An op-ed in today's Globe argues that busing should be discontinued in Boston for financial, environmental and practical reasons. Good points, all. I wonder, though. If busing were stopped completely, would schools like the Lyndon (52% white) or Kilmer (62% white), have any children of color?
N.B. I don't know how busing works for schools like this, but it seems likely that primarily white, higher performing schools in primarily white neighborhoods like West Roxbury would just get whiter, right?
Update:
Vaznis has a piece in the Globe today about the high cost and inefficiencies of busing in the Hub.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
That Time of the Year
At my school, it's THAT time of the year. If you've ever worked in a charter school, you know what I mean. It's mid-year review time.
In the middle of the school year, or there abouts, charter schools and their teachers start to do the "what's happening next year?" dance. You see, charter school teachers generally work under year-to-year contracts. So every year, decisions are made about who will be on the faculty the following year. These discussions usually happen about now and continue until any hiring is complete...hopefully before the end of the school year.
What are the possibilities?
Many teachers are asked back to continue the hard work they've been doing. Contract negotiations usually happen later. These teachers start to discuss with administrators whether they will be teaching the same subjects, grade levels etc. Teachers generally get some kind of input in this process.
As charter school teachers tend to be young, some will decide that they aren't coming back. Most people who choose to leave on their own do so for the same reasons. Some move to different cities, usually because of significant others' job or schooling needs. Others need a break from teaching and decide to change careers or go to graduate school. Others are just ready for a change and decide to apply to other schools (suburban, charter, district). A rare few move up the ladder into administration. Others are starting families and plan time off.
And then there are the dicey ones - the teachers who aren't asked back. Budgetary concerns are sometimes the cause. Other times, shifting student numbers are the reason. Some teachers aren't asked back because they aren't particularly good at their jobs - or they really are terrible.
In any case, this process - deciding who will be on staff next year - is a swamp of rumors, gossip, secrecy and detective work. I always feel like the last to know what's going on, but I bet others feel the same way. And even if you're staying, it's sad and concerning to see your colleagues leaving, for whatever reason. I'll be excited when everything is decided and out in the open. Then, we can start worrying about hiring (if necessary) and planning for next year.
In the middle of the school year, or there abouts, charter schools and their teachers start to do the "what's happening next year?" dance. You see, charter school teachers generally work under year-to-year contracts. So every year, decisions are made about who will be on the faculty the following year. These discussions usually happen about now and continue until any hiring is complete...hopefully before the end of the school year.
What are the possibilities?
Many teachers are asked back to continue the hard work they've been doing. Contract negotiations usually happen later. These teachers start to discuss with administrators whether they will be teaching the same subjects, grade levels etc. Teachers generally get some kind of input in this process.
As charter school teachers tend to be young, some will decide that they aren't coming back. Most people who choose to leave on their own do so for the same reasons. Some move to different cities, usually because of significant others' job or schooling needs. Others need a break from teaching and decide to change careers or go to graduate school. Others are just ready for a change and decide to apply to other schools (suburban, charter, district). A rare few move up the ladder into administration. Others are starting families and plan time off.
And then there are the dicey ones - the teachers who aren't asked back. Budgetary concerns are sometimes the cause. Other times, shifting student numbers are the reason. Some teachers aren't asked back because they aren't particularly good at their jobs - or they really are terrible.
In any case, this process - deciding who will be on staff next year - is a swamp of rumors, gossip, secrecy and detective work. I always feel like the last to know what's going on, but I bet others feel the same way. And even if you're staying, it's sad and concerning to see your colleagues leaving, for whatever reason. I'll be excited when everything is decided and out in the open. Then, we can start worrying about hiring (if necessary) and planning for next year.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Massachusetts Public School Performance
I'm presenting at a showcase for Massachusetts Public School Performance (MPSP) tonight. This organization provides interim assessment exams for public middle schools (charter and district), in the greater Boston area. I'm representing my school at this event tonight to explain to guests how we use student assessment data to inform instruction.
Update:
It was a very nice event at the City Year HQ near Back Bay. I had interesting conversations with teachers and administrators from APR, Eliot K-8 (BPS), Salem Academy Charter School, Boston Prep, Excel and Randolph Public Schools. Also learned a little about a new beta website that hopes to publish entire charter school curricula (lesson plans, materials, etc.) on the web. More to follow on this one after I try out the site.
Update:
It was a very nice event at the City Year HQ near Back Bay. I had interesting conversations with teachers and administrators from APR, Eliot K-8 (BPS), Salem Academy Charter School, Boston Prep, Excel and Randolph Public Schools. Also learned a little about a new beta website that hopes to publish entire charter school curricula (lesson plans, materials, etc.) on the web. More to follow on this one after I try out the site.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Deval Patrick's Budget
James Vaznis writes in today's Globe about the Governor's proposal to raise the cap on charter schools in the worst performing districts in the Commonwealth.
Initial Questions:
Initial Questions:
- The proposal suggests creating a budget line exclusively for charter schools. Does this really put charter funding at risk and how big is that risk? I'd love to hear from someone who understands this better.
- How will these new charter schools reconcile the requirement that they serve super-super-majorities of underserved students (LEP, SPED, low SES, etc) while using a lottery system that does not take any of these attributes into consideration?
Uphams Corner Charter School Closed
The MA BOE voted to close Uphams Corner Charter School yesterday. While this is clearly sad for the kids, teachers and administrators who were making a go of it, this was long overdue. Teacher and student turnover was high and student performance was exceptionally low. It was time to free up these seats for other schools, and the BOE did just that.
While I wish that the cap on charter school seats in urban districts was not so low (currently 9%), I appreciate the fact that MA has a high bar for charter school quality and is not afraid to shut down charters that aren't working. If only the same could be said for the Boston Public Schools.
While I wish that the cap on charter school seats in urban districts was not so low (currently 9%), I appreciate the fact that MA has a high bar for charter school quality and is not afraid to shut down charters that aren't working. If only the same could be said for the Boston Public Schools.
Welcome to Charter School Independent
I'm a teacher at a high achieving charter school in Boston, MA who's interested in high quality math instruction, the differences between CMO-managed charter schools and independent charter schools, the battles over charter school expansion vis a vis traditional urban public schools, union vs. non-union teacher disagreements, standardized testing woes, etc.
The word "independent" in the title of this blog alludes to the fact that I have no formal ties to two of the most powerful forces in the charter school world - namely, Teach for America and charter management organizations like KIPP, Achievement First, Uncommon Schools, etc.
The word "independent" in the title of this blog alludes to the fact that I have no formal ties to two of the most powerful forces in the charter school world - namely, Teach for America and charter management organizations like KIPP, Achievement First, Uncommon Schools, etc.
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