What's the best course of action to take if you're a supporter of the diversity policy after Tuesday's night Wake County school board vote?
As noted in today's article, some groups are vowing to fight the new board majority's every step over the next nine to 15 months as the community assignment zones are developed. But others are taking a more conciliatory tone.
Yevonne Brannon, chairwoman of the Great Schools in Wake Coalition, said they're going to vet everything the board does and point out problems to the public. She doesn't think the majority will be able to implement the new model.
"At some point, reality is going to set in," Brannon said. "It's one thing to have a notion. It's quite another to put your vision into action."
She predicted the public opposition to the board's actions will increase to the point that "the community won't let the board's vote stand."
The Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, also said the group will still be looking to block the abandonment of the diversity policy.
"They've said it will take nine to 15 months," Barber said. "We will be there every step of the way. When we feel they're stepping out of bounds, we'll address it."
The Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association, which is a member of the Great Schools in Wake Coalition, is being more conciliatory.
RWCA President Dan Coleman said the board vote "hopefully presents all of us an opportunity to strengthen all of our families and communities as we move forward together.”
“The RWCA stands ready willing and able to work with our Board of Education in crafting a new assignment policy that causes all communities to be high functioning and engaged communities,” Coleman said.
Comments
Since it has been such a
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 20:02 — Dove314Since it has been such a struggle to get information on "Community Schools", figured I would share what I find as I find it.
For those with an interest, here is one organizations FAQ's for what they see as Community Schools (along with other information if you look around including information on grants being funded by the US Dept of Education on the subject).
Put the www. stuff in front.
communityschools.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=27
There are also references provided in some cases that might be helpful. There is language in some sections that is eerily similar to the Whereas clauses of the Board's resolution.
I'm sorry--we've posted the
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 20:04 — jenmanI'm sorry--we've posted the communityschools.org website before. I thought that it had been posted again recentlly by TPG. I guess that sometimes when something's been talked about and linked to before you forget that new people are popping in all the time and may not have seen it. We talked about it a lot before the election.
I'm glad you found the website. There are some interesting schools profiled and inteviews with Arne Duncan (US Secy of Ed).
TPG may well have
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 20:20 — Dove314I'm still at the beginning on this one. But this is the type of information I was requesting earlier in the week.
I tried looking on the WSCA website but was put off by having to register to see anything (or maybe I was just clueless) as I hoped it would have links.
Is there some group locally that has links to all of this information?
here is another (put just http://) with insights into a community partnerships.
communitiesinschools.org/ with a local affiliate(put http://www.)
ciswake.org/about/
Here is a list of references which purport to show evidence showing the strength of community schools. I say purport as I've just found them.
http://www.
nccenet.org/Resources/AllResources.cfm
My apologies for reposting this for those who already have this information or have seen it posted before.
Thanks
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 23:51 — TrailerParkGirlI've posted the first link before multiple places and thought I'd posted in response to you at some point recently, so sorry if I dropped the ball on getting the information to you. However, the more the merrier as they say, so no apologies necessary for reposting. Also, I don't recall posting the nccenet site (haven't checked it out yet).
Kudos to D Coleman at RWCA.
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:47 — changewcpssKudos to D Coleman at RWCA. Finally someone from the other side actually acting like an adult and expressing a willingness to work with others. The rest of the Great Schools (cough cough) cluster and NAACP need to grow up and stop the temper tantrums. I've never seen a bigger group of adults acting like stubborn children in all my life. They are so afraid of actually educating our ED kids that they're going to fight a positive movement and continue the to ignore these kids' needs. Incredible.
Agree
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 14:52 — SDR256I was inspired by his quotes. I had intended to write to him to say thank you, but the week just got away from me. If you're out there reading, Mr. Coleman: Thank you for your careful and considerate comments that make collaboration seem possible!
BEWARE EC Changes
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:10 — willynillyPlease be aware and vigilant, next year some serious changes are taking place. EC Teachers (this from an EC teacher in Greensboro) will loose their HQ status. Their qualifications will no longer be considered and they will have hoops through which to jump.
At my school we have already been told that ALL EC students will be placed in regular ed classrooms.
The changes will be severe if they come to fruition as things have been presented. I know the WCPSS turn of events have people in an uproar, but things are still happening that can make other major changes, too.
What is this about the HQ
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 18:13 — aquaman4life68What is this about the HQ status of the "EC" teachers...what do you mean?
