tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post6643343307546755079..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: CMS board says 'I do' to Project LIFTUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-42210760916130792172012-03-05T13:09:10.972-05:002012-03-05T13:09:10.972-05:00Are people really failing to see that his is stude...Are people really failing to see that his is student driven/results driven? In any other profession you are held accountable for your work. In teaching, your work is your students. If they aren't learning, you are failing at your job.<br />People don't get into teaching for the money, the title or any other reason but the kids. Why shouldn't it be about them? Everyone deserves a good education, no matter where you live or how much their parents make.<br /><br />If the complaining teachers are going to choose to be displaced then they clearly don't think they are effective teachers and don't want to risk anything to prove that. Your actions speak for themselves. <br />It's not about anyone other than the kids. <br />So what if they spend 55 million and project lift fails? at least they tried, other than sitting and letting the acheiment gap get wider. Standing and watching isn't effective either. <br /><br />those of you who know nothing about education or teaching should volunteer at a school sometime. preferably in a low-income area - talk to the kids, talk to the parents, then make your opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-50913519171872084652012-01-23T18:08:50.265-05:002012-01-23T18:08:50.265-05:00Where is the change element? Those schools ALREADY...Where is the change element? Those schools ALREADY receive almost twice as much money as some other schools. Good money spent on a bad ship.<br /><br />Create a TRADE SCHOOL !!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-68950711705182075822012-01-23T10:50:34.067-05:002012-01-23T10:50:34.067-05:00Here'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-84999951703690075842012-01-23T07:07:10.770-05:002012-01-23T07:07:10.770-05:00Just give 'em $55M worth of ankle monitors. Th...Just give 'em $55M worth of ankle monitors. That way they can learn how to cut them off now - the right way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-32037257843669967412012-01-23T06:41:15.943-05:002012-01-23T06:41:15.943-05:00From her comments, Rhonda Lennon seems to know who...From her comments, Rhonda Lennon seems to know who these donors are, shouldn't we?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-83732642151366270162012-01-23T06:25:48.526-05:002012-01-23T06:25:48.526-05:00Ann,
Is Project Lift creating a back door to HB546...Ann,<br />Is Project Lift creating a back door to HB546 with its paid lobbyist? Also it seems their documents promote value added evaluation tools for teachers. Will changing the pay scale for their teachers lead to the outcry from others? Very Deceptive!<br /><br />Also who are these partners B, C D E? Shouldn't they be named so the public and CMS really know who they are about to get in bed with?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-6611519671944330752012-01-22T19:55:25.994-05:002012-01-22T19:55:25.994-05:00I had to laugh at this one (from Project LIFT plan...I had to laugh at this one (from Project LIFT plan).<br /><br /> Decrease achievement gaps by increasing low income/minority student growth/proficiency at a faster rate than the students’ more affluent/non-minority peers.<br /><br />CMS is already using the strategy to close the achievement gaps by strangling suburban schools and running the "good" families.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-18379684566954490152012-01-22T18:03:10.201-05:002012-01-22T18:03:10.201-05:00So as I read through the plan, it looks like Meckl...So as I read through the plan, it looks like Mecklenburg taxpayers or at least the non-westside schools wil have to give up some money for the extra teacher time, the extra principal time, and extra school operating expense?<br /><br />LIFT is only reimbursing CMS for the 3 new positions but CMS/we the taxpayers will be paying for the retirement and benefits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-21682079571482136692012-01-22T14:07:06.376-05:002012-01-22T14:07:06.376-05:00The notion that the school system has not helped t...The notion that the school system has not helped these seven schools before is without merit. Money from both the failed "Challenge", a load of title I money, strategic staffing and Achievement Zone assistance and additional funding for lower student- teacher ratios in high poverty schools based on federal lunch program numbers has not worked. All of this additional help over the past 7 years has not made any real impact in their student achievement , closing the gap between whites and minorities or graduation rate. It costs much less per pupil to educate a student at JM Robinson compared to one a Ranson. <br />Schools are not equal because of all the money wasted on failed programs to help students that choose on a daily bases no to engage in the learning process. Principal will tell you if the same amount of money was spent on moving the better achieving students forward as it does on remediation, school achievement would rise. The flip side to that is the achievement gap would enlarge but we cannot have that happen, it is not a goal to have all student reach their potential. <br />Let us use research based data to drive our programs. Surely some were in this country there is a school system like CMS has faced this same problem and has a "program" that has worked before and has data to prove it. I'm sure Scott Muri, the data guru, can handle this. The reality of the situation is that, as a previous writer stated, no system or government body has ever found and successful program for an urban school system. Rather than deal with the core issues we choose to throw money into already flawed programs because of guilt and the need do something, even when we all know it will not make any difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-19928941318806754432012-01-22T00:10:18.564-05:002012-01-22T00:10:18.564-05:00Bobcat99,
