tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779254612265342114.post6430881241223103802..comments2023-09-02T07:32:46.439-07:00Comments on Quriltai on the Shore: What does it take?Quriltaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05899113009557697341noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779254612265342114.post-81299637603320950492010-01-18T08:08:39.746-08:002010-01-18T08:08:39.746-08:00Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the le...Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the letter from Chester in response to the IG report online? I've been writing a series of series on problems in the national market for public charter schools in the blog "This Week in Education", and am turning to the GCACS fiasco tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Marc Dean MillotyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779254612265342114.post-61496909448449853872010-01-12T04:26:09.191-08:002010-01-12T04:26:09.191-08:00http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles...http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/01/12/report_details_reversal_on_school/<br /><br />Deval was for the Gloucester charter before he was against the Gloucester charter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8779254612265342114.post-8386491318911816222010-01-09T12:20:10.794-08:002010-01-09T12:20:10.794-08:00Mr. Reville, Mr. Chester, and Chairman Banta:
Tod...Mr. Reville, Mr. Chester, and Chairman Banta:<br /><br />Today’s Salem News includes a commentary signed by Paul Reville and Mitchell Chester. The opinion piece makes the case that we are finally establishing a plan to close the achievement gap, a problem that most would agree needs to be rectified. It is my view that ignoring the real problems at the suburban level is a growing problem that should have been addressed years ago. Runaway costs such as health insurance and pensions as well as asking suburban districts to fund suburban charters are just a few examples of places where the Commonwealth could and should step in for the purpose of helping those of us in the suburbs. Cutting teachers and needed administrators has translated into reductions in program availability and has reduced the ability of districts to keep up with the burdens of unfunded mandates passed from either the federal government or the Commonwealth. <br /><br />At a time when confidence in those being asked to oversee public education in Massachusetts cannot get any lower, it would be refreshing to advance the idea of true ‘Ed Reform.’ Former House Chair to the Joint Committee on Education, Pat Haddad, said it best when she spoke in December 2009. She commented that, “Ed reform is much bigger than this bill needs to be.” <br /><br />Closing the achievement gap is admirable, but so too is insuring that the continued deterioration of public education programming in the suburbs is stopped. Clearly we need to find a way to rebuild what has been torn down over these past few years. Given the funding problems in my community (Swampscott) you may well be closing the achievement gap simply by ignoring the real problems in non-achievement gap communities. <br /><br />Perhaps the most disappointing development this week was the House’s decision to not fund an adequacy study. The adequacy study issue along with the irresponsible history of non compliance with the requirements of MGL, chapter 70, section 4, leave me with the impression that political interest trump those of kids and taxpayers. The unwillingness on the part of all involved to look at cost containment strategies such and true municipal group health reform leave me with the impression that the strategy for solving school funding issues is rendered a non starter in an environment where revenue is a problem. Certainly saving a dollar equates to having an additional dollar of funding. <br /><br />Finally, I admit to some degree of satisfaction is seeing the credibility of Mr. Reville, Mr. Chester, and the BOE called into question. For too long there has been an unwillingness on the part of state education officials to actually listen to those that have contrary opinions. I call it the “smartest guy in the room” syndrome. Having sat across the table from angry parents with an interest in wanting to understand why music, band, or PE is being cut gives me the right to have an opinion as does having two children in the Swampscott Public Schools. You have a long way to go before decisions made by the BOE are viewed thru the prism of reason given the mess created in Gloucester. Every adverse or positive decision made relative to charter applications in the past few years as well as those made in the future will be questioned in light of the “credibility gap” you have managed to create. It clearly is time to stop blaming others and take a introspective look at who you are and what you’ve done to create a mess at a time when the economy has rendered change difficult but not impossible. <br /><br />On Monday start the discussion on how to close the “credibility gap.” A place to start is an admonition that the suburbs need help and a realization that until Gloucester is in the rear view mirror, every decision you make will be compromised by your failure to fix a self inflicted mess.<br /><br /><br />-- <br />David P. Whelan, Jr. <br />Former Swampscott School Committee member<br /><br />781-771-2732Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com