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Friday, September 27, 2013
What's on your mind?
31 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I'm thinking about a vote of no-confidence against Pia Durkin.
Have her actions, or a lack thereof qualified her for it? I, too, am unhappy, but I'm not well-versed enough in the branding of a superintendent in such a way to second the motion at this point. For clarification, what will qualify her for such a vote? I'd love to be rid of her before she does even more damage!
With level 4, Durkin will have the power to fire 50% of us. I asked her this week if that would be her plan and she would not tell me. Several of my colleagues asked her the same question and she wouldn't tell them. She obviously wants to keep us in fear. I have no confidence in anyone who uses fear as a weapon.
I do not understand how anyone can blame the Teachers for this mess! I am someone running in city govt, but I don't want to give my name, as it would make me look as though I were fishing for votes. That being said, I would like to hear everyone's thoughts. I have a ques- who are the people who allowed NBPS to decline over the years? It isn't the teachers!
This certainly sums up a part of what we are dealing with~ Message from a Virginia Teacher that Could Apply to Educational Authorities in Any State
Your teachers are under siege! We have been surrounded and our ability to communicate with the outside world has become so limited as to be non-existent. Why, you ask? Because the VDOE does not want you to know that your students are being abused. I know, you’re thinking, “My children are not being abused. What on earth are you talking about?” Well, for a start, do you know how many standardized tests, benchmark tests, practice tests for the tests, worksheets for the tests, etc. that your child is required to take? Did you know that children who come to our country from many other parts of the world, who do not speak English are required to take the same grade level test that your child takes if they’ve been in this country for more than 12 months. Would your child be able to go to another country and pass a test after 12 months? Are you aware that elementary school children are not allowed to have recess because they lose too much instructional time? Schools are not allowing children time to play. Research indicates that children MUST have unstructured time to play. P.E. does not count as unstructured playtime. Are you aware that developmental differences are being ignored? Children are expected to attain every benchmark at exactly the same time? If they don’t get the skill being taught at the time, some of which are not developmentally appropriate for the age of the child, they will be put into a remedial class and lose electives like music, art, etc. Are you aware that the tests that have been made more “rigorous” (by the way look up the definition of rigor, do you really want that for your child?) are designed so that a child could get parts of the question right, miss one part, but the whole question is counted as wrong? As a teacher, I give credit for what a child knows and teach what they don’t understand. The SOLs are absolutely useless to teachers for what a child does and does not know. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/ Are you aware of the amount of money going to Pearson for making the tests, scoring the tests, making the test prep materials for the tests, and on and on? Virginia is paying Pearson over $300,000,000 for the next three years. How much of that money would have been better spent in this state to upgrade schools, pay for fine arts opportunities for our children that are being cut from budgets left and right? Also, Pearson does not have a great track record for accurate scoring of tests either in our state or many others. Are you aware that the SOL tests are being used to decide what classes your child may or may not take? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/04/24/a-brief-history-of-pearsons-problems-with-testing/ Why haven’t you heard about this before? Because teachers have been effectively gagged. We are not allowed to talk about any of this with parents because we are seen as negative, insubordinate, or not a team player. We love your children and we want to teach them a lifetime love of learning, but everyday our hands are being tied and we are unable to continue good, creative, in-depth learning of subject matter. I challenge you to do some research. Prove me wrong, if you can!
To the poster running for office--Thank you for seeking the real culprits! One of them being poverty. Our city teachers have been plugging the holes for more than 2 decades. We need more people in leadership roles revealing the real causes for our "decline"...we know we are still producing high performing students in this district...so one can be sure that the teachers are providing the necessary knowledge.
By the completion of this comment 100% of the stakeholders responsible for education of the students of this city will be no closer to the remedy of problems and issues they are attempting to solve. I know this by the deluge of artifacts that have been thrown and slid down the wall of hope. Lets get real, and it starts with parents being parents, and students being responsible for their own education.
If I don't sense support over fear soon, I will take the no confidence vote not only against Dr. Durkin, but the entire sitting body of the School Committee.
Is it true that all (max 50%) teachers who get terminated or fired from NBHS under the level 4 status/re-model(s) will lose seniority and any bidding/bumping rights?
I would be willing to take a no confidence vote for all SC members as well as Dr. Durkin. The Virginia article basically sums up what we are facing here in New Bedford. Too often we hear that we can not change the parents so it is up to us to change the children. It is my belief that parents DO need to be held accountable to make sure their child attends school, completes homework assignments and communicates with the teacher. My responsibility is to provide their child with engaging, though provoking lessons, care for them during school like I would care for my own and teach them to be responsible learners. We need to work together to balance this system. Our administration, SC members, some parents, Standard Times and many others in the community want to paint the teachers as lazy, unmotivated and careless individuals. Just wondering if the Mayor plans on decreasing crime in NB by 40% or if the SC plans on finding grants to increase the school budget by 40%? Hmm, don't be ridiculous? That is unrealistic? But yet, we are told that we MUST increase our scores by 40% in ONE school year. Keep in mind that is with a reduction in force, larger class sizes and a fewer sped teachers. Let us remember that they cut sped teachers and these children who have IEP's are NOT getting the amount of service time indicated on the IEP's!!!
