Joan Gaylord, former education reporter at The Hour, wrote a story for The Daily Norwalk about Stacy Lore's arrest. Gaylord reported on this story extensively, and in fact, uncovered many critical facts.
For those of you who don't know, Stacy Lore, the owner of Spectrum Kids LLC, posed as a certified behavior therapist for autistic pre-school children and billed the Norwalk schools almost $160K. Turns out, she was a fraud, falsifying her credentials.
Ms. Gaylord highlights several important issues in her story, including the ineffectiveness and lack of accountability in our district regarding this terrible incident.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Smartboards
I wrote a story about Smartboards for the TheDailyNorwalk.com. It was the first time I saw one in action in a classroom, and I was amazed and just a wee bit envious. My kids don't have smartboards in their classroom, and I couldn't help wondering what they are missing out on. I make the point in my article that with shrinking budgets, it is not likely that we will see smartboards in every classroom in Norwalk for a while.
I'd love to hear from teachers about the value or possible value of a smartboard in your classroom. Parents, do you think kids who have smartboards have a richer learning experience?
I'd love to hear from teachers about the value or possible value of a smartboard in your classroom. Parents, do you think kids who have smartboards have a richer learning experience?
Monday, March 29, 2010
CT Students Do Well on National Reading Test But Don't Excel
Results from the The National Assessment of Educational Progress, dubbed the "Nation's Report Card", show that Connecticut students are doing better in Reading and Math than most other students in the country.
However the results also show that more than half of Connecticut's children have only a basic or below basic understanding of the subject matter in Reading. In addition while gains have been made in the past 20 years at closing the achievement gap between white and minority students, in recent years there has been no change. (You can get see the break down of state comparisons here.)
“All the progress in reading is being made at the bottom,” said Tom Loveless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution told the New York Times in an article. “Our worst readers are getting better, but our best readers are staying about the same.”
The tests are given every two years to 338,000 randomly chosen fourth and eighth grade students around the country. The Reading scores were released last week while the Math scores were released earlier in the year.
In the 2009 Reading test CT fourth graders scored 229 on a 500 point scale. Only one state, Massachusetts scored statistically higher. When the testing began in 1990 Connecticut students scored 222 so students have improved, but in the past decade CT fourth graders scored 230 and they have remained unchanged since then. So essentially the early gains have been unsustainable.
At the eight grade level CT students scored 272. Only students in Massachusetts and New Jersey scored higher. However once again the long term results show that the improvements were made in the early years. When testing began in 1990 CT eighth grade students scored 222. This years score is up since the score in 2007 when students scored 267, but earlier in the decade students had scored 272.
A closer look at the Reading scores among CT students shows that while they did very well in comparison to their peers around the country, their actual performance leaves much to be desired.
At the fourth grade level in CT 24% of test takers were below basic level, 33% were a at basic level, 31% were proficient, and 11% were advanced. At the eighth grade level in CT 19% were below basic, 39% were at a basic, 38% were profficient, and 4% were at an advanced level.
When the scores are analyzed with regards to race and poverty the good news is that the gap between Whites and others in CT is narrower than it was 20 years ago, but it's still striking. The average White fourth grader in Connecticut scored 238, while the average Black fourth grader scored 209 -- a difference of 29 points. Two decades ago the gap was 34 points. Similarly the gap between Whites and Hispanics this year was 33 points. It was 43 points 21 years ago.
The statistics released show that the gap between students eligible for free or reduced lunch was 30 points this year compared to 35 points when testing began.
Tom Murphy spokesperson for the State Department of Education had this to say to the Harford Courrant about the gap: ""This is Connecticut's story. We can't seem to address this issue adequately," Murphy said. "We know we are dealing with students coming in from other countries and we are dealing with poverty and people who have language barriers. They come in from elsewhere, receive an education, do better and then move out to the suburbs. Then a new group of people moves in to the cities and we start over."
Personally I would have liked to see a breakdown of the scores comparing White students who were eligible for free lunch to those White students who were not eligible. A similar breakdown for Black and Hispanic students would also have been helpful. These numbers could better highlight whether the gap is caused by poverty, language barriers. That's not to say that the causes can't be mixed, but a better understanding of the driving factors within a particular group might lead to a better solution and more improvement across the board.
Also the fact that the gap has narrowed is certainly a laudable achievement. However at the same time it does concern me that for all the effort we are putting in in lifting our struggling students, we are leaving our best students unchallenged.
However the results also show that more than half of Connecticut's children have only a basic or below basic understanding of the subject matter in Reading. In addition while gains have been made in the past 20 years at closing the achievement gap between white and minority students, in recent years there has been no change. (You can get see the break down of state comparisons here.)
“All the progress in reading is being made at the bottom,” said Tom Loveless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution told the New York Times in an article. “Our worst readers are getting better, but our best readers are staying about the same.”
The tests are given every two years to 338,000 randomly chosen fourth and eighth grade students around the country. The Reading scores were released last week while the Math scores were released earlier in the year.
In the 2009 Reading test CT fourth graders scored 229 on a 500 point scale. Only one state, Massachusetts scored statistically higher. When the testing began in 1990 Connecticut students scored 222 so students have improved, but in the past decade CT fourth graders scored 230 and they have remained unchanged since then. So essentially the early gains have been unsustainable.
At the eight grade level CT students scored 272. Only students in Massachusetts and New Jersey scored higher. However once again the long term results show that the improvements were made in the early years. When testing began in 1990 CT eighth grade students scored 222. This years score is up since the score in 2007 when students scored 267, but earlier in the decade students had scored 272.
A closer look at the Reading scores among CT students shows that while they did very well in comparison to their peers around the country, their actual performance leaves much to be desired.
At the fourth grade level in CT 24% of test takers were below basic level, 33% were a at basic level, 31% were proficient, and 11% were advanced. At the eighth grade level in CT 19% were below basic, 39% were at a basic, 38% were profficient, and 4% were at an advanced level.
When the scores are analyzed with regards to race and poverty the good news is that the gap between Whites and others in CT is narrower than it was 20 years ago, but it's still striking. The average White fourth grader in Connecticut scored 238, while the average Black fourth grader scored 209 -- a difference of 29 points. Two decades ago the gap was 34 points. Similarly the gap between Whites and Hispanics this year was 33 points. It was 43 points 21 years ago.
The statistics released show that the gap between students eligible for free or reduced lunch was 30 points this year compared to 35 points when testing began.
Tom Murphy spokesperson for the State Department of Education had this to say to the Harford Courrant about the gap: ""This is Connecticut's story. We can't seem to address this issue adequately," Murphy said. "We know we are dealing with students coming in from other countries and we are dealing with poverty and people who have language barriers. They come in from elsewhere, receive an education, do better and then move out to the suburbs. Then a new group of people moves in to the cities and we start over."
Personally I would have liked to see a breakdown of the scores comparing White students who were eligible for free lunch to those White students who were not eligible. A similar breakdown for Black and Hispanic students would also have been helpful. These numbers could better highlight whether the gap is caused by poverty, language barriers. That's not to say that the causes can't be mixed, but a better understanding of the driving factors within a particular group might lead to a better solution and more improvement across the board.
Also the fact that the gap has narrowed is certainly a laudable achievement. However at the same time it does concern me that for all the effort we are putting in in lifting our struggling students, we are leaving our best students unchallenged.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Updated: Sup Site Visit & Budget Meetings
Here are my stories from The Daily Norwalk--
Group Travels to Maryland for Sup Site Visit
I spoke with Susan Hamilton who is leading the group yesterday. They were supposed to have met with union heads Wed. evening and have a jam packed agenda on Thursday. They head home Thursday evening.
Parents Share Budget Concern with Nast
School Budget Dominates Public Hearing.
Did you go? What did you think?
Group Travels to Maryland for Sup Site Visit
I spoke with Susan Hamilton who is leading the group yesterday. They were supposed to have met with union heads Wed. evening and have a jam packed agenda on Thursday. They head home Thursday evening.
Parents Share Budget Concern with Nast
School Budget Dominates Public Hearing.
Did you go? What did you think?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Teachers' Union Will Not Renegotiate
I wrote an article today for The Daily Norwalk, "Teachers' Union Will Not Renegotiate Contract." I interviewed Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for the story who is unequivocal about not reopening the contract. Our photographer took a good photo of Mr. Mellion. You can see the resolve in his eyes. Check it out.
I am curious, though. Do all teachers feel the way that Mr. Mellion does? What do you think of Mr. Mellion's line in the sand stance?
