What’s wrong with this picture?

[erinlough]

I just got our schools state test scores back. Our state test is not watered down or easy. Our school scored from 80-97% proficient in math and language arts in all grades. We have worked very hard to structure a school with; flexible schedules, collaboration for teachers, remedial programs by total inclusion, thoughtful school improvement every year, and hiring the best and brightest we could afford.

On Monday night, we were informed that because the state is broke and some of our previous funding was recaptured by our Governor we will be changing back to a Junior high, rigid schedule and lose most of the improvements we have made. Teachers will be laid off to cover the shortages, and our high school will lose their flexible scheduling as well. We will, of course, still try with everything we have to keep up the great gains we have made. However, the changes we had previously made were expressly decided upon to improve our school.

IMHO this is what is killing the public school, not the problems Duncan is crowing about. Must we destroy all schools completely to improve the poorly performing schools? I’m just sick about this situation. All of our kids deserve so much more.

[alp227]

1. Duncan Donuts is probably manufacturing trouble to get what he wants.

I betcha that he himself created those issues to make things look bad and gain legitimacy in offering his hand in assistance. This is a great school you have right there. Maybe Duncan Donuts needs to read DU more often or get handcuffed and escorted to this type of school by the local police, sit in class for a day, and open his eyes.

[Hannah Bell]

4. duncan donuts! i love it. the guy never had a job in his life that a connected pal didn't hand him.

[mzteris]

5. Did he "manufacture" the economy being f'd?

The problem wasn't their scores or teaching - it's the BUDGET CUTS!

Are they absolutely stupid to go back to the "old method"? Yes.

Do they have the money to continue implementing the new successful method? Obviously not.

So what choice do they have? Obviously the teachers won't work for less pay (they're not paid enough as it is!) People don't want to pay more taxes. Revenues are way down for local and state use

I don't see hth you can lay the economy at Duncan's feet, nor the changes being forced on this school system.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. I am curious how come cutting a flexible schedule is a cost saver

I would think it would be a more efficient and effective use of staff time and other resources.

[erinlough]

3. In the middle school

we worked in teams by grade level. For comparison this used three teachers per grade level. When you go to a Junior High schedule you can cover two grade levels with 4 teachers by having one teacher teaching each discipline; English, Science, Social Studies, Math, to two grade levels. Therefore, you can cut four staff members from a building which houses 4 grade levels. Re- reading that it does not sound clear, right now a team teaches 8th grade, we concentrate on our group of 90 students. Next year we will teach only one subject but to 180 students over the day, and two different grade levels. I know it doesn't sound like much of a difference, and it is the way I originally started teaching so I know it is do-able, but I also know the other way, teaming produces a much more child centered situation which allowed us to reach all the children in a more personal way, allowed us to remediate and include the special education students as part of the general curriculum. Like I have said, we won't be unable to do it, I just hope we can keep up with the gains we have made.