It would be nice if the city council supported teachers publicly and set aside monies for classroom technology. NBHS is in the dark ages. Most classrooms lack computers. The teachers computer room no longer has a printer. Most of the copy machines are worn out or broken. Students don't have pride in their school because it he city has not invested enough in the building.
The school committee is a total sh$$show. I have no confidence in them to do the right thing and address the way teachers have been treated in this city. It's time teachers got the respect that they deserve.
I know signs don't vote, but why do prominent citizens allow Jack Nobrega signs on their property? The man falls asleep at meetings, has no input or comments on most issues, and his impact is minimal. A real friend would have talked him out of running in his advanced age. It's time to go!
The Public probably will never know, due to Backdoor Political Moves Between Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, New Bedford's Mayor Jon Mitchell, Superintendent of New Bedford's Public School System, Dr. Pia Durkin and the phony National Superintendent's Search Committee, established by the elected School Committee, Chaired by Bridgewater State University, Dr. Dana Mohler Faria.
Let us review the following questions and consider the following.
(1.) Did present New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell make a political deal with Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester, Mitchel for the Selection of Dr. Pia Durkin, knowing full well that the Attleboro School Committee had flatly rejected renewing Dr. Durkins contract as Attleboro School Superintendent?
(2.) Was there a true and legitimate National Superintendent School Search, or just a phony selections of some or a few qualified outer state Superintendents candidates, to make it appear publically, that a National search was done and the best candidate selected for the position of New Bedford School Superintendent?
(3.) Was Dr. Pia Durkin selected by Massachusetts Education Commissioner, Chester Mitchell with assistance by Mayor Jon Mitchell and the present Elected School Committee because Commissioner Chester Mitchell had neither the political influence, political power, or political authority to make or select New Bedford's School Superintendent over former and Honorable Mayor of New Bedford Scott Lang?
(4.) How much authority and Influence does present New Bedford School Superintendent, Dr. Pia Durkin have with Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell? Surely a lot more than Mayor Jon Mitchell and New Bedford elected School Committee.
(a.) It appears that many members of New Bedford Elected School Committee has become rubber stamps, for Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin
(5.) Have New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, been duped and doubled crossed by New Bedford's new School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell?
(6.) Did Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin, collectively plan and plot the announcement of New Bedford High School being a level 4 school with the possibility of a state takeover, giving Superintendent Durkin's additional powers, through prior political deals made between Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin?
(a.) How will Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Elected School Committee and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin handle the soon to be level 5 (five) designations, for New Bedford High School and Parker Elementary School?
(7.) Will the public ever be able to trust Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and some members of the New Bedford Elected School Committee, for quality and improvement in New Bedford's School System?
(8.) Will Dr. Pia Durkin live up too and survive her three (3) year Superintendent's Contract, being the highest paid New Bedford School Superintendent in New Bedford's History?
(a) Let us Pray and Hope that the answer to question no#8 is "NO WAY". It is predictable that before all is said and done, New Bedford Taxpayers and Businesses will have no choice but to buy out Dr. Pia Durkin's contract.
I will take bets that present New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin want last out her contract, due to the facts and credible evidence, that the Commonwealth's of Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, present New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, present New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and some of the members of New Bedford's elected School Committee, have put New Bedford's Education System at Risk, and it will take many years to fix. However that can only be obtained with New Political Leadership in place, including the Mayor's office and a Elected New Bedford School Committee.
Here is another suggestion. Before any student can attend an up-coming school year, their parent, parents or caretaker must attend a mandatory meeting in late summer to review the MCAS scores of their children's school.
All parent and caretaker questions must be addressed.
Only after a parent or caretaker attends some sort of meeting may their child attend school. If any disability creates an issue I'm sure we have enough ideas to make some work-arounds.
The city and school department needs to place an onus on the parents in registering and understanding the school's and community's expectation for their children success making for a productive year.
During the meeting school administrators explain the specifics and meanings of the state-of-the-school according to all categories W, NI, P, A, and SGP, among other pressing school issues.
Also explained with documentation available should be the meaning and implications of their children's MCAS results once they are available. We need to be SMART about it!
Explicitly explained are what the results mean at the grade level their child is at and what it may mean for their future given nationwide data that is available. This is key.
Follow-up meetings after each child walks with their own "data" home, with administrator or guidance counselor as required and scheduled by parents and caretakers. May it require some administrators and guidance counselor staying later than they normally do? Yes. It is worth it.
Schools need to confirm that parents and caretakers received and comprehended the content of their child's MCAS data. We have the technology.
I mentioned what it may mean to administrators, and may it require some parents and caretakers to take an hour or two out of work? Probably. Is it worth it? I think so, given what I'm reading about everyone's concern. Your employer may applaud it.
Does it put more burden on the administrators at the school and PRAB level? No, it just redirects some of their priorities, in a more productive citywide and community focus.
