tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post8916297673679360949..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: Start a new postQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-28383850032657072892009-05-12T10:26:00.000-04:002009-05-12T10:26:00.000-04:00There is an editorial in today's P-G, "The other P...There is an editorial in today's P-G, "The other Pittsburgh Promise," regarding girls and high school sports. This independent "audit" is a sham. When PPS looks in the mirror this summer, the mirror will crack. This is nothing but more smoke and mirrors.<br /><br />the parent of a female athleteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-58867278245312616592009-05-10T11:14:00.000-04:002009-05-10T11:14:00.000-04:00Recently, the PG endorsed Patrick Dowd, stating "H...Recently, the PG endorsed Patrick Dowd, stating "He would start with a top-down reform of city practices, replacing managers who aren't doing the right things and imposing clear, measurable goals for future performance. As a model, he points to the contract the school board devised for Superintendent Mark Roosevelt while Mr. Dowd was a member of that body."<br /><br />The following is the list of performance priorities from the Superintendent's 2005 contract:<br /><br />VII. PERFORMANCE PRIORITIES.<br /><br />A. Year One. The priorities for the first year effective August 29, 2005 are the following:<br /><br />1. Present to the Board within 6 months, after community input, a comprehensive reform agenda, the primary focus of which is creation and implementation of a plan for improving student achievement across the District, including a plan for significant progress towards closing the achievement gaps.<br /><br />Measurable, but not met. As of today, we are still waiting for a comprehensive reform agenda.<br /><br />2. Improved stakeholder engagement with the Pittsburgh School District community.<br /><br />Does not seem to me that this goal has been stated in a way that can be measured.<br /><br /><br />3. Financial and managerial leadership, including a balanced budget for 2006.<br /><br />Anyone know if he submitted a balanced budget for 2006. This is certainly a measurable goal, just not sure if it was met.<br /><br />4. Demonstrating leadership in evaluations and making staff accountable for meeting District priorities, including strengthening the District’s recruitment, training, and development of effective principals.<br /><br />I suppose that this is one that he has addressed through the creation of the PELA program (although this program is being funded by and I believe portions of these principals salaries are provided by the Broad Foundation).<br /><br />5. Development of an educationally sound plan for reorganization and closing of schools, including community involvement.<br /><br />Is this measurable? Has there been an meaningful community involvement?<br /><br />I suppose that these goals are a step up from having no goals at all, but I believe that they could have been stated with more clear methods for evaluation.Kathy Finenoreply@blogger.com