On another post Anonymous wrote:
"Great Public Schools-Pittsburgh released it's "vision" today in the Post gazette.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/02/14/Report-says-Pittsburgh-schools-should-be-the-heart-of-the-community/stories/201402140147
They want to see smaller classes, full time librarians, full art, music, sports... How in the world will that happen. Gates money running out. I see consultants crossing the borders sneaking into Pittsburgh.
Great Public Schools-Pittsburgh has a wish list. How about vocational education too? Our students need skills training. While music, art and sports are important, when the roof leaks, are you going to call a ballerina?
They want less high stakes testing. Gates won't like that at all. How are they going to get rid of high paid teachers? SEIU Healthcare? What the heck is that? At least the PFT supports this. It's about time they supported something. Just sayin' "
Friday, February 14, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Homewood Childrens Village charter application
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"
http://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/5548506-74/homewood-pittsburgh-schools#axzz2t06bxznr
From The Tribune Review opinion page by Derrick Lopez.
The Homewood Childrens' Village charter application was denied. He states that PPS has lost 3,600 students to charter schools. 9 of 10 of the charters in Pittsburgh have results comparable to or better than our nonmagnet PPS schools.
Since PPS seems to have failed Westinghouse (and Homewood), why don't we approve this charter application? It is also interesting that Lopez used to be at Bellefield and left PPS. I wonder what was behind that move? "
"
http://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/5548506-74/homewood-pittsburgh-schools#axzz2t06bxznr
From The Tribune Review opinion page by Derrick Lopez.
The Homewood Childrens' Village charter application was denied. He states that PPS has lost 3,600 students to charter schools. 9 of 10 of the charters in Pittsburgh have results comparable to or better than our nonmagnet PPS schools.
Since PPS seems to have failed Westinghouse (and Homewood), why don't we approve this charter application? It is also interesting that Lopez used to be at Bellefield and left PPS. I wonder what was behind that move? "
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Ways to avoid cutting sports
On another post Mark Rauterkus wrote:
"I am making more than 40 suggestions within a 45-page position paper just released that I'd love for you to read.
http://CLOH.wikia.com/wiki/Fewer_Sports_Alternatives
See the links there to the PDFs:
http://tinyurl.com/mb6xesr = Google document, PDF, 45 pages.
Nutshell: We can make PPS Aquatics pull its own weight in terms of finances. I have been trying to do so for three years. The pools and swim teams can be paid for by programs if PPS could just get the political will to let this happen. "
"I am making more than 40 suggestions within a 45-page position paper just released that I'd love for you to read.
http://CLOH.wikia.com/wiki/Fewer_Sports_Alternatives
See the links there to the PDFs:
http://tinyurl.com/mb6xesr = Google document, PDF, 45 pages.
Nutshell: We can make PPS Aquatics pull its own weight in terms of finances. I have been trying to do so for three years. The pools and swim teams can be paid for by programs if PPS could just get the political will to let this happen. "
Monday, February 10, 2014
Lane looks ahead to new board
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/02/10/Schools-Lane-looks-ahead-to-new-board/stories/201402100050
A few comments about and quotes from this P-G article today.
*The district "expects" to run out of money in 2016. The teachers' union contract expires in 2015. This is part of an old script used every time a new contract is coming up. I can't wait to see what the PFT loses in this new contract. Lane wants "some strong agreements in place to start that process, not start it with some lingering issues."
Regarding the new school board, she hopes that their reversing the previous board's actions regarding TFA and closing Woolslair is "not a foretaste of things to come." She "doesn't think having a new board necessarily makes her life harder, just different." I hope it's "different" meaning the new board will not just rubber stamp everything that comes out of Bellefield. I hope they continue to evaluate and investigate every initiative.
Regarding the new evaluation system that has become a bone of contention, Lane "plans to go ahead with the tougher measures." She said she meets regularly with Nina Esposito-Visgitis and she "would like to "resolve" the teacher evaluation issue and "move ahead and make it the kind of thing we really want it to be..." Well it should be interesting to see if Nina sells the union short again and gives in regarding this issue. I wouldn't be surprised if a "backroom" deal is done quid pro quo trading stricter evaluation standards for something in the upcoming contract. I guess we have to wait and see if our union leader stands up and fights for our membership or sells us down the river. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these two meet for discussions..."