I'm greatly concerned with this, especially the strain on the regular ed teacher having to handle and teach so many special ed children. NOt that the children don't deserve everything, but to me the teacher, the reg. ed children and the spec. ed children ALL lose in the end! I just don't get it?!?!
NCAE is calling a meeting in
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 19:06 — willynillyNCAE is calling a meeting in another school system to start addressing the issue now. When I get more I'll post more.
willynilly
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 19:56 — choice4allCould you please define what EC means as well as HQ?
Thank you
EC is Exceptional Children
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 22:17 — willynillyEC is Exceptional Children and HQ means Highly Qualified. Some huge changes in how those things work are coming down the pipe for next year.
Does HQ status provide a
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 14:44 — ApexterDoes HQ status provide a higher status or pay rate? As a "civilian," I'm not sure what the implications are.
I do think this is a very negative route they're starting to head down, however. Some of those exceptional children are really very, very exceptional, and I don't feel it will be in either their best interest, or the interest of the other children, to try to mainstream them into the standard classroom.
Note about the "article" today:
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:44 — petehsPLEASE NOTE:
My quote was taken completely out of context. Surprise, surprise. My conversation with Keung yesterday centered around sitting down TOGETHER and working on this TOGETHER. My comments were not meant to inflame, but rather unite. WSCA demonstrates what we say by conducting meetings like the one we held last night at K&S Cafeteria. We had a wonderful cross-section of supporters from both sides of this discussion, and I believe that the conversation was groundbreaking for many. Please join us at the end of April for our next opportunity to build bridges.
Sincerely, Kristen Stocking
Lacrosse and baseball kept
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:51 — changewcpssLacrosse and baseball kept me away from your meeting last night but I look forward to April. The efforts of WSCA to unite parents and work together are evident and you are to be commended.
Don't expect the status quo to show up because they don't want to face the truth and don't want to change the destructive policies put in place. Rather than admit their past snafus and work for positive solutions, they want to hide their mistakes even when it means harming ED students.
"Don't expect the status quo
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 16:18 — festus"Don't expect the status quo to show up because they don't want to face
the truth and don't want to change the destructive policies put in
place. Rather than admit their past snafus and work for positive
solutions, they want to hide their mistakes even when it means harming
ED students."
I sure feel welcomed! I sure feel like my point of view matters to you, change. I sure feel like I might be part of the solution.
I do not know you and I do
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 01:15 — changewcpssI do not know you and I do not know your point of view. If you want to be part of the solution, I think that is great. If you want to keep the old destructive policies in place instead of educating the ED students, you will show that you are only part of the problem. Help or hurt; your choice not mine.
"status quo"
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 13:06 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
Hi changewcpss,
I guess I am one of the terrible status quo, Great Schools In Wake county people. I am sorry you were not at the meeting last night. There were other folks like me there as well. One of the postive things to come from the meeting was people took time to LISTEN to each other. I found the meeting illuminating and I look forward to meeting you in April. Please don't lump people into preconcieved groups, it makes it honest and open communication difficult.
I am glad you took the time
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 13:20 — changewcpssI am glad you took the time to attend last night's meeting. They really are an inclusive group. If more people did that we would all benefit from each other. I apologize for the lumping. I too want Great Schools in Wake County but I think what this GSIW group is doing is a complete farce. Due to her negative actions and antics, claiming association with Y Brennan will automatically lump you into her effort to obnoxiously fight the school board at every turn. Why would someone say she wants great schools and then accept the dismal results? How can she claim she wants great schools but proudly say that she will fight against those attempting to bring about excellence in education for everyone? Perhaps she is caught up in the failed healthy schools vs. healthy students debate and she does not have concern for the individual students. What a shame. I do not know. She comes off as someone who will be an obstacle to positive change as she strives to bring more attention to herself. Me, I want both healthy students and great schools. The ignorance displayed by some members of this Great Schools cluster and NAACP puts egg on the face of others who actually do see the need for change. My apologies to you.
Thanks for the reply
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 14:04 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
Hi change,
I guess from the tone of your response you are glad I came, you unhappy with this Y Brennan person, and her actions of the past. I can't change the past. I do understand political reality and I am unwilling to sit and observe the Wake County School Board create multiple high poverty schools without raising some questions. I do hope to meet you in April as I think there is much we can learn from each other. Remember, I am Harry, not Y Brennan. Ms. Brennan and I share some common values and from what I've read of your posting I think you and I also share some common values. Let's take time to talk and build a better school district for our children.
