Here are a few more quick updates.
The school board voted 5-4 in favor of the community schools resolution. Four different amendments proposed by the minority were rejected by a 5-4 vote.
The board also approved the reassignment changes recommended last week by the student assignment committee. The board has scheduled a work session for March 31 to discuss the other changes that have been proposed but not yet decided upon.
More liberal grandfathering rules were also approved tonight.
More details on this and other things later.
UPDATE
Public comments have resumed.
"May God have mercy on you for the things you’ve done this evening,” said Nefertiti Byrd, a Raleigh resident to the school board. “There’s no need for Jim Crow to return.
The Rev. Curtis Gatewood, 2nd VP of the state NAACP, had signed up to speak. But he wasn't here when his name was called. Gatewood was nearly arrested at the March 2 meeeting.
Click here for a list of the reassignment changes approved by the board and the new grandfathering guidelines.
Comments
Were the Brier Creek Reassignments to Mills Park Approved???
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:55 — dianehMr. Hui,
Does this mean that the recommended reassignments for Brier Creek to Mills Park Schools was approved last night too? Wasn't sure if there were furthur things the school board had to discuss on tha issue or not? Any info or data you could post on that topic would be great or if anyone else has info please share - Thanks! :)
The Brier Creek moves, along
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 13:15 — KeungHui (author)The Brier Creek moves, along with those recommended by the assignment committee last week were approved Tuesday. They're holding a work session next Wednesday to discuss the ones that the committee referred to COW for more information, such as Wood Valley and the Lacy to Stough moves.
Oh my
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:53 — choice4allwas that Beverly, bailed in the middle of her term, Clark pointing her angry finger on the WRAL promo for news at 10? Oh my.
I just saw that too! I
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:59 — jenmanI just saw that too! I never even thought about the fact that she bailed. Bet she's kicking herself now!
After seeing herself on the
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:29 — changewcpssAfter seeing herself on the news she is not only kicking herself, she is probably wishing she could rewind time and act with more dignity.
Now begins the task of
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:35 — red_balloonNow begins the task of planning.
Planning ??
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:44 — Solon77What makes you think planning is next ? I am sure there is more to do before the board entertains planning.
I wouldn't know why some
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:50 — red_balloonI wouldn't know why some tasks wouldn't proceed in parallel.
What tasks do you see happening?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 21:59 — Dove314You mention your expectations that so many things will be handled during the 9 to 15 month planning phase.
What specific expectations do you have for tasks during this time?
I have hopes, not
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:03 — red_balloonI have hopes, not expectations.
What hopes?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:06 — Dove314Can you share your hopes then? What specific things do you hope will happen now during this 9 to 15 month planning phase?
Short term: I hope my kid
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:11 — red_balloonShort term: I hope my kid gets into a magnet but I hope he doesn't displace an F&R student. Medium to long term: No hopes. The BOE's 9 to 15 month planning period + up to a 3 year transition period makes it impractical to hope that changes will benefit him but hopefully it will benefit future students, especially the disadvantaged.
Appreciate the honesty of your hopes
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:35 — Solon77I appreciate the honesty of your hopes. I am trying to understand how neighborhood schools will help the disadvantaged. I did not see an improvement in Boston when I lived there and as I look around the country - inner city neighborhood schools are struggling as ever before, even after pouring tons of $ into them as in the case of Kansas City. With regards to magnets - I am afraid this to will be the next piece of the school system that will be dismantled. What will be interesting will be how the zones are drawn and the criteria used.
Community based schools vs. neighborhood schools
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:48 — SDR256Your old hometown may have used neighborhood schools, and the term neighborhood schools may get the political juices flowing. But it is community based schools that the board is considering. Different animal. Obama's administration is promoting the community based model as one that can help the graduation rates. Ya wanna be part of the discussion or do you just want to sit on your couch and throw cheez-its at the tv?
What?
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 06:58 — Dove314Ya wanna be part of the discussion or do you just want to sit on your
couch and throw cheez-its at the tv?
