But maybe waiting for the next superprogram?
See the last letter to the editor, "Pittsburgh hasn't waited for the arrival of superman," by Board president Theresa Colaizzi:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098228-110.stm
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Theresa Colaizzi wrote:"Whatever you may think of this movie, it is clear that we can solve the very real problems that exist in urban education only when rational adults join together to take constructive action toward resolution of the problems. In Pittsburgh, we are taking a different approach to education reform by working collaboratively with our teachers to give them the tools they need to ensure that all of our children have a real chance for a better future."
My jaw has dropped.....Why does this sound nothing like the way Theresa Colaizzi is encouraging OUR school system to run?
Rational adults & Theresa Colaizzi in the same sentence.
Thank you I needed a good laugh today!
Anon, it would be more helpful if you explain why you feel this board member falls short.
Too easily swayed by a fast talking politician, rarely questions any of his ideas, virtually has none of her own, her son made a lot of money from PPS, unethically his Senior yr of high school.
These types of inactions or actions leads me to believe she does not deserve our respect nor trust.
There does seem to be a blind trust being put behind the idea that a teachers' academy will solve all of the distrct's problems. Maybe the thought is that because it will cost so much it will have to succeed. But other expensive projects, Gates and otherwise, have not worked or have not worked as well as expected. Why not try a small pilot project to see if there is really something to these lessons for teachers?
Q,
You do know Gates = Teacher's academy? That is where his funding is going.
Honestly since Mark Roosevelt has been here has anything been done as a pilot project, or on a small scale? (other than gifted pilot at 3 schools..btw, how did that go? ) It seems like the administration and the Board keeps going "all in" (pardon the poker term) hoping something will work.
Problem is they are playing with our chips & kids,and they are being reckless with both.
anon, the Gifted Pilot is still in progress. I believe it is in year three. RISE was a pilot, but pretty large scale, if I remember correctly what I read about it.
RISE was "piloted" in HALF the schools last year(see http://www.gatesfoundation.org/united-states/Pages/pittsburgh-public-schools-fact-sheet.aspx). Has there been any analysis/discussion of the results and comparison to alternatives, or has it been assumed from the start that the RISE program will be part of the teachers initiative?
This is all I could find, I don't see any information discussing how the RISE pilot program went. Has it been discussed at board meetings? Sorry for the long URL.
http://www.pps.k12.pa.us
/170220210151928197/lib/
170220210151928197/RISE-
Implementation-Overview.pdf
Questioner has left a new comment on your post "Not waiting for superman":
This link indicates that at the time the program was being "piloted" in most of the schools, the plan was that it would be "expanded to include all schools" in 2010-11 and beyond.
So, it does not seem to have been a "pilot" in the sense of trying out the program with an open mind about whether it would actually be adopted.
Yes, RISE was just a slow roll-out -- once the contract was voted in, it was a done deal, too.
Many teachers will come to regret that vote, I believe (for many reasons) if they don't already regret it!
I believe the gifted pilot is in year 2 of 3. It began last year and I've heard that there was a meeting either this week or next to share data about the program with the schools that piloted it.
Guessing that they'll find it did well in some schools and not so well in others. It seems to be a good program, but not at all a great fit with a strictly paced and scripted curriculum.
Anon 9:59
You brought up a subject I had not thought of prior to reading this. How are IEP/GEP's being dealt with, (if at all) considering the strict curriculum stress placed on teachers?
By law the district has to provide the individual education plans, but if the teacher is not given time, help, or support from his/her employer they may lose their job for doing their job, and may lose their job for not doing their job.
I know most GEP's are not followed at PPS. There is no time for them. They get 1/5 of what they need. I know first hand that IEP kids deserve 100% of our support. I also know first hand that gifted kids deserve much more than 1/5th of our support.
How can we ask teachers to educate and formulate
specific plans with *5 kids with an IEP and 2 kids with a GEP considering they have another 12-15 kids that do not-have education plans, yet follow scripted curriculum. * insert proper numbers here.
My head is now spinning just imagining 4th-12th grade teachers that juggle multiple classes.
This seems more impossible now that teaching is being mandated by people who are not educators.
The added pressure of this mustercluck. Is astounding.
Who wins? Right now consultant companies are winning, our children, neighborhoods, many teachers and schools are in the back of the pack.
As school districts try to stretch their dollars and mega-foundations fund projects with very specific definitions of how to spend those dollars, we will see class sizes growing larger. At some point will we see teachers paid by number of students they teach each day and how well those kids perform?
"Anon, it would be more helpful if you explain why you feel this board member falls short.
October 27, 2010 1:22 PM"
Did I answer your question? I tried, but the topic got derailed quickly at 10/27/10 7:59 pm. Why?
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