Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wake Up Sacramento Epilogue

I am told by my former student that the teacher has agreed to call weekly regarding the young man’s academic progress. Additionally, the district supervisor will be visiting the school on Thursday. According to my former student the supervisor stated; “she was concerned about the lack of a response to my certified letter in a timely manner….she went on to tell me that the meeting on Thursday was already scheduled to talk to the principal about other parent/teacher issues.”
Although I am happy that the communications are being reestablished between the school and the parent, I am troubled by the supervisor statement to my former student regarding other parental issues at that school. I know that many will disagree with me on this issue, because of our need for transparency. Competent and incompetent educators should be evaluated in a non bias fashion. For example, if the parental issues are not resolved in this Thursday meeting, this transparency will quickly become a massive cover-up.
L. Lewis commented that “we need for our counselors and teachers to make a conscience and consistent effort to inform the students about what is required.” I agree, however, I would add that every school should create what I shall call ‘Conference Weeks’, twice a year for middle and high school parents. Scheduled appointments where the counselors provide the parents with status of updated. I believe the most appropriate time to schedule these “Conference Weeks’ are during the 9th week and 27th week of school. We utilized this format at my former middle school.
Tasha commented that she was told by a school administrator, “that it was unlawful in the state of California to use the students grades (even if the whole class has F’s) to be used in the evaluation of a teacher.” I must assume that this was part of the negotiated teacher contract, yet I am at a loss how a principal would appropriately evaluate a teacher’s performance if there students’ assessments are precluded.
Sonia Lewis commented that parents should “find that one teacher on campus that has inside information about the go-to people on campus.” This is great advice and I would suggest that each of you re-read the previous comments and actually try some of the suggestions.
I am of the opinion that we all must come out of the dark into the light regarding the education of our children. It is time for all citizens to become proactive. While we are debating which books should be included in the curriculum or which theories should be taught…..our alternative schools are filled with poor white children and children of color. While we debate if President Obama is a citizen of the United States or how Tiger Woods has failed us as a role model……1/3 of all African American young men are under some form government supervision.
The lyricist Lionel Richie actually captures my feelings when they are personalized: I may be just a foolish dreamer, but I don’t care….cause I know the children happiness is waiting out there somewhere. I am searching for that silver lining, horizons that children have never seen….I am dreaming my dream.
Please check these sites; there are people who are truly proactive.
www.everydayifight4youth.com
www.ascribeconsulting.com
http://speaksoniaspeak.blogspot,com
www.diaryofadreamer.com
www.baileygroup.org

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Wake up Sacramento!

Yesterday I received an email from a former student who sought my advice regarding her son’s academic performance and the management of the classroom by the teacher. During an observation she saw a classroom that did not have a focus on learning nor powerful teaching. I suggested that she send a certified letter, requesting a meeting with the principal and the teacher. After 10 schools days without any communications from the principal, she called for an appointment, which was scheduled on Monday, January 4, 2010. She gave me permission to share her experience with the readers of my blog. I have excluded the student’s name and the school’s name.
“I’m writing to let u know how the meeting went today with (** ***) principal. He totally did just as u said he would by putting things back on (*****) and trying to find out "what's really" his problem. I stood my ground. He defended his teacher by saying "if that's her policy, that's the way she runs her class" in regards to her not notifying me of (*****) behavior prior to my inquiry. She said " I don't call parents unless there's a behavior problem, he's a great kid but, he has to want it for himself"I asked the principal if this policy was acceptable to him, he told me "yes".
There are many disconcerting issues regarding how this school communicates with its stakeholders. Perhaps, the statement of the teacher (in bold type in the above paragraph) actually provides an insight to how parents are treated by the education system. Yes the young man must ‘want it for himself’, however, when a student sit in class and do nothing….isn’t that a behavior problem? To my knowledge we do not hire people because they were great kids. To my knowledge we do not admit young people into colleges and universities because they were great kids. We often forget what we are taught in school...but we will never forget those who failed to challenge us to greatest. Doing nothing is class is in fact a behavior problem. WAKE UP EVERYBODY!