Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Our View: City schools are improving

Our View: City schools are improving

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

With hundreds of employees leaving New Bedford Public Schools and Mitchell Chester looking the other way, this is proof that the state is in on the CON and so is the sub-standard newspaper.

Anonymous said...

Data is twisted and turned to make it look good

Anonymous said...

Improving? How can you improve when your school is so over loaded with kids it's unsafe? Redistricting , I guess is not important to this administration. That is, until something devastating happens, then It will be too late!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know where all this positive news and data comes from. It's not coming from the teachers; the boots on the ground. The last two years were the worst years in all the years I've taught. And I predict it will not be getting better any time soon. This includes student performance, teacher morale, or guidance from administrators. I have learned to believe little of what is printed in the paper, and anyone who reads the paper should do the same. Some independent person should really look at the data and determine for real if things are getting better. Just look at the end of year benchmarks. Don't let someone from the PRAB spoon feed you the information or what they believe the results to be. The results are awful. To think that no end of year was given at the NBHS is about as superfluous as it can get. It was not even challenged. I'm sure the teachers at NBHS exhaled a sigh of relief. They have a good idea what the results would have been.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if the previous commenter was talking about Normandin when he/she mentioned redistricting, but it's a good point. I hear Normandin is supposed to be getting more kids who live nearer to Keith, and Normandin is already so much larger than the other middle schools. Why is that happening?

Anonymous said...

Maybe normandin is getting more kids from Keith because there is a new principal at Keith and they want to go easy on her .

Anonymous said...

Whether a student goes to one of the three middle schools the outcome will be the same. Student behavior is poor no matter. N gets more students than K or R because of staffing. Your right in any case, too many students especially given the behavior issues. Wish I could be more upbeat but can't. Lets see what new and improved methods will be recommended by PRAB to minimize problems.

Anonymous said...

You can make an educational sh*tshow look better when you use the wrong markers of success.

Anonymous said...

I also don't understand why Normandin is getting more kids. Its already overcrowded.

Anonymous said...

From the DOE website for 2014-2015:

Roosevelt -- 743
Keith -- 871
Normandin -- 1046

So why are they moving kids to Normandin? hmmm.

Anonymous said...

Ask the principal or superintendent if you really want to know.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the administration is usually very truthful.

Anonymous said...

You'll never know if you don't ask.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln Elementary is at an unsafe level. They are at least 200 kids over the limit of 600! Yet, no one moves to redistrict. I guess that is because they don't have to teach the huge class sizes. I am pulling my child out of this school , not because of the teachers or the principal, but because Upper Administration will do nothing to solve this problem.

Anonymous said...

Would it be unreasonable for the Standard Times to ask the superintendent about these moves and non-moves? There is an education reporter, right?

Anonymous said...

Is it possible for the writer to write an objective article? Not sure.

Anonymous said...

You know all the schools are over crowded..let's not cry just for Lincoln there are others much worse.

Anonymous said...

Overcrowded classes "can" function positively if student behavior issues do not become an issue. The overcrowded classroom becomes unmanageable when administrators fail to handle behavior students properly, or create classrooms that are doomed to failure from the start. If administrators believe that classroom mix does not matter and that all great teachers can overcome any mix, that administrator needs to get help immediately.

Anonymous said...

If the schools are improving , thank the teachers and the parents who support the teachers and who care about their child's progress.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to tell you but overcrowded classrooms can not and do not function well,then throw in the behavior problems and clueless principals and you have your educational train wreck.

Anonymous said...

The biggest fraud in the history of New Bedford is being perpetrated by Pia Durkin and the School Committee. Nothing is getting better! The high school is a disaster. When you have 3 bosses you have none. The Chief of operations answers to PRAB not to the headmaster. The chief of teaching and learning answers to PRAB not to the headmaster. How will the high school ever function properly? The schedule is still a disaster. Kulak was blamed. Dawson was blamed. Now whose fault is it? Pia needs to look in the mirror to get the answer. Too bad she wasn't hired in Lowell this spring. They were smart not to even make her a finalist. I hope for change on the school committee and mayors office come November. That's the only hope the school system has.

Anonymous said...

Will all office referrals be entered this year? Do you think all referrals were entered into the system last year? I believe less will be entered this year in order to show even greater improvement.

