More on Bootstraps

It's not just a matter of devastated schools and those impoverished families going without supplies and various resources (missing critical bootstraps) it's also about said schools and children having little hope. This latter point can't be dismissed. Both points are critical.

I have worked in many areas over a period of years where supplies are absent and that leads to greater despair.

Early on in our work in New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina, I spent a good deal of time talking with the Principal of Benjamin Banneker Elementary regarding her inability to get the schools kitchen up and running. Absent an oven and other resources she was concerned that the children wouldn't get properly fed. Absent a useful kitchen one can't have students come back to class.

This is but one example of hundreds, no thousands, of missing bootstrap.

Dick

Bootstraps - Day 2

In working in areas ravaged by storms or regions hit hard by poverty I have found a number of things to be true with regard to the idea of people helping themselves; that is, picking themselves up. The vast majority of people impacted by either type of travesty are always desirous of helping themselves.

Often in the aftermath of being harmed or left without various supplies and resources I have had people tell me that these people 'need to help themselves' or 'get off their lazy butts (they use another term).' I have news for everyone...the vast, vast majority do get up and work hard to recover from the blow they were dealt.

I have found that what little people have to work with is often viewed as a 'blessing.' And even more common reaction from those in dire need is that they wish they didn't have to ask for assistance.

Bottom line...most don't have the bootstraps that they need to move on. And that's where Schools Count Corp comes in.

Dick

Schools Count - 'Bootstraps'

This blog has been going on for years sometimes discussing issues important to students and teachers alike and, at times, discussing the larger issues impacting education and our society at large. I have often been tempted to record my experiences and those that have impacted the good people affiliated with Schools Count in some sort of manner.

Not so long ago it occurred to me that perhaps the best way to describe those events that have shaped my life after teaching - some thirteen years ago - was to both recount said events and pass them along to you. So periodically (hopefully more days each week than not) I will attempt to recall those special occasions and to provide you with insights that have both shaped my life and given me renewal.

This gets me to the word 'Bootstraps.' Many of us have been indoctrinated with the term 'pick yourselves up by your bootstraps.' I certainly remember being told to do so in my early childhood. This journey, in my capacity as President of Schools Count Corp., has afforded me with the opportunity to call upon some inner strength to 'pick myself.'

But I have also come in contact with students in regions devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes were bootstraps have perished. I, and our charity, have also worked in impoverished areas - schools - were, those same resources/bootstraps don't exist.

I'm looking forward to engaging you in recalling just what this journey has entailed.

Thanks,
Dick

CPS Heading to College

Not only are more CPS students graduating from high school these days but many more are heading off to college. In just one short decade the rate of students attending a 2 or 4-year college ticked upward in a dramatic fashion. In 2006 just 50% of all CPS students went on to attend a college/university. By 2015 the percentage of students going on to college had shot up to 63%.

Don't get me wrong on the surface this is great news. Here's my hope...I hope these students are able to find a calling (occupation) once they have received their degree. It would be a shame to have a degree only to find that they are left behind.

In fact starting college isn't the point finishing is. The Chicago Tribune reported that the just 18% of the freshmen class in 2016 had completed a four year degree. So starting college is one positive, not completing ones studies is another important topic of conversation.

But for now getting more CPS graduates into college is a positive sign.

Dick

Daughters of the American Revolution

This is a copy of a letter from the non profit Haiti Partners which was in receipt of funds through the Daughters of the American Revolution. DAR's mission to promote education at home and abroad is simply amazing the organization should take great pride in their work to promote education.

As Summer Turns to Fall

As summer turns to fall we are seeing less and less daylight. What is bound to happen - as you well know - is that we will soon be getting into some cooler and dare I say colder nights.

Our charity will once again be collecting winter coats for the children in the Harvey and Chicago Public Schools. We have a bit of a change this year in terms of items to collect based on what the various schools are asking for this winter.

We ONLY collecting Children's small and medium size coats. I'd like to respectfully ask you NOT to provide us with adult size coats of any type. It's the very young who are in most dire need.

So if you are planning on assisting us with our coat drive I'd appreciate that any and all coat donations be received no later than Halloween which fall on Wednesday, October 31st. Please contact me and I'll be sure to pick up the coats. You can call me at
(630) 863-6035 or you email me at rich219@comcast.net so that we can make arrangements.

Looking forward to helping the children stay warm as they head to and from school this winter!!