What is this? What do you mean by this remark?
it's ok
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 11:04 — Solon77Typical reply when there are no facts or data to support a position. Community is ambiguous, but the majoirty of the people who voted in the new members equate this with neighborhood schools. The new members had to come up with something to justify the change and the declining test scores gave them the justification that the current model was not working and thus needs to be changed. So without any further analysis or intervention to learning why and putting actions around it - we are headlong into a 4-5 year plan to remake the district without any analysis or data that suggests it will indeed improve the education scores. The good news is Wake County information is transparent (alot more than other districts) so measuring the success rate of ED and minority students year over year should be fairly easy to do. Although in 18 months there will be the opportunity to vote in a majority that is pragmatic and truly community driven vs the in your face my way or the highway approach we currently have.
I'll try to answer that one, Dove.
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:08 — petehsSDR broke the rule of not blogging after 11pm.
We are all tired. We are all processing major changes.
Let's cut each other a bit more slack, please, and above all else, DON'T LOSE OUR SENSES OF HUMOR!
Hope to see you tonight.
-K
ok - forgive me
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 06:50 — Solon77Ok forgive me I used neighborhood vs community. Still same question. Boston City is a community based school system as is Providence and Kansas City. Wake County could also be considered a community.
Kansas City Is..
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:10 — JanisTangoKansas City is a major metropolitan area with 9 different school districts. I don't understand what you mean by Kansas City is a 'community based school system'.
The high poverty schools are
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:50 — red_balloonThe high poverty schools are a concern. I hope the committee makes this a priority issue. Tedesco sounds genuine so it will be interesting to see if he and the others can pull it off. I can rally behind the magnets, regardless of my kid's enrollment status, if the admission criteria was merit based and available to both EDs and NEDs.
High poverty schools
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 09:59 — Dove314I hypothesize high poverty schools are not a concern at all to the board majority.
Conjecturing in the absence of actualfactual information, I think Tedesco truly believes the burden is on the shoulders of each individual child to make the most of their circumstance and not count on any assistance from anyone. He also sees a burden on each parent to become a supporter of whatever school their child attends. And he sees the community as a source of voluntary assistance. He sees WCPSS as having no role in assisting a child to achieve beyond providing the school facility and course options. Teachers will know and willingly take on the burden of teaching in a school independent of the poverty level within a school. He will challenge the children directly as he sees this as how to provide them with a sense of self-worth assuming that they will succeed when given this challenge.
Thus the board majority justifies no action at all regarding high poverty schools which will, in turn, be inexpensive for WCPSS and thus taxpayers as well.
response
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:12 — red_balloonYou have shared these thoughts on a different thread today. My response is on the other thread.
Based on your response, I
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:14 — Dove314Based on your response, I feel you're not being truthful in saying you have a concern about high poverty schools. You do not.
Although
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:29 — Athey01I don't know "red balloon" , but from past replies I have read, I preceive his(her) responses as being sincere. Unlike others, he(she) is willing to listen and compromise.
Please don't expect others to share your level of passion and committment on this issue, it may be a concern, but not be a top priority for them.
I take no offence at you
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:25 — red_balloonI take no offence at you calling me a liar. My concern is not about the school, it is about the student. My litmus test is: does the poor student have access to a safe and challenging learning environment? I am not prepared to accept that we gloss over inadequate funding and poor discipline at schools in poor neighborhoods.
merit based
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:36 — stepbystepI've read the "merit-based" criteria mentioned several times on this blog. How do you determine a merit-based plan for kindergarten students? Personally, I think the beauty of our current magnet system is that all children can apply, and I suspect many students, families and teachers discover hidden talents or discover effective ways of teaching/learning. Keep in mind that effective principals at non-magnet schools pay attention to the "incubator effect" at magnets and creatively implement many of the same best practices. It's true weighting favors some folks over others, but all can apply with at least a 10% chance for admission. Changing the criteria was discussed and maybe even decided on today. Of course there are a few million dollars at stake if we get rid of a plan that fosters desegregation.
The principals are not allowed!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:30 — raleighlauraI wonder if your question
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:44 — red_balloonI wonder if your question becomes a valid line of inquiry given the potential change to 6200.
For 2009, you are talking
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:45 — red_balloonFor 2009, you are talking about $3m from MSAP out of about $1100m toward the WCPSS operating expenditure. I agree $3m isn't chump change but it needn't be something that plays such a disproportionate role.
