I attended the State Board of Education Meeting last night in Dover, Mike Jackson from DOE spoke about the proposed FY 2011 budget as did Dr. Lowery.
Dr. Lowery briefly spoke at the end of the night about the Perkins Grant and the schools can use these computers for DCAS. Perkins Grant, is a federally funded program designed to assist Career and Technical Education Students. Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006 has as its aim to strengthen career and technical education programs by providing resources to high schools as well as colleges and Universities. For more information, click on the link below.
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/sectech/leg/perkins/index.html
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Can Charters Really Compare Their Success to the Traditional Schools When Their Makeup of Students Is So Different?
Comments were left under Red Clay Now posted titled: According to Ravitch, American Schools Have Lost Their Way, What Do You Think, Have We?
Anonymous posted: "You can't cure schools that teach high poverty kids on a shoestring budget."
An anonymous answered: "Bull!!! You don't need a lot of money to do a good job, just concentrated effort. The successful charter schools sure don't have much money, but they succeed."
Selock posted a response: "Which are the successful charters operating on a shoestring with truly high-need/high-risk students?"
Lets look at the following charters and their percentages of ELL students, Low Income students, and Spec Ed students:
Wilmington Charter - English Language Learners 0% - Low Income students 0% - Special Education 0%
Delaware Military Academy - English Language Learners 9% - Low Income Students 9.3% - Special Education 2%
Odyssey - English Language Learners 0% - Low Income 24.7% - Special Education 4%
Lets compare a few of our Red Clay Schools:
Mote Elementary School - English Language Learners 55.8% - Low Income Students - 81.1% - Special Education 7.5%
Baltz Elementary School - English Language Learners 33.32% - Low Income Students 72.5% - Special Education 7.5%
Marbrook Elementary School - English Language Learners 54.1% - Low Income Students 79.1% -Special Education 7.5%
What are your thoughts? Does money matter? Are charters succeeding on a shoestring budget? Or are they succeeding because they do not have high needs/high risk students? Share your thoughts.
All the above schools either met AYP or were above target for last school year.
Anonymous posted: "You can't cure schools that teach high poverty kids on a shoestring budget."
An anonymous answered: "Bull!!! You don't need a lot of money to do a good job, just concentrated effort. The successful charter schools sure don't have much money, but they succeed."
Selock posted a response: "Which are the successful charters operating on a shoestring with truly high-need/high-risk students?"
Lets look at the following charters and their percentages of ELL students, Low Income students, and Spec Ed students:
Wilmington Charter - English Language Learners 0% - Low Income students 0% - Special Education 0%
Delaware Military Academy - English Language Learners 9% - Low Income Students 9.3% - Special Education 2%
Odyssey - English Language Learners 0% - Low Income 24.7% - Special Education 4%
Lets compare a few of our Red Clay Schools:
Mote Elementary School - English Language Learners 55.8% - Low Income Students - 81.1% - Special Education 7.5%
Baltz Elementary School - English Language Learners 33.32% - Low Income Students 72.5% - Special Education 7.5%
Marbrook Elementary School - English Language Learners 54.1% - Low Income Students 79.1% -Special Education 7.5%
What are your thoughts? Does money matter? Are charters succeeding on a shoestring budget? Or are they succeeding because they do not have high needs/high risk students? Share your thoughts.
All the above schools either met AYP or were above target for last school year.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
According to Ravitch, American Schools Have Lost Their Way, What Do You Think, Have We?
Information provided by USA Today - Greg Toppo
Over several decades, Ravitch says, American schools have essentially lost their way, forgetting to focus on giving students a solid curriculum and strong teachers. Instead, she says, we've bumbled through a series of crises that have left us with "vague and meaningless standards," an odd, antagonistic public-private competition and an "obsession" with test scores.
"If the goal of schooling is to produce educated people, we've lost sight of that goal," she says in an interview.
Ravitch says charter schools, privately run but publicly funded, cherry-pick a neighborhood's best students and kick out under-performers, forcing surrounding public schools to teach a depleted talent pool.
It's a far cry from the vision of Albert Shanker, the late American Federation of Teachers leader who championed charter schools in the late 1980s. Shanker, she says, envisioned charters as small "laboratories of innovation" within existing public schools. What they've become, she says, is a privatized sector that competes with the public school and in some cases wants to "kill" it.
To read the entire USA Today article, click on the link below.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-03-10-ravitchbook10_st_N.htm
Over several decades, Ravitch says, American schools have essentially lost their way, forgetting to focus on giving students a solid curriculum and strong teachers. Instead, she says, we've bumbled through a series of crises that have left us with "vague and meaningless standards," an odd, antagonistic public-private competition and an "obsession" with test scores.
"If the goal of schooling is to produce educated people, we've lost sight of that goal," she says in an interview.
