RCSD Excellence in Student Achievement Committee Notes 11/13

Parent Representative Notes from the Excellence in Student Achievement Committee from 11/18/13, including the slides from Superintendent Vargas' presentation "Improving Student Achievement with a Sense of Urgency"

Transcript

1. Excellent in Student Achievement Committee Parent Representative Notes – Craig Cypher November 18, 2013 – I was surprised to see when I arrived the presence of the major news stations outside the Broad Street offices since this meeting is often sparsely attended. Even more surprised to see the full board in attendance (Mary Adams skyped in, Willa Powell was the only one absent). The title of Dr Vargas' presentation was Improving Student Achievement with a Sense of Urgency. His initial bullet points were: 1. End the annual budget crisis 2. Shift management of some schools 3. Revitalize CTE (Careers in Technical Education) 4. Engage Community to Improve Student Behavior 5. Eliminate Summer Learning Loss Point #1 - Budget • Dr. Vargas noted a need to make difficult choices regarding budget, particularly as the school population as a whole shrinks. He mentioned specifically the need to shrink central office and reduce costs related to building rental and maintenance. Point #2 – New Management of schools by Higher Ed • Colleges will step in to manage some schools – he is proposing engagement and discussion with local colleges and universities to take over some schools with a 2015- 2016 start. • Committee Chair Van White noted his enthusiasm for this idea and the opportunities it can bring for students and families. Point #3 – Technical Education • Emphasized the need to reinvest in technical education for students, including moving towards more programs including auto repair, computer networking, cosmetology, dental/heatlh, HVAC, plumbing, etc. Wants to work to let RCSD students be eligible for BOCES technical programs starting in 2014-2015 school year. Point #4 – Student Behavior Issues • Noted issues around ongoing behavioral problems with RCSD students, including suspensions, security, and issues related to student behavior at Main Street/Liberty Pole. Wants to engage the community, including parents, students, community leaders, community agencies, faith communities, school administrators, teachers, and staff in discussions to create a new student code of conduct. Point #5 – Summer Learning Loss • Noted that “reading by 3rd grade is a top academic priority” - wants to boost early literacy through full day pre-K programs and provide summer learning opportunities for all K to 3rd grade students.
2. Much of the discussion that followed focused around the student behavior issues, including Malik Evans noting that he hoped current successful efforts could be duplicated (such as those with African-American boys at School #9), Melisza Campos noting a need for an overarching theme to increase buy in and the need to address mental health issues, and Cynthia Elliott noting the need to address the particular needs of African-American students and their families. Ms. Elliott also noted that she was disappointed that she did not see the “sense of urgency” in this proposal. My questions/comments for Dr. Vargas centered around the need for assessment and measurement of the emotional and social climate of schools, noting that there are measures that look at a 360 degree view of the connection of all involved with the school---students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff. Additionally I asked that central office move away from dead or dying forms of gaining feedback and connecting with parents (mailed surveys, landline phone calls) and instead seek out parents at natural opportunities to meet them (open houses, picnics, talent shows, PTA/School Based Planning Team Meetings, and other events) and take time to get feedback there. I also asked what Dr. Vargas thought would be different or add value when it came to colleges/universities running district schools. He stated that they would bring expertise, a more “streamlined” experience for parents (one office you work with), these organizations could have flexibility with teacher contracts, including salary and benefits, they would have “not as many policies”, “more stability” and “cohesion”, and there would be a “history” behind the colleges/universities that could bring a recognition that would appeal to parents. Below are scanned images from the powerpoint file that was distributed at the start of the meeting. Unfortunately, I do not have an electronic copy of the file and had to scan them in manually with my home printer so apologies for the quality. I have requested an electronic copy to share. --Craig