Anonymous said...

About creating class rooms doomed to fail,saw this first hand usually by a principal who had an agenda with a teacher or wanted to make it easy for her FRIENDS...

Anonymous said...

So let me try asking again, seeing my last post regarding the supereintendent looking for another job was never posted by the blog adminstrator. Is the above blogger saying that Durkin applied for a job in Lowell and did not make the cut? If so, very interesting how this news has not made it in our local news media coverage.

Anonymous said...

Correct! She didn't make the first round of cuts.

Anonymous said...

Not to be skeptical, but I find it hard to believe that Durkin applied for a job in Lowell. Hasn't she been quoted to being committed to New Bedford, and the job is far from being completed? Didn't someone on the school committee try to bulldoze her through for another three years? Seems to me to be a shoe-in for those three years. Why on earth would she want to go to Lowell? I just don't buy it. All I have to say is "WOW" if that is the case, and can someone define "committed" for me. Maybe that is what is throwing me for a loop.

Anonymous said...

In approximately 2 weeks the school year will be in full swing. The entire NBPS staff should make a commitment to be honest and diligent about recording all recordable data for the entire school year. There should be a system of checks and balances to assure that all grades, office referrals and alike are entered in a timely and accurate manner. I do not think that these actions have occurred in the past. Yes, teachers need to monitor administrators with data, and just not complain. We already know that administrators are monitoring and collecting data on teachers. There needs to be a way that teachers can monitor critical measures to determine that improvement is in fact happening. Teachers need to grade students according to whether a student has meet the curriculum as defined by the standards. Enough of social promotions or crazy grades for lame projects or activities. Attendance needs to be front and center for promotion. Pick a number for tardiness and absences, barring any special circumstances and hold a parent responsible for their child to meet the desired numbers. If the number is not met, then guess what, your child repeats. Save the excuses. Teachers need to grade students according to what has been earned against their specific curriculum. If students can't pass a curriculum then there is a program that kicks in. Whether it is remedial work or retention, or whatever. there needs to be a program or some kind or intervention. Students need to feel the pressure, yes pressure of not trying, putting forth a decent effort, and yes not passing the curriculum. Until these basic things are addressed I don't believe satisfactory improvement will be made by the majority of "struggling learners." In my opinion, most struggling learners struggle because they just don't care, and that school is only a social event, and promotion reinforces that their lack of academic effort has no consequences. The achievers will do just fine.

Anonymous said...

The previous commentator has an accurate vision of what needs to be done!

Anonymous said...

Teachers need to take the schools back and stop knuckling under to administrators who knuckle under to parents who knuckle under to their children. So really, the children are running the show. If our city is to become great again, teachers take control, and administrators support your teachers or step aside.

Anonymous said...

Lets be honest and come clean on the effectiveness of this year's PD. Let your voices be heard and weigh in whether or not this year's PD made you a more effective teacher or was it just a waste of time and money.

Anonymous said...

The administrators have always been afraid of some parents. In turn , they do not support their teachers when these abrasive parents complain. Remember, as a parent , you are the biggest influence in your child's life. Your child mirrors you , the parent. If you won't teacher your child respect, don't expect miracles when they come to school. It all starts at home. Your child will receive the grade that he or she deserves in the classroom. The administrators have to back up their teachers, or like the previous post stated, nothing will change.

Anonymous said...

The only parents that the school department need to be afraid of are the parents that DO NOT take responsibility for their children. These people are called IGNORANT and ENTITLED....they probably didn't make it through the school system and are playing the BLAME game. It is disgusting.

Anonymous said...

As teachers, we need to be more specific on the terms that are used in education. Students "earn" grades rather than getting grades he or she deserves, and those grades must be reflective of a student's competency against the MA Frameworks. Sorry to get picky here, but it does matter. I have seen first hand where students have received grades that are not reflective of their competency against the frameworks. Lets not kid ourselves. I believe that teachers are afraid of what school or PRAB administrators will say or do if more than ten percent of their students fail for the year.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it funny how very little is coming from the DESE or the district concerning PAARC results? When is the data going to be released? All I hear is whether or not PAARC will be approved for this school year. What about last year's results? Is the excuse that it was a test run, meaning the results don't matter? Hmmm.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to speak about school safety. I remember when all students needed to wear his or her identification badge the entire day. In most schools, teachers were asked to pass these badges out in the morning and collect them at the end of day. Any student without badges were to be sent immediately to the office. Priority 1 in school security. This initiative seems to have disappeared overnight. Does anyone have an explanation?