I am curious, though. Do all teachers feel the way that Mr. Mellion does? What do you think of Mr. Mellion's line in the sand stance?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Increasing Class Sizes- Proposal from Central Office
At last week's BOE meeting, Interim Superintendent Nast brought up the possibility of increasing class sizes as a possible way to save money. At the meeting, Dan Cook said that Norwalk has the lowest student teacher ratio in the area. Below is a memo from Dan Cook to the BOE with two documents. First, an analysis of the potential cost savings from increasing the ratio at elementary schools. Second, a comparison at student teacher ratio at neighboring towns and cities.
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Waiver Unlikely, The Daily Norwalk is Online
As some of you know, I am working for a new local online newspaper, www.thedailynorwalk.com. The site launched today! I am responsible for the schools section. Some of the stories might seem familiar to you, since I write about them here. However, there are a bunch of other stories that I haven't posted on the blog which might interest you. I'll be cross-posting, pointing from this blog to TDN (The Daily Norwalk) and from TDN back to the blog. Let me know what you think. I'm very open to suggestions. norwalknet@gmail.com
*****
Norwalk students will most likely be in school until the end of June and have to make up days missed last week due to the storm. "The likelihood of a waiver is remote", says Tom Murphy, spokesperson for the State Commissioner of Education.
Mayor Richard Moccia sent a letter to Commissioner Mark McQuillan last Friday requesting that the Commissioner waive the requirement that Norwalk children have to be in school for 181 days. As of Friday, Superintendant Nast was also planning to send a letter. Murphy says only the State Board of Education has the authority to grant a waiver on the number of days of school required. “There is misinformation out there about who makes the call. It is not the Governor or the Commissioner,” he said.
A waiver would only be granted “under extreme circumstances" and if a district could not reach the 181 day mark by June 30, says Murphy. This includes taking days away from April vacation. Murphy adds that a particular district does not “merely request a waiver”, but it must petition the State Board of Education with a comprehensive plan that shows how the missed days will be made up the following year. As of now, Norwalk has to make up six days – 2 snow days and the 5 days missed this week (minus 1 because we already had an extra day of school scheduled). This means the last day of school would be June 29. April break is not going to be shortened.
Murphy said that several district have called him informally about reducing the number of make-up days at the end of the year . In past years, Brookfield had a shortened year because of asbestos and Danbury's school year was curtailed because of construction problems.
*****
Norwalk students will most likely be in school until the end of June and have to make up days missed last week due to the storm. "The likelihood of a waiver is remote", says Tom Murphy, spokesperson for the State Commissioner of Education.
Mayor Richard Moccia sent a letter to Commissioner Mark McQuillan last Friday requesting that the Commissioner waive the requirement that Norwalk children have to be in school for 181 days. As of Friday, Superintendant Nast was also planning to send a letter. Murphy says only the State Board of Education has the authority to grant a waiver on the number of days of school required. “There is misinformation out there about who makes the call. It is not the Governor or the Commissioner,” he said.
A waiver would only be granted “under extreme circumstances" and if a district could not reach the 181 day mark by June 30, says Murphy. This includes taking days away from April vacation. Murphy adds that a particular district does not “merely request a waiver”, but it must petition the State Board of Education with a comprehensive plan that shows how the missed days will be made up the following year. As of now, Norwalk has to make up six days – 2 snow days and the 5 days missed this week (minus 1 because we already had an extra day of school scheduled). This means the last day of school would be June 29. April break is not going to be shortened.
Murphy said that several district have called him informally about reducing the number of make-up days at the end of the year . In past years, Brookfield had a shortened year because of asbestos and Danbury's school year was curtailed because of construction problems.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sup Search Update and Site Visits
This is a message from Board Chairman Glenn Iannacone. In a separate email to me, he gave the names of the site visit committee members: 2 board members, Erin Halsey & Sue Hamilton, 1 Principal, Ivette Ellis, 1 Teacher, Susan Daignault & 1 parent, Catherine Williams. They will leave Wed. the 24th and return Thursday the 25th.
Mr. Iannacone said the Board interviewed eight candidates, in total.
Superintendent Search Update
The Norwalk Board of Education hosted a two-day visit with Dr. Susan Marks, finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The Board would like to extend its appreciation to parents, staff and members of the community who met with our candidate and provided their input.
Our next step in the process will be to send a delegation to Dr. Mark’s school district to conduct a site visit. The delegation will consist of two Board members, an administrator, teacher and parent. The site visit will take place on March 25. The Board hopes to make a final decision and act on Dr. Mark’s candidacy following the site visit.
Dr. Marks is currently the associate superintendent for the Office of Human Resources for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Rockville, Maryland. In her current role, Dr. Marks ensures the compliance and implementation of all personnel processes including recruiting, selecting, and evaluating teachers, administrators and support professionals. She has worked in public education for over 30 years, most of her experience has been in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and however she has worked in two other public school systems and on the college level. With 200 schools, MCPS is the 16th largest and one of the most successful school system’s in the United States.
Dr. Marks entered the field of education as a speech and language pathologist and received her certification as a special education teacher. For over 15 years, she was school based as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. As a principal, she led two elementary schools and implemented innovative and successful instructional programs.
As the interim Chief Information Officer she led the development of the technology plan that included both the vision for instructional technology and business and operations systems. She also has successful experience in sound fiscal practices and management of district resources. As a community superintendent, Dr. Marks led an area comprised of 30 schools serving over 26,000 students. She was responsible for supervising all principals and monitoring the instructional programs and ensuring academic results.
I would like to thank everyone that completed the input forms made available after they met with Dr. Marks. The Board is in the process of reviewing them.
Mr. Iannacone said the Board interviewed eight candidates, in total.
Superintendent Search Update
The Norwalk Board of Education hosted a two-day visit with Dr. Susan Marks, finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The Board would like to extend its appreciation to parents, staff and members of the community who met with our candidate and provided their input.
Our next step in the process will be to send a delegation to Dr. Mark’s school district to conduct a site visit. The delegation will consist of two Board members, an administrator, teacher and parent. The site visit will take place on March 25. The Board hopes to make a final decision and act on Dr. Mark’s candidacy following the site visit.
Dr. Marks is currently the associate superintendent for the Office of Human Resources for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Rockville, Maryland. In her current role, Dr. Marks ensures the compliance and implementation of all personnel processes including recruiting, selecting, and evaluating teachers, administrators and support professionals. She has worked in public education for over 30 years, most of her experience has been in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and however she has worked in two other public school systems and on the college level. With 200 schools, MCPS is the 16th largest and one of the most successful school system’s in the United States.
Dr. Marks entered the field of education as a speech and language pathologist and received her certification as a special education teacher. For over 15 years, she was school based as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. As a principal, she led two elementary schools and implemented innovative and successful instructional programs.
As the interim Chief Information Officer she led the development of the technology plan that included both the vision for instructional technology and business and operations systems. She also has successful experience in sound fiscal practices and management of district resources. As a community superintendent, Dr. Marks led an area comprised of 30 schools serving over 26,000 students. She was responsible for supervising all principals and monitoring the instructional programs and ensuring academic results.
I would like to thank everyone that completed the input forms made available after they met with Dr. Marks. The Board is in the process of reviewing them.
Get Involved in Budget Process says New Parent Group, Red Apples of Norwalk
Red Apples of Norwalk is a newly formed grassroots non-partisan community coalition organized around improving Norwalk Public Schools. The founders are Emily Aguilar, Lisa Thompson and Kerry O'Neill. Here is their first letter to the editor.
Letter to the Editor
Currently, the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) and the Board of Education (BOE) are in discussions over Norwalk’s 2010-11Education Budget. Due to the severe economic climate that has impacted cities across the country, Fred Wilms and the BET have asked Mike Nast and the BOE to cut its proposed 2010-11 school district budget by approximately $5M.
In January, the BOE voted 7-2 in favor of forwarding the original ‘bare bones budget’ to the City without a great deal of deliberation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that it was bare bones. Since then, the district has been working feverishly to re-examine the budget. We are fortunate to now have Mike Nast, (if only temporarily) at the helm. He and his team have thus far come up with approximately $3M in cuts through a variety of measures…but unfortunately still have further to go. We now find ourselves faced with how to deal with the additional $2M gap if they are to meet the BET’s request.
Norwalk, like every other city in America is facing severe economic challenges. Kansas City, MO for example, is closing half their schools. It’s bad, it’s painful. It’s real. The unfortunate reality is that Norwalk, again like other urban school districts across America is facing real reform challenges in terms of driving up its student achievement, through more effective leadership and adult accountability. Norwalk’s unique circumstances unfortunately point to a BOE that is still ‘storming’ post election and while getting close, still has no permanent superintendent and strong leadership. However, despite having hit bottom with our scores, things ARE actually improving in many Norwalk schools and the achievement gap is starting to close, though there is still much work to be done.