Ravitch says charter schools, privately run but publicly funded, cherry-pick a neighborhood's best students and kick out under-performers, forcing surrounding public schools to teach a depleted talent pool.
It's a far cry from the vision of Albert Shanker, the late American Federation of Teachers leader who championed charter schools in the late 1980s. Shanker, she says, envisioned charters as small "laboratories of innovation" within existing public schools. What they've become, she says, is a privatized sector that competes with the public school and in some cases wants to "kill" it.
To read the entire USA Today article, click on the link below.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-03-10-ravitchbook10_st_N.htm
Superintendent Will Not Pursue or Accept Consulting Job with Colonial Once He Retires
To read the DelawareOneline article, click on the link below
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100310/NEWS03/3100354/Meney-won-t-consult-for-Colonial
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100310/NEWS03/3100354/Meney-won-t-consult-for-Colonial
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Colonial School District, What is Going On?
George Meney is going to consult with Colonial School District at $100 per hour after his retirement in July. These arrangements were arranged in a private meeting with the Colonial School Board. Meney also hand picked his successor with no job posting or public input and the board approved it.
They hold board meetings that only allow public comment every other month while the meeting is in session (alternate meetings allow it informally afterward) and a three-tiered meeting system that curtails public input.
To read the Delawareonline article, click on the link below.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100309/NEWS03/3090344/No-public-input-in-Colonial-choice
They hold board meetings that only allow public comment every other month while the meeting is in session (alternate meetings allow it informally afterward) and a three-tiered meeting system that curtails public input.
To read the Delawareonline article, click on the link below.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100309/NEWS03/3090344/No-public-input-in-Colonial-choice
Choice, Charter, Magnet and Neighborhood Schools, What Do You Think?
Under Red Clay Now post titled: Choice Policy Frequently Asked Questions the following two comment were left,
" Selock said...I am so deeply disturbed by Choice I can barely articulate it. I want absolute transparency in the process. Primarily, I want to see data on where the children attending our elite charter schools are coming from. As a taxpayer I am not going to see resources funneled into creating a free private school experience for children with driven parents who could create other opportunities, while the poor continue to be shut out. It's outrageous, and it's getting more out of control with every year. I'd love to see choice & charters abolished, to be quite honest. It's both a symptom and a further cause of the deepening social injustice & void of community in this state. Argh!!"
"Anonymous said...I'd like to see charter's and magnate schools abolished. We should start focusing our time and money on traditional public schools that support the neighborhoods they are located in. Why does red clay support charter's. I've never understood this, no other district does.
I know that choice is a state law and the district can't tell people they can't choice anymore. But if they would support all schools, people would stay in their own neighborhood."
What do think about these two comments, do you agree, disagree, or somewhat agree?
" Selock said...I am so deeply disturbed by Choice I can barely articulate it. I want absolute transparency in the process. Primarily, I want to see data on where the children attending our elite charter schools are coming from. As a taxpayer I am not going to see resources funneled into creating a free private school experience for children with driven parents who could create other opportunities, while the poor continue to be shut out. It's outrageous, and it's getting more out of control with every year. I'd love to see choice & charters abolished, to be quite honest. It's both a symptom and a further cause of the deepening social injustice & void of community in this state. Argh!!"
"Anonymous said...I'd like to see charter's and magnate schools abolished. We should start focusing our time and money on traditional public schools that support the neighborhoods they are located in. Why does red clay support charter's. I've never understood this, no other district does.
I know that choice is a state law and the district can't tell people they can't choice anymore. But if they would support all schools, people would stay in their own neighborhood."
What do think about these two comments, do you agree, disagree, or somewhat agree?
Don't Forget, You Can View Your Child's Interims on Home Access Center
Click on the link below, to view your child's grades and interims.
https://hac.doe.k12.de.us/homeaccess/
https://hac.doe.k12.de.us/homeaccess/
Monday, March 8, 2010
Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship
To learn more about nominating someone, visit http://www.kohlscorporation.com/CommunityRelations/scholarship/index.asp
Nominations will be accepted to March 15.
Nominations will be accepted to March 15.
Community Financial Review Committee Meeting Tonight, March 8th
Community Financial Review Committee Meeting tonight at Brandywine Springs. The meeting will start at 6:30. There will be a financial statement audit presentation by Barbacane Thornton Co.
To view the entire agenda, click on the link below.http://www.redclay.k12.de.us/boardcfrc0910/meetings/CFRC_AG_2010-03-08.pdf
To view the entire agenda, click on the link below.http://www.redclay.k12.de.us/boardcfrc0910/meetings/CFRC_AG_2010-03-08.pdf
DSTP Math Begins on March 10th for Grades 2 through 10
DSTP Math - March 10th, 11th, and make-up on the 12th. There are also make-up days on March 17th through the 25th.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Innovative Schools, Should They Be Held Somewhat Accountable for Moyer's Failures?