Anonymous said...

Let's get back to Letter Grades/Averages from 2nd-5th and perhaps students and families will once again understand how their child is doing. The report card situation is atrocious. NO IMPACT on learning/motivation/progress.

Anonymous said...

There are so many stories and variety of stories that illustrate success when success seems all but unattainable. We've read and heard them over and over, some new some old. Some are understated and some are embellished. For those who overcome overwhelming odds, congratulations and continued success. You are an inspiration to many and unfortunately meaningless to others, and if you want to share your story, how and when you do that is totally up to you. I contend that it is time to be real with students and parents about life in today's environment and the consequences of not getting an solid education or impeding the process of getting a solid education. Parents and students just like teachers should be held accountable for detouring the educational process. No stories, no excuses, just "keeping it real" as "they" say. Students should be measured on his or her progress and the material that needs to be mastered. Humility is a trait I have not seen much of for years, especially in those that are mainly the focus to target for change. Learned helplessness is far more prevalent. So lets tone down the stories and get real.

Anonymous said...

I cannot disagree with the Superintendent more regarding teachers sharing personal information to students. Teachers are teachers and should not divulge family or personal information. Students are not friends, and are in school to learn content. What universe is the Superintendent living in? This view shows how long she has been out of the classroom. BTW, how long was she in the classroom? In what capacity?

Anonymous said...

Did anyone notice that we have gone from a Climate of Fear to a Code of Silence? The opening day speech given by Dr. Durkin included a thinly veiled warning about speaking of problems in the district.

Anonymous said...

^ can't be that much fear, I heard you gave her a standing ovation on Monday.

Anonymous said...

By my count half of the crowd were newbies. What do you expect? This year will be no different than previous albeit a few; those that have confidence to expose fallacy, even if it is anonymously. NBEA union members are weak and do not behave with solidarity like fireman or police. Just look at last year's turn out during contract sessions held by union officials. Teachers would rather complain about the results of the contract then be a part of the process. When meetings were held about the state of affairs how many teachers showed up. Not many. Embarrassing. Teachers will always be afraid to speak out because most of them want to be "awarded" professional status, and anything that jeopardizes that is concerning. I wonder how many teachers have less than three years experience? Having a job is better than not. These are responsible people with a twitch, and they will do nothing or say anything that places them in harms way.

Anonymous said...

Half the crowd were newbies and another 1/3 have one year in NBPS. If the one year people also were asked to stand it would be impossible for a veteran to see more than a foot in any direction.

Anonymous said...

I won't stand up for Durkin. She is such a phony! She praises the teachers and the screams at us in front of our class. NO Thanks!

Anonymous said...

New Bedford is full of ignorant and entitled people.
These people see it as their right to sit on their behinds and have the hard working people support them. It's disgusting!

Anonymous said...

I don't for one minute believe in the number of positions yet to be filled with qualified personnel. Warm bodies don't count.

Anonymous said...

Building an excellent school system. Pia said so. The carpenters keep leaving, but trust the apprentices.

Anonymous said...

Lincoln elementary has 200 children over their capacity! I have called Pia and she brushed me off. Huge classes! Durkin doesn't care as long as she rakes in the money. She is horrible!

Anonymous said...

Did you also call the NBFD? Harass the mayor as well. I agree. Dr. Durkin is a bad fit for New Bedford. Mayor Mitchell continues to support every move she makes. He needs to go.

Anonymous said...

Good Luck with that. Keep Dreaming! Durkin and Mitchell aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Anonymous said...

^Most of his supporters live outside the city limits. I bet you do as well.

Anonymous said...

I'm wondering why payroll and the business office can't seem to get our payroll checks in order. They owe the high school teachers for 20 hours of professional development for the week of August 25 and the stipend for extended time!

Anonymous said...

Soon there will be no one left that knows what direction we should be heading in. Please don't tell me we are improving when I can't find one person directly working with students that feels that is a true statement.