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The percentage of failure rate of the ninth graders at the high school is about the same that it was 20, 30, or 40 years ago. This problem is not NEW. A few years ago I addressed the School Committee, I believe in December, when Portia Bonner was superintendent. At that time, I mentioned that we had serious problems and the only way you can address the problems is by going in and experiencing it for yourself by teaching in your discipline a regular schedule for one week. Then and only then will be able to see where your strengths and weakness are. You can't fix something without diagnosing it first.
My own 9th graders were a challenge during my teaching career from 1974 to 2003. Remember the first year the high school was open on Hathaway Blvd. there were no 9th graders. The percentage was about that rate for the 1st and 2nd quarter. Not only did I see that in my class but other colleagues had the same experience. I was talking to a former colleague who taught freshman English. This individual told me that the figure they read in the paper was the same rate of failure this person had experienced while teaching at the high school. Consistency I would say.
My question to the mayor and the school committee is: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE STUDENTS TO COME TO SCHOOL, DO THEIR WORK, BEHAVE IN CLASS, AND STUDY?
As I stated the other night, these problems have been in existence for decades. They all campaigned on addressing the dropout rate, improving our schools, etc. Yet nothing has happened since they have been in office. So what are they going to do? Blame Dr. Francis, what about Bonner, Longo, Silva, Nanopolous, Rodrigues, Smith, Hayden, etc.
Former Mayor Lang was correct when he said this is a socio-economic issue. The city of New Bedford is not the same city it was in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. Look around at our neighborhoods with an increase in crime, drugs, gangs, and graffiti. You never saw these problems to the same magnitude as you do today. Problems did exist then but on a much smaller scale.
People need to stop blaming the teachers and the district and realize that most of the problems that we face in our schools started outside of our classroom.
According to Jack Spillane, "He also seems to want a School Department leadership team that can successfully lead some of the resistant-to-change forces in the teachers union. That will mean a superintendent who can compete toe to toe for respect and influence among the teachers with Lou St. John, the very strong-minded head of the New Bedford Educators Association." February 19, 2012
Did you hear the mayor on WBSM this week? He said there is NO money for police, fire, and teacher raises. Yet, he proposes to fire our hard working superintendent. I guess Mitchell skipped the contract law class in school. If there is no money, how can the city afford to buy her out? Perhaps his plan is to keep throwing stones so that she will resign. I would like to see Lou and Mitchell in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate about education. Lou would clean his clock.
I would love to see Mayor Mitchell go into Normandin, Roosevelt, and the high school unannounced and walk the corridors during passing period, go into the cafe during lunch, and try teaching a class.
6 comments:
The percentage of failure rate of the ninth graders at the high school is about the same that it was 20, 30, or 40 years ago. This problem is not NEW. A few years ago I addressed the School Committee, I believe in December, when Portia Bonner was superintendent. At that time, I mentioned that we had serious problems and the only way you can address the problems is by going in and experiencing it for yourself by teaching in your discipline a regular schedule for one week. Then and only then will be able to see where your strengths and weakness are. You can't fix something without diagnosing it first.
My own 9th graders were a challenge during my teaching career from 1974 to 2003. Remember the first year the high school was open on Hathaway Blvd. there were no 9th graders. The percentage was about that rate for the 1st and 2nd quarter. Not only did I see that in my class but other colleagues had the same experience. I was talking to a former colleague who taught freshman English. This individual told me that the figure they read in the paper was the same rate of failure this person had experienced while teaching at the high school. Consistency I would say.
My question to the mayor and the school committee is: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE STUDENTS TO COME TO SCHOOL, DO THEIR WORK, BEHAVE IN CLASS, AND STUDY?
As I stated the other night, these problems have been in existence for decades. They all campaigned on addressing the dropout rate, improving our schools, etc. Yet nothing has happened since they have been in office. So what are they going to do? Blame Dr. Francis, what about Bonner, Longo, Silva, Nanopolous, Rodrigues, Smith, Hayden, etc.
Former Mayor Lang was correct when he said this is a socio-economic issue. The city of New Bedford is not the same city it was in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. Look around at our neighborhoods with an increase in crime, drugs, gangs, and graffiti. You never saw these problems to the same magnitude as you do today. Problems did exist then but on a much smaller scale.
People need to stop blaming the teachers and the district and realize that most of the problems that we face in our schools started outside of our classroom.
According to Jack Spillane, "He also seems to want a School Department leadership team that can successfully lead some of the resistant-to-change forces in the teachers union. That will mean a superintendent who can compete toe to toe for respect and influence among the teachers with Lou St. John, the very strong-minded head of the New Bedford Educators Association." February 19, 2012
Did you hear the mayor on WBSM this week? He said there is NO money for police, fire, and teacher raises. Yet, he proposes to fire our hard working superintendent. I guess Mitchell skipped the contract law class in school. If there is no money, how can the city afford to buy her out? Perhaps his plan is to keep throwing stones so that she will resign. I would like to see Lou and Mitchell in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate about education. Lou would clean his clock.
The guy is new so people want to give him a break. Do so at your own peril.
Union busters all say they're pro-union.
I would love to see Mayor Mitchell go into Normandin, Roosevelt, and the high school unannounced and walk the corridors during passing period, go into the cafe during lunch, and try teaching a class.
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