Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Board agrees J.S. Clark to feed BTW(but what does that really mean)
During its August 21, 2007 meeting, the CPSB approved item number 21 on its agenda without debate. That item reads: "Feeder School for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton)."
On August 22, 2007, The Times reports this development as " J.S. Clark Middle to feed students to BTW, board decides." The problem is that this approval apparently comes without the requirement to redraw distrist lines or any other parameters.
That leads to the obvious conclusion that the approval was little more than an empty gesture. Board member Willie Burton is quoted in The Times article as saying "Redrawing the district lines wouldn't have changed a whole lot, and it wouldn't be relevant because students can choose where they want to go."
This of course is 180 degrees from item 17 that was on the boards agenda for Febuary 21, 2006. That item read: "Feeder Pattern proposal for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton/Robinson 603-5474).
It came with a recommendation of then superintendent, Ollie S. Tyler. The recommendation was designed to "...establish a main feeder pattern by realigning J.S.Clark Middle School to feed Booker T. Washington High. Attached are maps depicting the recommended changes to the BTW attendance zone.
Listed below are the proposed changes designed to address the declining enrollment.
1.Realign Booker T. Washington's southern most boundary.........
2.Realign Booker T Washington's eastern boundary................
3.Cap the enrollment at C.E.Byrd High School to 1,950 students from outside the attendance zone. The Magnet Program enrollment will not be affected."
Of course, item 17 was pulled from the agenda by Mr. Burton in order to allow the community to fully understand how the proposed changes affected them.
The foundation is now seeking further information and clarification on this development before issuing a final assessment. However, on a prelimanary basis, we have serious reservations about how this latest move by the board will truly benefit BTW.
Stay tuned..
On August 22, 2007, The Times reports this development as " J.S. Clark Middle to feed students to BTW, board decides." The problem is that this approval apparently comes without the requirement to redraw distrist lines or any other parameters.
That leads to the obvious conclusion that the approval was little more than an empty gesture. Board member Willie Burton is quoted in The Times article as saying "Redrawing the district lines wouldn't have changed a whole lot, and it wouldn't be relevant because students can choose where they want to go."
This of course is 180 degrees from item 17 that was on the boards agenda for Febuary 21, 2006. That item read: "Feeder Pattern proposal for Booker T. Washington High School (Burton/Robinson 603-5474).
It came with a recommendation of then superintendent, Ollie S. Tyler. The recommendation was designed to "...establish a main feeder pattern by realigning J.S.Clark Middle School to feed Booker T. Washington High. Attached are maps depicting the recommended changes to the BTW attendance zone.
Listed below are the proposed changes designed to address the declining enrollment.
1.Realign Booker T. Washington's southern most boundary.........
2.Realign Booker T Washington's eastern boundary................
3.Cap the enrollment at C.E.Byrd High School to 1,950 students from outside the attendance zone. The Magnet Program enrollment will not be affected."
Of course, item 17 was pulled from the agenda by Mr. Burton in order to allow the community to fully understand how the proposed changes affected them.
The foundation is now seeking further information and clarification on this development before issuing a final assessment. However, on a prelimanary basis, we have serious reservations about how this latest move by the board will truly benefit BTW.
Stay tuned..
Sunday, August 19, 2007
CPSB may vote on Feeder School for BTW
Published reports indicate that the CPSB may vote to make J.S. Clark a primary feeder to BTW at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2007. A review of the online agenda for the board does show this as an item for consideration.
For a good history of this situation, see Sunday's Shreveport Times as well as related information on this site.
Interested friends of BTW should plan to attend this board meeting as a show of support for this agenda item. The meeting will be held at 1961 Midway St, starting at 4:30p.m.
We know that the feeder school designation is not the total solution to fully restoring BTW. But it is the right thing to do. It simply corrects one of the clear disparities impacting our school, its students and the community.
For a good history of this situation, see Sunday's Shreveport Times as well as related information on this site.
Interested friends of BTW should plan to attend this board meeting as a show of support for this agenda item. The meeting will be held at 1961 Midway St, starting at 4:30p.m.
We know that the feeder school designation is not the total solution to fully restoring BTW. But it is the right thing to do. It simply corrects one of the clear disparities impacting our school, its students and the community.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
BTW Must Offer Choice
A preliminary list of Schools that must offer choice was recently released by the Louisiana Department of Education. BTW, deemed Academically Unacceptable, was among 12 Caddo Parish schools so identified under the terms of the No Child Left Behind act.
"Each consecutive year that a school is labeled Academically Unacceptable, it moves to a higher level of AUS (2-6+). Each higher level has additional and more stringent consequences for the school and can eventually lead to take-over by the state."
BTW, already in AUS 2, was required to "offer Supplemental Educational Services (SES) if it is a Title I school. The U.S. Department of Education defines Supplemental Education Services as "tutoring or extra help provided to students in reading, language arts/English, and math from approved providers." This "extra help" must be offered outside of regular school hours. These schools also must receive additional assistance from the school district along with additional support from the LDE."
Corrective Actions List Mandated by NCLB:
1. Replace school staff
2. Implement new curriculum
3. Decrease management authority
4. Contract an outside expert
5. Extend the school year or school day
6. Restructure
BTW is now in AUS 3. "Schools in AUS 3 continue the remedies from AUS 2. They must also write reconstitution plans with assistance from the district and add one item from a corrective actions list mandated by NCLB. The state also offers the support of a Distinguished Educator when funding is available."
All interested alums should be on high alert. You should plan to attend the next announced meeting of the alumni foundation. We must be at the table when any planning is taking place and be prepared to support our school as required.
Stay tuned!
"Each consecutive year that a school is labeled Academically Unacceptable, it moves to a higher level of AUS (2-6+). Each higher level has additional and more stringent consequences for the school and can eventually lead to take-over by the state."
BTW, already in AUS 2, was required to "offer Supplemental Educational Services (SES) if it is a Title I school. The U.S. Department of Education defines Supplemental Education Services as "tutoring or extra help provided to students in reading, language arts/English, and math from approved providers." This "extra help" must be offered outside of regular school hours. These schools also must receive additional assistance from the school district along with additional support from the LDE."
Corrective Actions List Mandated by NCLB:
1. Replace school staff
2. Implement new curriculum
3. Decrease management authority
4. Contract an outside expert
5. Extend the school year or school day
6. Restructure
BTW is now in AUS 3. "Schools in AUS 3 continue the remedies from AUS 2. They must also write reconstitution plans with assistance from the district and add one item from a corrective actions list mandated by NCLB. The state also offers the support of a Distinguished Educator when funding is available."
All interested alums should be on high alert. You should plan to attend the next announced meeting of the alumni foundation. We must be at the table when any planning is taking place and be prepared to support our school as required.
Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)