Give me three groundbreaking difference...Bobcat99,<br /><br />Give me three groundbreaking differences (specifics) that Project LIFT will do - and make a difference - that hasn't already been done over the past 25 years.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-20475070870275704172012-01-22T00:07:23.839-05:002012-01-22T00:07:23.839-05:00Best wishes to this initiative. I really hope this...Best wishes to this initiative. I really hope this can boost those struggling schools. To the multitude of haters that nay say EVERY thing - better to light a candle than curse the darkness.bobcat99https://www.blogger.com/profile/18142256800210851185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-20167940345367373742012-01-21T22:44:22.091-05:002012-01-21T22:44:22.091-05:00Please, let me take a moment and explain to all pe...Please, let me take a moment and explain to all people who post on this page. When people refer to "Poor Quality" teachers being sent to these westside schools it trully upsets me. I have many friends who volunteered to go to these schools to help save a generation of children they viewed as being left behind. These people were highly skilled, highly accredited and highly motivated teachers. What happened to them? Let me tell you story. It all started about 6 years ago when Dr. Pughsley was willing to address the problem by paying teachers bonuses of up to $15,000 to go to these schools, then came the strings. First, teachers would receive only 3,000 dollars with 2,000 dollars more paid at the end of the year. Then 5,000 would be paid but only if their scores were so high. Lastly, the rest would be paid if the teacher agreed to stay additonal years. Many of these highly decorated teachers felt betrayed and sold out and felt as if it were a trick. Many of my friends told me stories of how the principals would refuse to back them with disciplinary issues. Horror stories of parents in the community theatened them and cursed at them in meetings. Stories of how principals talked teachers out of filing charges against students who had committed crimes against them. Now, there are posters on this site who demand "Good Teachers" come to these schools. I have bad news for you, the only teachers who will teach at these schools are TFAs who are so desperate for unemployment that they would teach in Afghanistan and defuse mines for free as long as it paid them. What do you think will happen to these folks once their three years is up? CMS is letting project LIFT take over for strategic reasons. If the project fails they will have nothing to do with it and your schools will be closed. If it is successful they will take credit and squeeze you out. In the end your children in the westside will be no more successful if they do not see a tomorrow or a chance at a brighter future. Black men are taught to either be a gangster, a rapper or a an athlete. Never is it pushed to be a teacher, a lawyer, doctor. Black women lead the family because black men are so heavily suppressed by black women and the belief that money can be easily made and you don't even have to work for it. Until project lift can solve the deep rooted problems that go on inside the community then it stands no chance of fixing what is broken. While your at it why don't you address the real poverty in rural America or Indian reservations, where the same identical conditions exist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-71365109147002335772012-01-21T21:20:06.133-05:002012-01-21T21:20:06.133-05:00Project LIFT brings together the best thinking abo...Project LIFT brings together the best thinking about education, plus a willingness to let go 9f the status quo, backed by the resources that can make a different. I think this approach is the best hope we have to succeed in educating kids in low-income minority neighborhoods. What we're doing obviously isn't working. I'm amazed at the whining about this effort to try something different. I applaud it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-88665196957995058212012-01-21T20:41:34.240-05:002012-01-21T20:41:34.240-05:00Maybe now CD Spangler will be able to pay some whi...Maybe now CD Spangler will be able to pay some white children to graduate.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532005829677782346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-84669098540677287062012-01-21T20:30:56.027-05:002012-01-21T20:30:56.027-05:00The only lifting that will happen is the lifting o...The only lifting that will happen is the lifting of $$ from one “provider” to another.<br />Unfortunately, this program will not succeed if Watts is at the helm. And by the way, why is she still an employee of the school district? This means that she will still be on the state retirement plan. What will her salary be? She was making a bucket load when she was such a failure at Spaugh and then as a regional super. Sounds like this was in the making for awhile and a way to increase her salary. What a rip-off.<br /><br />These children deserve better and so do the people who donated the money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-27226069329243561832012-01-21T20:12:06.270-05:002012-01-21T20:12:06.270-05:00CMS teachers should be incensed over the language ...CMS teachers should be incensed over the language used to help sell Project LIFT, stating; <i>The $55 million, five-year plan for eight westside schools includes new efforts to put top-notch teachers in every classroom</i><br /><br />This is a slap in the face to every dedicated teacher who for years have taught at these schools and tried to make a difference, only to have environments outside of the school setting erode any gains and inept downtown management.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-24732330725790258362012-01-21T19:44:06.411-05:002012-01-21T19:44:06.411-05:00After attending part of the retreat yesterday, som...After attending part of the retreat yesterday, something has been gnawing at me and I now know what it is. There were a lot of high faluting words being thrown around but what was missing was any mention of how the CMS BOE needs to focus support, development, and encouragement on its front line employees executing its mission, the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-55519969561317185892012-01-21T19:36:26.207-05:002012-01-21T19:36:26.207-05:00I would be curious to know if these "westside...I would be curious to know if these "westside" schools have any of these miracle worker TFA's that used to get nobilized.<br /><br />Ann, thanks for the fine work. However, I think you have quickly realized that it wil take a team of 5 or 6 investigators to pull back the hood on the CMS machine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-54902242172044538162012-01-21T18:43:17.929-05:002012-01-21T18:43:17.929-05:00UGH!!! More good money going towards the wrong pro...UGH!!! More good money going towards the wrong problem. REALLY? NOBODY sees this as the wrong approach after everything we have learned over the years? THANK GOD this isn't tax dollars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-87440219822470982002012-01-21T18:33:34.806-05:002012-01-21T18:33:34.806-05:00Anon 5:27...