Grades that are too early for asessment can be excluded from the magnet program. But, there are assessments like WRAT available for K, etc.
I'm still not catching on to
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:05 — stepbystepI'm still not catching on to how you propose a k-5 magnet school that doesn't include k-3 in the magnet program? Please explain how that would work. For example, when would the merit-based part of enrollment begin? How would the non-magnet kindergarten students be assigned at the magnet schools. Would you transfer 4th graders to a different school if they were without merit by the end of third grade? How would you manage siblings if one had merit and the other(s) didn't? Are you imagining merit-based entrance for all the magnet programs in WCPSS, such as GT, Creative Arts and Science, Leadership, etc.?
I'm not familiar with WRAT, but I'm guessing WRAT is not free, and I don't see how you could round up 4 year olds equitably and administer the WRAT so they'd be ready to enroll with their test results at age 5 without spending a LOT of money that WCPSS doesn't have.
To your point about MSAP money, remember that we are working on grant money based on a plan of desegregation currently, and the next 3-year grant is due in a couple of months and also requires demonstration of a desegregation plan. You're correct that any number times a million isn't chump change in WCPSS.
random thoughts
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:39 — red_balloonMy point is that the loss of 0.3% of the funding cannot significantly influence a billion dollar budget. I would be surprised if that were the case.
I am not too familiar with WRAT but do remember it was administered to my kid at another school. WRAT is an example so I guess there might be ways to measure at that age. I am not certain how arts, etc. could be assessed but I would assume there are ways since people can differentiate between me and Michael Buble.
I will not profess to know the answers to the questions in paragraph one. But, by way of initial thoughts with no comprehensive analysis or data, I suppose the earliest could be 1st/ 2nd grade to start differentiated education. Magnets could dispense with K and maybe 1st grade, and use those classrooms to expand intake at the subsequent grades. Continued poor performance gets a student transferred out of a magnet. Siblings don't get priority unless demonstrated intelligence is a familial trait.
Assignment
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:09 — Dove314Have to ask if I'm correctly interpreting a sentence in your post.
You posted "Continued poor performance gets a student transferred out of a magnet." To me, this iimplies performance based assignment to a magnet and that other available schools will not be considered of equal quality to the magnet. Or would performance based assignment apply across a zone such that poor performing students would have an assigned school, having "failed out" of their other options?
Can you confirm that I'm interpreting properly or clarify for me?
It means that initial
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:23 — red_balloonIt means that initial assignment is based upon performance and continuance in the program is dependent upon continuing to meet performance criteria. The discussion assumes that WCPSS will not provide better quality education at non-magnets. The question of equality remains unaddressed until WCPSS acts on the anomaly of having up to 12 electives at a magnet and zero at a non-magnet ES. Until that happens, I would prefer aptitude and/ or achievement drive enrollment at programs with enriched offerings than social engineering and business.
Start with 4th grade based
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 00:22 — NWRaleighMomStart with 4th grade based on 3rd grade tasts. Do not accept siblings unless tney are qualified.
response to stebystep's post below
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:57 — red_balloonI have not researched the issue to offer a specific solution that
will work for the majority of students, leave alone all the students.
Hence, I will not deny that my post can come across as naive. However,
my fundamental premise is that a school system should strive to maximize
academic achievements for all students. Until that premise crumbles, I
will venture forth to address some of your questions. Again, bear in
mind that these are thoughts/ ideas and not based on research and
analyses of options.
I do not know if the logistics should be the
first concern. WCPSS has developed expertise over decades past in busing
students across the county. Therefore, with the expertise and
transportation assets already in place, I don't see why it would be a
major challenge to continue with busing except that we now change the
criteria for determining who gets on which bus i.e., you may still get
on a bus but with educational reasons, and not social engineering, being
the primary driver.
What do you mean by expensive? I thought the
programs are already in place and funded. What aspect of focusing on
merit in a school system makes it prohibitively expensive?
I do
not know if focusing on merit is a PR nightmare. On the contrary, it
might help WEP and others market WCPSS as a school system that places a
premium on student accomplishments while continuing to offer others a
sound basic education with attention given to special needs students.
The system is already considered an elitist system. You would have to
be outside a magnet zone to understand that. What I am advocating is
that access to enriched offerings be earned than bestowed by social
engineers.
