From The Gradebook: Pinellas middle school teachers win: Arbitrator orders return to old schedule

Thanks To The Gradebook for this link:


Pinellas middle school teachers win: Arbitrator orders return to old schedule


I would assume that Hillsborough did it right.

Nothing like a bus for a fast-news Sunday

I don't like to make several posts in one day because someone who checks in may not realize there is new material past the first new post they see. Assuming they care.

This will be my third post of today. I just couldn't miss a teachable moment when I see it.

Again from "The Gradebook", we have this link:
Fewer buses demand more cooperation - St. Petersburg Times

This comment stands out:

"What's troubling is that officials were caught off guard by how the changes would affect so many families. That shows weak planning and communication from the start."

I can't help but wonder if the HCPS administration is as surprised about this fact as a student who has been given inflated grades and then meets the real world.

Hillsborough County School District Has Implemented Best Practices and Is Eligible For State Seal

HCPS: Trans. Dept. - Annual Report

Focus on Education or Business or Politics

I just can't resist giving the dead horse one more kick.

Thanks to The Gradebook for this link: Pinellas School Board revokes official support of education reform group

According to the article, some of the Pinellas County school board had endorsed a report by the Pinellas Education Foundation.

Now, their names have been removed apparently at the request of the school board attorney for a reason.

The question is: Regarding this issue and interactions between the School Board and the Pinellas Education Foundation, were the decisions of the individual board members focused on education?

Superintendent's Evaluation

Thanks to The Gradebook for the link to the evaluation.

When I try to analyze information presented in this type of form, I like to reformat how the information is presented.

Here is how it would look:

Faliero:

Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: No Comment - Points = 5

Standard II. Policy and Governance:"Create a more formal process for updating the Board on daily operation of school system. Makes tough decisions and follows through even during difficult times." - Points = 4

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations:"Improved from last year’s evaluation. Continue to develop techniques to gain an unbiased external perception of the school district in the local area." - Points = 4

Standard IV. Organizational Management: No Comment - Points = 5

Standard V. Human Resource Management: "Employees have been the top priority in a time when other school districts are cutting jobs and leaving those unemployed. Mrs. Elia assisted employees in maintaining employment when position eliminated." - Points = 4

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: "ACT and SAT scores continue to rank the highest in the nation. More students are taking AP courses than ever. The Achievement Gap is narrowing. Student gains continue to rise yearly." - Points = 5

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: No Comment - Points = 5

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: No comment= Points = 5

Standard IX. Labor Relations: "Has been able to provide over 18 percent in raises to teachers over the past two (2) years." - Points = 5

AREAS OF STRENGTH: "Uses resources to improve student academic performance, even when revenues are declining. Streamlined operations in various divisions, creating a more safe and efficient environment in Transportation and Procurement; operations are more transparent; has moved the district forward, even in times of crisis."

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Provide budget forecasts and where we are operationally, according to Board goals during School Board meetings."

Total score 42 No Comments 4 Comment score = 22 No comment score = 20

****************************************
Edgecomb:

Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: "Working together to create the vision and mission, offered us multiple opportunities and times to share our beliefs and hopes for this district. My expectation is that together we will continue to monitor the efforts, hold each other accountable for achieving those goals, and put into place the support systems, staff expertise, and leadership needed for success. It is also important to continuously keep the lines of communication open among and between all stakeholders. I commend you on your leadership in this area for it continues to be a standard where you demonstrate the skills and direction needed to achieve our goals." - Pts = 5

Standard II. Policy and Governance: "This is an area that, at times, continues to challenge us as a leadership team. In this climate of doing more with less, it is absolutely critical that we never hesitate to find ways to improve our ability to work together. I believe we owe that to our students, employees, and community who want to see evidence of mutually respectful relationships and confirmation that even though we may not always agree, we are willing to put aside our differences to move this school district to the next level." - Pts = 4

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: "You are to be commended on your continuing efforts to improve in this area. Your small group sessions with employees, the budget updates, your community visibility and involvement, and your outreach to the community are all indicators that you have heard the concerns of many about the importance of timely, on-going, and responsive communication. Because communication and relationships are keys to building trust in and support for our system, you must continue to make this a top priority. It is important that you continue to seek ideas and input from both our critics and supporters and make more visible to them your efforts and the successes in this area." - Pts = 4