As our peers first and leaders second suggest, it is time to think out-of-box. Well, I hope this idea meets the criteria of being realistic and also out-of-the-box.
Here is another suggestion. Seeing that the DESE and our city is concentrating on MCAS scores,lets do away with grade levels for math and English language arts. This is not to imply that other course are not important. Far from it. Please don't misunderstand.
Students need to test out of standards as assigned to course levels not grade levels in these subjects.
Lets move a fourth and fifth grade math and English language arts teacher to the middle schools, and two seventh and eighth grade math and English language arts teachers to the high school.
It is just an approximation of teachers required to handle the influx of struggling learners in these areas. Adjust accordingly.
In order for a student to move to the next course level in these subjects he or she must test out to some level of competency or proficiency. If the level is not attained then the student must return to the course level requiring proficiency.
Students may elect to move to a course level where they failed to attain, but this will or may require a summer school program or after school program that is funded by parents or caretakers of the student. Meeting with teachers, administrators and parents or caretakers can resolve these issues. It is key that funding is not to come from the government, it must come from the household of the student.
If the student passes the exam, they simply move to the next or appropriate course level. Remedial work will be required at the new level in order for the student to catch up with the new course level. Students, parents, teacher, and administrator must agree to it, monitor, and enforce it or the program will not work. Students not being able to do the new course work in a realistic time may move back down. Discussions can occur, but common sense must prevail.
If you really want to put a level of seriousness into the program, confirming how district is pinpoint focused on proficiency, each diploma has recorded on it the level of math and English Language course level attained.
But the program does not stop here because as empathetic and compassionate as we are, hope can never be lost. Everyone has the right to succeed, even if it is at his or her time schedule. We are all life long learners. Students can improve their diploma status over time to reach the level he or she wants to achieve.
The school department will record and issue a new updated diploma with the new math and English language course levels as they are achieved.
A program like this may sound similar to night / GED school, but it is not. It is making an attempt for students and parents or caretakers to take responsibility for their family's education during the K-12 years, but continuing beyond because many students "educationally" mature at different times.
These students may ultimately become great ambassadors for our future students.
The questions are legitimate but even if the implications are accurate, why is this a surprise, or a concern?
What Lang, Francis and the Committee failed to grasp is that Chester has extraordinary power to determine the fate of districts in Level 4.
The NBEA are the only group that never underestimated Chester and still don't. If he is not happy, it goes to Level 5. Durkin and Mitchell are trying to make him happy.
Marlene Pollock buying alarm clocks, Livremento harassing Gomes teachers, Larry Finnerty exercising his vocabulary, Nobrega's field naming, Mojica's letter writing brigade and all the community advocates in the city don't matter one bit.
Mitchell Chester is Gordon Gekko and until we go Level 3, 2, or 1, he's got a legal controlling interest in NBPS. Dont be surprised that he's exercising it.
I also received one of those flakey invitations to be a part of Superintendent Search Committee. I did not have PTS, and was not viewed as a threat. Something didn't seem right though, so I did not attend.
Have a suggestion. Everyone needs to come to terms that Dr. Durkin is not going anywhere unless she decides it.
The mayor and SC cannot afford either politically or through the city's funding to terminate her contract unless there is blatant unmoral behavior or incompetency on her behalf, so unless she has an incredible breakdown, she is going nowhere for three years.
And by the way, I hate to say it, but Chester is not going anywhere soon either.
No one negotiates or pays a personal contract for upwards of $180K to keep the status quo.
She is being paid for her vision, and her previous resume, whether or not y'all care to accept it, or believe in it, or how she plans to accomplish it. Someone needed to be picked, someone had to pick, and like it or not it was her.
After hearing one of the SC member's idea about creating an alumni support group or something similar, it is clear to me that better, school and classroom level focus is required. We need a boots on the ground approach, not a call in the Calvary approach. Custer got clobbered. We, the day to day battlers can make better recommendations, we just need our peers first, leaders second, to listen.
As parents, teachers, and education professionals lets make some suggestions to Dr. Durkin through this blog and through this thread. that can have an immediate impact in your school. If Dr. Durkin and her staff read and consider some ideas, then great, and if they implement some even better.
If they don't they're a bunch of stiffs.
Maybe some principals will run with some ideas all on their own.
Lets take a common sense approach.
Dr. Durkin doesn't have all the answers and neither does anyone of us, but together we may be able to convince Dr. Durkin and her staff to think about some of the suggestions that are being made.
Do I think Dr. Durkin, her staff, the Mayor, SC and read this blog. Yep!
Can they accept and act on practical idea, well I certainly hope so.
Improving our city's should never be about personal gain or self pride, and I'm far from naive to think that a kingdom ransom hasn't been played in this town. If some want it to continue, we need to vote them out. It is that simple, unless of course you're on the dole.
It's about doing the right thing for the community and its inhabitants.
The only thing that I would ask Dr. Durkin is to be more retrospective and think a little deeper than she has regarding the responsibility and role that a parent, or parents, caretakers, and students need to accept, and take charge of their own family's education and educational push all the way through K-12.
