My question is somewhat related to Dr. A's letter - The City Schools website says that there will be "a special board meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 starting at 6:00p.m." Will someone from the Sun be there to give a report of what was presented? I am very interested in what will happen at this meeting, but as a working parent I really have a hard time attending these meetings (which often run for several hours). If someone does attend it should provide several days worth of posts for this blog and spark some interesting discussions, I'm sure.

I'll tell you what is going to happen at that meeting...NOTHING! It is all a smokescreen because we know all the real deals happen behind closed doors!

Post to BCPSS Parents @ 2009 Summer Learning Program

BCPSS continuing further missteps in student proficiency test data accountability for our local district schools 2009 Summer Learning Program. Schools Benchmark Test Assessment Data outcomes taken from the issued February 09 Benchmarks proficiency test results measure the student proficiency rates test scores in math/reading, which is being use for the first time in this years citywide 2009 Summer Learning Program which schools determine by a central office-driven decision assign to each local district site school by grade level are being labeled Tiering into two (2) categories Tier I, Tier II. Early questions in May 09 echo’s by parents raised, aimed at central office school system staff, and executives officers that some schools tier categories I, II, assigned were in suspect of being in error by parents who expressed major concerns regarding the proficiency assessment test data accuracy? Parents questioned if the school principals are accomplished in the how-to comprehension to engage the Tier petition/appeal process for missteps in the central office-driven data accuracy being used for correctly assigned categories tiers?

Subsequently, another review for clarification was done by central office confirmed this month Benchmark proficiency assessment test scores data was found missing and/or was realized missing from some local district schools by grade levels. If essential proficiency assessment test data scores results and assigning tiering categories in primary/secondary schools, grades level K-8, were not considered for some of the local district schools how good is the newly created Tiering process? Immediate central office corrective action was to be implemented two weeks before the summer learning starting date on Monday, June 29th by grade level from the February 09 Benchmarks proficiency rates test in math/reading, which determined which school grade level were tiered into 2 categories tier 1, tier 2 were in error. Let’s hope for better BCPSS central office practices in the future….

The only things on the agenda are the new hires and the start of the facilities cycle.

@ a parent:

From what I understand, the purpose of the special board meeting is for approval of personnel changes that need to be approved by the board (ie; administators, etc.)

Joe,

Wow. You know so much. Great to see someone be so critical when this year was the biggest success City Schools has seen in decades.

Dear "Joe's an idiot" - back that claim up.

It's obvious from the shenanigans of the past few weeks that the CEO of the Baltimore City School systems is working "back door" deals with board members (Brian Morris). Creating a job for your buddy and hiring him without considering anyone else is classically a back door deal.

Now, the board, the Mayor's office, and the State have dropped the ball as well, so there's enough blame to go around, but it's the CEO and the board who took those actions in the Morris incident, Joe hit the nail right on the head...

How about we hear from you about why, "this year was the biggest success City Schools has seen in decades." Was it the school closings, or our graduation rate breaking about 40%, or was it the great job they did firing all those teachers that made a great year in your mind ???

So I guess the answer is no, no one from the Sun will be attending the meeting.

Not that the other comments don't have value - Joe, J's an I & Dave T may continue calling each other names if you want to and thanks for the other comments about what's on the agenda. Really though, I just wanted to know if we would be getting coverage of North Ave board meetings anymore.

A parent: Yes, The Sun plans to send a reporter to the meeting Tuesday night. Thanks for your interest in the blog.

Dave T,

Did you read the end of the year message? Sad that you let one mistake that humans made ruin the success of the City Schools children and systems put in place by Alonso and Co.

So if you both dislike Alonso so much, then please tell me who would be so much better. Do you want to do the job? Or do you prefer to sit and play Monday Morning Quarterback? Why don't you become a part of the solution and not the problem?

Good to see someone is releasing comments. Please-- for those Sun reporters who write "I wonder what the readers think?" And then don't release comments-- stick to writing unidirectional stories as the mouthpiece for Grasmick. Where is Sara!

Oh, both of you--GROW UP! Of course, the end of year letter is upbeat and, of course, things are not rosey everywhere. We all know that. If you have a better solution, put it out there and see what happens. I think my main frustration has been that no one, even Alonso, seems to be able to put forth a cohesive, focused view of the schools that all of us can understand.

Alonso is not afraid to try new approaches, as opposed to the sad 40 plus years that preceeded him, years that gave us failing students, dwindling resources, and public scorn. In two years there are actually measurable improvements - attendance, test scores, a rise in enrollment, more money directly to schools, etc. The nayayers will always be on the sidelines
while the real work is getting done. I am a parent of 2 city school students and I have seen the improvements firsthand.

