Tuesday, November 17, 2015

New Bedford school officials tout student growth achievement

New Bedford school officials tout student growth achievement

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

If there is any growth, give the credit to the very hard working teachers . Not Durkin . The people who actually care and work with the children should receive credit. She can go pound tar!

Anonymous said...

Cut scores were played with to squash the building resistance to testing. If things seem to be improving fewer people will revolt and opt out.

Anonymous said...

As an outsider listening to Superintendent Durkin's language on student growth it would appear that her staff, teachers, and students did a better job last year than in previous years. Many positive or negative arguments can be made in the format she chose to release her data. Although it is my belief the format is misleading, the bottom line is that I believe she is indicating the truth about the data she released. If one drills down into the data some problems can clearly be seen at all levels but I will let someone else pick that one up. I will say however, the strategies at Parker and Pacheco do not seemed to have worked. Early grade levels at Hathaway also. Surely those teacher are working extremely hard. It would be interesting to hear from someone at those schools.

Anonymous said...

"Did a better job".....by that do you mean on the first PARCC testing cycle compared to what? Do you really think the MCAS to PARCC formula is reliable? Also, do you believe this one test proves we are "Heading in the right direction"?

Anonymous said...

Yes I do think the transitional student growth is reliable. There are some very smart people that are responsible for creating and checking formulas to show data. Remember this data is just not focused on New Bedford but for all those districts in the state that administered PARCC. Chester does not need a controversy on the foundation on which results are based. If you compare the student growth data in the lump mannerism as it shown, with the other gateway cities you will see that New Bedford was competitive in the English Language Arts and quite honestly better in most cases. Mathematics did not show the same growth with the exception of grade 5 and 6. Student growth in grades 7 and 8 show our district lagging behind. Do you have an opinion why? It would be interesting to hear it. I'm sure her staff will be targeting it. On your question whether or not I believe that one test proves that we are moving in the right direction. Personally no, but that it does not eliminate the perception that the district is not moving in the right direction. Especially when I read it in the paper. As an outsider who talks to outsiders, the feeling is that Durkin and her staff are doing a good job. The discussion never get to the teacher level. It is always that she is getting the results. She has shaken things up, pushed a few noses out of sorts, and one way or another removed teachers that have become too comfortable and not possibly giving their best effort. Some vacancies may have been unfortunate I'm sure, but that comes when new leadership takes the helm.

Anonymous said...

Very $ mart people indeed. How do you explain these "too comfortable" people being celebrated in their new districts? Are you aware that new hires are no miracle workers and some have left in less than 2 years?

Anonymous said...

I don't mind answering your questions, but you need to answer mine as well. Give a little to get a little. I do think good people are leaving the district or retiring before they would really like to. It all comes with the territory, and normal when new leadership comes in and wants to make changes. Many great teachers are leaving! If people are not comfortable with the changes, there is always the option to leave. Some are making that decision. If the leader wants you out, they find a way to make that happen. Everybody is replaceable. Happens everyday. If the last superintendent was getting the job done she would still be in place, as would her staff, and many of the teachers that were in place. The mayor and school committee didn't see it that way, and whether pressured by the DESE or not, she negotiated a nice package I'm sure. Don't feel sorry for her. Teaching in New Bedford is a tough job. Not everyone is cut out for it. Some teachers leave in 6 months, and 2 years may be an eternity. Hopefully out of the new crop of teachers you get a few that are up to the challenge and stay for the long haul. The ones that leave need to be replaced, and it is up to the public, administrators, and school committee to ensure that replacement occurs quickly and responsibly. Question. So who is holding them accountable? Question. Do you have an opinion on why grade 7 and 8 mathematic's student growth is lagging?

Anonymous said...

Opinion: Inexperienced math teachers coupled with historic testing drop in middle schools across the nation.

It won't improve here when we currently have math teachers leaving for neighboring districts prior to Thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

OK. But aren't there inexperienced English Language Arts teachers as well? Their student growth scores seem to be encouraging. You make it sound like math teachers are leaving in droves. I don't believe that is the case. There has to be other reasons.

Anonymous said...

Sep 22 Math Teacher - Grade 7 Keith Middle School New Bedford, Massachusetts
Sep 22 Math Teacher - Grade 8 Keith Middle School New Bedford, Massachusetts

Still posted on School Spring TODAY

Anonymous said...

Another one:
Nov 4 Math Teacher - Anticipated Grade 7 Keith Middle School New Bedford, Massachusetts

Anonymous said...

These vacancies, if still applicable may effect this years results, but not last years. BTW, who says some of Schoolsprings postings are not redundant?

Anonymous said...

NO one wants to teach in NB because of the environment.

Anonymous said...

The anticipated one is not redundant---teacher has a new position waiting for her but this administration demanded a date for her to stay longer than she wanted. (If all the HC people can't keep the schoolspring info current what are they paid for?)

Anonymous said...

HC is no different than any other department or position.That is to say not enough time in the day. We've all been there. Even though HC personnel are not in the classroom I'm sure they are busy. Not defending, but that's typical of most jobs. From what I understand, the superintendent can be demanding and probably has staff running around on a multitude of activities. As for the opening, sounds like an internal transfer, otherwise it would be difficult to demand. As for the blogger who quotes the it's environment, that's a broad statement, can you be more specific? I know from what I read that there is a problem with teacher retention, and there are positions that may still be unfilled, but not sure what you mean by "environment."

Anonymous said...

DEFALCO
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-defalco-b181567b
http://worcestermag.com/2011/09/08/sullivans-129393143/8148
https://prezi.com/snqti5vbu-y0/central-office-reorganization/

DURKIN
http://static.djlmgdigital.com/nbt/southcoasttoday/graphics/pdf/Durkinresume.pdf
https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-11664231/the-sandwich-generation-feels-the-squeeze
http://www.ratemyteachers.com/pia-durkin/2060788-t
http://www.daleadershipinstitute.com/content/pia-durkin

Anonymous said...

Look, I know you may be pretending to be some outsider commenting here but the day after I shared the job postings 2 came down of schoolspring. Then you post some garbage about internal transfers. NO! The teachers left for jobs in Dartmouth and elsewhere. Come on. Are you Heather Emsley or Jonathan Carvalho?

Anonymous said...

No, I am neither of these people. I'm a person who is interested in the district and the steps being taken to improve or negatively impact teachers and students. I talk to people; including teachers, read the Standard Times, education journals, and educational websites; including this blog. I abhor rhetoric, no matter the source. My opinions are based on information I have on hand. You may agree or disagree with what I choose to share, but it is the discussion that is important. Change occurs through honest and thoughtful discussion. There is not enough of it on this blog. I would like for that to change.

Anonymous said...

Case in point. As the Standard Times attempts to wrap up their editorial piece "PARCC and MCAS can work together," they completely botch the point "scores match up favorably with other Gateway Cities." The statement is misleading and shows misunderstanding of what scores truly mean. Mr. and Mrs. Public may have no idea that they are being mislead.

Anonymous said...

I can match your reading cred with additional street cred. I gave you boots on the ground factual info and you still claim to understand more and claim honesty and thought? Attacking a blog is silly. Anyone can post. Like you. It's entertaining as well as informative. Where there is smoke there is sometimes fire. The people that post here inspire the readers to seek out what is accurate and what is opinionated, pandering, damage control or just stirring the pot. I love this blog. I don't expect it to be the bible of the NBPS.

Anonymous said...

Change does not occur through honest and thoughtful discussion..apparently you are too upper middle class to know this,,,I think your in the wrong neighborhood.........