Charters Shut Down

The Chicago Public School Board closed three low performing charter schools yesterday. A fourth charter may likely face the same fate when the CPS board gets together in December. The charter schools don't operate under the same rules as typical neighborhood schools. The neighborhood schools are regulated by a state-mandate process that is somewhat lengthy. Charters aren't under the purview of this process. CPS gets to determine the process of keeping charters open or closed.

It ought to be known that a couple of these schools have made progress and the CPS chief education officer acknowledged as much but she also said that "they failed to meet goals they laid out in remediation plans."

I believe it is also worth noting that these four charters - three closed - are mostly in poor neighborhoods. Here's the point...it doesn't matter if its a neighborhood school or a charter; the structure of a school doesn't guarantee success. Areas of poverty, crime, unemployment, low property values (low property tax income) and other concerns have a huge impact upon what takes place within the four walls of a school. Until all sides come to grips with this, the 'closing' trend will likely continue.

Dick

Progress, Not So Much

Yesterday Forrest Claypool, who is the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, warned of dire cuts to school budgets and staffing without the assistance of the State of Illinois. This statement is similar to others made over the past couple of months. There is nothing new here.

What is new is that the Senate President, Mr. Cullerton, is pushing a measure that includes a two year freeze on local property taxes and while infusing $200 million into the pension relief for CPS. Here's the glitch; House Speaker Madigan, Governor Rauner and Chicago Teacher's Union Vice President Sharkey aren't in support of this proposal. So much for progress.

When on earth will these factions sit down at the same table, at the same time, and hash out these problems? I guess it is partly a rhetorical question as the answer seems to be that there is little chance of this taking place.

Dick

Give Me Education or Give Me Testing!

Yesterday I posed some critical questions to teachers, students, and parents regarding the idea that time spent on standardized testing as opposed to using the time for face-to-face. Whether you talk to students or teachers you will find that they are pretty much fed up with the overdose of standardized testing.

The answer is quite simple. Those most impacted by standardized testing want to teach and learn. They prefer to be in the classroom where real teaching and learning takes place.

There is a real or perceived disconnect between standardized testing and the benefits from such devices. Those most involved in the testing simply don't see the benefits of the tests. So the mantra of 'Give Me Education or Give Me Testing,' has a resounding answer...'Give Me Education.'

Dick

Just Ask Them

Given the enormous overload of standardized testing and the effort to use certain models of teaching to homogenize the efforts of teachers to instruct their students, some questions need to be posed to teachers and students regarding the effect(s) of these so called school reforms.

First, to teachers, "Would you rather see the time spent on standardized testing stay the way it is or would you prefer to use that time to teach?"

Second, also to teachers, "Do you feel standardized testing helps you teach and that it is a good measure of student learning in your class?"

Third, to teachers, "Do you feel that some of your instruction is used to prepare students for standardized testing and, if so, is that a good use of the time?"

Fourth, to students, "Would you rather take the standardized tests or would you prefer to use that time to be in the classroom?"

Fifth, to students, "Do you think standardized testing, and it results, help you to learn or play a significant role in motivating you going forward?"

Finally (though other questions need to be posed), to all groups in the public, "Do you feel as though there is too much time spent on standardized testing at the expense of classroom instruction?"

I'll talk about these tomorrow!

Dick

This is Urgent

Friends of Schools Count,

Below is a note I received from a Counselor at one of the elementary schools we work with in Chicago. I find it both sad and distressing that the children, their families and the school are facing these difficulties. Our charity WILL help them to the extent that we can. I omitted the name of the school and the counselor for obvious reasons (if you would like more info on the school please email me at rich219@comcast.net). They are hurting enough without seeing their names in print. If you would like to contribute towards these items simply send a check payable to Schools Count Corp., Dick Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. In the memo section please write the word 'holiday' so that the funds are exclusively used for the items below.

Many thanks,
Dick


We are completely tapped out for the holidays. Plus our STLS (Students in Temporary Living Situations) population has tripled this year. Here is a list of some items that we can use this year.
Christmas gifts for STLS families
Hygiene items
coats
hats, gloves, scarfs
Turkeys and non perishable Thanksgiving items
socks, underwear, boots
uniforms for our pre-k students Youth sizes small/medium
games
sport equipment
and any other items you can help us with.....

I hate to beg but we are hurting...

Enough Already

We entrust our teachers with the safety of the children of this country in addition to asking our nation's finest to educate our youth. This is as it should be. That being the case, it is time that local, state, and federal government bodies get out of the way of our nation's educational system.

Often the above government agencies create all sorts of accountability measurements and standards typically through all myriad number of standardized testing instruments. Let me be clear...every darn teachers who cares about kids realizes what it means to be held accountable. Their methods of being 'held accountable' are far more meaningful than those imposed from above.

Let local superintendents, principals, assistant principals, departments chairs, and teachers run their own affairs. It's time to restore both the integrity and system of educating our youth by putting it back in the hands of the professionals.

Dick

We Can and Must Do More

22,000,000 children live in poverty in America in 2015 and at least 15,000,000 kids often go hungry each day. Millions, yes millions, of our nation's youth are homeless. Who's to say how many are neglected, aren't afforded proper health care and aren't properly clothed.

I mention all of this because our charity works with many of these students. It is hard to fathom that the kids can perform well in school given these situations/conditions. I am not sure I would be able to do my best in school, or that I would even care about school, if I had to endure going without so many essentials.

What's important is this...the causes of the above conditions - no doubt - should be addressed; however, it is far more important to provide the assistance right now. Lives are at stake and we can't afford to wait any longer.

For the sake of everyone, let's keep on fighting for one another.

Dick