There are a series of meetings taking place this coming week that we encourage you to attend:
Mon. March 22nd, PTO Council Meeting at Marvin Elementary @ 7pm BET Meeting to review BOE Budget at City Hall Room 231 @ 7.30
Tues. March 23rd, Parent Budget Forum with Michael Nast, City Hall Room A 330, 7:30 pm
Wed. March 24th, BET Public Hearing on the City Operating Budget, City Hall Concert Hall @ 7pm
We still don’t know how the numbers are going to fall out and what may or may not get cut and how it will impact our children. But parents and taxpayers - you do have a say. If you can’t make it to one of the meetings, you can still let your voices be heard. We are conducting a survey and asking for your opinions. Please visit www.redapplesnorwalk.org and take the Red Apples of Norwalk School Budget survey. You can also find a link to the Board of Education meetings on our site. Let us know what you think and we will share the results of this survey via our website and the local media.
Thank you for your participation.
Red Apples of Norwalk
www.redapplesnorwalk.org
Red Apples of Norwalk is a grassroots non-partisan community coalition organized around improving Norwalk’s public schools. We are dedicated to politely, publicly and persistently communicating balanced key education issues and initiatives to parents, the BOE, City Leaders, school district staff, businesses and citizens. Visit their website at www.redapplesnorwalk.org to learn more.
Letter to the Editor
Currently, the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) and the Board of Education (BOE) are in discussions over Norwalk’s 2010-11Education Budget. Due to the severe economic climate that has impacted cities across the country, Fred Wilms and the BET have asked Mike Nast and the BOE to cut its proposed 2010-11 school district budget by approximately $5M.
In January, the BOE voted 7-2 in favor of forwarding the original ‘bare bones budget’ to the City without a great deal of deliberation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that it was bare bones. Since then, the district has been working feverishly to re-examine the budget. We are fortunate to now have Mike Nast, (if only temporarily) at the helm. He and his team have thus far come up with approximately $3M in cuts through a variety of measures…but unfortunately still have further to go. We now find ourselves faced with how to deal with the additional $2M gap if they are to meet the BET’s request.
Norwalk, like every other city in America is facing severe economic challenges. Kansas City, MO for example, is closing half their schools. It’s bad, it’s painful. It’s real. The unfortunate reality is that Norwalk, again like other urban school districts across America is facing real reform challenges in terms of driving up its student achievement, through more effective leadership and adult accountability. Norwalk’s unique circumstances unfortunately point to a BOE that is still ‘storming’ post election and while getting close, still has no permanent superintendent and strong leadership. However, despite having hit bottom with our scores, things ARE actually improving in many Norwalk schools and the achievement gap is starting to close, though there is still much work to be done.
There are a series of meetings taking place this coming week that we encourage you to attend:
Mon. March 22nd, PTO Council Meeting at Marvin Elementary @ 7pm BET Meeting to review BOE Budget at City Hall Room 231 @ 7.30
Tues. March 23rd, Parent Budget Forum with Michael Nast, City Hall Room A 330, 7:30 pm
Wed. March 24th, BET Public Hearing on the City Operating Budget, City Hall Concert Hall @ 7pm
We still don’t know how the numbers are going to fall out and what may or may not get cut and how it will impact our children. But parents and taxpayers - you do have a say. If you can’t make it to one of the meetings, you can still let your voices be heard. We are conducting a survey and asking for your opinions. Please visit www.redapplesnorwalk.org and take the Red Apples of Norwalk School Budget survey. You can also find a link to the Board of Education meetings on our site. Let us know what you think and we will share the results of this survey via our website and the local media.
Thank you for your participation.
Red Apples of Norwalk
www.redapplesnorwalk.org
Red Apples of Norwalk is a grassroots non-partisan community coalition organized around improving Norwalk’s public schools. We are dedicated to politely, publicly and persistently communicating balanced key education issues and initiatives to parents, the BOE, City Leaders, school district staff, businesses and citizens. Visit their website at www.redapplesnorwalk.org to learn more.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Mayor Moccia Writes Letter to Ed Commissioner.
Mayor Richard Moccia says that he took it upon himself to ask the State Education Commissioner to waive the requirement that Norwalk has to have 181 days of school. Mr. Moccia says that he sent the letter today.
As of now, Norwalk would have to make up six days – 2 snow days and the 5 days missed this week (minus 1 because we already had an extra day of school scheduled). This means the last day of school would be June 29.
Mayor Moccia said that he wrote the letter after speaking to Gov. Jodi Rell. “She told me that she didn’t have the authority that I had to write to the Commissioner directly.”
Mayor Moccia said that extending the school year into late June was problematic because many parents and teachers had already made summer plans. “By the last week of school there’s no teaching going on. All the educational work has been done. All of the testing has been done. It would interfere with graduation ceremonies.”
Parents however are divided as comments on this blog indicate. Some agree that students would find it too hot to be in classrooms and not much goes on in schools during the last week. Other parents have said that children in Norwalk need as much instruction time as possible.
Mayor Moccia said that he ran the idea by with some parents. He also consulted with Michael Nast, the interim Superintendent of Norwalk Schools and BOE Chair Glenn Iannacone.
“I’m the Mayor. I made a decision.” said Mayor Moccia in a telephone interview. “I don’t apologize.”
It’s unclear if it is the Mayor's role to send the letter. According to interim Superintendent Michael Nast it’s the Superintendent under the direction of the BOE who appeals to the Commissioner for a waiver.
Nevertheless, Dr. Nast also thinks a waiver would be appropriate. “I don’t see them as productive days,” said Dr. Nast referring to the possibility that school would be extended into late June. Dr. Nast says that he is also planning to write to the Commissioner after he speaks with all of the BOE members over the weekend.
Neither Mr. Moccia nor Dr. Nast know if any of the other towns affected by last week’s storm are going to apply for a waiver. Some towns like Westport only missed three days while Stamford and Greenwich missed the whole week like Norwalk.
Mayor Moccia does not know whether a waiver has ever been granted to Norwalk before. “When was the last time we had a storm like this in the last 50 years,” he said.
As of now, Norwalk would have to make up six days – 2 snow days and the 5 days missed this week (minus 1 because we already had an extra day of school scheduled). This means the last day of school would be June 29.
Mayor Moccia said that he wrote the letter after speaking to Gov. Jodi Rell. “She told me that she didn’t have the authority that I had to write to the Commissioner directly.”
Mayor Moccia said that extending the school year into late June was problematic because many parents and teachers had already made summer plans. “By the last week of school there’s no teaching going on. All the educational work has been done. All of the testing has been done. It would interfere with graduation ceremonies.”
Parents however are divided as comments on this blog indicate. Some agree that students would find it too hot to be in classrooms and not much goes on in schools during the last week. Other parents have said that children in Norwalk need as much instruction time as possible.
Mayor Moccia said that he ran the idea by with some parents. He also consulted with Michael Nast, the interim Superintendent of Norwalk Schools and BOE Chair Glenn Iannacone.
“I’m the Mayor. I made a decision.” said Mayor Moccia in a telephone interview. “I don’t apologize.”
It’s unclear if it is the Mayor's role to send the letter. According to interim Superintendent Michael Nast it’s the Superintendent under the direction of the BOE who appeals to the Commissioner for a waiver.
Nevertheless, Dr. Nast also thinks a waiver would be appropriate. “I don’t see them as productive days,” said Dr. Nast referring to the possibility that school would be extended into late June. Dr. Nast says that he is also planning to write to the Commissioner after he speaks with all of the BOE members over the weekend.
Neither Mr. Moccia nor Dr. Nast know if any of the other towns affected by last week’s storm are going to apply for a waiver. Some towns like Westport only missed three days while Stamford and Greenwich missed the whole week like Norwalk.
Mayor Moccia does not know whether a waiver has ever been granted to Norwalk before. “When was the last time we had a storm like this in the last 50 years,” he said.
School on 3/26; PD day cancelled
I just received an email from Steve Colarossi and confirmed by phone with Superintendent Nast that we will have school on Friday, March 26th. If you are like me, you forgot that there even was a professional development day scheduled for teachers (day off for kids) next Friday. The Superintendent has decided to cancel the PD day and have a regular school day. He said they he made this decision in collaboration with the board and unions.
Sup Letter about School Closing
This letter from Interim Superintendent Michael Nast has been posted on the Norwalk Public School website.
March 19, 2010
Dear Parents,
I want to share with you my response to the questions I have been asked regarding why school is closed today, Friday March 19, 2010.
The number one reason and prime consideration is the safety of all students.
