A few weeks ago, one of us received a call from the United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts soliciting support for their Small Autonomous Schools Campaign. Although there are some well-intentioned people in the UIA, the solicitation was declined. Here are some reasons why you should also:
In initial conversations with a representative of the group, a number of seductive catchphrases were thrown out: "entrenched central control," "lack of opportunity for innovation in public education" and the "crisis of public education." Building an initiative off of an "education crisis" is already faulty. When the rationale "the public education crisis" is thrown in, it is done to abstract a host of issues connected to economic policies that favor the wealthy: from the lack of conversation regarding missing revenue as a result of tax breaks for corporations to the inequitable funding of public schools through property taxes.
Think of it as a back-door initiative to establish more charter schools in the city at the expense of public school resources. They would probably deny it and say that these are public schools. Current advocates of charter schools also routinely argue that charters are public. They also argue, as the UIA is attempting, that their "innovative" approach will raise the educational achievement of New Bedford students. There is very little evidence to support any of this. In fact, the evidence suggests that this initiative will create more damage. A recent study cited by Trip Gabriel in the New York Times points out that one of the most comprehensive studies on charter schools, carried out by researchers at Stanford University, found that fewer than one-fifth of charter schools nationally offered a better education than comparable public schools. Thirty-seven percent were significantly worse (May 1, 2010).
It's an initiative built off the logic of high-stakes standardized testing. Although we strongly believe in accountability for all schools, any initiative that legitimates the logic and power of high-stakes standardized testing in education is problematic. The initiative is not very vocal in establishing a critique of such structures.
We are also concerned that educational reform is seen as the primary vehicle for educational achievement. One of the authors recently met with representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and shared plenty of research demonstrating that social policy has a greater impact on educational achievement then tweaking structures in education. Predictably, they were unwilling to entertain it and we find that the UIA capitalizes on similar moves.
We also have serious concerns about an effort that seeks to undermine the collective bargaining power of unions. The lowest performing schools in relation to a number of indicators are schools in "right-to work" states (the South) where little union power exists. So, we're not convinced of the argument that autonomy in staffing really works. We can't support an initiative that is about creating pockets of reform in the city (which will inevitably attract youth and families who already know how to navigate educational institutions) while the aggregate effect of having those that don't in the larger public school system wreaks havoc on those organizations.
Lastly, we are opposed to the covert notion that public school teachers lack innovation. Since the initiative has no principled defense of public school teachers in light of the constant negative media assault, we can assume that the initiative attempts to benefit from the vilification of teachers.
We are not disagreeing that the public schools in New Bedford and other urban areas need to be improved. However our task as committed citizens to a real democratic and just society is to not give up fighting to defend and ameliorate public education. "Small autonomous schools" is a myopic solution that further exacerbates the defunding of public schools for the majority.
These are just some concerns among many. We have no doubt that there are well-intentioned people in the UIA. We take issue with those who push the initiative and know that credible research does not support their actions and yet carry forward regardless. To give up the fight for strong public schools for the majority is to give up on democracy.
In anticipation of the question we are often asked after disclosing our position on the importance of public schooling to a democratic society: Yes, our children do attend public schools. And, one of us has children attending New Bedford public schools. They've attended public schools all their lives and we would have it no other way. Furthermore, we are both immigrants (one from Cape Verde and the other from Portugal), we have both earned Ph.D.s from the finest institution of education in the U.S. and we've both been educated in the public school system. For that reason, this issue is not only a professional one given our vocation; it's also personal.
By Dr. Ricardo D. Rosa and Dr. Joao M. Paraskeva
Dr. Ricardo D. Rosa lives in New Bedford. Dr. Joao M. Paraskeva lives in Marion. Both are members of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UMass Dartmouth.
20 comments:
Don't be fooled by Mitchell's "no" vote on the Uia proposal. He supports the initiative but wants to start with 1 as opposed to 3, which is what they to start with.
Mitchell is being advised the anti-union group, the education roundtable. UIA is a proud member of this group.
Let's face it, Mitchell wants to fire Francis because he wants to replace her with someone like bonner. Perhaps, he wants Nick Fisher. That would make sense. Fischer isn't happy in Connecticut and the education roundtable and the standard times already support him. It' s a win/win for anti-union mitchell.