I look forward to it
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 15:21 — changewcpssI look forward to it Harry. I could throw out Y Brannon's past and assume she wants positive change, except for whoops, yesterday she again proved that she does not want positive change. She said that she will fight the new board blah blah blah.
Be happy you are not a follower of this woman. Anyone who would claim association with her negative effort and attention mongering will only come across as poorly as she does. Her actions show that she is trouble and she is only out to make trouble. You and I, we want to build a better school district for all of our children. See you next month. I will be the one wearing the glasses, fake nose, and fake moustache to remain anonymous.
Glad you jumped in, Harry.
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 13:10 — jenmanGlad you jumped in, Harry. I was going to say that we had several people there who were 'status quo'. Not sure what term to use instead. Basically, they weren't supporters of the new board's directions but they weren't necessarily 100% supporters of the old board's actions either.
I'd note that the quote was
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:00 — KeungHui (author)I'd note that the quote was right after a paragraph which mentioned that supporters of the new board were calling on the opposition to work with the board to develop the new plan. The quote amplified on the belief that it wasn't productive to be combative with the new board majority's efforts.
The vast majority of
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:02 — woodstockThe vast majority of intelligent and involved parents and taxpayers in Wake County support the new direction that WCPSS is taking. The fringe dwelling opposition like Brannon, Barber and the CCCAAC can continue in their attempts to thwart the change, but it has far too much momemtum to be stopped.
During the next BOE election cycle, it will be even more evident that positive student-focused change is here to stay. Hill and Morrison will be voted out of office and we well will add to the family-friendly, common sense majority on the board working for improving education in Wake County for all students.
One can either get on board now to work with the new board majority for much needed change in Wake County or continue to resist the change and be part of the problem.
The N&O has made their choice; they want to cling to the remnants of the desperate and falied status quo. I doubt they will ever change. It will be their sad legacy. As the community schools model gains momentum and demonstrates success, the N&O will be revealed to be the out-of-touch purveyors of false social engineering theories we alwasy knew they were.
I do not accept your first
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 16:15 — festusI do not accept your first sentence woodstock. Not at all. This is not a fringe group of opponents. Please don't think that, it is not useful. Instead this is rapidly shaping up to be a real showdown in which "community" is going to be defined ever more narrowly away from Wake County towards "my neighborhood." Hope not, because that is lose-lose for all parties.
So...
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 22:06 — Bob_SconceHow would we know?
Before the election, the supporters of the previous board's policies were calling THEIR opponents a "vocal minority" and a "fringe group." It turns out that they were wrong. Could it be that they were actually describing themselves?
Not trying to say that they are, or that they're not. Just pointing out that it's possible for one side to be very vocal, yet still represent a minority.
Really ?!?
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:34 — Wake_Parent"The vast majority of intelligent and involved parents and taxpayers in Wake County" - You've got to be kidding woodstock.
Have you not been paying attention ? The county is divided on this issue. The reason this resolution passed is because the "gang of 5" has a majority on the school board.
What's sad is that the minority members offered a counter proposal that the other members weren't willing to look at. Did any of you hear Matt Duval speak ? He offered a reasonable compromise, too.
Yes, I pay very close
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:24 — woodstockYes, I pay very close attention and I hear an overwhelming amount of the support for WCPSS's new direction toward a community schools model. I just don't base public sentiment on the enormously biased media outlets like the N&O and the Independent who seem to like to focus on the fringe opposition elements. Everyday people who pay the taxes, have kids in the schools and who rely on the BoE to develop policies that consider their interests are rejoicing.
I think you're dreaming
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 11:32 — Courage21I think you're dreaming Woodstock- Even many of my conservative friends and acquaintances are shocked and feel very uncertain and like their assignment is very unstable at this time. Even people who supported the new board members. Some of them are Magnet parents who had no idea that their schools would be so attacked. Some of them are people who were in year round and have had that yanked out from under them in one way or another. Several of them don't yet know what their base school will be next year (which for some of them starts in July). People spoke against the Community based schools resolution by huge margins as compared to those supporting it- 8 to 1 on March 2nd.
Attacked?
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 13:01 — Bob_SconceWhat is it that gets the magnet parents so upset?
My impression is that the opponents of the board majority have been running around accusing the majority of wanting to end the magnet program and scaring magnet parents in the process. But, I haven't seen any significant statements from the board majority saying that they wanted to do that.
