What a Shame!!

I will likely never live in Alabama but I have a deep concern for the state, its students and residents. In the past few days the Alabama State Board of Education, because of the teacher shortage, has now said that people can teach the state's students even though these people will not possess teacher certification. That's right, you can teach in Alabama even though you aren't certified.

These part-time teachers will be called adjunct teachers and can teach in any subject area. I get it...this is one way to address the problem of a teacher shortage.

What worries me most about this idea and the problem of the crisis nationwide is that the inability to get highly qualified teachers into the classroom means that the kids are shortchanged. You can cut it any way you want but, poorly prepared people going into the classroom will have an adverse affect on the children.

No child, rich or poor, in any part of America should be educated in this manner.

Dick

CPS Financial Mess Continues

Yesterday's monthly CPS Board of Education meeting produced another bombshell. The financial guru's had to put off the $875 million bond sale. The interest rate to be paid on the enormous bond sell had been set at 7.7%. It would be interesting to know exactly why the bond sale was pulled from the market. Who knows

Perhaps the district's underwriters couldn't lure enough investors into the deal. No doubt the current financial condition of the district weighed heavily into the matter. It might well be that potential investors simply don't think that CPS will be able to meet its principal and interest payments going forward. Others might believe that CPS should go after a smaller bond sale. After all, part of the bond sale would have been earmarked to refinance debt.

Bottom line, it is never good, according to the experts, to have a bond sale ready to go and then to withdraw it. Just more additional financial chaos.

Dick

Flint Fiasco in Schools

It was discovered as early as October of 2015 that three schools in Flint, MI had toxic levels of lead in the drinking water. One wonders just how long the children and staff members at Freeman, Brownell/Holmes and Eisenhower had been drinking the polluted water prior to this discovery. Of course, the big concern in the short term as well as the long run is what will the effects be on all of the people.

I realize that these students now have bottled water. Hopefully, they aren't taking showers at the school or washing their hands with the toxic water. Also, I hope that the high schools as well as charters and private schools are being taken care of.

Even switching back to the Detroit water system isn't enough to safeguard the kids. Unless the pipes are changed out I don't see how merely switching the source of water eliminates the problem(s). The schools pipes, sinks, dishwashers, shower heads, drinking fountains and more will have to be dealt with.

And the 'elephant in the room' says; when will these alterations and repairs take place and who will pay?

Dick

Call It Like I See It

As the days and years go by, as we work with schools in this country that are part of the inner city, it has become clear that those areas where poverty is greatest are in the greatest need of help and are suffering from some of the poorest decisions made by those in charge. Buildings are in disrepair, supplies of all sorts are needed, people are squabbling, funding/finances are a mess, stability is lacking and more.

Yet, little seems to change. The cycle of constant reform, name calling, inaction, and general mayhem continues on and it simply blows my mind.

Right now CPS, and other inner city school districts, and the various constituent groups seem to be groping for the answers. Too often this leaves individual schools, the students and their families in the lurch. Pretty damn soon, the way things are going, the very fabric of neighborhood schools in inner cities will be torn apart for good.

Dick

A Deal

There is a small part of me that sees that the GOP 'lifeline' offered to CPS the other day as something less than genuine. Remember the GOP leaders of the IL legislature want two votes, one on CPS declaring bankruptcy and the other creating an authority to take the place of the CPS Board of Education.

I raised the concern about the complexity of filing for bankruptcy. Even if CPS filed for bankruptcy they'd still have to honor their pension payments. The Civic Federation has even gone on record saying that bankruptcy should be a last resort.

But I have other concerns. Is the 'lifeline' suppose to force the Mayor to drop his desire for the state to provide over $400 million to the schools? I don't know. Or is it possible that the 'lifeline,' if it were to be accepted, a means for Governor Rauner to get some of his proposed reform. Again, I have no clue. Let's put it this way, there is a part of me that remains a bit cynical on this one.

I think the GOP might have made better headway on offering a 'lifeline' where they didn't seek to have the district go into bankruptcy or get rid of the current Board of Education. In the past, the district, during a period of financial stress, had an appointed financial authority group to help solve the financial crisis. Why not let Governor Rauner and Mayor Emanual select experts to serve on a Chicago School Financial Authority agency. This group would have the authority to examine appropriate bond issues, budgets and the like. Seems reasonable to me.

Dick

A CPS Takeover?

Any way you slice it, the IL GOP State Legislature plan to offer, in their words, a 'lifeline' to CPS is nothing short of remarkable. To many others the plan no chance of seeing the light of day. Leaders on the other side of the aisle along with the CPS brass and CTU officials have said no way.

Illinois GOP leaders want to bring two pieces of legislation to the floor for starters. One bill would say that the city of Chicago and CPS can declare bankruptcy and the second bill would get rid of the current Board of Education and allow the state's Board of Education to create an independent board.

Let me tackle the bankruptcy idea or plan. It is a FACT that going through bankruptcy for a school district is far different than a company declaring bankruptcy. Check with any attorney who specializes in this area and they'll confirm this. It isn't a simple matter. It leads me to wonder if the GOP leaders REALLY investigated this prior to make their grand pronouncement.

