Dear Rahm, let's look at a page of articles about J. C. Brizard, your new education CEO. [View All]

[madfloridian]

There are so many, and they are so not complimentary. One has to wonder who advised you on this selection.

Webliography: J.C. Brizard


Picture from Eric Zorn's article at the Chicago Tribune. "To those who are concerned that this set of links is too skewed toward negative and hostile coverage of Brizard's tenure in Rochester, I invite submissions of links to other stories and assessments. Post those in comments."

This update begins with several recent news stories and commentaries

Chicago Tribune-- New CPS chief leaves old district mired in questions, controversy Brizard heads for Chicago with few tangible achievements, many unfulfilled pledges by Diane Rado and Joel Hood (print headline at the top of Page One today was " CPS’ new boss faces skeptics – NY district left with falling test scores, fiscal woes"):

When Rochester City Schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard departs to take charge of Chicago's public school system, he'll leave behind a largely broken school district with dismal test scores, shaky finances and a fractured relationship with teachers....A Tribune analysis of state and district records shows that even the accomplishments Brizard has heralded in his short time in Rochester are not what they seem.

Chicago Sun-Times editorial-- New CPS chief’s record exaggerated:

Brizard arrived in Rochester in January 2008. That year, 52 percent of students graduated. The 2010 rate is expected to be 51 percent. The 2011 rates come out next year....Elementary test scores are up some, and more students are graduating after five or six years of high school than in the past. But Brizard also struck out in a bid to close schools and start merit pay for teachers....He comes to Chicago with ideas, experience and energy, but let’s not pretend he has worked miracles in Rochester.

Also included is one from Rochester, NY, which claims that Brizard owes them $100,000 for quitting.

Zorn includes more links from Rachel Barnhart at ABC's affiliate in Rochester.

State Test Scores Plummet, Erasing Gains

The state released test score data for grades 3-8, and scores plummeted statewide. The giant drop in scores is because the state toughened grading, after a consultant’s study showed the bar was set too low and the tests did not accurately measure students’ knowledge. Fifty-three percent of students statewide met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts in grades 3-8, dropping from 77.4 percent last year. In mathematics, 61 percent of students statewide met or exceeded standards in grades 3-8, compared to 86.4 percent last year. In the Rochester City School District, 25.3 percent of 3-8 graders met or exceeded state standards on the ELA test, compared to 56 percent last year. In grade 8, 21.1 percent met or exceeded state standards in ELA, compared to 43.1 percent last year. The city’s scores were the lowest among the Big 5 school districts. The RCSD also saw big declines on the math test. Twenty-eight percent of 3-8 graders met or exceeded standards, compared to 63.4 percent last year. Only 14.5 percent of city 8th graders met or exceeded standards, compared to 42.9 percent last year.

RCSD Budget Deeply Cuts Arts, Music, Foreign Language

The school board analysis, discussed in a finance committee meeting last week, shows 46 percent of music teachers, 42 percent of art teachers, 35 percent of foreign language teachers and 19 percent of physical education teachers would get the ax. The school board staff used a detailed district-wide and school-by-school list of positions to come up with the numbers. Some schools would have no art or music. Other schools would have no librarian. Counselors, special education, ESOL, and English were also hit hard.

There are a lot more articles at the link.

Apparently Rahm is just ignoring all the fuss about J. C. Brizard. Here is a video clip in which he is walking away from reporters questioning his choice.

Run Rahm, Run!

That's a trademark characteristic of the education "reformers.".

They simply do not care what we think.