The questions I have been asked are:
Q. What is the process you used in deciding if school should be canceled?
A. Collection of information regarding the status of wires down, tree removal, debris in the streets and ability of the school buses to pick up children. On Thursday I had discussions with
* Mayor Moccia (on-going throughout the day)
* Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works
* Mark Gorian, NPS Director of Facilities
* Superintendents in Stamford and New Canaan
* Harry Rilling, police chief
* Dennis McCarthy, fire chief
* CL&P representative, Walter Szymanski
* Glenn Iannaccone, Board of Education chairman
* Johanna Garcia, Transportation coordinator
* First Student bus drivers
* Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona
* Chief Operating Officer Dan Cook
Q. Who makes the final call?
A. The interim Superintendent of Schools
Q. Why was there a delay in the decision?
A. The decision was made at approximately 6:45 p.m. Between 5:00 and 6:30 the Fire Department was doing onsite review of various locations identified by the Transportation Department as being unsafe. Their report was received at about 6:45 p.m. indicating that the identified streets were still not passable. Conversations with CL&P representatives at 6:30 p.m. indicated that there were 75 troubling areas where wires could be live which could be potentially unsafe for children, especially for those that walk to school.
Q. Do these days have to be made up?
A. The state requires that students attend school 180 days, however, an appeal can and will be made to the Commissioner of Education.
Q. Will the students have their April vacation?
A. Yes. If days have to be made up it will be in June.
Q. What are the make up dates for CMT Science tests for grades 5 & 8
A. Students will take this test on Tuesday, March 23.
With the approval of the Board of Education, Friday March 26, 2010 will be a school day for students. It is currently scheduled as a Professional Development day for teachers; however, under the circumstances it is more important to have the students in school. Elementary conference days will be extended April 5-9.
Sincerely,
The signature of Michael Nast
Michael R. Nast
March 19, 2010
Dear Parents,
I want to share with you my response to the questions I have been asked regarding why school is closed today, Friday March 19, 2010.
The number one reason and prime consideration is the safety of all students.
The questions I have been asked are:
Q. What is the process you used in deciding if school should be canceled?
A. Collection of information regarding the status of wires down, tree removal, debris in the streets and ability of the school buses to pick up children. On Thursday I had discussions with
* Mayor Moccia (on-going throughout the day)
* Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works
* Mark Gorian, NPS Director of Facilities
* Superintendents in Stamford and New Canaan
* Harry Rilling, police chief
* Dennis McCarthy, fire chief
* CL&P representative, Walter Szymanski
* Glenn Iannaccone, Board of Education chairman
* Johanna Garcia, Transportation coordinator
* First Student bus drivers
* Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona
* Chief Operating Officer Dan Cook
Q. Who makes the final call?
A. The interim Superintendent of Schools
Q. Why was there a delay in the decision?
A. The decision was made at approximately 6:45 p.m. Between 5:00 and 6:30 the Fire Department was doing onsite review of various locations identified by the Transportation Department as being unsafe. Their report was received at about 6:45 p.m. indicating that the identified streets were still not passable. Conversations with CL&P representatives at 6:30 p.m. indicated that there were 75 troubling areas where wires could be live which could be potentially unsafe for children, especially for those that walk to school.
Q. Do these days have to be made up?
A. The state requires that students attend school 180 days, however, an appeal can and will be made to the Commissioner of Education.
Q. Will the students have their April vacation?
A. Yes. If days have to be made up it will be in June.
Q. What are the make up dates for CMT Science tests for grades 5 & 8
A. Students will take this test on Tuesday, March 23.
With the approval of the Board of Education, Friday March 26, 2010 will be a school day for students. It is currently scheduled as a Professional Development day for teachers; however, under the circumstances it is more important to have the students in school. Elementary conference days will be extended April 5-9.
Sincerely,
The signature of Michael Nast
Michael R. Nast
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Norwalk Schools Remain Closed Friday
Norwalk schools will be closed on Friday (March 19) for the fifth consecutive day in a row. Officials said that there were still many power lines down and trees blocking roads making it unsafe for walking students and school buses.
Throughout the week State Senator Bob Duff who represents Norwalk has been up dating his Facebook page with updates on CL&P's efforts to restore power and the status of Norwalk's schools.
In the comments section of his page several Norwalk residents have commended Sen. Duff for his conscientious efforts in keeping constituents informed.
At the same time there have been grumblings as to why it takes NPS so long to decide whether schools will be open or closed. Tonight, for example the cancellation call came in at 8pm, yesterday it was 6pm.
You can check out Bob's Facebook page. You might even want to "friend" him.
Throughout the week State Senator Bob Duff who represents Norwalk has been up dating his Facebook page with updates on CL&P's efforts to restore power and the status of Norwalk's schools.
In the comments section of his page several Norwalk residents have commended Sen. Duff for his conscientious efforts in keeping constituents informed.
At the same time there have been grumblings as to why it takes NPS so long to decide whether schools will be open or closed. Tonight, for example the cancellation call came in at 8pm, yesterday it was 6pm.
You can check out Bob's Facebook page. You might even want to "friend" him.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nast Presents Initial Budget Reductions
At the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, interim Superintendent Michael Nast made his first proposals for reduction. The Norwalk Board of Estimation and Taxation and City Council have asked the BOE to cut its budget by $5 million. So far, Nast thinks he can find $3 million. “Let me stress that these are suggestions that my staff and I have come up with. We are trying to make this a collaborative process,” Nast. “I am always open for suggestions.”
Changes, consolidation and reduction of teaching staff make up the bulk of savings. For example, 43 teachers are projected to retire. New teachers cost less to hire so this will result in considerable savings. In addition, Nast proposed the reduction of three teachers at the Alternative Middle School at Briggs who currently teach only four students.
More controversial is the proposed reduction of five high school teachers and four middle school teachers. To achieve this, Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona will review course selections and enrollments along with principals. “Every program needs to be audited,” said Nast. Daddona will also review the pros and cons of the current eight-period day versus a seven-period day in the high schools. “This will all be done with the discretion of the principal. We’ll need to have a committee to work on this,” he said. “We won’t move without concrete data.”
Rowayton and Naramake are not likely to get modular classrooms next year. The lunch program is running a surplus since there are more kids signed up for free and reduced lunch this year. The surplus will go towards paying a portion of the cafeteria staff’s health benefits. The purchasing department is ordering fewer printing supplies next year. Nast is proposing an immediate “spending freeze". The savings from this year will carry over to next year.
Nast said he is talking to the two biggest unions—the teachers and administrators—about possible givebacks. The Norwalk Federation of Teachers, who negotiated a 1% raise for next year, say they netted the district considerable savings by switching health plans. “Their position is ‘We don’t renegotiate contracts,’” said Nast. The Norwalk Association of School Administrators, however, has not shut out the possibility of givebacks. They have said that they want the BOE to exhaust all other savings possibilities first, according to Nast.
Nast expressed concern last night about where to find the other two million dollars. “We need to convince the BET that we can’t go lower than this, beyond this we really impact programming” said Nast. “But we also need to plan for the worst case scenario.”
Nast said that several items are on the table: assistant principal positions, house master positions, changing class sizes and a return to half-day kindergarten. Those did not sit well with the board. The district should be expanding pre-school, not taking away full day kindergarten, said several board members upon hearing Nast’s dire options.
Nast also recommended reevaluating class size in certain situations. However, this would also require opening up the teachers' contract. According to Dan Cook, Chief Financial Officer, Norwalk has the lowest student teacher ratio in the area.
A couple of board members were not happy with the teacher’s union non-renegotiating stance. “It is nasty out there. The teacher’s should be damn thankful they have a job,” said Board Member Jack Chiaramonte. “If we all give a little bit, we will all survive.”
Board Member Erin Halsey said that she lost her job ten months ago. “In the real world you don’t have choices. A lot of people have taken a hit.” Lisa Thomson, a parent who spoke during public comments, called the union’s position “un-American.”
Board Member Steve Colarossi tried to temper the strong emotions. “We shouldn’t fall into the trap of finger pointing. We negotiated the contract in the same recession as the one we are in now. There must be room for compromise.”
The BET’s public hearing on the draft budget will take place on March 24th at 7:30pm in the Community Room at City Hall. Parents can comment on the budget at this meeting.
Changes, consolidation and reduction of teaching staff make up the bulk of savings. For example, 43 teachers are projected to retire. New teachers cost less to hire so this will result in considerable savings. In addition, Nast proposed the reduction of three teachers at the Alternative Middle School at Briggs who currently teach only four students.
More controversial is the proposed reduction of five high school teachers and four middle school teachers. To achieve this, Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona will review course selections and enrollments along with principals. “Every program needs to be audited,” said Nast. Daddona will also review the pros and cons of the current eight-period day versus a seven-period day in the high schools. “This will all be done with the discretion of the principal. We’ll need to have a committee to work on this,” he said. “We won’t move without concrete data.”