One other issue. Before anyone (in either political party) floats such a plan in public, if you want it to have a chance to succeed, you might want to involve other stakeholders. Yes, Democrats and Republicans can do what they want in terms of offering any legislation but bringing others into the fold will have a better chance of survival rather than a punch in the face.

Dick

A Proclamation, a Calling

It has been nearly eleven years since I retired from my day-to-day teaching responsibilities. I'm no longer assisting children through classroom instruction but the work of our charity is a type of teaching. It's just a different type of delivery to those in need.

As we continue to help those who need a helping hand by providing school supplies, uniforms, warm clothing, band instruments or other sorts of resources I want to make it clear that our charity stands for more than simply providing needed supplies to young people. Our charity will continue to stand up for public education and the good it does for so many.

In this regard I want to be clear. Our charity will continue to advocate for those in the classroom and will stand by teachers as they are confronted with the many new and emerging challenges they face each day. Whether it's advocating for less standardized testing or for allowing teachers the individual autonomy that makes them the unique teacher that is so valuable in our society, our charity will back our teachers.

This endeavor also includes the proclamation that the field of teaching is a wonderful calling and we need to find ways to include our nation's young to take up the cause. Given some dramatic changes in education, we/I must find ways to put out the call to say that we need you.

Yes, the challenges are many but, the rewards are GREAT!!

Dick

Must View!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_qW6luXrO&sns=em

A Must View!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usy3ixT0QpA&sns=em

Please take a bit over two minutes to watch this video on an outstanding teacher. What she has to say about how she approaches teaching children and the future of education is something of concern to everyone!!

Thanks,
Dick

Why It's So Hard to Find

Jose Vose, the Regional Superintendent of Sangamon and Menard Counties, feels that one of the greatest reasons for the shortage of teacher applicants in his area deals with money. According to Vose, it is likely that teachers aren't entering the occupation because of Illinois budget problems and the possibility of reduced public-pensions in the coming years.

I won't discount his point but there are plenty of other reasons why it is hard to find qualified teachers. I would submit to you that the over-the-top testing is a factor as is the loss of classroom autonomy. By this last point I am referring to the notion that schools are pushing their teachers to teach in a certain fashion. Conformity is in.

The above only scratches the surface. Teachers are finding that their classroom 'teaching' responsibilities go beyond the classroom. This also holds true for administration and boards of education. Dealing with the homeless, special needs, impoverished students/families and other social issues impacting learning are very real classroom challenges.

Too many articles abound in print and social media about the alleged ills of education and teachers. No doubt this has an impact on the numbers who might decide to enter the profession of teaching.

Whatever the reasons, it is a shame that our state and country is finding it difficult to have people enter and stay in the honorable profession of teaching.

Dick

A Real Warning

I realize that things go in cycles; business, the ups and downs of the stock market, people having good days and then a 'not so good day. The same is true of people who enter various professions. At times there are many lawyers, engineers or teachers who can't find a position and at other times these fields have real needs.

Right now, in Illinois (I suspect this is true of other states) there is a teacher shortage in many areas. The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools did a state wide survey and the results are shocking and troubling. The indicators of teacher shortages seems less like a cyclical event and a real harbinger of some a radical change with serious consequences.

The survey found that, of the schools responding to the questions, 75% said they are seeing fewer qualified candidates to fill positions. 16% of the respondents said they cancelled programs or classes due to the shortage of teachers. Eliminating programs and classes?! That's right.

Tomorrow I will get into the 'nuts and bolts' of why this is taking place but it is worth noting that this occurrence is not merely cyclical.

Dick

Bite the Bullet

With the CPS system in dire economic straits and tensions high on a number of fronts especially with regard to trying to reach a new teacher-district accord it is time for the CTU to take some bold action. No, I'm not talking about the teachers going out on strike.

From a standpoint of the integrity and survival of the school system itself, on a long-term basis, the teachers need to take a pay freeze. Walk into the Board of Education and CEO Claypool's Office and tell them that you are willing to forego any type of raise for the next couple of years.

I get it...I negotiated contracts on behalf of teachers so I don't take this matter lightly.

But this goes beyond money, personalities and other important issues. We are now talking about a school system where children are leaving neighborhood schools in droves. Budgets are being slashed due to financial troubles, reduction in staff is on the horizon and the system cannot stand taking on more debt.

This is about CPS existing into the future and if the 'higher ups' can't solve the problem(s) then it is up to the CTU to do its part. We are talking about survival.

Dick

Clarendon Hills Lions ROAR!!

It was a cold and somewhat stormy night last evening as I made my way to Scapa Restaurant to speak at the Clarendon Hills Lions Club meeting. The members made me feel most welcome. They are no different in person than they are behind the scenes; helpful, kind, caring and generous.

You see the Lions Club of CH has been around for 65 years. Last year alone, out of the their many activities, they provided special braille equipment to the visually impaired. They also provided college scholarships to some students with special needs in addition to donating $30,000 to 24 local charities. These are just some of their many accomplishments. Of course the local Clarendon Hills Lions also support the worldwide organization.

