Anonymous wrote:
"EW POST:
Today's PG Letter to the Editor: The Wilkinsburg school closing is not a done deal
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/10/25/The-Wilkinsburg-school-closing-is-not-a-done-deal.html
The controlling power structure in Wilkinsburg has no interest whatsoever in educating the student population in Wilkinsburg Schools.
They have complained for years about the high cost of taxes in Wilkinsburg and since they are no longer (personally) draining hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the Wilkinsburg District (straight into their own pockets) they have decided close this school. One of a certain trio (no longer profiting) ran for school board with the stated purpose of closing the school. ("White power" sends their children to OTHER schools.)
Check the facts! You will find every word of this post to be true! But, will Pure Reform post it?"
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61 comments:
Anonymous wrote on another thread:
"
Wilkinsburg FACTS:
Below are the names of those who previously profited handsomely, but now advocate for placing these young people into an abysmally failing school in another District.
In order to see whether or not Pure Reform would post this names were left out to protect the guilty--- Daniel Morrow, Jim Turner, and Debbie Raubenstrauch. These three took a lot of money from Wilkinsburg with no results. Two of them are now with OnHands Schools, Inc. doing the same to other schools and the third is now on the Wilkinsburg School Board.
"
And all this alleged egregious behavior was permitted to happen under the stewardship and control of Archie Perrin and school board members of that Administration.
Lets be clear. The vote taken by the Wilkinsburg School District( Tues. Oct.27th) will be on whether to partner with PPS or not. Majority rules here.
Yes, MAJORITY rules----and NONE of them are STUDENTS (or parents of students) whose futures depend on a decent education, NOT the worst of the worst in the state of PA.
9:11 - Sadly, Perrin wasn't smart enough to see who were the allies that could help the Wilkinsburg District become a model for the state. Wilkinsburg was small enough to lead the way for urban kids. Missed opportunities everywhere! And no support from the White community who were on another track altogether!
Archie Perrin and company was at the heart of all that was wrong with educating the students in the Wilkinsburg School District. His vision was one of maintaining control in his position of power and he surrounded himself accordingly.
Sadly doesn't begin to describe his reign. But then again wouldn't want to invoke the 'r' word here.
Perrin has been gone for several years. Has the turnover in the last few years changed anything? There was a 'smear' campaign against some before they even got the position because of the "r" word. The behind the scenes influences of the white community had only one purpose. If the truth be told, the white power structure had only one goal for years and that group knows exactly what that goal was! And, again that contingency did NOT send their children to Wilkinsburg schools! Again, the "r" word and you might want to look up that definition---- If this gets posted OR if it doesn't!
Poster 2:10
Do you have any fresh facts about the current leadership in the Wilkinsburg School District? "If the truth be told..."
October 25 @ 9:25PM: there is something inherently wrong about posting these three individual names( who are currently in the Educational System )in the manner that you have and you do it anonymously. Pure and simple
There are several other names of white people who worked in Wilkinsburg Schools and took hundreds of thousands of dollars from that district for products, processes and programs that did not produce results.
Add one more to the two mentioned in connection with OnHands Schools, Inc. This product is no longer approved by PDE as it now has its own System that is free of charge to all PA Districts.
The question here is why is PPS now contracting more hundreds of thousands for a product that has been researched at CMU:
The are the indisputable FACTS that are INHERENTLY WRONG for students in PPS and Wilkinsburg!
Search Results:
[PPT]Testing 1, 2, 3: An Analysis of 4Sight in Pennsylvania https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/.../download.cgi?db_name...
- Robert P. Strauss and Abby Clay Turner ... Questions & Motivation; Results: Alignment Analysis & Use of 4Sight; Econometric Design & Results:.
[PDF]Testing 1, 2, 3: An Analysis of 4Sight in ... - CiteSeerciteseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.343.1969...
by RP Strauss -
Related articles:
Robert P. Strauss and Abby Clay Turner. 1 .... Our analysis of 4Sight examines the Pennsylvania version of the test at the 6 th grade .... Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), an initiative of PDE:.
[PDF]Three Essays on the Economics of Education - Tepper ...
https://tepper.cmu.edu/.../clay%20turner%20diss...Tepper School of Business
by AC Turner - 2013
Abby Clay Turner ... with careful, improved alignment between 4Sight and PSSA, ongoing empirical analysis of its ... 4Sight has a very small effect on student outcomes, students receiving ... Gardner, and Abby Linn. ...... with Robert P. Strauss ..... Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), an initiative of PDE:.