Standard IV. Organizational Management: "Your efforts to seek solutions and ideas for addressing budgetary issues, soliciting suggestions from and listening to employees, implementing those ideas where appropriate, and working with the Board on an ongoing basis to establish priorities and implement strategies have resulted in keeping our district financially solvent. Long-range planning, constant monitoring, and timely updates should continue to be the expected way to operate our district with an emphasis on openness, exchange of ideas, data to help drive our decisions, and accountability at every level." - Pts = 5

Standard V. Human Resource Management: "You have been aggressive and forthright in expressing to all the expectations of timely and appropriate evaluation of staff, the importance of offering assistance and support when needed, and expecting and acknowledging quality performance. With less emphasis on recruitment because of the budget, this gives the district greater opportunity to focus on retaining staff and creating plans for succession and cross-training that will offer continuity and opportunity for career growth and preparation. As the leadership team of the district, we must model and seize every opportunity to share our appreciation to our employees." - Pts = 5

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: "This is one of your greatest assets as a leader. You consistently demonstrate your tenacity, capacity, and skills as an effective and engaged instructional leader." - Pts = 5

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: "This is also an area of strength and one where you provide positive leadership and vision. One of the areas I hope you will pursue with greater urgency is improving our graduation rate for all students, but also developing specific strategies that target minority male students." - Pts = 4

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: "As we continue to face many sensitive and difficult issues, you have made notable strives to work with the Board to ensure that Board policies and procedures are developed and followed, and that fairness and ethical principles are practiced. Keeping these values and actions at the forefront are necessary for building and maintaining public confidence and trust in our district." - Pts = 5

Standard IX. Labor Relations: "You continue to display a willingness to build positive relationships with our employees and our employee unions. There is mutual respect between you and the unions, and because each of you has worked to build such a relationship, we are able to negotiate and work together in an environment that benefits our employees." - Pts = 4

AREAS OF STRENGTH - "Passionate leader that cares about the district and its progress, image, and future.

Aggressive leadership that is always seeking to bring new programs and opportunities for the district that will improve student achievement and promote a cutting edge approach to moving the district forward.

Recognizes the importance of celebrating and rewarding outstanding contributions and
performance of employees.

Creative and energized leader who continues to encourage the district to be at forefront of education reform and a visionary in public education."


AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Communication that keeps Board informed at the same level and improve the communication with staff so that we are kept informed about major and future activities.
Using and including the Board as an active and equal partner in promoting the images and messages of the district.
Make more apparent the programs and support that demonstrate the district’s efforts that targets success for all students, because there is the perception there is not enough emphasis on and opportunities for the average achieving student.

Though efforts have been made in the area of Board and staff governance, as a leadership team we must not lose sight of working more cohesively to continue the progress.

Total score 40 No Comments 0 Comment score = 40 No comment score = 0

*******************

Griffin:
Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: "The Superintendent has shown improvement in leadership and district culture. The district’s
commitment in assisting struggling schools is shown in the improvement of overall school grades. Also, the two-way communication regarding the recent budget issues has helped employees feel empowered by listening to and taking their suggestions -- continue working on communications." - Points = 3

Standard II. Policy and Governance: "Communication with this Board member needs to be strengthened. Communication with staff and the community has improved since 2006-2007; but, based on newspaper editorials written by the Superintendent or staff on behalf of the Superintendent, improvement needs to be made in the area of accepting responsibility for recommendations made, i.e., the sale of Gary Adult." - Points = 3

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: "The Superintendent has made discernible gains in the area of communication. The greatest issue facing education at the moment is the financial crisis. The direct and concise communication with employees has helped ease fears and concerns our employees would naturally have, given the budget shortfalls. With a large district, however, continued improvement must continually be strived for." - Points = 3

Standard IV. Organizational Management: "Organizational management is one of the Superintendent’s strengths. Due to financial forecasting, Hillsborough County School District is in a much better position with the budget than many districts in the state." - Points = 3