Rowayton and Naramake are not likely to get modular classrooms next year. The lunch program is running a surplus since there are more kids signed up for free and reduced lunch this year. The surplus will go towards paying a portion of the cafeteria staff’s health benefits. The purchasing department is ordering fewer printing supplies next year. Nast is proposing an immediate “spending freeze". The savings from this year will carry over to next year.
Nast said he is talking to the two biggest unions—the teachers and administrators—about possible givebacks. The Norwalk Federation of Teachers, who negotiated a 1% raise for next year, say they netted the district considerable savings by switching health plans. “Their position is ‘We don’t renegotiate contracts,’” said Nast. The Norwalk Association of School Administrators, however, has not shut out the possibility of givebacks. They have said that they want the BOE to exhaust all other savings possibilities first, according to Nast.
Nast expressed concern last night about where to find the other two million dollars. “We need to convince the BET that we can’t go lower than this, beyond this we really impact programming” said Nast. “But we also need to plan for the worst case scenario.”
Nast said that several items are on the table: assistant principal positions, house master positions, changing class sizes and a return to half-day kindergarten. Those did not sit well with the board. The district should be expanding pre-school, not taking away full day kindergarten, said several board members upon hearing Nast’s dire options.
Nast also recommended reevaluating class size in certain situations. However, this would also require opening up the teachers' contract. According to Dan Cook, Chief Financial Officer, Norwalk has the lowest student teacher ratio in the area.
A couple of board members were not happy with the teacher’s union non-renegotiating stance. “It is nasty out there. The teacher’s should be damn thankful they have a job,” said Board Member Jack Chiaramonte. “If we all give a little bit, we will all survive.”
Board Member Erin Halsey said that she lost her job ten months ago. “In the real world you don’t have choices. A lot of people have taken a hit.” Lisa Thomson, a parent who spoke during public comments, called the union’s position “un-American.”
Board Member Steve Colarossi tried to temper the strong emotions. “We shouldn’t fall into the trap of finger pointing. We negotiated the contract in the same recession as the one we are in now. There must be room for compromise.”
The BET’s public hearing on the draft budget will take place on March 24th at 7:30pm in the Community Room at City Hall. Parents can comment on the budget at this meeting.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
School Year Extended Because of Storms
Before the recent rain storm, schools had only been closed for 2 snow days despite several delayed openings according to Dr. Nast. Since last weekend schools have been closed for 3 days, (there is no school on Wednesday 3/17 for students and teachers, however administrative staff are expected to report to work) and school officials are looking at the situation day-by-day.
Under Connecticut Norwalk
Dr. Nast cautioned however that a snow storm in late March or early April could cause schools to shut down again and so the number of days could change.
Dr. Nast says that he has been in constant contact since the storm with Mayor Richard Moccia who has been keeping him apprised of CL&P’s repair schedule. He also speaks regularly with the city’s Public Works Department, the bus company and neighboring superintendents as he decides each day whether to open Norwalk
“My primary concern is for the kids. safety” said Dr. Nast. “There are still live wires hanging and children should not be near them.”
Dr. Nast said that the April break will not be cancelled because there is not enough time for parents to change plans that they have made.
So, how has your week been so far? What kinds of arrangements are you making for your kids? How do you feel about extending the school year?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
President Obama Overhauls NCLB
During his weekly Internet address, President Obama outlined his plan to overhaul No Child Left Behind.
The Administration intends to submit its plans to Congress today (March 15) You can read the 41-page blueprint here.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
PAC creates Special Ed Parent Handbook
Special education in Norwalk took an important step this week towards improving communication between parents and the school system. At two well attended informational sessions, the PAC along with Janie Friedlander, director of Pupil Personnel, presented a newly created parent handbook. It was being distributed for free in CD format and is also available for download on the Norwalk Public School website)
"This is the book that we wish we had been handed when our children were first diagnosed," said Jennifer Covello, a member of the PAC who moderated the presentation. The handbook includes "parent to parent tips", a list of "frequently asked questions" and information from the State Department of Education.
The handbook also incluces Bringing Knowledge to the Table: How to be an Effective Advocate for Your Child, a publication developed over eight years by SPED*NET Wilton, an special education advocacy group in Wilton. "This book has everything you need to start the process of advocating for your child," said Eve Kessler, president of Sped*Net Wilton.
The Special Ed PAC was formed last year as a result of the CREC report, last year's audit of the special education department that identified many problems in the department. The handbook is the first step in a multiple part strategy to improve communication. The PAC also produced a survey that was distributed at the meetings. They plan to hold focus groups in the future and update the website regularly.
Even with the introduction of the handbook, it appeared that some communication problems have yet to be adequately addressed. At yesterday's meeting, a couple parents expressed frustration that they are not getting notices about events and asked why there is no listserve. (According to Ms. Freidlander, it is illegal for the district to set up a listserve, but the PAC can set one up). One parent asked why she never received replies to her phone calls and emails. Several parents were not aware that central office was looking for parents to sit on the interview committee for the new Director of Pupil Personnel. (Ms. Friedlander is leaving at the end of this month.)
"I am optimistic that parents are getting organized around communication, we need more than an informal network" said Margaret Watt, a parent. "But the handbook is only one piece. The CREC report brings up structural problems--policy, financial and managment issues. When are those going to be dealt with?"
"This is the book that we wish we had been handed when our children were first diagnosed," said Jennifer Covello, a member of the PAC who moderated the presentation. The handbook includes "parent to parent tips", a list of "frequently asked questions" and information from the State Department of Education.
The handbook also incluces Bringing Knowledge to the Table: How to be an Effective Advocate for Your Child, a publication developed over eight years by SPED*NET Wilton, an special education advocacy group in Wilton. "This book has everything you need to start the process of advocating for your child," said Eve Kessler, president of Sped*Net Wilton.
The Special Ed PAC was formed last year as a result of the CREC report, last year's audit of the special education department that identified many problems in the department. The handbook is the first step in a multiple part strategy to improve communication. The PAC also produced a survey that was distributed at the meetings. They plan to hold focus groups in the future and update the website regularly.
Even with the introduction of the handbook, it appeared that some communication problems have yet to be adequately addressed. At yesterday's meeting, a couple parents expressed frustration that they are not getting notices about events and asked why there is no listserve. (According to Ms. Freidlander, it is illegal for the district to set up a listserve, but the PAC can set one up). One parent asked why she never received replies to her phone calls and emails. Several parents were not aware that central office was looking for parents to sit on the interview committee for the new Director of Pupil Personnel. (Ms. Friedlander is leaving at the end of this month.)
"I am optimistic that parents are getting organized around communication, we need more than an informal network" said Margaret Watt, a parent. "But the handbook is only one piece. The CREC report brings up structural problems--policy, financial and managment issues. When are those going to be dealt with?"
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
ConnCAN in Norwalk: Reforms Make Sense
This is the sobering news that Alex Johnston, CEO of ConnCAN, a Connecticut education reform organization, shared with parents and community leaders in Norwalk last night. He is talking to groups across the state--he was in Westport and Wilton last month--in hopes of rallying support around legislation that he believes is necessary to improve Connecticut’s schools.
Johnston, a 37-year old Rhodes scholar, focused much of his presentation on low performing schools. He believes that in order to “fix poverty”, we must fix our public schools. He presented powerful data illustrating that increasingly high school dropouts are barely getting by and their chances of getting married are slim.
“The first thing we have to do is admit we have a problem,” said Johnston. “After 40 years of pouring money into education, we haven’t moved the needle on outcomes. We need to fundamentally change the structure.”
ConnCAN focuses its work around three principals: greater school choice meaning more charter and magnets schools, greater flexibility by making it easier for qualified people to become “superstar” teachers and principals and greater accountability by assessing teacher effectiveness through student test scores.
Johnston said the Obama Administration’s $4 billion Race to the Top grant program is powerful because it finally realizes that state laws and polices are the key to reform. To be sure, states control local boards of educations and teacher certification requirements. Connecticut’s round one application for a $200 million Race to the Top grant was passed over by the feds. The state’s lackluster application had 120 blanks according to Johnston. Sixteen states made the cut, including neighboring states, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. Fortunately, states are given a chance to reapply for round 2 in June—a date set strategically just after the close of the legislative session in Hartford.
Currently, ConnCAN is advocating for specific legislation that will shore up Connecticut’s chances of being awarded the grant. There is already a proposed bill in the House to create a “fast track” for principals in order to expand the talent pool to lead low performing schools. The State Board of Education is also expected to adopt common national standards. As of now, each state tests children based on different measures.