Robert Strauss - Citations - ResearchGate
www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Strauss5/citations
Robert Strauss · Carnegie Mellon ... Grout, Nick Huntington-Klein · Testing 1, 2, 3: An Analysis of 4Sight in Pennsylvania · Robert P Strauss, Abby Clay Turner.
Note: All of the previous information has been formally presented to members of both school Districts which begs many questions that when answered INHERENTLY WRONG the students in schools where these products are being used.
Additionally, also begging obvious questions, why are these Districts paying for a product that has been replaced by "Classroom Diagnostic Tools" a similar, but "unflawed" product, which are provided free of charge to ALL Pennsylvania Districts!?!
You haven't 'righted' the wrong despite your listing of indisputable facts,caps lock, and endless question marks and exclamation points. In a word____ unprofessional. u
Perhaps PPS is also not smart enough to see who the allies are who can help them.
3:08
What is the point of providing all this info on 4Sight? Where does it have a place in helping rectify taking Wilkinsburg students out of the pan and placing them into the fire? If the efforts of these three "named" individuals have somehow resulted in this horrendous outcome to merge with the poorest performing school in PPS, "if the truth be told" the soap box you need to stand on should be one of presenting evidence that supports a movement for an even distribution of Wilkinsburg students throughout all district secondary schools, "if the truth be told."
Well stated 3:56PM
3:56---PPS passed this 4Sight item at the June, 2015 Legislative Meeting:
"6.01 OnHand Schools (School Performance/Technology) -RESOLVED, That the Board of Directors of the School District of Pittsburghauthorize its proper officers to enter into a software licensing andimplementation contract with OnHand Schools a Pittsburgh-based assessment andreporting technology company that matches state standards and instructionalanchor measures aimed at impacting classroom planning and instruction. Thiscontract includes software licensing, project management, and school-basedtraining with teachers and principals on the reporting capabilities of thesoftware, as well as the assessment capabilities for paper-based orcomputer-based curriculum assessments. The total year 1 licensing period isfrom June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016 and the amount of this annuallyrenewable contract shall not exceed $220,000 fromaccount line 5400-010-2240-618."
And the "horrendous" beats go on and on and on just as Wilkinsburg's payroll supported FOUR of the people working NOW for OnHand Schools, Inc. and supported by Wilkinsburg Board member(s)----Of course this or any other evidence is not relevant to your adult agenda. But. what about the students?
Thanks for posting @ 12:32!
As followup evidence: One Pittsburgh Public School last year (2014-15) purchased OnHands Schools, Inc. (4Sight Assessments) out of their own budget (cost not verified). The 2015 PSSA results for AVERAGE “proficiency” at that PPS School were as follows:
MATH = 1.1% “proficiency”__READING = 16.7% “proficiency”__SCIENCE = 9.4% “proficiency”.
And, these are AVERAGES that DROPPED from the previous year. WHY, then would PPS spend $220,000 to renew the OnHands Schools, Inc. contract? Would you do that 12:32?
The school was not named here to protect the innocent. It has a new administration. (And yes, caps were again used to make the point for those who seem to miss it over and over.)
Districts put these students AT-RISK with bad decisions, even when they are informed and know better! That is why the previous 4Sight post was relevant---to anyone willing to listen!
"But, what about the students?" asks 12:32AM
Don't count them out in this partnering process.
These kids are needy and challenged on just about every aspect of their lives.
They are survivors. They are tough and gritty. They are smart. They've been learning from the womb how to navigate rough waters.
They're sentiments largely have been wanting more than Wilkinsburg can offer.
The terms include granting Wilkinsburg students full access to Pittsburgh magnet schools beginning 2017.
Seems to me the beat to follow is the heart beat of these students. They have a voice.
Did you see the Trib article/photo? Seven White, two Black on the stage making the decisions. Achievement at Westinghouse is as low as in Wilkinsburg. Do you think Westinghouse parents/students will also request transfer to magnet schools in 2017 where there are no spaces now? Hmmmm. Who is kidding whom?
Achievement is equally low at several other PPS schools? Will students in these schools also seek transfers to magnets that have no spaces currently?
