The Echo

The 10 Most Memorable Stories of 2011: Ed. Policy and Politics

One of the proposed changes that parents and educators may notice is a change in the terms applied to schools based on how they perform on the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System. Currently, schools are placed in categories such as "superior," "commendable" and "academic watch." The draft proposal would drop those names in favor of the U.S. Department of Education's seven suggested category names, which would include descriptors such as "reward schools," "recognition schools," "focus schools" and "priority (partnership zone) schools."  From the News Journal

You've got to be kidding me, right? Superior and Commendable were at least meaningful - you knew you were buying into a good school - at least until last year.  That's when DOE - without the community meetings - went ahead and recalculated the way schools were labeled based upon achievement data.  That resulted in schools that failed to meet the accepted definition of proficiency achieving a superior or commendable status based solely upon student growth - more students moving in the right direction but not reaching proficiency targets.  The end result was a ton of confusion with little clear explanation directed towards parents or the public. 

So, who wants their child to attend a school labeled "Reward School?"  No, really?  Does that title have any inherent meaning to you?  And just what is the reward the school is earning? I don't have the answers - DOE hasn't extended its informational reach to general school board members, yet.  Guess that means I'll be attending one of their forums.  But, with only one meeting in each county - that may be a hard one to achieve... When the Gov. finally decided that he needed to sell RTTT to the tax payers, he hit each of the counties several times.  I can only guess that redefining achievement is a bit less important...

When will DOE bring all the parties to the table and participate in shared decision making? If DOE was looking for true interactive feedback, these meetings would have been announced weeks ago, not during winter break when matters of education are in the far back of the parental mind.  When will constituents be treated as thought partners?  Inviting them to a dog and pony show is a far cry from being engaged in the development process. When will tax payers become more than human capital?  School districts signed MOUs that promised they would continue to fund the reform efforts begun under RTTT after the federal grant runs out.  Who will shoulder that burden?  Delaware's workforce?  They've been treated as a commodity thus far by an administration that talks jobs but fails to produce them.

Too little, too late. But, then, these are just the ramblings of a private cynic... citizen.

DRAFT PROPOSAL

To read the state's draft proposal, go to the Delaware Department of Education's website at www.doe.k12.de.us and click on "community meetings."

The meeting times and locations:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY: Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. in the James Gilliam Conference Center, 77 Reads Way, New Castle.
KENT COUNTY: Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Kent County Government Building, Room 220, Dover.
SUSSEX COUNTY: Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Sussex County Government Building, The Circle, Georgetown.

From: Markell Governor (Governor)

Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 1:09:28 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
To: State Employees; K12 Employees; DSHA
Subject: Thank you for a great 2011

Dear fellow state employee,

Thank you for all you do, and all you’ve done, to help keep our great state running and to build our state’s future.

While I’ve been lucky to be able to say thank you to many of you in person during visits to schools and state agencies, I did not want to let the holiday season pass without sharing my gratitude for your good work.

Each week, I deliver a weekly message to our state about some of the issues we face and some of the progress we are making. In this week’s message (video), I made sure to say to every Delawarean how “blessed I am to be able to work with so many wonderful public servants – the people who go to work to keep our state safe, who help keep things running, who teach our children and care for those most in need – who dedicate themselves to service.” It is a message I hope they take to heart.

You work hard. Your work matters, and we thank you.

Here’s to a happy and healthy new year,

Jack

*****

Happy Holidays video on State network: http://de.gov/holidays
Video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/nD7Vn2uJcFg
Audio on State network: http://de.gov/holidayaudio

Transcript of the Message:
Whether it’s Merry Christmas, Mazel Tov, Umoja or simply Happy Holidays at your home, there’s no doubt this is a special time of the year. A time to remember the friends and family we’re so lucky to have around us and a time to reflect with love on those who left our lives too soon. A time to take stock of what we’ve learned, what we’ve faced, what we’ve overcome and what remains to get done, together. But more than anything – this week is a time for goodwill and gratitude; to reflect on any blessings we’ve received and to know from where those blessings have come.
As grateful as I am to each of you for giving me the chance to get to work for you each day, I’m so blessed to be able to work with wonderful public servants – the people who go their jobs to keep our state safe, who help keep things running, who teach our children and care for those most in need – who dedicate themselves to service. To each of you – thank you.

This has not been an easy year – but it’s been inspiring to see how our state keeps pulling together – how many hard working Delawareans stay focused each day on creating more jobs, on building new opportunities to keep people working and on helping others get back to work. And while there have been more opportunities this year than last, we need to make sure next year is even better. Enough about work for now.
This week, whether you’ve lighting a menorah, kinara candles or putting lights on your tree; whether you’re reflecting on your own faith, or just reflecting on your family – I hope these holidays find you safe, happy, warm and resting up, and that you’re as excited as I am for the chance to keep Delaware, moving forward.

Venom and Malice when CSD attempts a course correction and DOE handholding when Brandywine fails to perform... The Race to the Trough is on - Delaware to be a winner of the Baby Race.  Do you really want Jack Markell parenting your children?  Lots of edu-scrapple in today's paper!

http://www.christina.k12.de.us/BOE/Meetings/2011/Posting-Agenda/1213.pdf

From the Official Christina SBOE Posting: 

ACTION ITEMS

• Student Expulsion Recommendation(s)
• Administrative Personnel Recommendations
• Updated Use Of Facilities Application Form And Rates
• Proposed Changes to 2011-2012 Christina School District School Calendar
• Consulting Services for Development of School District Management Analysis –
• Amendment #1 to District Race To The Top Plan – Includes Amendment #2 for Partnership Zone    Plans for Glasgow High and Stubbs Elementary
• Amendment #2 To District Race To The Top Plan
• Plan and Memorandum of Understanding Between the Christina School District and the Christina Education Association with Regards to the Partnership Zone Plan for Bancroft Elementary School

CONSENT AGENDA

• Personnel Recommendations
• Monthly Financial Reports – September 2011
• Choice Recommendation 2011-2012
• Choice Termination Recommendation 2011-2012
• Bid Awards:  Bid #2011-10 Bancroft Elementary School – Skylight Replacement
• Resolutions on Upcoming Meetings:  Executive Session Meeting, January 10, 2012, 6:00 PM, West Park Place Elementary School,   Regular Session Meeting, January 10, 2012, 7:30 PM, West Park Place Elementary School,  Special Session Meeting for BoardDocs Training, January 20, 2012, 6:00-7:00 PM, Location To Be Determined

Outrage poured across the /internet once reports of a 9-year-old receiving a two-day suspension for calling a teacher "cute" surfaced, but now it appears he's receiving some justice, WBTV reports.

"We will be sending an official letter of apology to the parents," Gaston County Schools Spokesperson Bonnie Reidy told the station. "Also the suspension will not count against the child and the child will receive additional instructional assistance to make up for the time out of the classroom."

Principal Jerry Bostic, who determined the boy's alleged comment was sexual harassment, has also resigned, according to the report.   -- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/9-year-olds-suspension-fo_n_1135242.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%7C118730

http://youtu.be/AWqdScvrKCo