Wake Up Residents of Norwalk!

This is a guest blog by Lisa Thomson, a parent, taxpayer, middle school PTC President, member of the District Data Improvement Team and after-school program provider.

Wake Up Residents of Norwalk!!!

Many of you may not be aware, but there’s a lot going on in the world of public school education these days.  If you’re a parent in the school system…or even if you aren’t, and you’re just a taxpayer…then take note of my TOP 10 List of NPS Organizational Issues and ask yourself the following:   

# 1  Educational Reform Is Not Unique to Norwalk, it’s a National Agenda.  Education across this country is in desperate need of reforms that raise student achievement. But how best do we do it?  President Obama has repeatedly referred to our need to raise the bar, most recently in his State of the Union Address. His Race to the Top Program embodies many of the necessary goals and objectives and even the head of the Federation of Teachers Union, Randi Weingarten has acknowledged the need for reform.    Are you aware of the Race to the Top initiative, its goals or what our leaders think about reform in general?  

# 2  Accountability Begins at Home. Business as usual has NOT been working in America’s city school districts. Accountability is now en vogue, but it needs to be applied to everyone, not just the teachers!  It starts with kid’s personal accountability, hopefully instilled in the home and then in the schools.  We cannot, as a society, continue to beat up teachers, if at the same time, district policies allow ‘little Johnny do whatever he wants’ or claim that ‘it’s not little Johnny’s fault, or do not ‘reinforce little Johnny’s home study habits.’  Extreme parenting styles, ranging from ‘helicopter parenting, to outright child neglect’ spill over into the classroom.   Teachers cannot be expected to compensate for all the things that do or don’t happen in the home.   Where do you think accountability starts and how do you support your child’s teacher?

# 3  Set Higher Expectations and Standards for Kids At School!   Norwalk is a diverse school district that is to be celebrated. But children need to understand the concept of personal responsibility and achievement.  Home and classroom environments need to reinforce with children the value of setting goals and objectives.  Falling standards are not unique to Norwalk.  One need only listen to the news, to hear of the US’s low   math and science scores versus other industrialized nations, particularly those in Asia.   Sure, we all freak out when CMT testing begins...or do we?  Is PROFICIENT really where the bar should be set?  Shouldn’t ALL children, especially the one’s at higher risk, in lower income families, be expected to shoot towards the GOAL or ADVANCED ratings?  Does CMT testing drive the right behavior in our classrooms? Is everybody headed to college? Should everybody be headed to college? What about alternative trade schools?   What sorts of study, work ethics OR discipline do parents or schools instill in kids?  If kids screw off in class or don’t do their homework, do they get disciplined? Do parents or guardians get called or does the district let them slide?  High expectations don’t guarantee a child’s success in life, but low ones certainly seal their fate, setting them up for failure later. What policies do you think should be in place regarding academic expectations, options and consequences for students?

# 4  Student Data Through Common Assessments Is Helping  Reform HAS started in Norwalk and the  district has been recognized by the State, for its efforts in improving student achievement.  Analysis of student data is helping to  drive School Growth Plans, new teaching strategies and IS showing signs of progress, as many Norwalk schools met AYP last year.  But, we still have a long way to go, in terms of ensuring that the measures put in place drive the right adults actions/behavior in the schools and subsequently student achievement.  Do you know what AYP stands for or about the achievement gap?

# 5  Leaders Need to Lead.  As a parent and taxpayer, I expect principals and central office administrators to focus on driving changes that need to be made to outdated processes and ways of doing business.  Political in-fighting, and cries of cronyism at the top of the NPS food chain looks more like preservation of the status quo, especially, if I don’t see it linked back directly to the classroom. Leaders fail because they can’t build teams, fail to execute on plans, lack vision, and possess poor inter personal and communications skills.  Over 85% of the NPS budget is for staff and benefits.  Do I need to say more? What skills do you think educational leaders should have with regard to staff?

# 6  Elected Officials Need to Represent the People.  When recently elected B.O.E. members point to areas of inefficiency and/or ways to improve communication to the electorate they serve, those calling them irresponsible, look more like the Establishment that has contributed to the mess we find ourselves in. No SINGLE individual has dug the hole that we find ourselves in, but those obstructing the change that is needed, risk looking as though they have hidden self interests.    Do you think B.O.E. members should speak with one voice or should there be open debate?

# 7 Organizations Need Transparency and Checks and Balances.  Over the years, the B.O.E. has been perceived to rubber stamp most of the district’s practices. It has also demonstrated a public and parent communications policy, somewhat akin to the ‘white or black smoke blown up the chimney’ when selecting a new Pope.  We need transparent checks and balances on a host of district policies.  We also need more communication with the public that elected them.  Let’s hope that despite the chest pounding, B.O.E. members will come together and select a new superintendent who IS a true reformer, leader, team builder and communicator. One, who’ll mix things up, bring in some new thinking and challenge the secretive old- school style of management.    What do you think is the most important role of the B.O.E.?

# 8  Teams Going Through Change Need to Storm Before They Norm.  There are a lot of conversations and letters flying around right now by union representatives, administrators, anonymous NPS staff bloggers, B.O.E. members and parents (of which I include myself.)  I think this is all part of a necessary debate, in order for Norwalk to clean house. However, we must focus on ISSUES and SOLUTIONS that move our kids forward academically and not on unsubstantiated name calling.   Individuals, representing all aspects of NPS have had pent up feelings and attitudes that have been suppressed, contorted and distorted for years. The discourse, both written and verbal, while terse at times, is all part of the process associated with venting before we engage in change and reform.  What do parents and taxpayers think about all of the fighting going on?  Do you even know it’s happening?  

# 9  We’ll Have To Do  More With Less Money.  The reality of the situation is that we have no money. The ‘credit party’ that fueled property prices and the City’s tax base, IS OVER!   Education has historically gobbled up the lion’s share of our municipal tax dollars, but have shown little return in little Johnny’s academic results.  The reality of the situation is that we are going to have to tighten our belts people, and it’s going to be a bumpy ride.  Do you ever wonder why other country’s kids test better than ours, yet spend less than we do?

# 10  Take Care of the Classroom.  But, when all is said and done, without teachers, we have no educational system.  Last time I checked, most administrators don’t teach our kids.  Teachers need to be supported by parents and the community, now more than ever. Sure, some teachers are better than others, but most are incredibly dedicated and find themselves in a profession with HUGE systemic problems, while trying to teach little Johnny to read or write. They’re busy teaching our kids, so that means we as PARENTS need to be vigilant and stay on top of the issues, until we turn this educational ship around.   

So pay attention and get involved Norwalk!!!   Next year’s budget is being set and we need to come together and figure out a way to support the kids and the classrooms. Parents must take a stand and demand OPEN COMMMUNICATION, TEAMWORK, AND REAL LEADERSHIP from those hired and elected to be in charge, so that informed decisions can be made.  Things should improve when the superintendent position is filled. But, most likely, he or she will turn to us to do the things that we already know need to happen. So, WAKE UP Norwalk, wake up and get involved.  Your children and City need you.   

Lisa Thomson

Parent, Taxpayer, Middle School PTC President , Member of District Data Improvement Team
And After School Program Provider