I could be wrong, but apart from some fiddling with the margins, I doubt that there will be any significant changes to the magnet program for current magnet students.
Perhaps
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 14:29 — Dove314Perhaps the major question outstanding is the one Mr. Ansbacher and his staff brought up to the board on Tuesday and relates to how the board majority will fulfill the magnet grant requirements regarding desegragation commitments. If I understood the discussion, historically, the use of economic diversity as a surrogate for ethnic diversity in the assignment policy was used to fulfill the requirements. By doing away with the diversity policy, WCPSS needs some other way to fulfill the desegregation requirements or each magnet grant or grant extension becomes at risk on an annual basis when it comes up for review. At least one grant representing $3+ million is up for extension very soon so the issue is pressing for at least that grant. Since the board can not replace funding lost should we no longer fulfill the grant requirements, unless the board (majority) acts fairly quickly to address the question, the board (majority) will have decreased the available budget for the magnet programs by their actions. While grants will be pursued outside the designated standard magnet process, both in general and also specifically related to the community schools models, it is not clear whether this could result in just a net decline in budget specific to the magnet programs or an overall loss to WCPSS as a whole.
This is a wee bit more than fiddling at the margins.
Ansbacher brought up a good
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 17:12 — jenmanAnsbacher brought up a good question--you're right. What I really want to know is how magnet schools like Farmington Woods, Underwood and several others fit into this 'desegregation' plan. We have several magnets that are not located in high poverty or mostly minority areas. Some actually have to bus in low income kids in order to have enough at the school. I'd like to know how those schools aren't already in danger of losing out on magnet money because of that.
If some magnet schools are
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 08:52 — danofncIf some magnet schools are in older, more affluent areas of the county, in places where there isn't enough population to fill schools adequately, wouldn't that sort-of justify the diversity-weighting in early selection rounds?
For a number of years, they
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 20:37 — ApexterFor a number of years, they spot-noded kids from Apex who would otherwise have attended Olive Chapel ES (which was capped for capacity reasons) over to Farmington Woods. If I remember correctly, they booted them out of Farmington Woods a few years back to make room for low-income kids being brought in from Raleigh.
..
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 21:22 — Dove314Don't know -- just responding to Bob's earlier question about why some might be concerned about magnets.
Perhaps this relates to changes in the surrounding area over time. The area around Underwood has undergone economic improvement over time. Could it be that at the time it was assigned magnet status, circumstances were very different? There does need to be a mechanism in place to review this aspect of magnet schools and stop making magnet status a permanent designation.
As long as we're bringing up Underwood...
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 21:01 — Bob_SconceI'll point out that about 1/5th of Underwood's F&R students passed their reading EOGs last year -- among fifth graders, it was 1/8th. OVER HALF of Underwoods F&R students were still Level I readers.
If the idea of a magnet school is to improve performance among poor kids, Underwood is massively failing.
and it looks like only 66
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 21:19 — JSBinNCand it looks like only 66 kids TOTAL took the tests that were ED in grades 3-5? With SEVENTEEN kids as the average class size in 5th grade? and 7/8ths of them failed??? (08/09 data)
Holy.
Can you explain more what
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 19:44 — carson79Can you explain more what you mean by "bus in"? We can use Underwood for an example. I think based on the most recent distance analysis only 6 kids are "bused in" (assigned would be a better word in this case) from outside 3 miles of the school.
I'm not sure you really have a point unless you know more about magnet grants than I do - we have a voluntary desegregation plan that allows for this. Are you saying that the grant people would care that 6 kids at Underwood are assigned from outside 3 miles?
I may be completely missing your point.
Just to add on even though
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 15:31 — carson79Just to add on even though Jenman hasn't responded at all.
Guilford County "magnets" get federal grant money even though there are a couple that are almost all black. I have never heard anything about a magnet losing its grant money because the population was not all from nearby.
"Can you explain more what
Sun, 03/28/2010 - 21:46 — Apexter"Can you explain more what you mean by "bus in"?"
either that node off 70 has
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 15:20 — carson79either that node off 70 has only 6 kids or the distance analysis is wrong. That isn't one of the new neighborhoods that got assigned to daniels and broughton too is it? I remember that happened so that a bunch of historically Leesville neighborhoods didn't have to get assigned to Millbrook to make room for the new neighborhoods.