We need to get beyond the perfect mastery objective, agenda,and summarizers. These written words are the small potatoes. The students get it, why can't the adults get it.
The students know the good teachers, and so do the staff and administrators. Celebrate and support them.
Have a suggestion. Lou, you should consider segmenting "Teacher Ideas for a Better Classroom Experience" or something similar. This topic should always remain at the top of the blog, and until overwhelmed by responses, go as an on-going thread. Lets advertise it. Get a SC member to support it in the Standard Times, instead of blowing their own horn.
Here teachers can share or reach out to their peers anonymously, whether it is looking for suggestions regarding problems of the day, week, or month, or share a nugget of success and what led to it.
During the day teachers are so wrapped up in the business of the day that we have little time, or really no time to reflect(that's the word) with all of our peers,and share things that have had positive impact for us with students or administrators.
No authorship, no pettiness, just ideas that gives a person time to digest in the privacy of their own space. Time to work through what could be a pretty good workable idea, and easily put into practice.
Maybe something like this exist, maybe it a good twist on a failed idea. Or maybe it is downright naive.
Bottom line: It's an idea.
Teachers, lets generate some ideas. We have hundreds more than any other group in the district. Lets share to all educators. Small fish lead to bigger ones. Singles win ball games...you get the drift.
Embrace the ones you like, and discard the ones you don't.
Have a suggestion. Any and all NB education stakeholders need to read the SC candidates response to the NBEA questionnaire. It is a primer for everyone who is voting, or those who can shed some light to those that can vote based on written words, tone, and ability to see the full scope of the issues.
This is not a time to just check the box without knowing a baseline of each candidate's position.
It is our right to vote, but voting for the sake of voting is doing an injustice to putting the best person in a SC seat. Meaning, one who is committed to due diligence, meticulous oversight, and a common sense realistic approach to problem solving. A person who does not mind getting his or her finger nails dirty.
Voters,when X'ing, have a conviction that you have selected based on each candidates view of the situation and some level of specifics of remedies, or ideas that are credible.
Reading the bios are easy. Going right to any comment, as all candidates agreed with NBEA question of yes and no. All said that they supported the NBEA.
To read the bios, the whole process will take roughly a half hour.
If you are unable to take that time please allow me to my opinion on what I read. Right or wrong, you can decide. I have no affiliation with any of the candidates.
So here are the Cliffs Notes to what I thought I understood.
My vote is for Josh Amaral first, and if possible, Christopher Cotter second.
Mr. Amaral's responses were clear and articulate, and gave me the feeling that he has a better understanding of the issues. He has at least acknowledged that NB's socioeconomics play a role in the problems. That alone is refreshing.
He appears genuine about his voting future, and his tone was reflective, thoughtful, and upbeat.
Mr. Amaral states that he has substituted, and I hope that he can continue, whenever he can, if not anything other then "dipsticking."
Mr. Cotter I think is willing to cut his teeth in a positive way, and stated that he has no political ties is in his favor.
I think he needs to be more specific on his ideas. As for the charter school argument, the SC needs to enact best practices into the public schools so that the charter school discussions are moot.
I thought Ms. Mojica-Mosquea is missing the big picture, and a fresh approach.
I thought Mr. Pastori is relying to much on the state, although I think they can help. Our problems have been home-grown. Let try to correct them here first.
Lowering the suspension rate, unless there is a real proven program in place, is just adding to classroom chaos, and less time on learning and educating the students who do want to learn.
Mr. Finnerty has had his chance as an educator, administrator, and SC member. I just think he is flying to high and his focus needs to be at the ground level. Instead of "I will" responses should have been more of the, "this is what I've done, and will continue to do." How his actions have made a positive impact on learning and MCAS scores.
Mr. Janson just did not elaborate enough. To be taken more seriously, I think he needs to articulate better and be more specific given his experiences and exposure to our education process.
After Mr. Oliveira wrote, "the only thing I can do," I stopped reading. As stakeholders this is not in the spirit of fixing any issue, education or not.
Here is a question for the all the administrators and teachers. Fairly few if any students are retained year over year. Student's MCAS scores to pass fail don't seem to correlate or support our propensity to move students along. There is a gap, or am I totally out in left field. Has the answer been summer school or is the answer now rigor, from what I'm hearing? Are our students ready for rigor? What do we all think? Are we sure rigor is the solution. I'm skeptical at best. Are we all looking through the same pair of glasses?
If we think showing videos of the perfect classrooms is the motivator, we need to rethink our strategy.
Agreed...the video showed well-dressed, well-fed students who actually HAD books to turn to, and could all obviously read at grade level. No hands raised for the bathroom or the nurse, no "antsy" students. Wow, like an alien planet!!! Did you notice the one girl chomping away at the gum?? OOOOOOO, that system has big problems....
31 comments:
I'm thinking about a vote of no-confidence against Pia Durkin.
Have her actions, or a lack thereof qualified her for it? I, too, am unhappy, but I'm not well-versed enough in the branding of a superintendent in such a way to second the motion at this point. For clarification, what will qualify her for such a vote? I'd love to be rid of her before she does even more damage!