Standard V. Human Resource Management: "Recurring employee evaluations are vitally important to continuous employee improvement. The Superintendent has made this a mandate to principals and district management; however, communicate with employees that this Board and Superintendent places greater importance on evaluations than in the past. This could help avoid issues that have consistently come before the Board during dismissal hearings.- Points = 3

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: "Instructional leadership is one of the Superintendent’s greatest strengths. School grades and student test scores show improvement; however, it is this Board member’s philosophy that we need to provide a broader range of academic and elective opportunities and be very careful not to place the majority of our focus on College Board curriculum." - Points = 4

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: "As stated in Standard VI, curriculum planning – like instructional leadership – is a major strength. Nonetheless, there is a concern from the community that the school district needs to provide more balance in curriculum and electives. A well-balanced community has college-prepared graduates and career- (not work) prepared graduates. We need to remember that not every student is college bound and college is not the only indicator of success. For the sake of our students and community, we cannot lose site of this." - Points = 3

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: - No Comment - Pts = 3

Standard IX. Labor Relations: "The Superintendent has positive relationships with labor unions and treats both HSEF and CTA with mutual respect." - Pts = 4

AREAS OF STRENGTH

Total score 29 No Comments 1 Comment score = 26 No comment score = 3

**************************
Kurdell:
Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard II. Policy and Governance: - No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard IV. Organizational Management: - No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard V. Human Resource Management: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard IX. Labor Relations: No Comment - Pts = 5

AREAS OF STRENGTH: "Mrs. Elia continues to exhibit strong leadership across the district, state, and nation. She has garnered praise and awards for our county. She continues to push the standards of achievement for our students."

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Community support seems to continue, but communication still has some gaps; however, but it has improved in some areas, i.e., the pop up for info on our website."

Total score 42 No Comments 9 Comment score = 0 No comment score = 42

********************************

Lamb:
Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: "Has been recognized at state and national levels for leadership in raising academic standards. College Board president lauded her efforts." - Pts = 5

Standard II. Policy and Governance: "Is invited to state and national discussions, and has received several awards recognizing her leadership and efforts of district." - Pts = 5

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: "Tries valiantly to get the “facts” in the media. Wants the public to know what is taking place in our schools." - Pts = 4

Standard IV. Organizational Management: "District strategic plan. Reassignment of staff and downsizing efforts. “Doing more with less.”" - Pts = 5

Standard V. Human Resource Management: "Uses data in decision-making process." - Pts = 4

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: "Excelerator grant speaks volumes. Attends many, many school/district activities and functions." - Pts = 5

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: "Strong advocate and models use of data in decision making." - Pts = 5

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership:"Believes strongly in the evaluation process" - Pts = 5

Standard IX. Labor Relations - No Comment - Pts = 5

AREAS OF STRENGTH: "District is most fortunate to have her in a leadership role. She is very respected at state and national levels. It is most unfortunate that lack of resources from the Legislature have not allowed her to move the district as far as she’d like in some areas.
Has definitely raised level of aspiration in the district.
Provided volumes of support documents/ materials of documentation for her evaluation.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Needs to learn to adjust her schedule to have time for herself – especially at certain times in school year. Temper her desire to have everything done now."

Total score 43 No Comments 1 Comment score = 38 No comment score = 5

***************

Olson:
Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard II. Policy and Governance: No Comment- Pts = 4

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard IV. Organizational Management: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard V. Human Resource Management: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 5

Standard IX. Labor Relations: - No Comment Pts = 4

AREAS OF STRENGTH: Three items are of particular note. The first is the Superintendent’s foresight and financial management skills. Working with her staff, she has reduced the impact of the economic downturn on the district. Some of her actions have been unpopular, but she seems to be doing a better job of communicating districtwide, and we face much less dramatic cuts than many other districts.

The second item of note is the Superintendent’s ability to articulate district concerns at the state and federal levels, and to impact decisions at those levels. The relationships she has developed at those levels (in part because of her success at increasing student achievement), and her ability to articulate the best interests of students, are of great value to our students and teachers, and to the district.

