I believe the current IB program offered by PPS is a good program. All three of my children have taken IB classes. The language and English classes are especially strong. Both of my older children found the preparation from these classes to be solid.
I have less experience in the IB math & science courses because two of my children went to KAMSC. KAMSC offers AP courses which are also very challenging and excellent preparation for college.
I am a firm believer that all children can learn and we have an obligation to teach all children. I am not certain that the current IB program and KAMSC offer enough choice to ensure that all our children are properly challenged and prepared for life after high school. Within our curriculum offerings, we need to make certain we address the needs of all learners. And we need to do this in a fiscally responsible manner.
We also need to collect more data from our graduates to make certain that our goal of preparing students is in fact being achieved.
I am not yet convinced that IB for grades 6 through 10 is a wise investment. More data is needed to make this determination.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Portage Test Scores are Falling
I have been presenting data from the Michigan Department of Education and School Matters websites which clearly show Portage high school MEAP scores in a downward trend. Here are some numbers to consider:
2001 2006
Math Proficiency 87.4 72.7
Writing 82.3 70.0
Science 82.3 74.6
These numbers can be verified on www.schoolmatters.com under student achievement trends.
The current PPS Board and administration have many arguments about why these numbers are not to be of concern. But the truth is, we must be concerned and we must devise a strategy to improve student achievement.
Someone recently asked me how our numbers compare to state averages. I ask, why would a Portage parent care about averages? Portage is clearly an above average school. But we want to be one of the best schools. A better question is how do we compare to the top ten schools in the state? The answer is, poorly! There are schools with upward trends! There are schools with some grades at 100% proficiency! That should be us!
This can be fixed, but the first step is to acknowledge where we are. Then we can really demonstrate that we can teach all children and all children can learn!
2001 2006
Math Proficiency 87.4 72.7
Writing 82.3 70.0
Science 82.3 74.6
These numbers can be verified on www.schoolmatters.com under student achievement trends.
The current PPS Board and administration have many arguments about why these numbers are not to be of concern. But the truth is, we must be concerned and we must devise a strategy to improve student achievement.
Someone recently asked me how our numbers compare to state averages. I ask, why would a Portage parent care about averages? Portage is clearly an above average school. But we want to be one of the best schools. A better question is how do we compare to the top ten schools in the state? The answer is, poorly! There are schools with upward trends! There are schools with some grades at 100% proficiency! That should be us!
This can be fixed, but the first step is to acknowledge where we are. Then we can really demonstrate that we can teach all children and all children can learn!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I have been asked in small forums:
WAHT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT, MARSHA WELLS?
Despite the much publicized misstep by the PPS School Board regarding open meetings, they did a good job in the superintendent search. Both Marsha Wells and Roger Rathburn were excellent candidates. I believe Marsha brings a breadth of experience and a positive vision which will help move PPS to a new level of excellence.
DO YOU HAVE AN AGENDA?
Yes, my agenda is as follows:
- Improve communications with the community and the PPS School Board
- Analyze options openly using relevant data and research
- Commit to the goal of teaching all children to the best of their ability to achieve.
I am committed to improving an already good school district, to a great school district.
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE EXISTING BOARD MEMBERS?
I believe the current Board members have a strong commitment to the well-being of the district. As such, I believe all elected members will strive to develop a strong working relationship, regardless of individual differences.
WHAT ABOUT THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM?
I have been very clear with my dissatisfaction with the new high school science curriculum. It is helpful to remember, the curriculum process was new when science was reviewed. Very few parents were part of the process, but I was deeply involved and informed. The process has been changed to include many more parents, and the result has been very positive. The proposals from the Math Committee have received wide-spread support. I believe continued improvement in the process will lead to better decisions.
Meantime, we need to ensure the best science education for our children. I will continue to work on improving science education as a board member or as a private citizen. Please call me for more information on the Sciecne Curriculum.
WAHT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT, MARSHA WELLS?
Despite the much publicized misstep by the PPS School Board regarding open meetings, they did a good job in the superintendent search. Both Marsha Wells and Roger Rathburn were excellent candidates. I believe Marsha brings a breadth of experience and a positive vision which will help move PPS to a new level of excellence.
DO YOU HAVE AN AGENDA?
Yes, my agenda is as follows:
- Improve communications with the community and the PPS School Board
- Analyze options openly using relevant data and research
- Commit to the goal of teaching all children to the best of their ability to achieve.
I am committed to improving an already good school district, to a great school district.
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE EXISTING BOARD MEMBERS?
I believe the current Board members have a strong commitment to the well-being of the district. As such, I believe all elected members will strive to develop a strong working relationship, regardless of individual differences.
WHAT ABOUT THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM?
I have been very clear with my dissatisfaction with the new high school science curriculum. It is helpful to remember, the curriculum process was new when science was reviewed. Very few parents were part of the process, but I was deeply involved and informed. The process has been changed to include many more parents, and the result has been very positive. The proposals from the Math Committee have received wide-spread support. I believe continued improvement in the process will lead to better decisions.
Meantime, we need to ensure the best science education for our children. I will continue to work on improving science education as a board member or as a private citizen. Please call me for more information on the Sciecne Curriculum.
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