^the first part if your statement contradicts the second.
At the high school we lost 50 teachers. We are being asked to do more with less and she is expecting us to raise scores by 40%. How is that realistic?
With level 4, Durkin will have the power to fire 50% of us. I asked her this week if that would be her plan and she would not tell me. Several of my colleagues asked her the same question and she wouldn't tell them. She obviously wants to keep us in fear. I have no confidence in anyone who uses fear as a weapon.
I do not understand how anyone can blame the Teachers for this mess! I am someone running in city govt, but I don't want to give my name, as it would make me look as though I were fishing for votes. That being said, I would like to hear everyone's thoughts. I have a ques- who are the people who allowed NBPS to decline over the years? It isn't the teachers!
This certainly sums up a part of what we are dealing with~
Message from a Virginia Teacher that Could Apply to Educational Authorities in
Any State
Your teachers are under siege! We have been surrounded and our ability to communicate with the outside world has become so limited as to be non-existent. Why, you ask? Because the VDOE does not want you to know that your students are being abused. I know, you’re thinking, “My children are not being abused. What on earth are you talking about?”
Well, for a start, do you know how many standardized tests, benchmark tests, practice tests for the tests, worksheets for the tests, etc. that your child is required to take? Did you know that children who come to our country from many other parts of the world, who do not speak English are required to take the same grade level test that your child takes if they’ve been in this country for more than 12 months. Would your child be able to go to another country and pass a test after 12 months?
Are you aware that elementary school children are not allowed to have recess because they lose too much instructional time? Schools are not allowing children time to play. Research indicates that children MUST have unstructured time to play. P.E. does not count as unstructured playtime.
Are you aware that developmental differences are being ignored? Children are expected to attain every benchmark at exactly the same time? If they don’t get the skill being taught at the time, some of which are not developmentally appropriate for the age of the child, they will be put into a remedial class and lose electives like music, art, etc.
Are you aware that the tests that have been made more “rigorous” (by the way look up the definition of rigor, do you really want that for your child?) are designed so that a child could get parts of the question right, miss one part, but the whole question is counted as wrong? As a teacher, I give credit for what a child knows and teach what they don’t understand. The SOLs are absolutely useless to teachers for what a child does and does not know. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
Are you aware of the amount of money going to Pearson for making the tests, scoring the tests, making the test prep materials for the tests, and on and on? Virginia is paying Pearson over $300,000,000 for the next three years. How much of that money would have been better spent in this state to upgrade schools, pay for fine arts opportunities for our children that are being cut from budgets left and right? Also, Pearson does not have a great track record for accurate scoring of tests either in our state or many others. Are you aware that the SOL tests are being used to decide what classes your child may or may not take? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/04/24/a-brief-history-of-pearsons-problems-with-testing/
Why haven’t you heard about this before? Because teachers have been effectively gagged. We are not allowed to talk about any of this with parents because we are seen as negative, insubordinate, or not a team player.
We love your children and we want to teach them a lifetime love of learning, but everyday our hands are being tied and we are unable to continue good, creative, in-depth learning of subject matter.
I challenge you to do some research. Prove me wrong, if you can!
To the poster running for office--Thank you for seeking the real culprits! One of them being poverty. Our city teachers have been plugging the holes for more than 2 decades. We need more people in leadership roles revealing the real causes for our "decline"...we know we are still producing high performing students in this district...so one can be sure that the teachers are providing the necessary knowledge.
By the completion of this comment 100% of the stakeholders responsible for education of the students of this city will be no closer to the remedy of problems and issues they are attempting to solve. I know this by the deluge of artifacts that have been thrown and slid down the wall of hope. Lets get real, and it starts with parents being parents, and students being responsible for their own education.
28 September, 2013
Met a woman who worked under Durkin in another district today. If what she said is only half true, we're in for quite a ride.
I'd love to take a vote of no confidence against her. Am I the only one?
If I don't sense support over fear soon, I will take the no confidence vote not only against Dr. Durkin, but the entire sitting body of the School Committee.
Is it true that all (max 50%) teachers who get terminated or fired from NBHS under the level 4 status/re-model(s) will lose seniority and any bidding/bumping rights?
I would be willing to take a no confidence vote for all SC members as well as Dr. Durkin. The Virginia article basically sums up what we are facing here in New Bedford. Too often we hear that we can not change the parents so it is up to us to change the children. It is my belief that parents DO need to be held accountable to make sure their child attends school, completes homework assignments and communicates with the teacher. My responsibility is to provide their child with engaging, though provoking lessons, care for them during school like I would care for my own and teach them to be responsible learners. We need to work together to balance this system. Our administration, SC members, some parents, Standard Times and many others in the community want to paint the teachers as lazy, unmotivated and careless individuals. Just wondering if the Mayor plans on decreasing crime in NB by 40% or if the SC plans on finding grants to increase the school budget by 40%? Hmm, don't be ridiculous? That is unrealistic? But yet, we are told that we MUST increase our scores by 40% in ONE school year. Keep in mind that is with a reduction in force, larger class sizes and a fewer sped teachers. Let us remember that they cut sped teachers and these children who have IEP's are NOT getting the amount of service time indicated on the IEP's!!!