There has to be a number of students to run varied and effective programs. Small does not equal quality. This will give both sets of students more opportunities. Next step is to raise students up to becable to utilize the varied courses that can be provided. Parents need to look into available opportunities. If magnet school programs are desired-- get kids ready for them. The one thing that is certain about magnet programs...some parent,teacher-- someone encouraged students to go that extra mile-- audition, fill out forms, look into transpprt times, etc. Adults must search out opportunities. That is what happens in the " rock star" schools. Someone is behind the scenes-- pumping an AP class, a CAS class, reminding kids pf meetings like African American CAS group, encouraging a kid to play an instrument-- remember when " the House" had a super good band? This move is about saving Westinghouse as much as it is about Wilkinsburg kids. Scores dont measure failing schools--schools that have been allowed to die for lack of interest are failing schools.
True,10:34. However, there are far more students with talents, abilities, capacities to perform at the highest levels who have no one, no parent, no advocate to look into "opportunities", magnets, no one behind the scenes to go the "extra mile" for students.
We "save" Westinghouse, Wilkinsburg, UPrep, Perry, etc. by creating school environments that encourage, that search out, that do not underestimate the inherent talent, creativity, interests of each and every student (including those who are identified as "problems" for any of the wide range so frequently labeling them.
"Failing" schools are full of adults who are unable to identify creative genius in the "mis-behaviors" of students!
Have the adults in the schools been given so many other tasks/ demands, including identifying and helping to resolve medical problems, etc., that there simply are not enough hours in the day to both identify creative genius and offer the (often very time consuming) individualized ongoing support and encouragement these students may need? Parents can attest to the time and effort that may be required for just one child never mind a classroom full. Remember that these adults do not have unlimited time- they have families (children, elderly parents, etc) of their own.
Some of us have been parents as well as teachers of urban children. Some of us have experienced the turn-around of "failing" schools and "failing" classrooms full of children (sometimes as many as 40) that change every period.
Don't limit what can be accomplished by those who "just do it" because they believe in children and children respond in kind!
Who are these super people? Are there any at Westinghouse right now? Any at U Prep? Are there enough of them to go around?
Yes, there are many who "just do it" and don't consider themselves "super people" at all. Its all about building relationships, trust, commitment, knowledge, creativity with young people who see it, believe it, trust it and give you their best. There are adults like that in every school building, just not enough at Westinghouse and UPrep.
It needs to become a part of the Teacher-Training, Professional Development, and Human Resource Selection processes!
Many will discount even the possibility; but seeing and experiencing success is believing!
And yet, not a single student at U Prep passed an AP exam, although many sat for the exam. It seems unlikely that a few professional development classes will be needed to train teachers to do in minutes per student what takes many caring adults many hours.
Put it this way- even a very busy parent can often manage an hour a day for a child; but a teacher with 40 students cannot manage an hour a day. Let's say after other duties the teacher can squeeze in an hour to identify, nourish and sustain genius- can the teacher do in 90 seconds what the parent can do in an hour? For best results it takes both- the teacher doing the best he/she can with limited time, plus someone at home.
Yes, 60 students took AP exams and the SCHOOL got "extra-credit" for the number enrolled as opposed to credit(s) earned.
Many teachers, especially, new inexperienced people (those placed in schools 'not known to be easy' ) have neither the training, the skills, the beliefs, or other things previously mentioned, nor are they permitted to deviate from the "systems" in place in PPS (and other districts) where little autonomy is permitted. (There is a long list of 'wrong-headed' programs, procedures, and processes that require adherence in schools/systems.)
Put it this way, it doesn't take any extra time---its the way you organize and manage your inherent responsibilities as a teacher--- over each part of the school day and your interactions with students.
True, its easier when home, parents, community are part of the process; BUT, where they are not 'onboard' is precisely where a 'tuned-in' teacher can make the greatest difference!
A good teacher, often in a single moment, of intuitive, caring, right-on response, can change the perceptions as well as lives regarding successful futures! ---And sometimes it takes more than that single moment, BUT, it does NOT take extra outside of school time!
Also: It has been suggested to the District that PD can take place within the school day. In previous years we conducted PD sessions on "prep" or "duty" periods or at the beginning or end of the school day. That worked beautifully for teachers and administrators for several reasons.
BUT, it is a given that those providing the PD have experience, expertise and the respect of teachers. Is this possible? doable? successful? ABSOLUTELY! Seeing again, is believing!
