed from the top on down.<br />I'd always heard rumors that "old school" principals sat in one portion of the room during meetings and that the "new breed" sat in the other. Sad to say that the latter is likely starting to overrun the latter.<br />I still run into a couple of now-retired principals who saw this coming and remind me to "get out while you can."<br />I'm right behind them.<br />The only hope for the children of this district is a pact between union and parents to throw the ivory tower-types out on their ears, and by any means necessary.<br />Only then will Pittsburgh children truly see a brighter day where education is concerned, beyond the propaganda that comes from PPS, its 50% grade policies, its scripted curriculum and the pot of gold waved under the noses of parents called The Pittsburgh Promise. A college education won't last long if the student was never taught the essentials needed to compete.<br />Professional Outstanding Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-69387418092430058022012-08-21T18:39:59.213-04:002012-08-21T18:39:59.213-04:00As a parent I have never heard of anything but pos...As a parent I have never heard of anything but positive things regarding Ms. Sumpter. For whatever reason Sterrett is the only school named in the investigation. I really hope they are cleared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-48280510395322739932012-08-21T18:13:21.761-04:002012-08-21T18:13:21.761-04:00I want to say that Mrs.Sumpter was at Sterrett for...I want to say that Mrs.Sumpter was at Sterrett for 8 or 10 years. I am a bit flabbergasted that there is so much misinformation out there, especially about someone in charge of a school that did things right for years and one which had students that annually made AYP.<br />I'd say that Sterrett was a success story, no matter what some idiot in Harrisburg has to say.<br /><br />And let me say this about "eraser" marks: we teach our kids strategies for success and certainly, one of those strategies is to review questions and the answer you marked. That's part of being diligent as a student. It's a shame that it has become so fashionable to demonize teachers that lifelong politicians would look at eraser marks as being some sinister sign.<br /><br />Sheesh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-68373160298232584922012-08-21T16:51:16.308-04:002012-08-21T16:51:16.308-04:00Agreed!!
The former Sterrett principal is a woman...Agreed!!<br /><br />The former Sterrett principal is a woman of integrity and good judgement.<br /><br />Would that we had a few dozen of such women in PPS. It is likely that she could have brought a little of that sanity and good judgement to Central Office or a least served as a mentor to those who have little clue to running a school, much less a district.<br /><br />Let's not take her husband's lack of good judgement out on her. Please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-26896263825934330532012-08-21T16:42:31.244-04:002012-08-21T16:42:31.244-04:00How long was she at Sterrett? Wasn't there a ...How long was she at Sterrett? Wasn't there a different principal there for at least the 2009 and maybe the other years (2010 and 2011) too? <br /><br />As the article noted, there may well be reasons that some schools had/have problems, like if they were teaching some test strategy that involved more changing (erasing) of answers. Not all that likely, but possible. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-23747752635004459452012-08-21T16:20:51.232-04:002012-08-21T16:20:51.232-04:00This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. What, do y...This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. What, do you *want* to find improprieties???<br />Mrs.Sumpter had 41 years in PPS.<br />I'd say she earned her retirement...and her good health.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-64479372095383885472012-08-21T14:04:24.773-04:002012-08-21T14:04:24.773-04:00So why isn't this an open and shut case where ...So why isn't this an open and shut case where the school was quickly cleared? Lots of other schools have been cleared. And why did the principal who seems to be in good health leave before the end of the school year?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-20621579587273892772012-08-21T12:56:46.504-04:002012-08-21T12:56:46.504-04:00I thought that this subject had been retired here ...I thought that this subject had been retired here once before but I will resurrect it: the questions about Sterrett did not stem from eraser marks but rather, attendance for the test. This was the area that was being questioned and within that, I believe, the numbers of special ed kids taking the test.<br />Two items that should be noted here:<br />1) Sterrett has maintained AYP (until this year) for years. <br />2) The feeder pattern for the school changed prior to the questions regarding this particular year of PSSA testing. <br />You'll have to pardon me, but I do not believe that Sterrett "cheated" in any way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-43652005993022689762012-08-21T11:27:28.064-04:002012-08-21T11:27:28.064-04:00In Pittsburgh, if there was cheating, it hardly ma...In Pittsburgh, if there was cheating, it hardly matters, since the scores are substantially below the minimum standards set by the state.<br /><br />And Pittsburgh, has NOT, despite PR claims to the contrary, met AYP, as defined. The were in "Making Progress" last year, NOT "Made AYP"<br /><br />The African American students who are the majority in PPS have not even come close to meeting the PA Standards.<br /><br />What is worse, is that they are going backwards, not forward, whether they are cheating or not.<br /><br />The should be massive outrage at the state of academic achievement in PPS.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-34835605063932265362012-08-21T10:28:17.843-04:002012-08-21T10:28:17.843-04:00Ironically, Principal Sumpter has retired from Ste...Ironically, Principal Sumpter has retired from Sterrett. She is the wife of a CURRENT School Board member. That says a lot of info right there. If there has been any degrading of integreity of test information from previous years her pension should be touched. <br /><br />Many feeel in the city of Pittsburgh community-from parents, educators from the universities and<br />teachers a very secure WATERGATE coverup.<br /><br />The longer it takes for answers to clear PPS-will it prove nothing substantial to proove guilt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-61767816378003064502012-08-21T09:03:24.927-04:002012-08-21T09:03:24.927-04:00Because no one at the Post-Gazette has contacted t...Because no one at the Post-Gazette has contacted the state for information, unlike reporters in Philly. They managed to get names of schools in their district. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com