Last, but not least, the Superintendent’s leadership has enabled teachers to help the students in our schools to move to new heights of achievement – no small feat given the often bizarre twists of testing and grading in this state.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Ms. Elia has begun to move away from excruciating emphasis on FCAT scores -- I hope she continues. In addition, I hope we will increase awareness of the value of “non-FCAT: pursuits like recess, art, and music to student learning; we need to continue to build staff morale; and the Superintendent and Board need to continue to work to improve relations. This is primarily a matter of the Board taking responsibility for its actions and operations, perhaps in ways that are not traditional, but the Superintendent must be a part of the discussions as she is our chief executive officer."

Total score 40 No Comments 9 Comment score = 0 No comment score = 40

*************************

Valdes:
Standard I. Leadership and District Culture: "The culture of the district depends on the leadership. There is still much work to be done to change the culture. I do not always see positive modeled behavior that creates a culture of the
described standard." - Pts = 3

Standard II. Policy and Governance: No Commment - Pts = 3

Standard III. Communications and Community Relations: "There has been some improvement in the area of communications and community relations.
There are still some gaps and room for improvement. On several occasions I have brought up the errors in the “en espanol” website and errors still exist.- Pts = 3

Standard IV. Organizational Management: "You have done a great job in the budget/financial aspect of the district. The interdepartmental collaboration and communication needs to improve, as well as internal and external communication." - Pts = 3

Standard V. Human Resource Management: "There seems to be inconsistencies in how employees are treated. Employee morale is low and employees feel that their loyalty to the district is not reciprocated by either the Superintendent or
their management." - Pts = 3

Standard VI. Instructional Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard VII. Curriculum Planning Development: No Comment - Pts = 4

Standard VIII. Values and Ethics of Leadership: No Comment - Pts = 3

Standard IX. Labor Relations: No Comment - Pts = 5

AREAS OF STRENGTH: "You’re very hard working and have high expectations for our school district. I appreciate the work that you do. I applaud you in the way you have worked with our unions and equally respect them."

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Besides the comments I made by the sections noted, the other area of concern is the ability to find a balance between the adult and technical career courses vs. the emphasis on Honors and AP courses and the area of agri-business. In this area is one of our biggest local businesses that
we must prepare for their future and support that industry."

Total score 31 No Comments 5 Comment score = 12 No comment score = 19

******************

Faliero: Total 42 No Comments 4 Comment score = 22 No comment score = 20

Edgecomb:Total 40 No Comments 0 Comment score = 40 No comment score = 0

Griffin: Total 29 No Comments 1 Comment score = 26 No comment score = 3

Kurdell: Total 42 No Comments 9 Comment score = 0 No comment score = 42

Lamb: Total 43 No Comments 1 Comment score = 38 No comment score = 5

Olson: Total 40 No Comments 9 Comment score = 0 No comment score = 40

Valdes: Total 31 No Comments 5 Comment score = 12 No comment score = 19

Apart From The Obvious, It Is What It Is

While I am patiently waiting for grasshoppers to respond, I will share a bit of the fun I had on The Gradebook today.

My fun started at "Frans van Haaren | July 26, 2008 at 12:39 AM".

Admittingly, as was later pointed out, my dialogue with "publicschoolteacher" was "off topic". But by the time this started, the "serious topic points" had plenty of time to be made.

I posted these comments:
Fran's Backup - Which part is apart? | July 26, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Fran's Backup - Making my point | July 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Fran's Backup - Just The Parent | July 26, 2008 at 12:06 PM
One more off topic comment | July 26, 2008 at 02:15 PM

All I know for sure apart from a part that I wrote, if I don't pitch in my part, and no one else pitch's in their part, none of us will have a part to pitch in.

Blaming Parents 101

This is the kind of stuff that gets my lamb chops. And my goat.

Here is another article on The Gradebook titled Want kids to perform? Reward them

While I do not agree with this concept, I haven't got to the part that really puts my ovine in a bundle.