Kilroy's post - Delaware state legislators snubs concerned students is about Moyer, the recent rally.
Where is Innovative Schools? Innovative Schools state they are a non-profit organization committed to promoting outstanding student achievement in Delaware by developing excellent schools.
Here is Innovative Schools Vision:
Over the next five years, Innovative Schools will increase the number of high-quality school seats available for Delaware students by:
Advancing the development and opening of innovative, high-quality charter schools that meet the needs of Delaware students.
Working with Delaware schools to increase their capacity to turn around underperforming schools.
Increasing the leadership capacity of school leaders and teaching staff.
Improving the quality of public schools by implementing nationally recognized reform programs. Helping schools renovate or purchase school facilities through the Loan Guaranty Fund.
Innovative Schools also helped Moyer to obtain financing for building acquisition, renovation, construction, or leasehold improvements.
http://www.innovativeschools.org/
Who sits on the Board of Directors at Innovative Schools:
Paul Herdman, Ed.D.Board Chairman, President and CEO, Rodel Foundation of Delaware
Martha ManningCommunity Volunteer
Peter MorrowPresident, Welfare Foundation
Craig SchroederCommunity Volunteer
Matthew SwansonCEO, Fine Stationery Solutions, Inc.
Advisory Board
Richard Carter, Ed.D.Principal, Talley Middle School, Brandywine School District
Stephanie Clark FitzgeraldNational Director of New Leaders Community Support New Leaders for New Schools
Kevin HallCEO and PresidentCharter School Growth Fund
Charles S. McDowell, Esq.Attorney, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP - Board Chair, East Side Charter School
Paul Herdman served in the Secretary of Education’s office for two governors in Massachusetts, a state that is now the nation’s top performer, during the wholesale redesign of the state’s policies on standards, choice, and finance.
Mass Insight is located in Massachusetss and has signed Delaware, along with five other states (Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New York) in a three-year public-private partnership to create scalable and sustainable strategies for turning around clusters of their lowest-performing schools.
Martha Manning founded the Delaware Charter Schools Network, which is a membership association of all of Delaware’s charter schools.
Peter C. Morrow serves as the Executive Director of the Welfare Foundation, and formerly served as Executive Director of the Longwood Foundation from 1997 to 2009.
Matt Swanson currently serves on the board of Layton Preparatory School as a Foundation Director, and First State Innovation, a nonprofit economic development initiative led by the U.S. Department of Commerce and charter with improving the entrepreneurial landscape in Delaware.Advisory Board.
Kevin Hall served as Chief Operating Officer of the Broad Foundation. He is also a co-founder and former senior vice president of business development of Chancellor Beacon Academies, which manages public charter and private schools across the United States. He also held positions at McKinsey & Co., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Teach For America.
Stephanie Clark Fitzgerald is National Director of New Leaders Community Support for New Leaders for New Schools. She is the immediate past President and CEO of the Rodel Charitable Foundation of DE. As an education consultant, Stephanie assisted in opening two schools in Washington, D.C. for the Edison Project; provided school-level accountability development for Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, Illinois; and with KPMG Consulting, conducted performance reviews for districts and states and assisted in developing and marketing an education data warehouse.
Charles S. McDowell, Esq. is currently Chairman of the Board of East Side Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware which serves 400 + pre K – 8th grade inner-city students.
Innovative Schools have been paid by the following schools: $251,968.
Academy of Dover
Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security
Delaware College Prep Academy
Family Foundations Academy
Las Americas Aspira Academy
Moyer Academy
Odyssey Charter
Pencader Business and Finance
Prestiage Academy
Reach Academy for Girls
Sussex Academy of Arts /Science
Thomas Edison Charter
Christina School District
Innovative Schools Development Corporation - $66,828.74 when I look this up, http://www.dlc.org/print.cfm?contentid=251957 Innovative Schools website came up.
Academy of Dover
Delaware College Prep Academy
Family Foundations Academy
Odyssey
Christina School District
Teacher of America has been paid by the following schools: $190,000.00.
Delaware College Preparatory Academy
East Side Charter
Kuumba Academy
Prestige Academy
Thomas Edison Charter
Red Clay School District
Innovative Schools also helped Moyer to obtain financing for building acquisition, renovation, construction, or leasehold improvements.
William Guenther , who is President of Mass Insight Education and Research Institute in Boston, a policy and research group that has been instrumental for years in establishing rigorous academic standards in Massachusetts, generally considered one of the highest performing states in the country.
Mr. Guenther is also on the Board of Advisors for Renaissance School Services.
Renaissance School Services has been paid by East Side Charter $324,649.
