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Dr. Johnston commented on the pg site that A+ surveys stakeholders. It always seems that there are more satisfied stakeholders than dissatisfied when results are reported. Seriously though, where do they get their sample? Parents in particular? Could it be that those who respond are guardians of high achievers? The teachers and principals surveyed, are they a random sample? The efforts of A+ need to be redirected if they are to be an instrument for change. Go to the rec centers and cruise the parking lots to reach stakeholders or sit in bleachers at games with parents. Want to talk to parents of pre-K kids, go to indoor soccer practices and reach out to the parents waiting for kids to finish up. Stop the watching of the Board and direct attention elsewhere to improve your credibility. Is there a PSCC that attracts great numbers, report back to us what they do right. There is not enough opportunity to share at parent meetings like there used to be before so much became structured to deliver a message rather than getting the message from parents.
I'd like to hear more from Mr. Canning. I'd like to hear what he might suggest to re-build the adult relationships that have been scarred. we might all have something to learn.
Keep in mind that the surveys conducted by A+ Schools is rigidly scripted with no opportunity to go off the script with follow-up questions. Sometimes answers beg for the follow-up question. A follow-up question is not an option.
This survey gives only information that can be statistically scored on a very limited range of issues--without any value-added insights from anyone.
Everything that connects in anyway to PPS is based on a script. It is virtually impossible to get free-ranging or individual points of view about anything!
A+ Schools is funded by the same people who fund PPS. The PPS consultants are also funded by the same people. There is no creativity or problem solving that is unique to the situation. Everything is tightly controlled and prescribed for a one-size-fits-all solution as though it is a one-size-fits-all problem. That's the way a "script" has to work and a one-size-fits script misses all of the marks---students, teachers, parents, communities, races, ages, and socio-economic stratas. Control, control, control with more, and more, and more complications, disparities, inequities, and problems, problems, problems!
Funny but sad story. A number of years ago, we crafted a survey that was to be used at the annual Take a Father to School Day. There, we have a few thousand guys in the schools who are not often so present. The survey had its own bubble answer page that the men would fill out and the testing center would tabulate the results.
On the week of the event, the forms (questions, answer sheet, instructions) were all passed around to the schools for all the visitors to fill out.
But about 10 hours before the event, word came down that they were all to be trashed and NOT deployed that day.
We were asking some hard questions. A few principals, we think, pitched a fit, behind the scenes. And, rather than make big waves, the prime organizer was in agreement and the survey never saw the light of day.
The work of the committee was submarined, and I was upset. Battle lost. Oh well.
The questions might be on my blog somewhere from that time, perhaps.
Mark Brently, Sr., is the prime driver for the TAFTSD programs from day 1. He is also keenly supportive of school principals and would not want to rock the boat with them so as to cause them to discount the event's building success.
The aim was not to offend anyone, but to ask some serious questions as to figure out why more guys don't go into our schools in a more regular basis.
7 comments:
Dr. Johnston commented on the pg site that A+ surveys stakeholders. It always seems that there are more satisfied stakeholders than dissatisfied when results are reported. Seriously though, where do they get their sample? Parents in particular? Could it be that those who respond are guardians of high achievers? The teachers and principals surveyed, are they a random sample? The efforts of A+ need to be redirected if they are to be an instrument for change. Go to the rec centers and cruise the parking lots to reach stakeholders or sit in bleachers at games with parents. Want to talk to parents of pre-K kids, go to indoor soccer practices and reach out to the parents waiting for kids to finish up. Stop the watching of the Board and direct attention elsewhere to improve your credibility. Is there a PSCC that attracts great numbers, report back to us what they do right. There is not enough opportunity to share at parent meetings like there used to be before so much became structured to deliver a message rather than getting the message from parents.
I'd like to hear more from Mr. Canning. I'd like to hear what he might suggest to re-build the adult relationships that have been scarred. we might all have something to learn.
Keep in mind that the surveys conducted by A+ Schools is rigidly scripted with no opportunity to go off the script with follow-up questions. Sometimes answers beg for the follow-up question. A follow-up question is not an option.
This survey gives only information that can be statistically scored on a very limited range of issues--without any value-added insights from anyone.
Everything that connects in anyway to PPS is based on a script. It is virtually impossible to get free-ranging or individual points of view about anything!
CONTROL is the MO.
A+ Schools is funded by the same people who fund PPS. The PPS consultants are also funded by the same
people. There is no creativity or problem solving that is unique to the situation. Everything is tightly controlled and prescribed for a one-size-fits-all solution as though it is a one-size-fits-all problem.
That's the way a "script" has to work and a one-size-fits script misses all of the marks---students, teachers, parents, communities, races, ages, and socio-economic stratas. Control, control, control with more, and more, and more complications, disparities, inequities, and problems, problems, problems!
Funny but sad story. A number of years ago, we crafted a survey that was to be used at the annual Take a Father to School Day. There, we have a few thousand guys in the schools who are not often so present. The survey had its own bubble answer page that the men would fill out and the testing center would tabulate the results.
On the week of the event, the forms (questions, answer sheet, instructions) were all passed around to the schools for all the visitors to fill out.
But about 10 hours before the event, word came down that they were all to be trashed and NOT deployed that day.
We were asking some hard questions. A few principals, we think, pitched a fit, behind the scenes. And, rather than make big waves, the prime organizer was in agreement and the survey never saw the light of day.
The work of the committee was submarined, and I was upset. Battle lost. Oh well.
The questions might be on my blog somewhere from that time, perhaps.
Was the prime organizer a board member, a parent engagement director or someone else?
Survey questions, except 1, are lost at moment....
http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2009/05/take-father-to-school-day-is-on-but-not.html
Mark Brently, Sr., is the prime driver for the TAFTSD programs from day 1. He is also keenly supportive of school principals and would not want to rock the boat with them so as to cause them to discount the event's building success.
The aim was not to offend anyone, but to ask some serious questions as to figure out why more guys don't go into our schools in a more regular basis.
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