Thank you!!
Dick

More on Teacher Compensation

Roughly 10 days ago I reported that teacher wages have, nationwide, shown a net decrease over the past 20 years. Of course actual pay is just part of a total compensation package. So to be honest about teacher pay we have to include the benefits provided to the teachers of America.

Over the past 20 years teachers have realized a net gain in their 'benefits.' Such benefits include insurance, retirement plans and other forms of 'compensation' that otherwise doesn't show up in a paycheck.

According to the EPI report, notwithstanding the benefits increase over that 20 year span, the bottom line is this...the overall compensation penalty reveals a DECREASE of 11.4%.

This is not the right way to treat our school teachers in today's day and age, a time when we demand more from them.

Dick

A bit of Followup on KICK

Yesterday I made mention of the fact that our HC Varsity Soccer KICK team members had a successful event on Sunday. As of today, they have already raised well in excess of $10,000 and more is to come!!! This is a significant amount of money and these funds do so very much to help the thousands of children we annually serve.

When I hear people too often complain about young people - which seems to occur generation after generation - I wonder if it is up to us with a bit more experience and background to help them along. Perhaps those of us who have aged a bit (notice I didn't see we are old!) who are the ones who have let them down or not provided enough guidance.

At any rate, these boys; Ryan Counts, Marcus Gruvberger, Kosta Kinnas, John Paul Ltief and Gavin Schwarz have done much to benefit Schools Count.

Dick

They Make a Difference

Hinsdale Central H. S. boys soccer team seniors; Ryan Counts, Marcus Gruvberger, Kosta Kinnas, John Paul Ltief and Gavin Schwarz have certainly left their mark on the soccer program. Not only are they having a terrific start to their season they also have seen fit to make the annual KICK endeavor a successful endeavor.

The boys have run a soccer-tennis tournament, secured donations from many area businesses and have raised money in a variety of other ways. And while the fundraising continues it is clear that this year promises to be one of the most successful in the 10-year history of the initiative.

Just one more thought...the boys had a choice, they could have chosen NOT to be a part of raising funds for children with great educational needs; instead, they DID choose to donate their time and energy to make a difference and they have done exactly that.

Thanks boys!
Coach Flesher

The Harsh and Sad Reality

It will come as no surprise to many that the west side and south side CPS schools are seeing their enrollment tumble. Along with the loss of population in these neighborhoods there is a loss of many other social and economic institutions and safeguards. But this just a small part of the story.

The Sunday Chicago Tribune also put a spotlight on the 'less access to top programs for black, latino students.' To that point the Tribune noted that 'Citywide, 45 percent of black students attend Level 1 or 1-plus schools while 91 percent of white students attend top rated schools.'

To be sure, there are many factors that can account for the above discrepancy but at its very basic level the fact that the chasm exist is great cause for concern. Will or can this difference in 'access to top programs' be addressed is anyone's guess.

Dick

Time Magazine - Must Read

On the heels of the Economic Policy Institute report detailing the real nationwide decrease in teacher pay over the past twenty years comes a startling article in the upcoming week's Time magazine regarding the story of one teacher who, aside from teaching, has two part time jobs and donates blood to supplement her teacher salary.

At this point I don't have my hands on the article but as soon as I do I'll be sure to fill you in on the story. To say the least, this story is bound to add further evidence to the EPI report.

Have a great weekend,
Dick

Downturn in Teacher Wages and More

The other day I remarked that REAL teacher wages nationwide have tumbled over the past twenty years. That's a fact. This is but one symptom in various states of a broader trend, the trend to starve public schools of public funds. Why are some states making the conscious choice to do this one might reasonably ask.

There are various reasons. Quite simply some state legislatures don't place as high of a priority on funding public schools compared to other state needs. Another plausible reason for the cuts or failure to properly pay teachers and fund programs is the growth in other forms of education. Why bother to fund public schools in the appropriate manner if other non-public entities decide to get into the education business.

This last point is not a conspiracy theory. There are plenty of companies out there, for-profit ones, which are now part of the education landscape. A state may therefore decide that it is not worth competing with these groups. And if that is indeed the case then shame on everyone for letting this happen to our public schools.

Dick

A Real Shot in the Arm

$40 million will be provided to give Hyde Park Academy High School a much needed face lift. No doubt that is welcome news to the school personnel and neighborhood. Nothing wrong with assisting this south side school. Many of the schools in this part of the city having been starving for years.

I wonder why it took this long to make this happen and I'm puzzled as to how CPS could come up with this kind of money given all the recent news about the school system being starved for cash.