This is all true-- but we began this thread on the Westinghouse /Wilkinsburg relationship- and how this is best for the students-- you need enough students to field a band, run an AP program, have more than just remedial classes. Then of course you need dedicated teachers. But back to Wilkinsburg-- no one seerms to have mentioned, what is happening to the secondary teachers at Wilkinsburg?
Opinion on merger:
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/10/30/Wilkinsburg-and-Pittsburgh-have-every-reason-to-expect-the-best/stories/201510300130
The success of this Partnership is indeed dependent on the ability of our students to lean on each other and partner together.
As Mr. Donovan alludes:change our heads and we can change our environment.
Taking bets on how long until a charter school sets up in the Wilkinsburg building.
Very quickly! As will happen in Pittsburgh also. Watch the PPS Wednesday Legislative Meeting online. The critical thinking skills of PPS Board members fall very short in response to Mr. Brentley's comments. Mr. Brentley brought it, with questions that were legally sharp. Hope PPS doesn't get sued cause they'll lose! Poor thinking when comparing Wilkinsburg students with other out of PPS students who attend PPS! Check it out!
" The essence of his findings, published in "Pygmalion in the Classroom", was that believing something will happen, good or bad, can affect what does happen."
I'm betting on the students 'partnering' together in a new found way.
Belief can have an impact, but it should not be a reason/ excuse for failure to provide necessary resources or to blame those who are making do without resources.
Critical thinking skills can take us only so far. They are limited. Belief on the other hand can 'move mountains'.
Some of our greatest thinkers have been humbled by the power of belief because it's very nature is not'seeing is believing' but 'believing without seeing'.
This Partnership is a new moment, a new insight,and in choosing the new we choose it because the old has done nothing for our students.
I'm betting on the students to get it right because they are their future.
U Prep was built on belief- MR sincerely believed it would be a "flagship school." The principal had strong belief as well. And yet... many, including the author of a City Paper article last year, concluded that the school was simply under resourced. Did it ever receive books for the library?
Why was it under resourced?
Clearly PPS has the money?
The books in my community alone could fill three libraries. For the asking.
11:39 - We know that you did not send your children to Wilkinsburg H.S. or Westinghouse and you did have that option.
Students have little if any control over making either of these schools work to their advantage. All of the belief in students in the world has not changed the educational outcomes for them in what are, in reality, "failing" schools.
We know that you are a good person, but your 'friends', those you depend upon and are 'close' in so many ways, have had no solutions for the African-American students in Homewood, Wilkinsburg, or the Hill.
So, while you talk about "belief" in students, you did not put yours in jeopardy, thus, not passing the "belief" statement that you project to protect the bad decisions of your adult 'friends."
There are solutions, real solutions, that will never happen in an "our way or the highway" system.
Interesting article in the Washington Post:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-a-disadvantaged-district-a-parable-of-contemporary-american-schooling/2015/10/29/9a7782c4-783d-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html
Interesting use of the word "parntership"! Wilkinsburg has relinquished all responsibility for their students.
According to the PPS Legislative vote, all outcomes will be attributable to PPS once they are transferred to Westinghouse. (That decision makes sense.) However, how does it make sense that Wilkinsburg students have no standing any district for a whole year! How does that happen? Why? Because they have no options, as a Pittsburgh student until one year after Wilkinsburg closes. It will take another year before they can apply to magnets! Hmmmm? Can anyone explain that?
Quote from the Emma Brown article posted at 1:07:
"The two high schools have sub-par test results: Nine percent of Wilkinsburg’s high school students were proficient in math in 2014, for example, compared with 3 percent at Westinghouse. The schools’ average SAT scores are comparable and far below the national mean. Overall academic performance at Wilkinsburg and Westinghouse places them both in the bottom 2.5 percent of schools statewide."
This is the evidence cited for the Westinghouse Principal's "substantial" academic improvement at Westinghouse. The Westinghouse principal has never been successful an improving academic achievement in either of the schools where she has been the leader. Does anyone every CHECK FACTS in PPS, especially the Superintendent?
By the way, this article is far better than any ever written in the PG!
You should check your facts. Under the leadership of the principal, math scores jumped over 15 percentage points and English scores improved one 20 percentage points. While at Faison, the school moved from the bottom 15% for growth in the state to the top 20% in three years. Maybe you should check your facts.
Note, 8:25, that you are using percentages. Percentages are not points. There is a huge difference. Please check the difference.
"Growth" measures are used as "predictive" only when there has been very little progress, if any, from the previous year.
