tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post6532632502697747455..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: Questions from a data flubUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-2592923186685669552012-01-24T13:06:04.423-05:002012-01-24T13:06:04.423-05:0012:10--Agreed!12:10--Agreed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-49123734989852910212012-01-24T12:10:59.420-05:002012-01-24T12:10:59.420-05:0010:12, I think everyone who has a little history w...10:12, I think everyone who has a little history with CMS realizes that when Wilhemia and Arthur steps up to "assist" this BOE, you know where the next 4 years are going for this community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-5211854335491208432012-01-24T12:02:09.922-05:002012-01-24T12:02:09.922-05:00Cobitz...gone!Cobitz...gone!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-19923901412834994912012-01-24T10:12:01.351-05:002012-01-24T10:12:01.351-05:00I would agree with much of what 9:27 has to say. ...I would agree with much of what 9:27 has to say. Former superintendents, school board chair, etc. become paid consultants. From Charlotte,for instance, former CMS board chair Arthur Griffin--http://www.mheducation.com/uar/index.shtml (please note his involvement with the hated Broad Institute);Dr. James Pughsley, former superintendent--http://www.americanprogress.org/projects/education/about.html (scroll down to read his bio--didn't know he had done so much for CMS); Eric Smith, former superintendent--http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/content/weekend-interview-former-florida-education-commissioner-eric-j-smith/. I'm not saying that these folks failed here, but all of them certainly had their detractors. But now they all make a nice living by pushing the various educational theories du jour . Arthur has even offered his services to the new school board. And yes, they all are into "urban education" and how to solve the achievement gap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-11157736300333107832012-01-24T10:01:01.854-05:002012-01-24T10:01:01.854-05:00Here's a tool for comparing schools globally:
...Here's a tool for comparing schools globally:<br /><br />The Global Report Card:<br /><br />http://globalreportcard.org/map.html#bottom-results<br /><br />CMS RANKS:<br /><br />State - 49% Math, 47% Reading<br />Nation - 53% Math, 45% Reading<br />International - 40% Math, 42% Reading<br /><br />Canada - 31% Math, 32% Reading<br />Finland - 23% Math, 23% Reading<br />Singapore - 23% Math, 32% Reading<br /><br /><br />Clearly, our competition is not among ourselves any longer.<br /><br />When Canada, Finland, and Singapore are that much better than we are, it's time for a closer look at what is wrong with our entire education system.<br /><br />Not just our worst performing schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-9343544666544357042012-01-24T09:27:18.101-05:002012-01-24T09:27:18.101-05:00I would submit something I believe a lot of folks ...I would submit something I believe a lot of folks are beating around the bush to not say. Clearly a culture exists in CMS, and probably most of the "urban" school systems that goals like closing the achievement gap, increasing graduation rate, decreasing dropout, etc. have become the altars of worship and policies that help make names for educrats who once failed in a school system, can earn a good living consulting around the circuit because of the lack of and the willingness to cherry coat past failures. Most school boards are not run by analytical, managerial experienced people who are willing to step out against community organizers, politicans cowtowing to community organizers, and left leaning news rags' editorial staffs.<br /><br />The children of Mecklenburg County would be better served by turning all of CMS into charter schools if this way of thinking/culture is not stopped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-47355521103357277372012-01-23T22:57:17.777-05:002012-01-23T22:57:17.777-05:00I am aware of examples where specific metrics deve...I am aware of examples where specific metrics developed for scorecards were presented in pre-publication review using slightly different truncated language than when the scorecard metrics were developed. To catch a missing word in a column heading when your mission is to review the numbers in the column is tricky. A change or omission of a word or two in the metric column heading to save space can vastly change what the numeric result appears to state. People get pretty specific with metrics, not poetic but precise, and a one or two word change can completely change the meaning of the result presented. You do not need a UIUC degree to grasp this. Not making excuses, just sharing a simple thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-60243920697097761972012-01-23T22:37:49.733-05:002012-01-23T22:37:49.733-05:00One of CMS goals is to raise the graduation rate. ...One of CMS goals is to raise the graduation rate. CMS is known to take poetic liberty with numbers on a routine basis. This type of quality control, managerial oversight error caught by other than the 1.2 billion dollar education system we call CMS has convinced me those who regularly opine against CMS leadership are right. Data driven or driven to create self-serving data? I do not think we should assume the principals did not catch this. CMS is so creative with numbers they may have been waiting to hear the company line on how to explain them. There should not be a $40,000 a year patsy to take the blame either. The higher the pay the more open to alternate explanations. The Board needs to fire somebody or the County needs to investigate! Accountability?Driven to Poetic Datanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-32246638414592129792012-01-23T20:20:06.070-05:002012-01-23T20:20:06.070-05:00Anon 8:00....