It would be nice if the city council supported teachers publicly and set aside monies for classroom technology. NBHS is in the dark ages. Most classrooms lack computers. The teachers computer room no longer has a printer. Most of the copy machines are worn out or broken. Students don't have pride in their school because it he city has not invested enough in the building.
The school committee is a total sh$$show. I have no confidence in them to do the right thing and address the way teachers have been treated in this city. It's time teachers got the respect that they deserve.
I know signs don't vote, but why do prominent citizens allow Jack Nobrega signs on their property? The man falls asleep at meetings, has no input or comments on most issues, and his impact is minimal. A real friend would have talked him out of running in his advanced age. It's time to go!
Hey Dr. Durkin, DICTATORS don't make very good partners.
The Public probably will never know, due to Backdoor Political Moves Between Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, New Bedford's Mayor Jon Mitchell, Superintendent of New Bedford's Public School System, Dr. Pia Durkin and the phony National Superintendent's Search Committee, established by the elected School Committee, Chaired by Bridgewater State University, Dr. Dana Mohler Faria.
Let us review the following questions and consider the following.
(1.) Did present New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell make a political deal with Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester, Mitchel for the Selection of Dr. Pia Durkin, knowing full well that the Attleboro School Committee had flatly rejected renewing Dr. Durkins contract as Attleboro School Superintendent?
(2.) Was there a true and legitimate National Superintendent School Search, or just a phony selections of some or a few qualified outer state Superintendents candidates, to make it appear publically, that a National search was done and the best candidate selected for the position of New Bedford School Superintendent?
(3.) Was Dr. Pia Durkin selected by Massachusetts Education Commissioner, Chester Mitchell with assistance by Mayor Jon Mitchell and the present Elected School Committee because Commissioner Chester Mitchell had neither the political influence, political power, or political authority to make or select New Bedford's School Superintendent over former and Honorable Mayor of New Bedford Scott Lang?
(4.) How much authority and Influence does present New Bedford School Superintendent, Dr. Pia Durkin have with Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell? Surely a lot more than Mayor Jon Mitchell and New Bedford elected School Committee.
(a.) It appears that many members of New Bedford Elected School Committee has become rubber stamps, for Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin
(5.) Have New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, been duped and doubled crossed by New Bedford's new School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell?
(6.) Did Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin, collectively plan and plot the announcement of New Bedford High School being a level 4 school with the possibility of a state takeover, giving Superintendent Durkin's additional powers, through prior political deals made between Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell and Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin?
(a.) How will Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Elected School Committee and New Bedford's School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin handle the soon to be level 5 (five) designations, for New Bedford High School and Parker Elementary School?
(7.) Will the public ever be able to trust Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and some members of the New Bedford Elected School Committee, for quality and improvement in New Bedford's School System?
(8.) Will Dr. Pia Durkin live up too and survive her three (3) year Superintendent's Contract, being the highest paid New Bedford School Superintendent in New Bedford's History?
(a) Let us Pray and Hope that the answer to question no#8 is "NO WAY". It is predictable that before all is said and done,
New Bedford Taxpayers and Businesses will have no choice but to buy out Dr. Pia Durkin's contract.
I will take bets that present New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin want last out her contract, due to the facts and credible evidence, that the Commonwealth's of Massachusetts Education Commissioner Chester Mitchell, present New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, present New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin and some of the members of New Bedford's elected School Committee, have put New Bedford's Education System at Risk, and it will take many years to fix. However that can only be obtained with New Political Leadership in place, including the Mayor's office and a Elected New Bedford School Committee.
Here is another suggestion. Before any student can attend an up-coming school year, their parent, parents or caretaker must attend a mandatory meeting in late summer to review the MCAS scores of their children's school.
All parent and caretaker questions must be addressed.
Only after a parent or caretaker attends some sort of meeting may their child attend school. If any disability creates an issue I'm sure we have enough ideas to make some work-arounds.
The city and school department needs to place an onus on the parents in registering and understanding the school's and community's expectation for their children success making for a productive year.
During the meeting school administrators explain the specifics and meanings of the state-of-the-school according to all categories W, NI, P, A, and SGP, among other pressing school issues.
Also explained with documentation available should be the meaning and implications of their children's MCAS results once they are available. We need to be SMART about it!
Explicitly explained are what the results mean at the grade level their child is at and what it may mean for their future given nationwide data that is available. This is key.
Follow-up meetings after each child walks with their own "data" home, with administrator or guidance counselor as required and scheduled by parents and caretakers. May it require some administrators and guidance counselor staying later than they normally do? Yes. It is worth it.
Schools need to confirm that parents and caretakers received and comprehended the content of their child's MCAS data. We have the technology.
I mentioned what it may mean to administrators, and may it require some parents and caretakers to take an hour or two out of work? Probably. Is it worth it? I think so, given what I'm reading about everyone's concern. Your employer may applaud it.