It is a misconception to believe that non-magnet parents harbor
thoughts of academic utopia thriving in magnet schools. I think we are
aware that magnets offer only so much mileage. But when you look at
twelve electives vs. zero electives, it is a tough sell to state we live
in a world of fantasy.
address the logistics
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 07:42 — stepbystepRed and NW, neither of you are addressing the reality of logistics! Exclude k-1; Move 'em here; transfer them there; don't accept kindergarten siblings who haven't been "tested." Explain, please, because right now your explanation is more than a little naive. And expensive--I'm not even sure where to start on that front. I'm also wondering about your PR--how will you sell such an elitist system? I hope you do get in a magnet school this year so that reality and fantasy can get acquainted with one another.
I am not proposing to move
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:03 — NWRaleighMomI am not proposing to move Kindergarteners. It is not going to start this year or next year. I am proposing how it should work going forward after we switch to zones.
So, you are implying it is not elitist now and all of a sudden becomes one when we accept on merit?
By the way, all other magnet systems guarantee admittance to AG magnets to the brightest children.
...
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:50 — red_balloonResponse is above.
Tedesco
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:58 — commongoodTedesco has made it clear that high poverty schools are acceptable and should not concern us. He's said many times that there should be no efforts to avoid high poverty schools. Income level, in his opinion, has nothing to do with academic performance, so I expect high poverty schools to increase in number.
That was my understanding
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:09 — Dove314It will keep costs down since this justifies not providing any additional resource to the high poverty schools as has been done in other neighborhood models but it will be interesting to see his plans for achievement.
Then
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 02:01 — TrailerParkGirlThen I think you misunderstood.
What type of resources do you envision outside the sort of things described by Arne Duncan's vision of community schools?
I think you misunderstand.
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 08:38 — Dove314I'm saying that what will happen moving forward will be that WCPSS does not provide the resources at taxpayer expense instead hoping to get the business community to provide the resources, similar to the Ariel Investments, most likely to be targeted to the schools of highest poverty and lowest performance.
You always challenge me to learn something new for which I thank you.
Thanks
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 10:54 — TrailerParkGirlThanks for clarifying. To me it read that you were saying John was advocating that those areas did not need/wouldn't get additional resources.
It is actually more than businesses. It would include not-for-profits, local citizens, foundations, etc. Some things are already being done, but not in as coordinated a manner as in the community schools model. Also, from a taxpayer perspective - the federal government is putting money out there for Promise Zones. Schools are only partially local taxpayer funded. One has to consider not only the amount of funding but also how effectively it is spent. Kansas City where the school system built an olympic pool with underwater viewing area is a perfect example of that. In a community schools model, the school system would have worked with the municipality and/or a not-for-profit (like YMCA) to jointly fund a shared facility.
Thanks for listening.
Which magnet(s)?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:30 — Dove314Did you indicate Fuller earlier? Then where for MS?
If he doesn't get in this
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:34 — red_balloonIf he doesn't get in this year, I hope to figure out something. Don't know what the 'something' will be but the hope exists.
newer magnets
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 23:48 — stepbystepIt's my impression that many people overlook some of the newer magnet schools. Remember that Enloe, Ligon, Fuller, Hunter, etc., have come a long way from when they started years ago. Parents entered relatively unchartered territory the first years with the early magnets, similar to how some parents are perhaps feeling about Brentwood, Millbrook HS and the Garner IB schools. It takes years and dedication to slowly build up substantial, sustainable, and reputable programs that I think people new to the area don't fully appreciate. If some of you out there are applying for magnets, and your first choice doesn't work out, at least consider lesser known magnets if offered the chance. You might be surprised at how satisfying it is to invest in and help shape one of these newer endeavors.
I completely agree!! :)
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 08:10 — JSBinNCI completely agree!! :)
Isn't Fuller
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:44 — Solon77Isn't Fuller a magnet school ? What magnet MS does this feed to ? I thought once in the magnet program - always in the magnet program. At least that has been the case for my family and others we know.
That's my undertanding too
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 22:53 — red_balloonThat's my undertanding too i.e., if you get in at the start, you are assured continuity. Feeder pattern: Fuller > Ligon > Enloe/ SER.