A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Joan Glass says that cutting the middle school Academically Talented program is "one of the worst ideas" she's ever heard. The Instructional Specialist for Norwalk's K-12 Academically Talented program is holding an emergency meeting this Wednesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. at City Hall, to discuss the potential cut. In a letter to AT parents, Glass wrote: "I urge you to take action with me against the recent recommendation that Norwalk’s middle school Academically Talented program be eliminated. In these inordinately difficult economic times, it is essential that we work together to preserve the services that benefit Norwalk’s high-ability learners."
As part of the budget process, middle school principals were directed by interim Superintendent Michael Nast to cut $85,000 at each of their respective schools. The Norwalk Board of Education has been directed by the City to cut $5 million from its proposed budget. At the last board meeting, Superintendent Nast said that the middle school principals had decided collectively to cut the AT program. Currently, AT is a program for gifted students in grades 3-8. In middle school, AT students (who are selected by their teachers and test scores) meet every day. They gather in a timeslot that takes the place of one of two Language Arts classes that are scheduled daily for the rest of the students. The eliminiation of the program will affect approximately 500 middle school students throughout Norwalk. So far, elementary AT is not being affected.
Glass says there is currently no district-wide strategy to address the needs of high achieving learners. "There is such a strong focus on NCLB [No Child Left Behind] that the needs of these high performing kids are not being met." Glass says there is national research showing that the emphasis on No Child Left Behind has created a "trickle down" effect. Glass also cites a body of research that says that gifted kids need a special type of curriculum in order to remain challenged.
"This is a strong academic program that puts 25 kids who are at similar levels together in a class," says Glass. "These kids are in a self-contained environment. This is a very powerful thing and one of the most effective ways to challenge these kids." Glass says that if students are not "pulled out" then teachers need to be trained on how to differentiate instruction. This is time consuming and costly. "We'll need teacher training and evaluations to make sure that differentiated instruction is being implemented across the board."
Bob McCain, principal at Nathan Hale Middle School, calls cutting the AT program a difficult decision. But, he also says in these difficult times, he and his colleagues were required to make a significant cut. "The middle school principals chose something that would disrupt the schools the least and could also be consistent throughout the district."
McCain also says that CMT data at Nathan Hale shows that reading and writing scores are falling for AT students. "The kids who were 'advanced' are dropping down a level at an alarming rate." While not a conclusive indicator, McCain says one of the reasons for this drop may be that AT students receive about half the language arts instruction compared to other students, since they are pulled out of their second language arts class. McCain says that he plans to differentiate instruction at Nathan Hale if AT is cut. "AT students will travel together to their second Language Arts class and receive appropriate instruction."
For Glass, the drop in reading and writing test scores is happening on the elementary level, as well as in middle school. "I would says it's more an effect of our current focus on moving kids from "proficient" to "goal" and not paying enough attention to gifted and talented kids."
Norwalk is one of only a few Connecticut districts that has a daily program for gifted students. In fact, Glass says other districts, like Fairfield, are contacting her to find out more about Norwalk's program. On the same point, McCain counters, "No one else is doing AT every day. We cannot afford a model like this anymore."
Glass believes Norwalk's strength is its diversity, "We have so many cultures, backgrounds and learning abilities. Gifted students are also part of Norwalk's diversity."
Joan Glass says that cutting the middle school Academically Talented program is "one of the worst ideas" she's ever heard. The Instructional Specialist for Norwalk's K-12 Academically Talented program is holding an emergency meeting this Wednesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. at City Hall, to discuss the potential cut. In a letter to AT parents, Glass wrote: "I urge you to take action with me against the recent recommendation that Norwalk’s middle school Academically Talented program be eliminated. In these inordinately difficult economic times, it is essential that we work together to preserve the services that benefit Norwalk’s high-ability learners."
As part of the budget process, middle school principals were directed by interim Superintendent Michael Nast to cut $85,000 at each of their respective schools. The Norwalk Board of Education has been directed by the City to cut $5 million from its proposed budget. At the last board meeting, Superintendent Nast said that the middle school principals had decided collectively to cut the AT program. Currently, AT is a program for gifted students in grades 3-8. In middle school, AT students (who are selected by their teachers and test scores) meet every day. They gather in a timeslot that takes the place of one of two Language Arts classes that are scheduled daily for the rest of the students. The eliminiation of the program will affect approximately 500 middle school students throughout Norwalk. So far, elementary AT is not being affected.
Glass says there is currently no district-wide strategy to address the needs of high achieving learners. "There is such a strong focus on NCLB [No Child Left Behind] that the needs of these high performing kids are not being met." Glass says there is national research showing that the emphasis on No Child Left Behind has created a "trickle down" effect. Glass also cites a body of research that says that gifted kids need a special type of curriculum in order to remain challenged.
"This is a strong academic program that puts 25 kids who are at similar levels together in a class," says Glass. "These kids are in a self-contained environment. This is a very powerful thing and one of the most effective ways to challenge these kids." Glass says that if students are not "pulled out" then teachers need to be trained on how to differentiate instruction. This is time consuming and costly. "We'll need teacher training and evaluations to make sure that differentiated instruction is being implemented across the board."
Bob McCain, principal at Nathan Hale Middle School, calls cutting the AT program a difficult decision. But, he also says in these difficult times, he and his colleagues were required to make a significant cut. "The middle school principals chose something that would disrupt the schools the least and could also be consistent throughout the district."
McCain also says that CMT data at Nathan Hale shows that reading and writing scores are falling for AT students. "The kids who were 'advanced' are dropping down a level at an alarming rate." While not a conclusive indicator, McCain says one of the reasons for this drop may be that AT students receive about half the language arts instruction compared to other students, since they are pulled out of their second language arts class. McCain says that he plans to differentiate instruction at Nathan Hale if AT is cut. "AT students will travel together to their second Language Arts class and receive appropriate instruction."
For Glass, the drop in reading and writing test scores is happening on the elementary level, as well as in middle school. "I would says it's more an effect of our current focus on moving kids from "proficient" to "goal" and not paying enough attention to gifted and talented kids."
Norwalk is one of only a few Connecticut districts that has a daily program for gifted students. In fact, Glass says other districts, like Fairfield, are contacting her to find out more about Norwalk's program. On the same point, McCain counters, "No one else is doing AT every day. We cannot afford a model like this anymore."
Glass believes Norwalk's strength is its diversity, "We have so many cultures, backgrounds and learning abilities. Gifted students are also part of Norwalk's diversity."
Posts
Given some of the desperate needs of the district, it is no longer possible to fund the AT program at its current level. Is it possible to reduce the services, without eliminating them altogether?
ReplyDeleteIs Glass doing this on her own, or is her boss in favor of her crusade?
FYI Tonight's meeting is in the concert hall
ReplyDelete