It is easy to share your comments on PURE Reform's blog.
To comment on an existing topic, go to the line at the bottom of the post for that topic that begins "Posted by..." That line will list "1 comment," "2 comments," etc. Click on "comments," then leave your comment in the box provided. To post as Anonymous, no registration is required, OR you can choose an identity.
To suggest a new topic, go to the topic labeled "Start a New Post" and add your comment (as described above) about the new suggested topic. PURE Reform will use these comments to start new posts.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Decline in Enrollment Exceeds Decline in School Age Population
Please see our new Featured Topic on this issue.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Shift of IS Students to IB
On the October "Start a New Post," Anonymouse wrote:
One topic that has been lost in all of the discussion facilities is what has happened to the programs that were once thriving at Schenley High School. While we all agree that there was a large population of under served students at Schenley that needed to be addressed, we have forgotten about the ludicrous shift of all International Studies (IS) into the IB program. The IB program was a small but valuable part of Schenley and in Mark Roosevelt's attempt to bolster his "themed high school" reform, he has lumped all IS/IB students together without any consideration about whether all these students belong in the IB program.
- Maybe students non interested or not prepared to change to IB account for some of the "missing students" at Schenley and/or the 50 student decline in enrollment at Schenley since the start of the year mentioned on another post.
In general it seems that of the students who would have gone to Schenley, U Prep may help those who were struggling; IB will be offered to advanced students, and there is nothing really planned for those students in the middle.
One topic that has been lost in all of the discussion facilities is what has happened to the programs that were once thriving at Schenley High School. While we all agree that there was a large population of under served students at Schenley that needed to be addressed, we have forgotten about the ludicrous shift of all International Studies (IS) into the IB program. The IB program was a small but valuable part of Schenley and in Mark Roosevelt's attempt to bolster his "themed high school" reform, he has lumped all IS/IB students together without any consideration about whether all these students belong in the IB program.
- Maybe students non interested or not prepared to change to IB account for some of the "missing students" at Schenley and/or the 50 student decline in enrollment at Schenley since the start of the year mentioned on another post.
In general it seems that of the students who would have gone to Schenley, U Prep may help those who were struggling; IB will be offered to advanced students, and there is nothing really planned for those students in the middle.
IB Site Selection/ Lack of Real Community Input
On the October "Start a New Post" Anonymous wrote:
As we discuss high school reform, one recurrent theme nags at me. The administration is constantly throwing around terms like "community involvement", "parental engagement", "stakeholder input" and "customer service". Yet time and time again, decisions are made that are in direct conflict with stakeholders' legitimate concerns and with very little transparency. The latest in this string of "make the decision, ask for community input and then do what we planned to in the first place" is the committee formed to determine the location of the IB program. This committee has been meeting for over 2 months and we have yet to hear a peep. Why hasn't a comprehensive list of IB committee members been published? Which facilities are being considered? What will happen to the students enrolled at whichever facility is chosen for the IB program? Will the committee's recommendations be released to the public in enough time before the final vote for a thorough public vetting? Seems to me that this process is no different than any other demonstrated by the district.
As we discuss high school reform, one recurrent theme nags at me. The administration is constantly throwing around terms like "community involvement", "parental engagement", "stakeholder input" and "customer service". Yet time and time again, decisions are made that are in direct conflict with stakeholders' legitimate concerns and with very little transparency. The latest in this string of "make the decision, ask for community input and then do what we planned to in the first place" is the committee formed to determine the location of the IB program. This committee has been meeting for over 2 months and we have yet to hear a peep. Why hasn't a comprehensive list of IB committee members been published? Which facilities are being considered? What will happen to the students enrolled at whichever facility is chosen for the IB program? Will the committee's recommendations be released to the public in enough time before the final vote for a thorough public vetting? Seems to me that this process is no different than any other demonstrated by the district.
Decline in PPS Enrollment/ Schenley Decision
Today's Post Gazette discusses whether the decision to close Schenley may have contributed to the 1600 student decline in PPS enrollment (last year's decline was about 1200).
The article, quoted below, indicates that Frick 9th grade and U Prep 9th grade enrollment together total 270. Wasn't the freshman class at Schenley generally about 350 the past few years? (Numbers drop off a great deal in 11th and 12 grade due to students who leave before graduation.)
The article also notes that 10th thru 12th grade enrollment at Schenley is now 694. So, total Frick 9th grade, U Prep 9th grade and Schenley enrollment is 964. Wasn't total Schenley enrollment near 1100 the past few years?
Of course some of the "missing" students are simply at another PPS, but the numbers may suggest a lack of enthusiasm about the options that replaced Schenley.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08281/917964-298.stm
.... "Critics displeased with Mr. Roosevelt's changes, including the closing of the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building in June, have suggested that he's driving some families from the district.
Mr. Roosevelt yesterday disputed that idea, saying enrollment numbers conform to state projections that are based on demographics.
He added that ninth-grade enrollment at Pittsburgh Frick 6-9 in Oakland and the new university-prep school in the Hill District show that the Schenley decision hasn't caused parents to pull students from the district.
Frick and the university school together have about 270 ninth-graders, most of whom would have gone to the Schenley building had it remained open. Mr. Roosevelt said enrollment at the Reizenstein building in Shadyside -- new home to Schenley's 10th, 11th and 12th graders -- is a healthy 694."
The article, quoted below, indicates that Frick 9th grade and U Prep 9th grade enrollment together total 270. Wasn't the freshman class at Schenley generally about 350 the past few years? (Numbers drop off a great deal in 11th and 12 grade due to students who leave before graduation.)
The article also notes that 10th thru 12th grade enrollment at Schenley is now 694. So, total Frick 9th grade, U Prep 9th grade and Schenley enrollment is 964. Wasn't total Schenley enrollment near 1100 the past few years?
Of course some of the "missing" students are simply at another PPS, but the numbers may suggest a lack of enthusiasm about the options that replaced Schenley.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08281/917964-298.stm
.... "Critics displeased with Mr. Roosevelt's changes, including the closing of the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building in June, have suggested that he's driving some families from the district.
Mr. Roosevelt yesterday disputed that idea, saying enrollment numbers conform to state projections that are based on demographics.
He added that ninth-grade enrollment at Pittsburgh Frick 6-9 in Oakland and the new university-prep school in the Hill District show that the Schenley decision hasn't caused parents to pull students from the district.
Frick and the university school together have about 270 ninth-graders, most of whom would have gone to the Schenley building had it remained open. Mr. Roosevelt said enrollment at the Reizenstein building in Shadyside -- new home to Schenley's 10th, 11th and 12th graders -- is a healthy 694."
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
3 Year Review Now Available
PURE Reform's Three Year Review of District Initiatives is now available on the PURE Reform website (http://www.purereform.com/review.html). Please leave any comments on this post.
Start a New Post
To start a new post, reply to this post with your question, comment or suggestion for a new topic. The adminstrator will then start a new post with your topic as a title.You can post anonymously if you prefer. Click on "post a comment". Type in the word you see for word verification. Choose how you would like to be identified in the post click "publish your comment".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)