Hey everyone! Jon Mitchell campaign manager Lynn Poyant now has a high power job at the global learning charter school.
Coincidently, Lynn poyant's daughter now works at the mayors office.
Jobs, jobs, jobs for Mitchell's supporter and friends. Years ago it was called nepotism, today it's call being a "tough federal prosecuted".
Jon Mitchell will need to fire a bunch of people at the school department to accomadate his friends and family plan.
"Tough prosecuter" has not gone on the "ask the mayor" show on WBSM and he's moved "public comment" from the beginning of the school committee meeting to the end. He's a real man of the people.
Although education is fundamentally different from private business, both succeed because of one common attribute: great personnel. Good, smart people get things done, in the classroom and in the boardroom. Both also need inspiring leaders. That is why Normandin is such a dissappointment. The building has so many dedicated and professional educators, but they have lost their spirit under Bonneau. She blames them. She targets them. She coddles the misbehaving students who wreak havoc in the classrooms, preventing real education from taking place. I have one ambitious student who wants to switch classes because the one she is in also has a few clowns whose outrageous behavior Bonneau has enabled. I told this student I'll try to accomodate her, but the other classes are the same. I am a good teacher, and Bonneau is making it nearly impossible for me and my colleagues to do our best, to do our job. She is also standing in the way of my student, who could take the world by storm. This kid shouldn't have to try to learn in the chaotic atmosphere that Bonneau has created.
We all need to stay on message; improving education in NB will take place when attendance, tardiness, discipline, and funding for technology vastly improves. Until then we are just spinning our wheels.
One of our officers has spoken out publicly about the lack of student accountability for academic achievement, attendance, and discipline. He has been largely ignored by the administration and the media.
Lou, is Bonneau protected by our union? Perhaps we need to cut ties with a destructive building principal. She hurts all of us.
The airwaves of WBSM were filled with 3 hours of conversation this afternoon about small autonomous schools.
Dave Alves was substituting for Ken Pittman. Marlene Pollock, his guest, said: "The leadership of the NBEA is opposed to small autonomous schools. Many of the teachers would welcome the opportunity to be part of innovation." Does "Moscow Marlene" speak for you?
Lou called in and spoke about the foolishness of the UIA's proposals. Dave Alves asked him why many teachers have not spoken publicly about their opposition to small autonomous schools in New Bedford.
Mr. Alves is right. We ALL have to get out there and fight this dangerous proposal. The "I'm afraid of retaliation" excuse is unacceptable.
To the previous poster about Dr. Bonneau:
Under Massachusetts law, principals CANNOT be represented by a union. Assistant principals and supervisors are unionized.
Hopefully, the unfocused, harebrained discussion by Marlene and Ussach on WBSM went unheard by ESE.
No one I know at Normandin understands why Bonneau is still there. She's disconnected. Kids don't listen to her. Many staff members resent her because she's forgotten what it's like to be in a classroom and yet she's constantly judging them, particularly regarding misbehaving students (bad behavior equals bad teacher). Her protection doesn't come from the union. Sadly, it comes from PRAB. I agree with the previous comment about inspiring leadership. Normandin is desperate for it.
Lou or Watchdog,
Can't there be a vote of no-confidence in Bonneau? Sounds like Normandin is in bad shape. Maybe a change in principals could turn the school around. I know most kids are never going to look forward to coming to school, but teachers should, and it doesn't seem like that is happening at Normandin. A fun, healthy school to work at usually means a fun, healthy school to learn at. Normandin's going in the opposite direction.
Any vote of "No Confidence" should not be taken lightly. If that is an option that most people in your building would support, you should contact Lou. I know that a "No Confidence" vote was discussed at one of the other schools, but there are too many gutless people in that building.
Thank you to these true educators who actually want to have a conversation about the "true" autonomous schools. I wonder if Pollack and Livramento are going to get a kick back from Dan French and his company that "handles" the autonomous school money?
Pollach wouldn't last in any classroom in NBPS. That's why she hides at BCC... where people pay for their education.
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