I was pleased to update the Lions on the work of Schools Count and am most appreciative of the very generous donation. Thank you Lions for the contribution. We will put it to good use!!

Dick

Shrinking Neighborhood School Enrollment

Sundays Chicago Tribune front page story pointed out what has been a troubling trend for some time. Neighborhood school enrollment is taking a real hit at the expense of a number of 'choice' schools...charters, magnet and selects. For the first time ever, a minority of Chicago students are attending schools assigned based on where they live.

It is fair to say that the concept of school choice is very much alive. There is an abundance of competition between neighborhood schools and other institutions. This competition doesn't simply extend to students but it involves dollars and the fight to survive as an entity.

Eve Ewing a sociologist at Harvard offered this sobering thought. "People who are choice advocates will say that this is a market demonstration. The question is what is the cost for the neighborhood in the long term and also what is the cost for the kids who are in the school, still? Ewing added, "The thing that's become clear is allowing schools to die through starvation or negligence over a long period of time is really one of the most malignant things you can do to a neighborhood."

In the coming days we'll look at some of Ewing's points.

Dick

How will Education Play Out?

It's a New Year, the debates are underway and the presidential primaries are just around the corner. I've watched a good number of the Republican and Democratic debates and, unless I've missed something, there hasn't been a bit of dialogue about the future of education in America.

No mention of the new federal education law, scant talk of the plight of the Dept. of Education and few words thrown about regarding testing and academic achievement.

For a nation so dependent upon the quality of our education system to have nothing said about this important social component of our society is nothing short of a travesty. I'm hoping (but not holding my breath) that we can get past the bravado and bluster and find out where people stand on the issue of education.

Dick

Some Final Thoughts on Jennings

To some, spending money on a facility for the homeless and purchasing clothing and food for the students attending the various Jennings schools is simply a waste of money. To those naysayers they would proclaim 'schools shouldn't be in the business of taking care of the kids.' Or they might say, 'that's the job of their parents.'

Here's the deal...young people who are in our midst have to be educated and cared for. How can we deny assisting the most vulnerable among us? The fact of the matter is that the community of Jennings, and other impoverished areas of America, deserve special attention. In my view, we can't afford - on any level - to ignore one student, one school or one town. If we do, we risk losing those children.

Put another way, how on earth can we educate children if they are homeless, lack the proper clothing or go without decent meals? I want those who clamor for not spending money on these items to answer this question.

Bottom line...hats off to the Jennings School District for doing the right thing.

Dick

Jennings on the Rise

What happens when people REALLY demonstrate a care and concern for young people? Enter Superintendent Tiffany Anderson, nearly four years ago, at the Jennings School District just north of St. Louis, MO. Walking into a situation with low income and schools reeling from low achievement (not to mention other problems) couldn't have been easy.

Oh my, how things have changed! This past year the high school saw 92% of its students graduating on time. Add to that the fact that 78% of the class either attended post secondary schools or entered the military. Why the drastic improvement.

Two words...Tiffany Anderson. In those four short years Ms. Anderson has helped to build Hope House for the homeless, garnered philanthropic funds, started Saturday School, developed a means for collecting needed clothing and set up the Jennings Community Cupboard so that food finds it way to those in need.

In short, Tiffany and other in the school and community are taking care of 'the whole child.'

It seems as though there is a lesson to be learned about tackling high poverty pockets in America. School personnel have to attend to much more than the old '3 r's." Any and all of the needs of children, within and outside of the building, have to be dealt with in a serious manner.

Well done Jennings!

Dick

The Answer Lies Within

Some days ago we posted an article out of the Washington Post concerning the work that Jennings School District Superintendent Tiffany Anderson is undertaking in the district's schools. Jennings is just north of Ferguson, MO and it has some of the same problems as Ferguson and other parts of various cities in America.

The town is made up of 15,000 residents and many are very poor and desperately in need of employment. The median income is barely over $25,000 a year. The school district has some 3,000 students and until Ms. Anderson came to town the district was in the red. A balanced budget is now the new norm.

By all accounts things are looking up at Jennings. Achievement has grown, attendance and graduation rates are on the rise and a good number of students are finding their way to jobs and college. How has this happened? For starters, Ms. Anderson has looked within.

The district has a facility called Hope House which takes in homeless students and they also operate their own food bank. Drama, Art and Music have been restored to the curriculum along with a whole host of other improvements. We'll take a close look at these improvements in the coming days as they hold out the hope of aiding others facing the same difficulties as Jennings.

Dick

Ringing in the New

Welcome back to my blogging and education friends!! 2016 promises to be a year of excitement on at least one front for our company. This year, aside from continuing to help our CPS and area schools in need, we will also be working with some of the most impoverished children in the Syracuse, NY public schools. The expansion of our work promises some new but along challenges with those challenges will be some rewarding opportunities to serve others.

Aside from this terrific initiative, I hope this blog continues to offer some insights into current education problems and issues as well as to provide you with up to the minute happenings with Schools Count. New this year will be some research that I am looking at that will offer suggestions about how to tackle some of the very serious problems faced by some of the inner city schools we help on an ongoing basis.

A New Year, for sure, but it abounds with some excitement!!! Looking forward to working with you!

Dick