Wow, who knew there was a magic bullet to improve the overwhelming problems of an urban school system! Find a scapegoat, preferably one who has shown decades of dedication, innovation and progress, and blame her for the ills of that school system.
Dr. Mary Louise Francis is New Bedford Public School's scapegoat. As such, she trumps other factors, such as parental failures, students' disrespect for authority, the influence of drugs and gangs, decades of political cronyism, endless state regulations, her past job performance reviews, etc., etc.
Many New Bedford students are great success stories. This has not so much to do with state standards as with having caring family members and good teachers in their lives. Most of the teachers in NBPS go WAY beyond what should be expected of a teacher. They could help more students if they had more support in removing the disruptive students from their classrooms, giving them more time to actually teach.
State mandates make this difficult and teaching has become a "numbers game." Disruptive students are not suspended because of the attendance mandates.
What of the DOE state representatives who were sent to New Bedford to assist on the school plan? How successful are they at their jobs?
Thank to Dr. Francis, for an impossible job well done. It's a shame the mayor didn't get to know her and see how devoted, intelligent, and hard working she is. I've witnessed her achievements. She deserve our thanks instead of this blame. I guess nice guys do finish last.
Susan Dias
North Dartmouth
14 comments:
Does the new mayor think he is Donald Trump??? You're fired???
Shall we blame the mayor for all of the problems of the city? Should we call for his resignation? Fair is fair.
Sue -- you're articulate and right on target as usual.....the superintendent has done a remarkable job against overwhelming odds in every position she's had since I've been with the schools. I have a bad feeling there is someone else in line for the job and that there are some "smelly" machinations going on....otherwise, why would our school committee have to meet in "executive session?" What are they hiding from the people of New Bedford--parents, teachers, voters, and students?? Salaries are a matter of public record, so hmmmm....what could it be??
Or is it who could it be????
Mitch sold his soul to Bullard. The price was the super's head.
Mitchell's crisis was created by his own hand. He deceived us all. When he's done with Francis he'll come for us.
When is Mitchell going to do something about crime in our city? Ignoring it as he has won't make it go away.
Shame on the school committee for allowing Mitchell to terrorize Dr. Francis. Keep Nobrega and Clark and replace all the others. They're truly a bunch of fools.
Unfortunately for Dr. Francis, she is a pawn in Mitchell's odd game. But if he lets principals like Bonneau and Fernandes stay, the administrators who are really to blame for our schools decline, he will lose this chess match come election day.
I know some of the worst principals were called downtown to a meeting last week. I don't know what happened. Fingers crossed.
Great letter Sue.
We speak about the principals who are incompetent, but what about the special ed. department.
I wonder if we will ever know the results of Dr. Francis' investigation of Bonneau. I hope will all that's going on that it doesn't get swept under the rug.
Regarding the special Ed department... There is such a disconnect between buildings! IEPs that are written in the middle schools do NOT meet the needs of the kids at the High School. Students are placed in self contained classes for English and Math but are in regular Ed in All other subjects!!!! I understand that in one middle school the principal has been trying to do away with teaching history at all! When these kids come up to the High school and IEP are incorrect the Administration does NOTHING to change them. This is where the DESE should look. It seems that the Sst Superintendent isn't responsible with the exception of the where are you headed campaign!
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