On checking further, it was
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 20:31 — ApexterOn checking further, it was part of the 3 year reassignment plan, and was reassigned from York to Underwood this year. When you drill down into the details of the plan summary, though, there seems to be some confusion between whether they were talking about this node (018.0) or another (94.0) being moved from Conn to Underwood.
http://ap2008.wcpss.net/assignment-proposal/schools/572.html?view=profile1
It has 28 kids, 89.3% of whom are low income.
http://wwwc.wcpss.net/maps/WCPSS_RAP_2011_APPROVED_20090202_SCHOOLMAP_572_BAS.pdf
I grabbed an address from there --- the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Shadetree Lan --- and put it in google maps. It's a 5.7 mile drive to Underwood.
I wonder if they send a full-size bus for this, or a smaller one. From way back in the days when I rode a bus, I think the capacity was something like 77. This is the sort of thing that shrieks inefficiency to me --- using about a third of the capacity of a bus, and sending it a long distance.
"I could be wrong, but apart
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 13:06 — danofnc"I could be wrong, but apart from some fiddling with the margins, I doubt
that there will be any significant changes to the magnet program for
current magnet students."
If that statement is correct, then we aren't going to a zone-based community schools model.
Why?
Sat, 03/27/2010 - 13:14 — Bob_SconceWhy so? What changes to the magnet program do you think are going to be necessary? Why don't you wait until we see the plan before talking about the end of the world?
Either, the magnet program
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 08:50 — danofncEither, the magnet program as we know it ends, or we aren't going to a zone-based system.
If you have a bunch of schools that have kids bused in from outside of the zones, then you lose:
1) the "independence" of zones (weather, etc)
2) transportation $$$ benefits of a zone system (which are already "iffy")
3) the "proximity" issue as an argument for assignment change
Interesting
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:42 — willynillyStrange how the board being 5-4....and people forget that these people were "voted in" in some form or fasion. To unseat the incumbents would take a majority vote, would it not? LOL
The vast majority? Really?
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:17 — StarLETThe vast majority? Really? Where do you get your numbers? Wake seems pretty divided to me.
And are you saying the opposition isn't intelligent? Excuse me? And if your side is intelligent, it should be willing to carefully look at all the facts--not just the ones that fit your world view.
Yes, the vast majority.
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:47 — woodstockYes, the vast majority. Gauging from the pretty overwhelming positve reaction, it is clear that most people support the new board and the direction they are taking. Also, no one that the opposition claims will be harmed with the long overdue changes has made a peep. All I hear are a few affluent magnet parents -- and too often their rude and self-centered offspring -- throwing a fit because they fear they will lose access to their special magnet programs.
The opposition is not unintelligent, but they are wildly disingenuous. They claim that desicisons were made without a careful examination of the facts. But that is not even remotely true. It is the staus quo that did not look at the facts..they, in fact, even refused to study the facts. Their policies failed the very student population they claimed to want to help. And, it was getting worse, graduation rates and test scores for the most vulnerable students were declining. The public was sold a bill of goods by social engineering activists and that just became clearer and clearer over time.
The truth is all the facts were considered. This situation has been debated for years and in the last election the public said in a very loud voice "we don't buy it anymore." Parents and students were repeatedly asked to make sacrifices, give up any sense of stability, experience all sorts of discriminatory pracrtices, and for what ...so ED students could continue to be shuffled around the system so no one noticed they were failing in increasing numbers?
Woodstock
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:54 — Dove314Are you a member of WSCA? WakeCares?
Jen or Kristen -- is Woodstock a member of your Orgs?
No, I am not a member of
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 12:02 — woodstockNo, I am not a member of those organizations, but I fully support and appreciate their efforts. I attended a couple WSCA meetings last year and have heard some the WakeCares folks speak. A lot of very smart, caring, committed and reasonable people lead those groups. They aren't as hard-assed or opinionated and as I am. I fly solo in my efforts on the blogs and elsewhere; that way I don't have to answer to anyone and no one can tell me I am out of line...that is if I would ever get out of line.
Dallas Woodhouse
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 13:22 — stepbystepOn a different post, I mentioned how I keep picturing Dallas Woodhouse's face when I read Woodstock's posts. Maybe it's the ideologue/dialogue conflict I run into when I read Woodstock. For most other posters with whom I disagree, there is experience, thought and reason behind their points, and most are open to reasonable discussion.