"
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/02/10/Schools-Lane-looks-ahead-to-new-board/stories/201402100050
A few comments about and quotes from this P-G article today.
*The district "expects" to run out of money in 2016. The teachers' union contract expires in 2015. This is part of an old script used every time a new contract is coming up. I can't wait to see what the PFT loses in this new contract. Lane wants "some strong agreements in place to start that process, not start it with some lingering issues."
Regarding the new school board, she hopes that their reversing the previous board's actions regarding TFA and closing Woolslair is "not a foretaste of things to come." She "doesn't think having a new board necessarily makes her life harder, just different." I hope it's "different" meaning the new board will not just rubber stamp everything that comes out of Bellefield. I hope they continue to evaluate and investigate every initiative.
Regarding the new evaluation system that has become a bone of contention, Lane "plans to go ahead with the tougher measures." She said she meets regularly with Nina Esposito-Visgitis and she "would like to "resolve" the teacher evaluation issue and "move ahead and make it the kind of thing we really want it to be..." Well it should be interesting to see if Nina sells the union short again and gives in regarding this issue. I wouldn't be surprised if a "backroom" deal is done quid pro quo trading stricter evaluation standards for something in the upcoming contract. I guess we have to wait and see if our union leader stands up and fights for our membership or sells us down the river. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these two meet for discussions..."
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Summer reading affected by state standards
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"new topic-- Gates/ Common Core hijacking library summer reading programs
http://triblive.com/opinion/letters/5506434-74/core-library-reading#axzz2sa1OVkXz
PPS and other urban school districts are not the only place where the long dollar of Bill Gates is reaching-- big brother is indeed everywhere-- including something that should be relaxed-- summer reading."
"new topic-- Gates/ Common Core hijacking library summer reading programs
http://triblive.com/opinion/letters/5506434-74/core-library-reading#axzz2sa1OVkXz
PPS and other urban school districts are not the only place where the long dollar of Bill Gates is reaching-- big brother is indeed everywhere-- including something that should be relaxed-- summer reading."
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Pittsburgh Promise op ed
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"Pittsburgh's Promise/Gates
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2014/02/02/Let-s-keep-Pittsburgh-s-Promise/stories/201402020064
So now we have a Mellon Exec schilling for Gates. The Pittsburgh Promise is a wonderful thing-- unless it was meant as a whip to hold over education. We dont go to Mellon bank with a broken leg--gee, we prefer a medical professional.
I know everyone is entitled to their opinion-- but more and more people are seeing the ugly underbelly of this corporate take over of education. Hire our friends- call them consultants-- give them big bucks to criticize professionals, and forget that the scores and life in the schools has tanked since 2006. Notice NO ONE has stood up and said-- wow the schools got better under the corporate consultant rule--
people are NOT flocking to PPS--even for the Promise!
teachers, admin, students-- no body is saying its working!
please name one person who is satisfied with the situation who isnt a corporate shill for venture
philanthropy"
"Pittsburgh's Promise/Gates
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2014/02/02/Let-s-keep-Pittsburgh-s-Promise/stories/201402020064
So now we have a Mellon Exec schilling for Gates. The Pittsburgh Promise is a wonderful thing-- unless it was meant as a whip to hold over education. We dont go to Mellon bank with a broken leg--gee, we prefer a medical professional.
I know everyone is entitled to their opinion-- but more and more people are seeing the ugly underbelly of this corporate take over of education. Hire our friends- call them consultants-- give them big bucks to criticize professionals, and forget that the scores and life in the schools has tanked since 2006. Notice NO ONE has stood up and said-- wow the schools got better under the corporate consultant rule--
people are NOT flocking to PPS--even for the Promise!
teachers, admin, students-- no body is saying its working!
please name one person who is satisfied with the situation who isnt a corporate shill for venture
philanthropy"
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