Be Prepared

The news of CPS losing 10,000 students this year doesn't come as a complete shock. It should not surprise you to learn that it is very likely that some of the district's schools will shutter their doors in the 2019-20 school year. In particular, there are a number of high schools with fewer than 300 students.

Yes, I get it...if a school has very few students and the trend is moving in a downward direction then it makes sense that the district can't sustain keeping such a school open.

What has to be taken into account however is the very real need of a neighborhood to have a public school. If a community has a good deal of blight and if there is no public school within two or three miles within that community then those individuals need to have their voices heard.'

So, yes, some schools will close but hopefully the powers to be will recognize the fact that children are some type of physical commodity to be shipped around in some sort of 'willy nilly' fashion.

Dick

Just a Warning

For all of those who believe that the only or even the primary reason why CPS has fewer than 10,000 students this year is due to the poor quality of schools I have one thing to say. You are wrong! That's right, you are not well informed on the overall conditions in the neighborhood and what is going on with regard to other factors that have caused an enrollment decrease.

When the city neglects large swaths of a portion of the city with regard to infrastructure, jobs, social services and more then why would parents/residents stay in such conditions. They have little choice but to look for a better location which will afford them and their children something better.

Unless and until the conditions that drive people away from the southside and southwest portions of the city the school system will continue to lose students.

Dick

Fewer CPS students

October 1st is the official count day for CPS enrollment as it was the 20th day of school. The numbers aren't good for the most part. There are 10,000 fewer students attending CPS schools this year than last year and since 2011 a staggering 41,000 fewer students are going to the district schools. The hardest hit sector was the elementary school segment which finds that 7,000 less students this year than last.

According to CEO Janice Jackson some of the loss of students can be 'chalked up to declining birthrates and national immigration trends.' Jackson went on to add 'that CPS has held onto a consistent rate of school-aged children over the past five years.'

One of the elephants in the room not addressed by Jackson is the effect of declining student enrollment to selective and private schools. Also not mentioned is the overall decline of CPS students due to the loss of the population in the city. And that final point about abandonment, particularly on the south side and south west portions of the city, caused by poverty and the loss of a job base was never cited as a factor in the loss of students in the school system.

It's as if no one wants to touch that.

Dick

A Challenge

How do we find way to get great young people to seriously consider entering the world of teaching? There are plenty of ways and here is but one...

I want to put out a call to everyone reading this blog/facebook/twitter. Please ask you daughter and/or son if they have any interest in working with young people, in any way, to consider entering the teaching profession. Should they babysit, and enjoy it, then maybe, just maybe, it is one sign that they could well be the type of person who would benefit tomorrow's youth.

Thanks,
Dick

Elections and Education

Yes these two institutions, for better or worse, are married together!!

Local Board of Education members set budgets for schools. If funds are needed for the schools they can set levy levels, issue bonds, use funds from savings, move funds around (depending on various state laws) and possibly ask for monies in a referendum.

State government officials pass laws that impact what schools can do and can't do in any number of areas. Same for the federal government. Not only are laws passed but funds are provided for the programs. Of course laws can be passed but that doesn't matter if the legislators don't fully fund the various programs or if they cut the funding.

So, who you vote for does make a difference in our nation's schools. Get out and vote for those who really support public education.

Thanks,
Dick

An Idea on Funding for New Teachers

Both the State of IL and the U. S. Department of Education, if they are really serious, could well aid the development of a pool of future teachers. Here's what some well spent funds could do to aid this cause. They ought to provide direct dollars to high schools in all regions to have a course called Invitation to Teaching.

These funds would be used by the schools, who have teachers qualified to teach such a course which would include direct in-class instruction as well as field work in feeder schools within the neighborhood.

There are a scant number of these programs and I'm familiar with them and can report that they are highly successful in terms of inspiring/encouraging many to enter into the teaching field. Not coincidentally, many of these same students, having engaged in such high schools programs, are now in America's classrooms.

Let's do this!!

Dick

One Teacher at a Time

Yes, the long slog - and it often is just that - to find new, bright and energetic people to join the teacher profession will take time. Grassroots efforts always take time and it seems as though the obstacles are difficult to overcome.