I hear what you're saying.
We s...Anon 5:27...<br /><br />I hear what you're saying.<br /><br />We spent tens of thousands on bonuses for teachers and principals for "strategic staffing" at Focus Schools and where has that gotten us?<br /><br />I guess philanthropy money is cleaner, crisper and goes farther than our dirty tax dollars.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-30744135406256131132012-01-21T17:27:28.485-05:002012-01-21T17:27:28.485-05:00The issue with the money will be intriguing. If th...The issue with the money will be intriguing. If the teacher is the biggest component of successful learning WITHIN the school, maybe they will offer larger salaries to exceptional teachers to teach there. In the past when this has been attempted the 'bonuses' were rarely paid or came so encumbered that they were nor worth the change in environment..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-56702805149182205342012-01-21T17:26:48.543-05:002012-01-21T17:26:48.543-05:00Thanks, Betsy!Thanks, Betsy!Ann Doss Helmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03511764376105157616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22097906420119187272012-01-21T17:03:49.598-05:002012-01-21T17:03:49.598-05:00Anon 12:40
I based my comments on an actual experi...Anon 12:40<br />I based my comments on an actual experience. Before I withdrew from the at large school board race I was invited to attend Sarah Stevenson's breakfast club. Ms. Watts was the featured guest that day and when I finally got around to asking my question(s) (the questions I wrote in my earlier comment) and the answer I received from Denise was that the people writing the checks want the money to go to the kids in the schools. Her words not mine.<br /><br />Honestly there are lots of people and lots of organizations that claim one thing (or group of things) in writing but in reality what they does not equal their mission. Not saying that is true with LIFT but guess what - if all of the programs and money spent over the last 50 years to solve problems have been an abject failure - there are more people (and a higher percentage of people as well) living in poverty today than before the Great Society was perpetrated against poor people in America.<br /><br />The problem is we don't have open and honest and big boy/big girl conversations about these things. Government social programs hurt people - they do not help people (well they help the ruling class elitists maintain and expand their wealth and their power. <br /><br />I am as compassionate as any bleeding heart liberal ever will be - the difference between me and Libs is that I understand economics, I know that government can never and will never do better for people than they can do if left to their own devices. My brand of compassion moves people and families off welfare forever and to a life of productivity and self-reliance. And I think it's about darn time we try that method for a real change....Scott Babbidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972560060909232289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-85236699954718866032012-01-21T17:03:33.751-05:002012-01-21T17:03:33.751-05:00Looking at the latest report by school from CMS, A...Looking at the latest report by school from CMS, Allenbrook and Statesville elementary schools are just outside the top 10 that are underperforming, which are Project LIFT schools.<br /><br />5 of the Project LIFT schools are in the bottom 10.<br /><br />Ann and others keep referring to these 8 schools as being "westside schools", but looking at them on a map, 4 of the schools are east of I-77 and two of those are north of I-85.<br /><br />I guess the other 5 bottom performing elementary schools will just have to contend with $2,000 per student less and teachers that won't be of the quality their counterparts will be receiving.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-24894197579109419372012-01-21T16:53:27.318-05:002012-01-21T16:53:27.318-05:00I get tired of people who say such schools are a d...I get tired of people who say such schools are a dumping ground for bad teachers. What they tend to be is a pool or inexperienced teachers, as teachers get the opportunity to transfer to schools in better communities, they do so. Then such schools wind up re-staffing with those right out of college. I toiled in such schools for over a decade and got tired of fighting the same old battles involving poverty. I will change professions before I go back teaching kids in high-priority schools, as it is a losing battle!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com