There is much information online about PDE "growth" measures---how they are used and when they are used-- (which means: a "growth" formula is used so that it looks like there is progress in those schools who have not progressed. The predicted "growth" has not yet been substantiated with "real time" growth. PVAAS is the growth measure used in PA. Those are the facts.
Sadly, the folks at PPS are more concerned with projecting a positive image than they are about achieving that goal in reality. (That is what the evidence reveals.)
Please, please check out the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of "growth" measures. You will find it is to save face for schools and districts that are not/ have not achieved progress. (It is disappointing that "predictions" or "growth" measures never come to fruition in many of PPS Schools.) The "facts" are all online. Please check!
One gets the sense from the Emma Brown, Washington Post article that the Principal at Westinghouse is willing " to take it on ".
"Westinghouse students say Zwieryznski already has succeeded in sparking a culture change among students and in filling classrooms with permanent teachers instead of a revolving cast of substitutes."
This would be "growth" progress by anyone's measure.
Don't stop there 5:48
Emma Brown goes on to quote another of the many students that she interviewed:“It’s more welcoming to come to school. We have stable teachers pushing us,” said junior Mya Alford, 16, who wants to be a chemical engineer. “Kids are starting to realize that school is going to get you somewhere.”
Growth progress as measured by our students and the beginnings of the 'why' and 'how' of education.
and last but not least and perhaps the most important: ms. brown concludes that in interview after interview " the students are desperate to learn."
The word "growth" has many applications, formal, informal, specific, non-specific, and even technical. While it is good to put it to use with multiple meaning, the initial response dealt with scores, percentages, and academic advancement. Certainly, it is wonderful that so many are seeing all kinds of growth at Westinghouse which is predicted to carry over to Wilkinsburg students.
Let us just hope that academic growth which is still among the lowest of the low in PA will come to pass in "real time" as opposed to "predictions" that are never fulfilled.
Everyone wishes the best for students from both schools/districts! That "best" must include an education that demonstrates prescribed skills that are required and acquired by the schools' students.
Speaking of ' Partnerships ':http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/13/Westinghouse-High-to-offer-public-safety-training-program/stories/201511120182
Full of potential and certainly in the spirit of 'taking it on'.
The so-called public safety program is a farce. What are the kids going to do with a used fire truck? Westinghouse needs some good technical education classes so the students can learn about robotics, basic electricity or even some wood and metal shop classes where they can learn how to use tools and actually do something. I guess the folks at PPS never heard of STEM! Maybe they think that the Westinghouse students aren't smart enough.
The original proposal was suggested for Alderdice.
Put your finger on the pulse of where the concerns are in our communities and it beats loudest in police protection and social justice.
Mayor Peduto is a force for change.
Again, another moment in real time.
Survival Skills ( required and acquired ) by the communities' students.
Who will teach the "survival skills"?
Where is that happening now?
Please elaborate on the nature, with details, of these survival skills.
Thank you.
Many of these students learn survival skills in their back yards, front porches and alley ways nestled in between.
The emergency response technology program will provide students( according to the PG article ) " with internship opportunities with the city and hands-on lessons and training in facilities used by officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians."
Officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians all are well versed in CPR and the heimlich choking maneuver ( to name just a few } considered to be important survival skills.
More specificity?
Life lessons teach them how and when to run and hide and go inside.
Life lessons teach them how and when to lie down and play dead.
Survival skills.
The Public Safety program or whatever it is called is just another one of the PPS flavors of the month. They do love their photo-ops! Mayor Peduto included.
One gets the sense that if something were to be successful the cynics among us would find a reason to debunk. Sometimes choosing a new flavor is needed because the old flavors aren't working. New always has potential. It's a new experience.
The problem is that Pps is always in such a rush that it goes in to new things big without testing ideas on a small scale first.
A bigger problem is a poor foundation, poor implementation of basics, a lack strength or belief in any system or strategy.
There are far too many in key positions without the basics, without the skills, without the knowledge, without the certifications, without experience in primary or secondary education.
Those in position may be bright, educated, articulate and creative people, but education is not their field.
It has been proven, again and again, that their selections of consultants (to fill in the gaps) been very poor choices or resources for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
America has always been a new experiment. A nation of immigrants. Talented, hard working,diverse, skillful, creative and ambitious. If we look back at our history, leadership and vision have always harnessed all that is good in us and have moved us forward.
PPS needs leadership with a vision and a strategy. Find a leader and the people will follow.
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