CPS CEO Facing Serious Allegations

Chicago Public Schools Chief, Barbara Byrd-Bennett is facing a serious allegation that would be harmful to her and the entire school system not to mention Mayor Emanuel. In short, the investigation revolves around the allegation that Ms. Byrd-Bennett had a role in awarding a $20 million no bid contract to SUPES Academy for principal training. Oh, and by the way, Ms. Byrd-Bennett use to work at SUPES Academy.

That in and of itself, if true in terms of any involvement by Byrd-Bennett, would be harmful to the school system and Mayor Emanuel. After all, the mayor has placed a good deal of trust in his hand picked CEO and she does have a good deal of support in many circles. If guilty of the above transgression, the high regard for Barbara would dissipate almost immediately.

The schools have lacked stability and Ms. Byrd-Bennett brought a degree of that to the CPS system. At a time when a new teacher contract has to be negotiated and the fact that the district faces a $1.1 billion deficit, the time could not be more inopportune for such calamity.

Everyone is in a bind here; the system, the CEO, Mayor Emanuel and others. Time will tell how this plays out but right now the optics aren't good.

Dick

All that Jazz

For all those who love some cool jazz why not head to the Community House in Hinsdale, IL (on Madison St.) on Monday, April 27th to relax to the smooth sounds of the various Hinsdale Central High School jazz groups. You are bound to hear some timeless favorites in addition to some less frequently played pieces.

The entrance fee is $5 per person and $10 for the entire family. The wonderful program commences at 7 pm. In addition to the award winning ensembles, refreshments will also be available. All of the proceeds of the event will benefit the start of a band program in the Harvey, IL. elementary schools.

While I'm thinking of it, what better way to get this program off on the right foot than to donate a gently used instrument that you, or children, no longer play. Not only can you donate the instrument but this will cover your admission to the event and I'll provide you with a gift receipt for income tax purposes. WIN, WIN!!

Thanks,
Dick

The Verdict is In

You can look at nearly any study of Music Education and you will find the results are the same. Music makes a profound and positive difference in the lives of those involved. Quite simply music, performed by students over a period of time, improves nearly every aspect of their lives.

One study, ten years in length and involving 25,000 middle school and high school students, found that music enabled students to score higher on standardized tests (yes, I know I'm not a fan of them). By the way, it ought to be noted that this held true no matter the child's socio-economic status.

Other studies have found similar results. Prolonged Music Education in school improved Math, English and other academic skills. Beyond these findings, it should be noted that social and emotional growth is enhanced through Music Education.

I'm mentioning all of these findings as another way to induce my friends to find a way to collect music instruments so that I can provide them to Harvey, IL elementary school students. If you are longer using your trumpet, drums, sax, clarinet, trombone or flute, please consider donating to the cause.

Thanks,
Dick

Hmm...Just Look at Finland

Yes, all cultures have their own particular traits and customs. That being said, many nations in the world offer their young people a public education. A nation's public education, in turn, has a good deal to do with that particular country's means of operations; from customs to its economic system to its social programs and more.

Current so called reformers, and here I am especially calling out the privatizers, are constantly lambasting the American education system. One of their chief complaints is that we are falling behind such countries as those in Asia and Scandinavia among others.

Well, perhaps those so called reformers would be wise to heed the advice of one of these nations, Finland. As one Finnish teacher so aptly put it, "We pay teachers like our doctors, students enjoy over an hour of recess and there's no mandatory testing - the opposite of what America does."

So, in this day and age of high pressure testing in this country, maybe it's time we took a page out of the playbook of the Finns and examined what we are doing to our American education system.

Dick

Creating the Harvey Band Program

The Harvey, IL school system has a wonderful junior high band program at Brooks Middle School. There are six elementary schools which feed into Brooks and our charity is working to start a band program within the elementary school system.

So here is a shout out to everyone who has ever played a music instrument...we could use some help!! If you have a clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, saxophone or drums that you no longer want or play please consider donating them to our charity so that we can, in turn, get them to the students in Harvey.

Dr. Adams, the Superintendent is thinking of starting a summer program as a lead-in to have actually band instruction in the upcoming 2015-16 school year. So, we have to get the instruments, at least two dozen of them, in the next two months so the program can get off the ground.

Just email me at rich219@comcast.net and we can make arrangements for a pickup in addition to providing you with a gift receipt for your donation. Thanks for your consideration!

Dick

A Fine Mess You've Gotten Into

Last week the heralded Washington Post ran a piece on the teacher evaluation plan about to hit New York State teachers. Here's the news...it's not only problematic but it is harmful!!

Harmful, yes. 50% of the teachers evaluation will be based on test scores according to Carol Burris a current Principal. By the way, Ms. Burris was the New York State 'Teacher of the Year' in 2013. This is a lady who has kept abreast of the standardized test movement and the growing movement to make them an integral part of the teacher evaluation system.

On the surface, 50% of rating a teacher is based on a standardized test score. 50%!! Of course that test score doesn't factor in the educational, social, and cultural background of students no matter their location in NY. The test doesn't take into account the struggles students have had nor does it measure other sorts of growth beyond a particular curricular content area. Yeah, I'll say it, what a joke.

This mad craze to rate teachers based on some standardized test score is ludicrous and it needs to stop.

Quantifying teacher performance, through standardized tests, with the ever-changing social, behavioral and brain pattern of young people makes almost no sense.

UGH!!

Dick

Reflecting and Moving On

I have been out of the blogging business for a number of days as I have been involved in a School Board Election. Last night saw Jennifer Planson, Bill Carpenter and Kathleen Hirsman secure an overwhelming victory, a victory for our students, school personnel and the communities at large.

Let it be known that honorable and decent candidates, grassroots work, long hours, putting forth the effort and getting many people on board to support a cause does result in success. The jaded perception that 'good' somehow is out of vogue or that it doesn't sell is simply giving in to the notion that 'my vote doesn't count' and that 'I can't do anything about it.'

Well, doing the right thing for the right reasons does play and it is important to follow that call to action.

Speaking of a call to action...it is time to get back to the work of Schools Count Corp!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,
Dick