Johnston expects more push back, especially from the teachers unions, on legislation to assess teacher effectiveness through student test scores. ConnCAN’s most controversial proposal is for “the money to follow the child”, which means that per pupil spending will be redistributed based on where a child goes school: in district, out of district or a charter school. This is not the current system—school districts are given lump sums based on out-of-date data and charter schools are allotted, per pupil, a fraction of what a school district spends per pupil. Johnston realizes that given budgetary constraints, taking money away schools systems is not going to be easy.
“I realize this proposal is going to be tough to tackle in this budget cycle. But, our plan is to roll this out over four years.”
While Johnston wants to win RTTT funding, he says getting the grant is about more than the money. “If we are to have any chance of fixing our schools, these changes and laws need to happen regardless of the money. These reforms just make sense.”
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Marks Meets Norwalk
Norwalk parents and community members heard last night from the woman who will most likely become their next superintendent. Dr. Susan Marks is the associate superintendent of human resources in Montgomery County and has 30 years of experience in that district. Montgomery County is a much larger district, 14 times the size of Norwalk, but it has similar racial demographics.
For ninety minutes, Dr. Marks stood on her feet in front of a crowd of over 100 parents and community members. She fielded questions about her background and what she can do to improve Norwalk’s schools. Her meet & greet focused on closing the achievement gap and the importance of a rigorous curriculum and professional development.
“In order to close the achievement gap we have to raise the bar for everyone” said Dr, Marks in response to questions about the disparity in test scores between white students and poor and minority students. “High expectations are at the core of this.”
In Montgomery County, she said that they have been able to increase the number of black and Latino students taking AP and Honors classes. “There should be no gatekeepers,” she said.
Dr. Marks said that her goal was to make all students ready for college. “Even if kids go into the military or into the trades, we have to make them college ready,” she said. “Believe me, the people at Toyota who are fixing all the cars right now need to have a high level of knowledge.”
In addition, Dr. Marks stressed the importance of early childhood education and said that she hoped to increase such programming throughout Norwalk.
Dr. Marks said that teachers and school leaders need to be well-trained and she hoped that the Norwalk community would invest funds in professional development once the budget pressure eased. “Teaching is rocket science.”
When an audience member asked about the importance of parental involvement, she said it is important but that it was also important to teach parents how they can help their kids at home. “I don’t think we should use parents not being involved in schools as an excuse for kids not succeeding. Too often in my experience people use that as an excuse,” she said. “I didn’t drop my kids off on the first day of school. I was working.”
One parent described Norwalk as “system of schools” not a “school system” and asked how Dr. Mark would address that problem. She replied that she will make the time to bring school leaders together both along grade levels and high school clusters.
She reassured the audience that she would be in the schools “a lot” and that school leaders should not be sitting in their offices. “Learning happens in the classroom.”
Dr. Marks described her style as collaborative, especially with the unions. She highlighted her experience creating a peer evaluation process for teachers and administrators with union involvement. She also said that she is problem solver: “Two things I hate are complaining and drama,” she said. “If you have a problem, come to me with two suggestions.”
Dr. Marks seemed ambivalent on Race to the Top funding and said that Maryland did not apply for Race to the Top during phase 1. She does not believe that teachers should be evaluated on test scores alone. One of the goals of Race to the Top is to link student test scores with teacher performance.
“My goal has always been to be a superintendent,” she said early in the meeting. ” I want to work with people, roll up our sleeves and work together. At the end of the meeting she said: “My goal is for Norwalk to be proud of its schools again, every child deserves that.”
Dr. Marks said she plans to move to Norwalk if she gets the job. She has two daughters, 25 and 18. Her husband is a popular middle school teacher in Montgomery County.
After the meeting, parents mulled around the room sharing their first impressions of the candidate.
“I’m optimistic but also cautious,” said Sherelle Harris. “ I’m taking a wait and see approach. We’ve had so many false starts in Norwalk.”
Trish Massucco said that she was impressed by Dr. Marks, especially with her focus on professional development. “We need to help teachers, sometimes they just get in a rut.”
Greg Burnett, a former BOE member, was not as positive. “I didn’t see any fire. Norwalk needs a turnaround not baby steps. I didn’t hear about a plan for drastic change and personal accountability. ”
Did you attend the event? What did you think?
YourCT.com videotaped the entire event.
Dr. Susan Marks Meets Norwalk Residents from jackie lightfield on Vimeo.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Conversation with Susan Marks, Superintendent Finalist
Last week, the BOE announced that Susan Marks an Associate Superintendent in Montgomery County, Maryland has been selected as the finalist for Norwalk's vacant Superintendent position
.
Dr. Marks will be visiting Norwalk today to meet with the Norwalk Community.
I had the chance to speak with Dr. Marks by phone on Friday evening.
NorwalkNet: What have been your top three accomplishments in Montgomery County?
Dr. Susan Marks: I’ve been here for a while. I certainly think that I bring a lot to the table. Some of my accomplishments that I would highlight would be being a Community Superintendent. My main job was to oversee the instructional program, supervise all the school based administrators and deal with all of the facility issues and the community issues. Each community superintendent has 4 high schools and all the elementary and middle schools feeding into that high school.
The schools in the area that I supervised had demographics that are very similar to Norwalk’s. We made lots of progress in terms of results when I was Community Superintendent. We increased our students who are in AP and honors classes and are having good results on SAT, as well meeting state benchmarks.
Another accomplishment I want to highlight is that I lead and participated in the development of three professional growth systems that we worked collaboratively with our unions. The professional growth systems are the way we would support and evaluate employees. At the basis of every school system are the people. You have to have people who have high standards and get a lot of support and professional development in their capacity and these systems support that.
NorwalkNet: One of the recurring issues in Norwalk is the Achievement Gap. What specific things do you bring to the table in trying to close the achievement gap?
Dr. Marks: I think one of the biggest things is to look at is the expectations that people have of children, and what they can learn and that they should be learning at high levels. I have just started to look at Norwalk's data and the results and am trying to it break down. In Montgomery County, we have tried to make sure we have high standards for every child and that every child has access. One of the things that we have looked at is increasing the number of students that we have in AP and honors. In Montgomery County we have increased the numbers of Latino and African American students in AP and Honors considerably over the last 10 years. When you have high standards for all students it really helps to close that achievement gap because your raising the bar for everybody.
NorwalkNet: Isn’t there a counter argument though that too many kids are being pushed into these types of programs and the rate of passing has gone down?
Dr. Marks: What we have been able to do in Montgomery County through a lot of hard work, and I’ve been right in the middle of it, is as we’ve increased the participation of students we’ve been able to keep the outcomes at that high level. That takes a lot of work. It takes providing children with the correct support to be able to be successful. It’s important to have ways to assess children and to make sure that assessments are giving us good understanding of what children know and are able to do. We can then provide the interventions that might be needed to make sure that the children can access the rigorous curriculum.
The other thing is to make sure that there are no gate keepers. So many kids tell me, and I go out to talk to kids a lot, that people who have high expectations for them and want them to work hard make them rise to the occasion. I’m working on a project right now on how we select teachers. I had some focus groups with kids and we asked “What makes a great teacher?” and none them said, “Someone who is too easy.” They said, “A teacher who expects me to learn, who will really work with me and won’t give up on me.” So I think those are really important things to consider.
NorwalkNet: Norwalk, like almost every other district in the country, is dealing with its budget. This year’s budget seems tougher than last year’s and who knows what next year’s is going to be. You’re coming to a relativley small district with a smaller budget,without the kind of resources a big district can bring to the table. What are your thoughts on that?
Dr. Marks: I don’t think we spend that much more per child than Norwalk, but most of our money is tied up in people and that’s the way it should be. I think that the budget next year is going to be tough, and I think what we need to do is look at the short term and what do we need to do to tighten our belt, but try not to take resources away from the schools as much as we can. We also have to have a plan for when things ease and there is more revenue. I’ve had to cut my budget here and we’re still cutting and it’s bad for every school system.
NorwalkNet: One of the things we in Norwalk have become much more aware of are issues of openness and transparency, can you address this concern?
Dr. Marks: I work very very closely in ensuring that all stake holders are involved in what is done. I really always tell people about how we are going to make decisions. I have no secrets. When I was working directly with schools I was always out in the schools and went to athletic events, the plays, and the recognitions, community meetings and cluster meetings. Even as the Associate Superintendent I hold all my principal advisory meetings in schools and get my staff out there. You have to understand that this is a very big county. I don’t know everybody and everybody doesn’t know me, but I believe a superintendent is a 24/7 job along with school board. You got to get out there.