I am asking my teacher friends from yesteryear and those of today to keep on teaching, keep on providing the type of leadership demanded of our society. And yes I am respectfully asking you to seek those few individuals you come into contact with to inspire them to join the ranks of America's teachers.

The road is long but I am confident that today's teachers will provide the path forward for tomorrow's educators.

Thanks,
Dick

Grassroots Fight for Teachers

The drain on the number and quality of teachers nationwide is real. And to do something about it; well, we have to get 'down and dirty.' Forget writing to the NEA, IEA and AFT (as I've done to no avail) we have to engage in an all-out grassroots campaign to let Americans know they have to do something about the disappearance of this American institution.

Here is but a sampling of what it will take to see to it that every neighborhood school in this country has excellent teachers; have an Introduction to Teaching course in high school, current teachers nurture and convince their students of the value of this career, start a club in middle school, high school and college called Future Educators of America, building principals and counselors talking to classes about the importance of becoming an educator, and bringing in retired teachers to talk about the critical need for young people to join the profession.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the approach that needs to take place to get young people involved in this wonderful endeavor. But when all is said and done, it will be a grassroots approach that will get our nation's youth to become tomorrow's teachers.

Thanks,
Dick

A Need for Teachers

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education reports that there was a precipitous decline in college candidate teacher preparation, nationwide, to the tune of 23% during the 2007 to 2015 period of time. To many of us in the teaching field this doesn't come as a shock though it is a more than troubling trend.

The above association according to Educationdive is pushing to change the curriculum offerings at many of the colleges and universities that provide education degrees.

The new course/curriculum offerings include; less standardized testing and more training in performance based assessments, a stronger background in pedagogy, a greater emphasis on what is termed 'community focus,' and a shift to preparing teachers to deal with changes that reflect a multi-cultural classroom.

In the coming days I'll be commenting on the causes of the decline of those entering the profession, what can be done to stem this tide and other issues that are part of the narrative that speaks to putting great teachers in front of our students.

Dick

Coats or Bust

We have had a couple of frosty evenings within the past week. And that all adds up to are children waiting outside for the bus or walking to school. We are in desperate need for coats for CPS children who are very young. I am looking to gather up to 200 coats for the kids. We are collecting children's small and medium sizes and want to provide them to the youngsters sometime in the November 5th - 9th time period.

Please consider providing the students with some warm clothing. I'd be glad to pick up the coats if you are local. Simply give me a call at 630-863-6035 or email me at rich219@comcast.net.

Thanks for your consideration!!
Dick

Technology Bust??

Pieces of chalk could bust in the palm of my hand as I wrote on the chalkboard. I could just as easily make a mistake entering, by pen, a score in the grade book. The mimeograph machine was might be too low on fluid. But those errors could easily be rectified with a new piece of chalk, 'whiting out' the score, or adding fluid to the tank of the mimeograph. No problem.

These educational resources have almost entirely disappeared replaced by computers and other digital resources. What I have learned from observation and talking with educators is that the technology in use today is often in disrepair, not fully functional, slow and - bottom line - not user friendly!!

This is not a minor glitch. The computer/digital issues are widespread...in rural, urban and suburban schools. Aside from these functionality concerns is the issue of big bucks. And these digital concerns are much more costly than the pieces of chalk, whiteout, pencils/pens and mimeograph fluid.

Technology is but one tool and if it isn't more functional than what I am learning some decisions need to be made that might help students and educators return to some resources that are more user friendly.

Dick

Another Bootstrap Point

Per prior posts about too many children and families, and by association schools, those urban and rural areas in America where property values are low, good paying jobs too few and wages depressed, then the people living in those areas aren't going to be able to afford the necessities required for the school children.

So being without the 'bootstraps' within a school building is but one problem. Not having the funds generated from OUTSIDE of the building simply compounds the issue of having too few supplies for the kids.

There are literally all sorts of bootstraps that are missing in many neighborhoods and communities. I would even venture to guess that this has something to do with the creation of all sorts of non-public schools.