Sure, there are some huge challenges ahead of us. Sure, Morris shouldn't have been hired in such an opaque way. Sure, a 50% dropout rate is unacceptable.

But most of the people who think these problems are the whole picture are outsiders. Both Brian Morris and Andres Alonso have great track records adding serious value to a school system that needs it.

And sad as it is, closing schools is often shown by research to be the only way out of stagnation.

Meanwhile, some really meaningful measures of progress put us ahead of a lot of other urban systems. Our scores are up across the board. Dropout rates are plummeting. Enrollment is actually UP, and that's almost unheard of in city education.

So while it tends to be adults who get mad about administrative problems, it's all these other measures that make a difference for children. And kids' needs come first.

Baltimore's students, families, and educators deserve our praise and gratitude. So does system leadership. Give credit where it's due.

Censorship of submitted post going on @ Inside Ed

Where is my submitted blog post?????

@I&EP -
I don't think it's censorship - posts are just taking longer to make it to the blog. Specifically comments made over the weekend appear on Monday. You're original comment is up near the top (#3). At least that's what I've seen on my comments.

@I&EP - I also don't think its censorship, just a delay in having your post translated... while I enjoy your post, they are sometimes hard to interpet.. I somethimes wonder if your post are riddles that we win a prize if we figure out what you are talking about.

So ... let me stick my foot in it... For many years people have been saying that the data generated by BCPSS is inaccurate and misleading so why should we be concerned now? What exactly is the "problem" with being a tier 1 vs tier 2 school? Which schools are affected by this?

Good afternoon, InsideEd'ers. Just stumbled across this earlier today, and figured you all would find it quite interesting: http://www.abanet.org/litigation/litigationnews/top_stories/internet-defamation-brodie.html. Wonder if this will have any sort of "dampening" effect on forums such as this?

OMG!

Bill--Where's the deflamation? Now anyone who disagrees with your opinion can be sued--sounds like something former Vice-President Cheney would do. Out of curiosity, where were you during the last debacle?

As I read it there's not a problem staying anonymous unless you say something libelous. Honestly, I don't think the Sun would approve the comment unless they thought it was not libelous. I certainly try not to lie about anyone on this blog. I also stay away from naming specific schools or personnel. I really don't see why this should change anything. Unmoderated comments would be the problem IMHO.

Post in reply @ Over the Top

First you revealed in your post writing obviously do not have children or family in the primary/secondary grade level BCPSS or perhaps your one of those types you don't care about their quality of education, teaching and learning.

Second there is no blog translation involved your quote: "post translation". But you need to consider for your benefit automatic spell check for your own systemic misspelling errors. "My shot fired back at you." I accepted the earlier explanation offered by (A Parent) as being valid. Thank you.

Last in reply to your quote:"So ... let me stick my foot in it...” you assume to much about something you think you know about by third party hear-say about the school system past handling of school data accuracy history which you know nothing about and you try to speak about as fact. Confused don't be. Mis-education alignment by correct tiering category result hurts all students by grade level enrolled in summer learning programs for enrichment, retention, and remediation. All schools can be affected by this problem. Do further research on your own by contacting the BCPSS CAO office of Academic Achievement to pursue further questions and answers?

Whoops, sorry! Wasn't trying to be passive aggressive there, just passing along an interesting article I ran across. Just figured with all the comments about non-posting and blog anonymity, it'd be an interesting read.

@OToT (getting pretty close to OTT, there!) - which debacle?

@I&EP - my favorite quotation from the last post: "Confused don't be." Very Yoda-like.

@I&EP -
Your ASSUMPTIONS about me are partially correct. I no longer have children in the school system BUT I do care because as a homeowner and taxpaying resident of Baltimore City, I realize that my financial investment in the homes I own are impacted by the quality of schools in the community. As a graduate of a BCPSS high school a small part of my legacy is tied to the well being and reputation of BCPSS schools.

I take you to your word that you are an " Interested and Engaged Parent" who has a wealth of knowledge about the interworking of BCPSS BUT I sometimes wonder if your are also a disgruntled ex-BCPSS employee with an ax to grind.

So rather than point out my typos, be godlike and help the blind to see...ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!!! You introduced this topic so to tell me to do my own research is disingenuous. My ASSUMPTION is that this blog is to exchange information and experiences about dealings with BCPSS. If you know, share. Refusal to do so makes you useless to any informed debate.