Charles S. McDowell, Esq.Attorney, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP - Board Chair, East Side Charter School Chair, and sits on the Board of Directors for Innovative Schools.
Where is Innovative Schools? Innovative Schools state they are a non-profit organization committed to promoting outstanding student achievement in Delaware by developing excellent schools.
Here is Innovative Schools Vision:
Over the next five years, Innovative Schools will increase the number of high-quality school seats available for Delaware students by:
Advancing the development and opening of innovative, high-quality charter schools that meet the needs of Delaware students.
Working with Delaware schools to increase their capacity to turn around underperforming schools.
Increasing the leadership capacity of school leaders and teaching staff.
Improving the quality of public schools by implementing nationally recognized reform programs. Helping schools renovate or purchase school facilities through the Loan Guaranty Fund.
Innovative Schools also helped Moyer to obtain financing for building acquisition, renovation, construction, or leasehold improvements.
http://www.innovativeschools.org/
Who sits on the Board of Directors at Innovative Schools:
Paul Herdman, Ed.D.Board Chairman, President and CEO, Rodel Foundation of Delaware
Martha ManningCommunity Volunteer
Peter MorrowPresident, Welfare Foundation
Craig SchroederCommunity Volunteer
Matthew SwansonCEO, Fine Stationery Solutions, Inc.
Advisory Board
Richard Carter, Ed.D.Principal, Talley Middle School, Brandywine School District
Stephanie Clark FitzgeraldNational Director of New Leaders Community Support New Leaders for New Schools
Kevin HallCEO and PresidentCharter School Growth Fund
Charles S. McDowell, Esq.Attorney, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP - Board Chair, East Side Charter School
Paul Herdman served in the Secretary of Education’s office for two governors in Massachusetts, a state that is now the nation’s top performer, during the wholesale redesign of the state’s policies on standards, choice, and finance.
Mass Insight is located in Massachusetss and has signed Delaware, along with five other states (Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New York) in a three-year public-private partnership to create scalable and sustainable strategies for turning around clusters of their lowest-performing schools.
Martha Manning founded the Delaware Charter Schools Network, which is a membership association of all of Delaware’s charter schools.
Peter C. Morrow serves as the Executive Director of the Welfare Foundation, and formerly served as Executive Director of the Longwood Foundation from 1997 to 2009.
Matt Swanson currently serves on the board of Layton Preparatory School as a Foundation Director, and First State Innovation, a nonprofit economic development initiative led by the U.S. Department of Commerce and charter with improving the entrepreneurial landscape in Delaware.Advisory Board.
Kevin Hall served as Chief Operating Officer of the Broad Foundation. He is also a co-founder and former senior vice president of business development of Chancellor Beacon Academies, which manages public charter and private schools across the United States. He also held positions at McKinsey & Co., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Teach For America.
Stephanie Clark Fitzgerald is National Director of New Leaders Community Support for New Leaders for New Schools. She is the immediate past President and CEO of the Rodel Charitable Foundation of DE. As an education consultant, Stephanie assisted in opening two schools in Washington, D.C. for the Edison Project; provided school-level accountability development for Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, Illinois; and with KPMG Consulting, conducted performance reviews for districts and states and assisted in developing and marketing an education data warehouse.
Charles S. McDowell, Esq. is currently Chairman of the Board of East Side Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware which serves 400 + pre K – 8th grade inner-city students.
Innovative Schools have been paid by the following schools: $251,968.
Academy of Dover
Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security
Delaware College Prep Academy
Family Foundations Academy
Las Americas Aspira Academy
Moyer Academy
Odyssey Charter
Pencader Business and Finance
Prestiage Academy
Reach Academy for Girls
Sussex Academy of Arts /Science
Thomas Edison Charter
Christina School District
Innovative Schools Development Corporation - $66,828.74 when I look this up, http://www.dlc.org/print.cfm?contentid=251957 Innovative Schools website came up.
Academy of Dover
Delaware College Prep Academy
Family Foundations Academy
Odyssey
Christina School District
Teacher of America has been paid by the following schools: $190,000.00.
Delaware College Preparatory Academy
East Side Charter
Kuumba Academy
Prestige Academy
Thomas Edison Charter
Red Clay School District
Innovative Schools also helped Moyer to obtain financing for building acquisition, renovation, construction, or leasehold improvements.
William Guenther , who is President of Mass Insight Education and Research Institute in Boston, a policy and research group that has been instrumental for years in establishing rigorous academic standards in Massachusetts, generally considered one of the highest performing states in the country.
Mr. Guenther is also on the Board of Advisors for Renaissance School Services.
Renaissance School Services has been paid by East Side Charter $324,649.
Charles S. McDowell, Esq.Attorney, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP - Board Chair, East Side Charter School Chair, and sits on the Board of Directors for Innovative Schools.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