This expenditure is part of the nearly $1 billion of capital spending announced this past summer. My, how things have changed in just a few short months. This is not to say that the investment isn't needed. What moved heaven and earth to make all of this possible?

Dick

Downturn in Teacher Wages

The Economic Policy Institute, in my view, does its homework. They do great research and are most thorough. Just last week the EPI came out with an 18 page report that should be a real eye opener for all of us.

Among other things the EPI has studied what has happened to the pay of public school teachers between 1994 to 2017. That's a pretty extensive period of time. The study reveals that teacher pay during that period of time has gone down while adjusting for inflation.

Between 1996 to 2017 average weekly wages of public school teachers, nationwide, decreased $27 per week. At the same time weekly wages of other college graduates grew by $137 per week.

I bring this one point up for numerous reasons; first, it stands in stark contrast to the added responsibilities facing teachers; second, it can be another reason why fewer people join the teacher ranks and those in the classroom decide to leave; third, it is a real slap in the face given the fact that many state legislatures have more money during the past few years but are making cuts to public education.

In fact, the EPI report is none to reassuring.

Dick

More than Graduation Rates

The good news from CPS high schools is that graduation rates continue to climb. This is one but one measure of what is taking within the district. But I'd like to suggest that quantitative measures alone, which are too often used, miss the mark in terms of how schools are performing.

There has to be serious consideration of the qualitative...the means by which we find out if students are satisfied with their education, if they are better prepared to continue to march into adulthood.    Are the students curious?    Are they sincerely engaged in learning and exploring?   Are they getting the most out of classroom instruction?

And lest we forget, how are the students who come from difficult circumstances outside the classroom being assisted in school so that they get the most out of the classroom experiences??

Is much more than test scores and graduation rates.

Dick

Ponder This

The economy is strong, companies are looking for employees and many people have money to spend. Then what is the problem with respect to funding public education in many parts of America?

If the money is there then why are suburban voters screaming about spending for referendums? Why are inner city and rural schools finding it hard to fund various school programs and other initiatives? And lest people think this is all talk or a farce then go check out these talks and talk to the constituents.

Where is the REAL money? That's the point...much of the money in this economy gets in the hands of the very wealthy. That's just a fact. Just look at the new tax law. Look at the REAL wages of many inner city and rural areas. Make no mistake about it, I'm not complaining that people have wealth. What I am saying is that many areas where education funding is needed, people don't have the cash to make improvements.

Dick

More on the Mayor and Education

In the wake of Mayor Emanuel opting not to seek a third term I mentioned that at least two issues with regard to education will be critical for candidates to address for those seeking to succeed Emanuel. For one the next mayor will need to thaw what has been a frosty relationship between City Hall and the Chicago Teacher's Union. A second issue revolves around whether the new mayor will keep an appointed school board or move to have the members chosen directly by the constituents.

There is a third major issue that must be addressed. Will the new mayor fully support neighborhood public schools? I have written extensively in the past few years about how selective schools and charters have essentially undermined the viability and vitality of neighborhood schools.

Anyone who doubts that these issues will play a critical role in the minds of the voters doesn't grasp the concerns of the public with regard to the issues that the new mayor will have to address.

Dick

Mayor Steps Down

To many the Emanuel announcement that he won't run for a third term as Mayor of Chicago came as a blockbuster. With nearly a dozen in the race and facing mounting resistance the Mayor's departure from the race certainly means that the landscape has changed substantially.

From my standpoint with Emanuel stepping down there may be an impact on the public schools in couple of major areas. It will be interesting to see if any of the candidates will propose that the CPS Board of Education be an elected body or continue to be appointed by the Mayor.

It has been no secret that the Mayor has had a frosty relationship the CTU. Perhaps a fresh voice at City Hall and at the Chicago Teacher's Union will prove fruitful.

The issue of education will certainly be towards the front burner in what promises to be a hotly contested race in 2019.

CPS Graduation Rates Tick Up

Of course its great news that the graduation rates are trending in a positive direction at CPS schools. Roughly 78% of the high school students graduated in 2018, within five years, starting in the ninth grade. Positive news is always welcome.

One of the continuing alarming trends is the fact that the district's overall five year graduation rates for African American and Latino students saw scant change from 2017. Just as alarming is the fact that the five year span for graduation for black males sits at slightly less than 65% for 2018.

With a district the size of CPS and the various outside-of-school factors affecting African-Americans and Latino students in their respective communities not only raising graduation rates but, even more importantly, attending to other student needs will take herculean efforts in the coming years.

At any rate, let's hope that positive results continue to take place for ALL CPS students.

Dick