@ Jennifer Badie -
After your response that someone would be at Tuesday's board meeting I've been hoping to see some sort of post saying what transpired. I wouldn't mind the post was "not much happened beyond naming the following appointments..." It's hard not to be disappointed with no posts at all.

A parent: Liz Bowie was in attendance at the meeting this past Tuesday. Routine business was conducted that we did not believe was newsworthy.

Bill--The appointment of Mr. Morris.

Post in reply @ Over the Top

"You can't handle the truth" Confused don't be so.

Definition as follows:
Wonder-rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience b : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

I would like to share my thoughts on Dr. Alonso’s end of year message. I understand that in order to promote positive changes, positive attitudes are required. My concern is that by communicating only positive data, as Alonso does here (with the exception of talking about the decrease in staff), he is covering up the deficiencies and presenting a very biased view of the school system.

I don’t think presenting the school system in this manner is fair to students because parents and citizens will read this letter, think that city schools are vastly improving, and will not feel concerned about the state of education. I think if Dr. Alonso really wants to help the kids, he should be honest and state that a lot of schools are still doing terribly. He should make it clear that many students graduating high school cannot write or read at high school level and cannot perform basic math. I’m not saying to get rid of the positive data he has reported, but that he should reflect on the positives and the negatives.

Maybe he could send out a request for parents, teachers, and interested citizens to send their suggestions of possible ways to better serve these kids. Regurgitating positive data about graduation rates honestly isn’t that impressive to me. Ever see that HBO documentary about Frederick Douglass High where the school goes from around 130 eligible 12th grade graduates to around 200 in a matter of days? Seventy students are not ready to graduate, and then, poof, in a few days they are? Sure, students are now required to pass HSA’s to graduate, and people brag about that. Under certain circumstances, students are allowed to complete “projects” instead of the HSA. There isn’t enough consistency in the data for me to find it entirely credible.

I think Dr. Alonso can do more than say let’s give ourselves a little pat on the back for the progess we’ve made.

The Tuesday meeting, while routine in terms of business, was interesting in who was placed where. Maybe people would like to know who went where like was printed for Montgomery County (?) a few weeks back. That information doesn't go out to lots of folks unless they know where to look. Also, maybe Liz et al should ask about MSA/HSA scores that came back very quickly.

seriously!

Why can't someone from the sun investigate why failed principals are being recycled into high-level administration jobs at North Ave. A principal who ran a school into the ground for two years, teaches for a year, and then is named Director of Extended Learning. Serious nepotism going on right before our eyes. And Why can't we see the salaries these people are making. They can see ours(teachers.)

I think when you're having a hard time figuring out how to put something on this blog every day, even some news that's not "newsworthy" would be a plus. I just got MSA scores in my mail from one school - hard to imagine that didn't get mentioned at the board meeting. There's a whole bunch of people getting jobs related to the new "network" structure. The blog-mill says that appointments are being delayed, they must have said something about that. No mention about plans for filling the vacant board chair position?

Not much point going to the meeting if you can't get a single blog post out of it.

It's been a while since I've been on the blog. I guess since Sara left. I talk with her on Twitter, but she's necessarily moving away from education.

I'm writing in response to Laura's post. At the end of the school year, it is entirely appropriate for Dr. Alonso to write an upbeat, congratulatory letter. It is just after elementary, middle and high school graduations. There are things to celebrate. And it is appropriate to do so, especially in this format. Dr. Alonso periodically sends out letters to all families in the system to keep us up to date on what's happening. In those he lists the good news and the bad news. He has repeatedly said that the bad news is "unacceptable" to him.

As for involvement and suggestions, if you are a parent, I recommend that you contact the Office of Family and Community Engagement for advice on how to become more involved. They will probably recommend that you join the Parent Engagement Committee in your own school. These committees have direct influence on the policy of the individual school, where the decisions are supposed to be made.

We cannot overlook that "decentralization" means that Baltimore City has free market education. That means that successful schools will get greater resources and unsuccessful schools will be closed. My hypothesis, supported by the "free market education" model from the 1950s is that closure decisions will be made less on test scores and more on enrollment. Principals are going to need to attract more students to their schools to remain viable. As city-wide enrollments open up more at the middle grade level, we are going to find more and more schools close, schools that can't maintain enrollment figures at 300 or above. Again, this is speculative, but I have been following both Baltimore and New York city reforms very closely. Seriously, if you want to know what's going to happen in Baltimore, just read the history of Joel Klein's tenure in New York. Neither the blog nor the paper have looked at that. It's exciting but very scary. We will remain in a chaotic environment for several more years as staff is shuffled out and new staff is shuffled in.

Have a great summer!