That's why CMS will never do aw...Anon 8:00....<br /><br />That's why CMS will never do away with Bright Beginnings, even though Gorman said data wasn't there to support or keep it and wanted it gutted. There has been NO data presented since 2000 and that data is so-so at best.<br /><br />Of course they wouldn't gut or eliminate it. To do so would be admitting failure and be a negative towards one of their own, Eric Smith. Plus, the More at Four program the state replicated off of Bright Beginnings would be suspect as well.<br /><br />Throw in our clueless Board of Education and you get quite a cocktail of inept people who don't have the guts to pull the trigger and make the hard decisions, only the popular one.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-81610942629501786682012-01-23T20:00:25.621-05:002012-01-23T20:00:25.621-05:00Let's be honest, what these men did was incomp...Let's be honest, what these men did was incompetent as the least and shows a true lack of how to do their job at the most. I suppose if someone "ANN" or the "OBERVER" where to dig a little deeper what you might uncover would be pretty devastating to CMS and humiliate its leadership. I suppose we could just let this go by and blame the teachers like we tend to do in this district.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-4453771408748808562012-01-23T19:58:23.298-05:002012-01-23T19:58:23.298-05:00Ann, the only reason by Muri and Cobitz tried to g...Ann, the only reason by Muri and Cobitz tried to get back with you is to save what little credibility they have in this area. Principals at your schools probably saw that the numbers are high, but seeing that they also receive fat bonuses for these numbers they probably elected to stay silent. The principals currently running some schools in CMS are climbers and are unconcerned what the numbers look like as long as they favor the school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-55797048718281631042012-01-23T17:44:18.101-05:002012-01-23T17:44:18.101-05:00Let's see, how much money did they spend on th...Let's see, how much money did they spend on that Data Dashboard???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-15086601209418170232012-01-23T17:29:51.664-05:002012-01-23T17:29:51.664-05:00I don't care what all this is about, I am just...I don't care what all this is about, I am just happy things are going so well, and our Children are graduating and learning at CMS, as these numbers prove.DistrictSixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05446006141343133046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-7112982426340833352012-01-23T15:54:19.714-05:002012-01-23T15:54:19.714-05:00Project LIFT/Philanthropists hiring lobbyists....
...Project LIFT/Philanthropists hiring lobbyists....<br /><br />That's enough to raise a boatload of red flags right there.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-90780221981917491232012-01-23T15:45:45.689-05:002012-01-23T15:45:45.689-05:00It certainly is looking like they are trying to ke...It certainly is looking like they are trying to keep all the money and probably forcing more taxpayer into this area despite other insistances. As you look into the plan document, you see longer school days proposed. Saturday school. Summer school programs. <br /><br />Does CMS have to absorb higher utility costs? Does CMS have to absorb more busing costs? Do teachers get paid extra for longer days, Saturdays, and summer schools by LIFT or by CMS. <br /><br />LIFT has specified 3 people for CMS hiring but LIFT reimbursement and you know the sole purpose of that is to latch onto retirement contributions and medical, dental and other health benefit plans on the taxpayers' back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-16944602194622195112012-01-23T15:32:51.744-05:002012-01-23T15:32:51.744-05:00If LIFT is audited by a "minority" firm,...If LIFT is audited by a "minority" firm, I hope they're Asian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-82052341227134658512012-01-23T15:21:00.961-05:002012-01-23T15:21:00.961-05:00OHHH wait the new superintendant that is lining up...OHHH wait the new superintendant that is lining up for the CMS job will fix it all no worries. Its very possible nobody has applied that is worthy of buying in to the CMS mentality (or lack their of).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-84367834766600380882012-01-23T13:54:13.448-05:002012-01-23T13:54:13.448-05:00Our teachers are too afraid to ask the principal o...Our teachers are too afraid to ask the principal or PTA for supplies. I no longer support the PTA at our school. They operate just like CMS! Ha Ha. I donate directly to my child's teacher. I refuse to give anything to classmates. Another joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-63206755944651949062012-01-23T13:38:48.636-05:002012-01-23T13:38:48.636-05:00The "LIFT" folks will generate their own...The "LIFT" folks will generate their own data you know this. And it will be auditied by a minority firm of their choice. The qoute was from the LIFT folks " the money from the project will stay in the minority community" Tuesday Morning breakfast in September 2011by their leader. CMS should not get in bed with such a racists group with such high hatred. Muri is in way over his head on this one as many others. While they sleep nobody knows what the kids are actually learning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-73043649023821839912012-01-23T13:08:09.642-05:002012-01-23T13:08:09.642-05:00Oh, FWIW, for those who don't know.