Does it put more burden on the administrators at the school and PRAB level? No, it just redirects some of their priorities, in a more productive citywide and community focus.
As our peers first and leaders second suggest, it is time to think out-of-box. Well, I hope this idea meets the criteria of being realistic and also out-of-the-box.
Great questions from the two post above.
it's Mitchell Chester
Here is another suggestion. Seeing that the DESE and our city is concentrating on MCAS scores,lets do away with grade levels for math and English language arts. This is not to imply that other course are not important. Far from it. Please don't misunderstand.
Students need to test out of standards as assigned to course levels not grade levels in these subjects.
Lets move a fourth and fifth grade math and English language arts teacher to the middle schools, and two seventh and eighth grade math and English language arts teachers to the high school.
It is just an approximation of teachers required to handle the influx of struggling learners in these areas. Adjust accordingly.
In order for a student to move to the next course level in these subjects he or she must test out to some level of competency or proficiency. If the level is not attained then the student must return to the course level requiring proficiency.
Students may elect to move to a course level where they failed to attain, but this will or may require a summer school program or after school program that is funded by parents or caretakers of the student. Meeting with teachers, administrators and parents or caretakers can resolve these issues. It is key that funding is not to come from the government, it must come from the household of the student.
If the student passes the exam, they simply move to the next or appropriate course level. Remedial work will be required at the new level in order for the student to catch up with the new course level. Students, parents, teacher, and administrator must agree to it, monitor, and enforce it or the program will not work. Students not being able to do the new course work in a realistic time may move back down. Discussions can occur, but common sense must prevail.
If you really want to put a level of seriousness into the program, confirming how district is pinpoint focused on proficiency, each diploma has recorded on it the level of math and English Language course level attained.
But the program does not stop here because as empathetic and compassionate as we are, hope can never be lost. Everyone has the right to succeed, even if it is at his or her time schedule. We are all life long learners. Students can improve their diploma status over time to reach the level he or she wants to achieve.
The school department will record and issue a new updated diploma with the new math and English language course levels as they are achieved.
A program like this may sound similar to night / GED school, but it is not. It is making an attempt for students and parents or caretakers to take responsibility for their family's education during the K-12 years, but continuing beyond because many students "educationally" mature at different times.
These students may ultimately become great ambassadors for our future students.
The questions are legitimate but even if the implications are accurate, why is this a surprise, or a concern?
What Lang, Francis and the Committee failed to grasp is that Chester has extraordinary power to determine the fate of districts in Level 4.
The NBEA are the only group that never underestimated Chester and still don't. If he is not happy, it goes to Level 5. Durkin and Mitchell are trying to make him happy.
Marlene Pollock buying alarm clocks, Livremento harassing Gomes teachers, Larry Finnerty exercising his vocabulary, Nobrega's field naming, Mojica's letter writing brigade and all the community advocates in the city don't matter one bit.
Mitchell Chester is Gordon Gekko and until we go Level 3, 2, or 1, he's got a legal controlling interest in NBPS. Dont be surprised that he's exercising it.
I also received one of those flakey invitations to be a part of Superintendent Search Committee. I did not have PTS, and was not viewed as a threat. Something didn't seem right though, so I did not attend.
Have a suggestion. Everyone needs to come to terms that Dr. Durkin is not going anywhere unless she decides it.
The mayor and SC cannot afford either politically or through the city's funding to terminate her contract unless there is blatant unmoral behavior or incompetency on her behalf, so unless she has an incredible breakdown, she is going nowhere for three years.
And by the way, I hate to say it, but Chester is not going anywhere soon either.
No one negotiates or pays a personal contract for upwards of $180K to keep the status quo.
She is being paid for her vision, and her previous resume, whether or not y'all care to accept it, or believe in it, or how she plans to accomplish it. Someone needed to be picked, someone had to pick, and like it or not it was her.
After hearing one of the SC member's idea about creating an alumni support group or something similar, it is clear to me that better, school and classroom level focus is required. We need a boots on the ground approach, not a call in the Calvary approach. Custer got clobbered. We, the day to day battlers can make better recommendations, we just need our peers first, leaders second, to listen.
As parents, teachers, and education professionals lets make some suggestions to Dr. Durkin through this blog and through this thread. that can have an immediate impact in your school. If Dr. Durkin and her staff read and consider some ideas, then great, and if they implement some even better.
If they don't they're a bunch of stiffs.
Maybe some principals will run with some ideas all on their own.
Lets take a common sense approach.
Dr. Durkin doesn't have all the answers and neither does anyone of us, but together we may be able to convince Dr. Durkin and her staff to think about some of the suggestions that are being made.
Do I think Dr. Durkin, her staff, the Mayor, SC and read this blog. Yep!
Can they accept and act on practical idea, well I certainly hope so.
Improving our city's should never be about personal gain or self pride, and I'm far from naive to think that a kingdom ransom hasn't been played in this town. If some want it to continue, we need to vote them out. It is that simple, unless of course you're on the dole.
It's about doing the right thing for the community and its inhabitants.