Dick

Another Earthquake in Haiti!!

I wanted to get a brief note out to you as a couple of our generous donors were asking about conditions in Haiti after another earthquake ravaged part of the country.

The island nation of Haiti just can't catch a break!! A roughly 6.0 earthquake hit the northwestern portion of the island two days ago. I thought I'd get this note out to you with regard to the fact that the two schools we have worked with, one west of Port au Prince and the other on the island of La Gonave were not impacted.

Thanks for your concern,
Dick

Stop the Madness

Teachers are a treasure in terms of their value to young people and advancing the values and ideals of our society. If that sounds like 'pie in the sky' so be it. In working with and observing what is taking place in our nation's public schools I have come away not only impressed but saddened to witness the overburdening of our country's teachers.

Teachers have plenty to take care of with teaching, preparing lessons and assessing student learning. Add to this work are the necessary requirements to participate in clubs, school functions and athletics. This has always been the case.

But the laundry list of other obligations is simply getting out of hand. Don't believe me? Talk to teachers and allow me to provide evidence of the 'maddening' duties required of teachers that simply detracts from the time, energy and effort necessary to take care of what I have outlined in the previous paragraph.

Here's but a sample of the 'maddening' list of duties that needs to be looked at and, in many cases, put to a halt. Teachers are constantly dealing with; breakdown/slowness of technology, a shortage of classroom assistance, a lack of resources, having to sacrifice teaching time for mandated testing, often having to respond to 50 to 100 emails in a day, limitations on their individual teaching strengths due to the perceived notion that a curriculum MUST adhere to a certain method of teaching, absolutely ridiculous teacher evaluation tools and so much more.

For the sake of the teachers and kids...stop the insanity.

Dick

Cuts Are Harmful

If curriculum programs are cut, if teachers are eliminated, should activities be diminished and if funds are wanting then does anyone think that a child will get the best educational experience possible? And that my friends is the deal...public education HAS to provide student the very best experience.

I want current teachers, retirees, the public at large, administrators and government officials at all levels to understand that cutting ones way to financial stability may get one to that goal. But the real goal has to be something more important than finances. And it is hard to believe, given everyone's gloating over the economy, that money for schools is an issue.

Fund our public schools.

Dick

Education Cuts

Cuts are cuts and they hurt; well, they hurt the ones who are exposed to the cut!! The government and the Dept. of Education are proposing a 5% cut to the Dept. of Education and the kids will feel the brunt of the cuts make no mistake about it. Properly funding public schools is essential.

I have gone into a number of selective schools, charters and private schools (which I respect is someone's choice to send them to) and I can tell you the vast majority of them do not have facilities and faculty to take care of autistic children, those with various handicaps, or IEP'S.

So when people talk about cutting education budgets at the local, state and federal levels...be careful it may be your child who is all the worse off.

Dick

Coats ARE Bootstraps

Imagine it getting down right cold (not for a bit please!!) and kids heading off to school or waiting at the bus stop as the thermometer continues to drop. Yes, young children caught in the polar blast could sure use a winter coat under such conditions. One might not think of it this way but having the proper clothing is one of those 'bootstraps.'

I am collecting children's (no adult coats please) small and medium size coats to be dispersed in early November. I'd like to extend an invitation to you to provide a warm coat to a CPS student. To participate in this annual program kindly let me know that you want to participate. You can email me at rich219@comcast.net and we can make arrangements for me to stop by and pick up your donation.

Thanks for your consideration!!!

Dick

They Know Their Needs.

I've had the great honor to represent our charity in dozen of schools in Chicago and around the country. I've learned much and one of the many lessons I've been taught, by those in need, is to listen. Hear them out, listen to their concerns/problems and let them tell us what their needs are. Just to send some supplies to the children, which they might not need, is in many respects a waste.

The point is this...allow them to tell us which 'bootstraps' are most critical. I have learned that Music and Art programs are some of the vital areas where there are almost no resources and where the teachers and students, alike, desperately want to participate. I've seen children put crayons in their hands and others give a trumpet or saxophone a try. And one result is always the same...a smile!!

Dick