One of th...Oh, FWIW, for those who don't know.<br /><br />One of the pioneers of statistical quality control, Dr. Deming, was practically unknown in the US (where he lived), but was highly revered in Japan for years.<br /><br />Japanese adopted a lot of his techniques in their auto manufacturing and came to dominate the world in quality.<br /><br />Then, in order to catch up, we looked at what the Japanese were doing to reclaim some of that lost ground.<br /><br />I think we need to do the same thing in education.<br /><br />We need to stop comparing ourselves to ourselves and gazing at our navels worrying about "performance gaps" between one group and the other.<br /><br />Those are bad enough for sure.<br /><br />But some of the things I've been reading about our international standings are scary.<br /><br />This is not a battle between GM, Ford, Chrysler and American Motors for world domination any longer.<br /><br />Even our white suburban kids in some of the "best" schools are barely in the running internationally.<br /><br />That's one reason I hate to see the best slighted in favor of improving our worst.<br /><br />The global competition is not among the worst students in the world.<br /><br />It's between the best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-90623797376962868442012-01-23T12:54:58.106-05:002012-01-23T12:54:58.106-05:00John (8:56) - no that's not a bible quote, it&...John (8:56) - no that's not a bible quote, it's a post...<br /><br />No, we have already seen with CMS that you cannot "trust" the data or the methods they use, so I don't see any difference between that and someone's "gut" opinion of a teacher.<br /><br />In fact, I've seen studies out there that show that a principal's opinion is just about as useful as these statistical measures they throw around.<br /><br />What good is a standardized test if it measures the wrong thing?<br /><br />Standards aren't always sacred in and of themselves.<br /><br />I'm not blaming the radar guns.<br /><br />Or the use of radar guns provided those guns are proven accurate.<br /><br />I'm saying these particular radar guns are broken and we need something else.<br /><br />I also think a good principal should be able to tell what a good teacher is like.<br /><br />The failure of them to do so is probably a part of our management culture as glorified in Dilbert cartoons.<br /><br />Our system is broken and failing miserably.<br /><br />In education, we are where our auto industry was in the 1970's.<br /><br />I think we should broaden our scope a bit and look internationally at what the top schools in the world (such as Finland) are doing to evaluate teachers.<br /><br />I doubt that it's the kind of silliness we do here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-10340095778573047882012-01-23T12:51:22.222-05:002012-01-23T12:51:22.222-05:00Here's a very in-depth look at philanthropy in...Here's a very in-depth look at philanthropy in education...<br /><br />It's worth reading in my opinion.<br /><br />Be wary of who you get into bed with.<br /><br />One note I read in the article was that for every 1 negative news article on philanthropy in education, there are 13 positive ones. It goes on to show how much the media is not willing to talk negatively about donors and how much these donors give to certain media outlets..<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Winter 2011<br /><br />Got Dough? How Billionaires Rule Our Schools<br /><br />By Joanne Barkan<br /><br />THE COST of K–12 public schooling in the United States comes to well over $500 billion per year. So, how much influence could anyone in the private sector exert by controlling just a few billion dollars of that immense sum? Decisive influence, it turns out. A few billion dollars in private foundation money, strategically invested every year for a decade, has sufficed to define the national debate on education; sustain a crusade for a set of mostly ill-conceived reforms; and determine public policy at the local, state, and national levels. In the domain of venture philanthropy—where donors decide what social transformation they want to engineer and then design and fund projects to implement their vision—investing in education yields great bang for the buck.<br /><br />http://dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=3781Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-70758239323899017102012-01-23T12:45:35.088-05:002012-01-23T12:45:35.088-05:00What good is the data if it is inaccurate or skewe...What good is the data if it is inaccurate or skewed to reflect desired results opposed to actual results?Banglinlawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-48295696670142167202012-01-23T12:41:41.320-05:002012-01-23T12:41:41.320-05:00Project LIFT document notes that they are concerne...Project LIFT document notes that they are concerned about the high FRL numbers in those "westside" schools that are doing poorly.<br /><br />Maybe they could work toward reducing the FRL precentage by cutting down the fraud.<br /><br />After all, if a parent is willing to lie to get a free lunch, how can they be trusted to help in the proper education of their children?<br /><br />The whole process of quality improvement starts with integrity.<br /><br />If you don't have it, don't even waste your time (or money).<br /><br />I dare them to do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-54286534743501199602012-01-23T12:05:09.315-05:002012-01-23T12:05:09.315-05:0010:39 I agree with you that far too little attent...10:39 I agree with you that far too little attention has been given to the generosity of suburban schools and of the entire community in general to many of our urban schools (and not just through Schoolmates). I don't believe that any of this volunteer time, money, supplies, etc. is done for "extra credit" or for publicity for the to the donors. It's done in response to the perceived need. <br /><br /> Unfortunately, because groups are not seeking publicity and because for so long common wisdom in Charlotte was that the suburbs got it all and that suburban residents were selfish too many people still believe that suburban schools receive favored treatment over urban schools. And some groups take advantage of that belief to foment discontent.<br /><br />It would be very interesting if somehow all of the volunteer hours, money, supplies, etc. could be totaled--not to begrudge what has been given but to illustrate that there are an awful lot of caring people throughout our community. It would also be wonderful if someone would stand up at the breakfast club and say, "You know folks, let's not forget that our children do receive a lot of help from throughout the county." <br /><br />Sharon StarksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com