The only thing that I would ask Dr. Durkin is to be more retrospective and think a little deeper than she has regarding the responsibility and role that a parent, or parents, caretakers, and students need to accept, and take charge of their own family's education and educational push all the way through K-12.
We need to get beyond the perfect mastery objective, agenda,and summarizers. These written words are the small potatoes. The students get it, why can't the adults get it.
The students know the good teachers, and so do the staff and administrators. Celebrate and support them.
Have a suggestion. Lou, you should consider segmenting "Teacher Ideas for a Better Classroom Experience" or something similar. This topic should always remain at the top of the blog, and until overwhelmed by responses, go as an on-going thread. Lets advertise it. Get a SC member to support it in the Standard Times, instead of blowing their own horn.
Here teachers can share or reach out to their peers anonymously, whether it is looking for suggestions regarding problems of the day, week, or month, or share a nugget of success and what led to it.
During the day teachers are so wrapped up in the business of the day that we have little time, or really no time to reflect(that's the word) with all of our peers,and share things that have had positive impact for us with students or administrators.
No authorship, no pettiness, just ideas that gives a person time to digest in the privacy of their own space. Time to work through what could be a pretty good workable idea, and easily put into practice.
Maybe something like this exist, maybe it a good twist on a failed idea. Or maybe it is downright naive.
Bottom line: It's an idea.
Teachers, lets generate some ideas. We have hundreds more than any other group in the district. Lets share to all educators. Small fish lead to bigger ones. Singles win ball games...you get the drift.
Embrace the ones you like, and discard the ones you don't.
Have a suggestion. Any and all NB education stakeholders need to read the SC candidates response to the NBEA questionnaire. It is a primer for everyone who is voting, or those who can shed some light to those that can vote based on written words, tone, and ability to see the full scope of the issues.
This is not a time to just check the box without knowing a baseline of each candidate's position.
It is our right to vote, but voting for the sake of voting is doing an injustice to putting the best person in a SC seat. Meaning, one who is committed to due diligence, meticulous oversight, and a common sense realistic approach to problem solving. A person who does not mind getting his or her finger nails dirty.
Voters,when X'ing, have a conviction that you have selected based on each candidates view of the situation and some level of specifics of remedies, or ideas that are credible.
Reading the bios are easy. Going right to any comment, as all candidates agreed with NBEA question of yes and no. All said that they supported the NBEA.
To read the bios, the whole process will take roughly a half hour.
If you are unable to take that time please allow me to my opinion on what I read. Right or wrong, you can decide. I have no affiliation with any of the candidates.
So here are the Cliffs Notes to what I thought I understood.
My vote is for Josh Amaral first, and if possible, Christopher Cotter second.
Mr. Amaral's responses were clear and articulate, and gave me the feeling that he has a better understanding of the issues. He has at least acknowledged that NB's socioeconomics play a role in the problems. That alone is refreshing.
He appears genuine about his voting future, and his tone was reflective, thoughtful, and upbeat.
Mr. Amaral states that he has substituted, and I hope that he can continue, whenever he can, if not anything other then "dipsticking."
Mr. Cotter I think is willing to cut his teeth in a positive way, and stated that he has no political ties is in his favor.
I think he needs to be more specific on his ideas. As for the charter school argument, the SC needs to enact best practices into the public schools so that the charter school discussions are moot.
I thought Ms. Mojica-Mosquea is missing the big picture, and a fresh approach.
I thought Mr. Pastori is relying to much on the state, although I think they can help. Our problems have been home-grown. Let try to correct them here first.
Lowering the suspension rate, unless there is a real proven program in place, is just adding to classroom chaos, and less time on learning and educating the students who do want to learn.
Mr. Finnerty has had his chance as an educator, administrator, and SC member. I just think he is flying to high and his focus needs to be at the ground level. Instead of "I will" responses should have been more of the, "this is what I've done, and will continue to do." How his actions have made a positive impact on learning and MCAS scores.
Mr. Janson just did not elaborate enough. To be taken more seriously, I think he needs to articulate better and be more specific given his experiences and exposure to our education process.
After Mr. Oliveira wrote, "the only thing I can do," I stopped reading. As stakeholders this is not in the spirit of fixing any issue, education or not.
Hope this helps, if not, disregard.
Here is a question for the all the administrators and teachers. Fairly few if any students are retained year over year. Student's MCAS scores to pass fail don't seem to correlate or support our propensity to move students along. There is a gap, or am I totally out in left field. Has the answer been summer school or is the answer now rigor, from what I'm hearing? Are our students ready for rigor? What do we all think? Are we sure rigor is the solution. I'm skeptical at best. Are we all looking through the same pair of glasses?
If we think showing videos of the perfect classrooms is the motivator, we need to rethink our strategy.
Agreed...the video showed well-dressed, well-fed students who actually HAD books to turn to, and could all obviously read at grade level. No hands raised for the bathroom or the nurse, no "antsy" students. Wow, like an alien planet!!!
Did you notice the one girl chomping away at the gum?? OOOOOOO, that system has big problems....
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