If one reads the articles (follow all of the links), you see names such as
1 - Sen. Elaine Alquist, the bill's sponsor

2 - Jeb Bush

3 - Patricia Levesque - "Bonuses for student performance have been tested for more than a decade, and results show this type of incentive works," reads the statement from Patricia Levesque, the foundation's executive director.

4 - Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

5- Roland G. Fryer, the Harvard economist who designed the student incentive program,

6 - Nationally, school districts have experimented with a range of approaches....

7 - Virginia Connelly, the principal of Junior High School 123, in the Soundview section of the Bronx.......


I do not see any "Parent" being mentioned.

I do not see any "Parent" sponsoring a bill.

I do not see any "Parent" asking the public school system to do this.

But I did see this comment on the Gradebook post:

Isn't it the PARENT'S job to be setting the example and rewarding their children for bringing home good grades (and punishing them for bad ones)? Parents have to take responsibility for their kids and stop expecting the state to raise them right.

Posted by: Frustrated | July 21, 2008 at 05:15 PM


This is what is frustrating to me. Blaming parents for something they didn't start.
However, once it is provided to them, when it is taken away they do complain then.

But parents didn't start it.

I wrote about this a long time ago here as anonomous. Here is the reprint:

"Connecting free school transportation with free school breakfast.

This got my attention: "Following school districts in Baltimore, New York City, Seattle and Tampa, Palm Beach County is embracing a healthy breakfast as a weapon against discipline problems, chronic visits to the nurse and a lack of focus in the classroom."
palmbeachpost.com August 13

I hear a lot of criticism about how parents are doing their "job' and I hear many complaints that the school system has to "do it all". Which came first, poor parenting or a system that instilled dependence? While the stated reasons for providing this free lunch are laudable, one must look at the big picture.

I can only imagine that in a few years this "free breakfast" program will be a financial burden on the system. But by then, two things will have happened. The first will be that this entitlement mentality will be entrenched in the public. The second will be that the etilogy of this program will be forgotten. The school personnel will blame the kids and the parents for not being responsble, and the parents will be angry because their lifestyles will have adapted to the system and the system is "abruptly" taking away something.

One more thought while I have the opportunity. In the Palm Beach Post article, there was this sentence: "Palm Beach County's program will be paid for with state and federal money. It might even be a money-making venture for the food service department, which operates as an independent corporation and does not draw from the district's general fund."

This statement leads me to believe that the motivation for the program was money, not the stated reasons of having more alert students. I could be wrong, oh me of little faith.
August 13, 2007 9:09 AM"

What? But We Sent Out A Press Release That Says We Are A Model Education System

Isolated incidents. (sarcastically said)

Broad brush attacks. (sarcastically said)

Unfair criticisms. (sarcastically said)

GPA's that are almost twice what is considered Excellent.(sarcastically said)

How can one deny that our local educational system is a leader within the nation? (sarcastically said)

Naysayers and critiques are simply wrong minded and have misplaced judgement.(sarcastically said)

Personal issues. Political issues.

What ever issues there are, the local educational system is simply a victim of circumstances, but remains a national icon. (sarcastically said)


But now we have a comment from Forbes Magazine.

Via the Gradebook, a link to the St. Pete Times - Dominic Tayo


"Forbes magazine this month named Tampa the worst major metro area for young professionals in America — for the second year in a row."

Is There More Money in Test Scores Than The Kid?

Somewhere on my blogs I have written about the legal requirement under IDEA for school districts to address the behavioral, academics, social and emotional (BASE) aspects of a disabled child in all areas of their disability. A successful student must have supports in all areas.

I was perusing the Gradebook this morning, and I found this link to the Miami Herald titled FCAT third-grade reading law questioned .

At the very end of the article, the Broward County Board Chairperson is quoted as follows:

"''We always seem to focus on the academic side. It was really important for me to focus on the social and emotional side,'' said Bartleman, who worked at a Liberty City elementary school for four years. ``A kid isn't just a test score.'"

I think she gets it.

Since schools get money for having high test scores, it would seem logical to focus on academics, since that is where the money is.

But simply adding more flour and cutting out other ingredients does not a cake make.

Bakeries that attempt to get by with more flour and cut out the eggs, milk, vanilla, and other ingredients will fail.