Because there may be some concern about an outside person or someone not knowing Norwalk, what I would do if I was fortunate to get the position would be to meet with people and get to know them, and have them get to know me and begin to build that trust where we’re pushing up our sleeves up together and working to resolve some of the issues of the school system.
For every school age child in Norwalk, I would like to see that their parents view Norwalk Public School as an option for them. The way you make that happen is you get results and that people see that students learning at high levels
NorwalkNet: Can you confirm that you are moving to Norwalk?
Yes would move to Norwalk because I think it’s important for the Superintendent to live in the area that they are supervising.
This interview has been edited.
.
Dr. Marks will be visiting Norwalk today to meet with the Norwalk Community.
I had the chance to speak with Dr. Marks by phone on Friday evening.
NorwalkNet: What have been your top three accomplishments in Montgomery County?
Dr. Susan Marks: I’ve been here for a while. I certainly think that I bring a lot to the table. Some of my accomplishments that I would highlight would be being a Community Superintendent. My main job was to oversee the instructional program, supervise all the school based administrators and deal with all of the facility issues and the community issues. Each community superintendent has 4 high schools and all the elementary and middle schools feeding into that high school.
The schools in the area that I supervised had demographics that are very similar to Norwalk’s. We made lots of progress in terms of results when I was Community Superintendent. We increased our students who are in AP and honors classes and are having good results on SAT, as well meeting state benchmarks.
Another accomplishment I want to highlight is that I lead and participated in the development of three professional growth systems that we worked collaboratively with our unions. The professional growth systems are the way we would support and evaluate employees. At the basis of every school system are the people. You have to have people who have high standards and get a lot of support and professional development in their capacity and these systems support that.
NorwalkNet: One of the recurring issues in Norwalk is the Achievement Gap. What specific things do you bring to the table in trying to close the achievement gap?
Dr. Marks: I think one of the biggest things is to look at is the expectations that people have of children, and what they can learn and that they should be learning at high levels. I have just started to look at Norwalk's data and the results and am trying to it break down. In Montgomery County, we have tried to make sure we have high standards for every child and that every child has access. One of the things that we have looked at is increasing the number of students that we have in AP and honors. In Montgomery County we have increased the numbers of Latino and African American students in AP and Honors considerably over the last 10 years. When you have high standards for all students it really helps to close that achievement gap because your raising the bar for everybody.
NorwalkNet: Isn’t there a counter argument though that too many kids are being pushed into these types of programs and the rate of passing has gone down?
Dr. Marks: What we have been able to do in Montgomery County through a lot of hard work, and I’ve been right in the middle of it, is as we’ve increased the participation of students we’ve been able to keep the outcomes at that high level. That takes a lot of work. It takes providing children with the correct support to be able to be successful. It’s important to have ways to assess children and to make sure that assessments are giving us good understanding of what children know and are able to do. We can then provide the interventions that might be needed to make sure that the children can access the rigorous curriculum.
The other thing is to make sure that there are no gate keepers. So many kids tell me, and I go out to talk to kids a lot, that people who have high expectations for them and want them to work hard make them rise to the occasion. I’m working on a project right now on how we select teachers. I had some focus groups with kids and we asked “What makes a great teacher?” and none them said, “Someone who is too easy.” They said, “A teacher who expects me to learn, who will really work with me and won’t give up on me.” So I think those are really important things to consider.
NorwalkNet: Norwalk, like almost every other district in the country, is dealing with its budget. This year’s budget seems tougher than last year’s and who knows what next year’s is going to be. You’re coming to a relativley small district with a smaller budget,without the kind of resources a big district can bring to the table. What are your thoughts on that?
Dr. Marks: I don’t think we spend that much more per child than Norwalk, but most of our money is tied up in people and that’s the way it should be. I think that the budget next year is going to be tough, and I think what we need to do is look at the short term and what do we need to do to tighten our belt, but try not to take resources away from the schools as much as we can. We also have to have a plan for when things ease and there is more revenue. I’ve had to cut my budget here and we’re still cutting and it’s bad for every school system.
NorwalkNet: One of the things we in Norwalk have become much more aware of are issues of openness and transparency, can you address this concern?
Dr. Marks: I work very very closely in ensuring that all stake holders are involved in what is done. I really always tell people about how we are going to make decisions. I have no secrets. When I was working directly with schools I was always out in the schools and went to athletic events, the plays, and the recognitions, community meetings and cluster meetings. Even as the Associate Superintendent I hold all my principal advisory meetings in schools and get my staff out there. You have to understand that this is a very big county. I don’t know everybody and everybody doesn’t know me, but I believe a superintendent is a 24/7 job along with school board. You got to get out there.
Because there may be some concern about an outside person or someone not knowing Norwalk, what I would do if I was fortunate to get the position would be to meet with people and get to know them, and have them get to know me and begin to build that trust where we’re pushing up our sleeves up together and working to resolve some of the issues of the school system.
For every school age child in Norwalk, I would like to see that their parents view Norwalk Public School as an option for them. The way you make that happen is you get results and that people see that students learning at high levels
NorwalkNet: Can you confirm that you are moving to Norwalk?
Yes would move to Norwalk because I think it’s important for the Superintendent to live in the area that they are supervising.
This interview has been edited.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Updated: Dr. Susan Marks, Finalist for Superintendent
Dr. Marks will be visiting the Norwalk Public Schools early next week.
Parents and community members are invited to meet her on Monday March 8 from 7-9 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall.
Norwalk is not the first district that Dr. Marks has applied to be Superintendent. At the end of February she was one of three finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools in Newton, MA. She attended an all-day visit to Newton schools on February 26, including a publicly held interview session with Newton's School Committee.
According to an article in the Newton Tab, Dr. Marks told the Newton SC that she is known in the Montgomery school system as a "utility player." "When the superintendent needed something done, (he) called on Susan."
While Dr. Marks tried to accentuate her strengths and accomplishments to the Newton SC she also, in response to a question, noted areas in which she did not succeed:
While many members asked Marks about her point on view on policy issues like the importance of classroom technology or how she would start funding the repair or replacement of aging school buildings, board member Matt Hills pointedly asked Marks to give an example of when she made a decision “and you blew it.”Interviewed by the Newton edition of the Boston Globe, Dr. Marks said, "I’m committed to technical education but also to ensuring that all students are prepared to go to college...The ideal is that no student who wishes to attend college needs to take a single remedial course."
Marks said as a community superintendent, she worked with a school panel that interviewed candidates for a principal’s position. That panel – made up of parents and school staff – supported one candidate, but Marks favored another candidate because she had a “preconceived notion of what the school needed.”
“I hired the other principal. I should have listened to my committee. And it was not a good match for the school. I tried to support that principal, it went on for a couple of years, and we did use our evaluation system to remove the principal,” she told Hills.
Ultimately the Newton SC decided to choose one of the other candidates.
Here is a link to her resume:
And here is the press release from the BOE.
Press 001
ConnCAN to Discuss Race to the Top on Tuesday
I've had the opportunity to hear Alex Johnston of ConnCAN, a statewide educational reform advocacy group, speak a couple of times. He is a very powerful speaker and always makes me realize that state and national legislation have a big impact our children's classroom. Mr. Nast, our interim superintendent, sits on the New Haven Board of Education with Alex and suggested at Tuesday night's board meeting that parents and teaching staff attend this event.
This presentation is being organized by a local chapter of a non-profit, National Executive Service Corps. Similar presentation were held in Westport and Wilton recently.
***
Connecticut's Race to the Top--Ensuring a Quality Education for All Children
Tuesday, March 9th, 7:30 pm
Community Room, Norwalk Town Hall
125 East Avenue, Norwalk
Would you be surprised to learn that Connecticut is dead last in the country...50th out of 50...in terms of the results we achieve for our low-income students, while our spending per student is among the highest
Join us as we learn from Alex Johnston, CEO of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), about:
• The state of public education in Connecticut, and where we rank,
• The exciting new opportunity offered by the Federal "Race to the Top" funding program -- $200 million at stake -- and how it could affect Norwalk’s schools.
• What we can do together to improve public education for ALL children.
• This is urgent: Our State Legislature will be voting on Race to Top exactly one week after meeting (March 15th)
Our children get one chance at an education; what can we do to give them the best shot?
Turn Out and Make Your Voice Heard
Alex Johnston is Chief Executive Officer of ConnCAN. As ConnCAN’s first employee, Alex launched what is now regarded as one of the nation’s leading state-level education reform organizations. In the five years since, he has led ConnCAN’s effort to advocate for state policies that will ensure every Connecticut child has access to a great public school. In 2009, ConnCAN achieved three major legislative victories through its ‘Mind the Gaps’ campaign: overhauling the state’s teacher certification rules, opening up stores of longitudinal student achievement data to the public and securing $8 million of funding for the expansion of high-performing public charter schools in the midst of an $8 billion state budget deficit.
Before helping to found ConnCAN, Alex Johnston directed operations at the New Haven Housing Authority, working as a member of the management team tasked with turning the agency around from the brink of receivership. A graduate of Harvard University, Alex received a D. Phil. in politics from Oxford’s Lincoln College on a Rhodes Scholarship, where he studied the impact of government funding on nonprofit service providers. Alex serves on the state commission charged with developing Connecticut’s P-20 data system, is a member of the National Charter School Resource Center Advisory Board and sits on the New Haven Board of Education.
This presentation is being organized by a local chapter of a non-profit, National Executive Service Corps. Similar presentation were held in Westport and Wilton recently.
***
Connecticut's Race to the Top--Ensuring a Quality Education for All Children
Tuesday, March 9th, 7:30 pm
Community Room, Norwalk Town Hall
125 East Avenue, Norwalk
Would you be surprised to learn that Connecticut is dead last in the country...50th out of 50...in terms of the results we achieve for our low-income students, while our spending per student is among the highest
Join us as we learn from Alex Johnston, CEO of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), about:
• The state of public education in Connecticut, and where we rank,
• The exciting new opportunity offered by the Federal "Race to the Top" funding program -- $200 million at stake -- and how it could affect Norwalk’s schools.
• What we can do together to improve public education for ALL children.
• This is urgent: Our State Legislature will be voting on Race to Top exactly one week after meeting (March 15th)
Our children get one chance at an education; what can we do to give them the best shot?
Turn Out and Make Your Voice Heard
Alex Johnston is Chief Executive Officer of ConnCAN. As ConnCAN’s first employee, Alex launched what is now regarded as one of the nation’s leading state-level education reform organizations. In the five years since, he has led ConnCAN’s effort to advocate for state policies that will ensure every Connecticut child has access to a great public school. In 2009, ConnCAN achieved three major legislative victories through its ‘Mind the Gaps’ campaign: overhauling the state’s teacher certification rules, opening up stores of longitudinal student achievement data to the public and securing $8 million of funding for the expansion of high-performing public charter schools in the midst of an $8 billion state budget deficit.
Before helping to found ConnCAN, Alex Johnston directed operations at the New Haven Housing Authority, working as a member of the management team tasked with turning the agency around from the brink of receivership. A graduate of Harvard University, Alex received a D. Phil. in politics from Oxford’s Lincoln College on a Rhodes Scholarship, where he studied the impact of government funding on nonprofit service providers. Alex serves on the state commission charged with developing Connecticut’s P-20 data system, is a member of the National Charter School Resource Center Advisory Board and sits on the New Haven Board of Education.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Finalist Sup Selected, Social Workers Cry Foul, Website Launched
At Tuesday night's BOE meeting Vice-Chair Jack Chiaramonte announced that a finalist has been chosen for the Superintendent position. Mr. Chiaramonte would not reveal the candidate's name or background because the other applicants have not been informed that a finalist has been selected. He said that the name will be announced in the next couple of days.
Mr. Chiaramonte said that the candidate is going to visit Norwalk early next week and that a parent forum will take place in the coming days. The BOE is also in the process of scheduling a site visit to the candidate’s school district. “Now, we want the candidate to meet the Norwalk community.” said Chiaramonte.
Norwalk has been without a full time Superintendent since last June when Dr. Sal Corda resigned after the BOE declined to renew his contract. The Board placed Dr. William Papallo, a retired administrator as interim Superintendent, but he stayed only until this month. Another interim Superintent, Dr. Michael Nast is filling the vacancy, most likely until the end of the school year.
During the public comments, several social workers spoke about not receiving adequate pay. They said that currently social workers are being paid on a Masters only level (30 credits). This was not always the practice. Norwalk requires social workers to obtain a Masters in Social Work (which requires 60 credits) entitling them to a higher starting pay. Like almost all districts in CT, Norwalk social workers used to be paid according to this higher pay scale. They blamed the HR Director for making the decision unilaterally to change the level to 30 credits, and said that it goes against the NFT contract. Some social workers are paid under the old pay scale, creating inequity among co-workers
Mr. Nast presented a strategy for hiring the many vacant, soon to be vacant, and interim positions in Central Office. The district is currently interviewing for the director of Health Services position and the Math Specialist position. They are beginning the process for the director of Pupil Personnel. He said that he will get the new superintendent involved in the hiring process, even if the person is not going to start until the summer.
"I would want to be involved in hiring my team," he said.
Mr. Nast also added that he was worried about the quality of the pool of candidates given the impending budget cuts.
Also at the meeting, Robert Polselli, the Director of IT, presented the BOE the district's new web site (which launched officially yesterday) that his team built. He stressed that the website is a dynamic tool for the entire district, on which hundreds of people will be able to post documents. It will continually be improved and updated.
Check back later today for an updated version of this story.
Mr. Chiaramonte said that the candidate is going to visit Norwalk early next week and that a parent forum will take place in the coming days. The BOE is also in the process of scheduling a site visit to the candidate’s school district. “Now, we want the candidate to meet the Norwalk community.” said Chiaramonte.
Norwalk has been without a full time Superintendent since last June when Dr. Sal Corda resigned after the BOE declined to renew his contract. The Board placed Dr. William Papallo, a retired administrator as interim Superintendent, but he stayed only until this month. Another interim Superintent, Dr. Michael Nast is filling the vacancy, most likely until the end of the school year.
During the public comments, several social workers spoke about not receiving adequate pay. They said that currently social workers are being paid on a Masters only level (30 credits). This was not always the practice. Norwalk requires social workers to obtain a Masters in Social Work (which requires 60 credits) entitling them to a higher starting pay. Like almost all districts in CT, Norwalk social workers used to be paid according to this higher pay scale. They blamed the HR Director for making the decision unilaterally to change the level to 30 credits, and said that it goes against the NFT contract. Some social workers are paid under the old pay scale, creating inequity among co-workers
Mr. Nast presented a strategy for hiring the many vacant, soon to be vacant, and interim positions in Central Office. The district is currently interviewing for the director of Health Services position and the Math Specialist position. They are beginning the process for the director of Pupil Personnel. He said that he will get the new superintendent involved in the hiring process, even if the person is not going to start until the summer.
"I would want to be involved in hiring my team," he said.
Mr. Nast also added that he was worried about the quality of the pool of candidates given the impending budget cuts.
Also at the meeting, Robert Polselli, the Director of IT, presented the BOE the district's new web site (which launched officially yesterday) that his team built. He stressed that the website is a dynamic tool for the entire district, on which hundreds of people will be able to post documents. It will continually be improved and updated.
Check back later today for an updated version of this story.
Monday, March 1, 2010
New NPS Website and The Khan Academy
The new NPS website launched today! Bob Polselli, IT Director, will be presenting the new website to the BOE at tomorrow night's meeting. I'm thrilled to not have the blue screen anymore. What do you think of this new version?
More technology--I introduced my kids to the a very interesting web service. The Khan Academy has 1000+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, chemistry, biology and finance. The videos have been recorded by Salman Khan, a former hedge fund manager. My elementary school kids have seen several of the math videos and really like them.
Each video is about 8 minutes long and covers a single concept. Mr. Khan is never seen on camera. He uses a computer chalkboard to give examples as he explains each topic. He begins with very simple concepts and gradually builds to advanced ones.
During an interview with NPR in December, Mr. Khan explained that he began the project three years ago as a way to tutor his niece in math. She lived in New Orleans while he was living in Boston. He just kept recording different topics and found that he had a following on YouTube.
Mr. Khan has quit his job and now records YouTube videos full time. His videos are watched around the world and Microsoft awarded him an Innovation in Education award.
P.S. My youngest son's name is Salman too!
More technology--I introduced my kids to the a very interesting web service. The Khan Academy has 1000+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, chemistry, biology and finance. The videos have been recorded by Salman Khan, a former hedge fund manager. My elementary school kids have seen several of the math videos and really like them.
Each video is about 8 minutes long and covers a single concept. Mr. Khan is never seen on camera. He uses a computer chalkboard to give examples as he explains each topic. He begins with very simple concepts and gradually builds to advanced ones.
During an interview with NPR in December, Mr. Khan explained that he began the project three years ago as a way to tutor his niece in math. She lived in New Orleans while he was living in Boston. He just kept recording different topics and found that he had a following on YouTube.
Mr. Khan has quit his job and now records YouTube videos full time. His videos are watched around the world and Microsoft awarded him an Innovation in Education award.
P.S. My youngest son's name is Salman too!
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