LINK TO NEW SITE
In August of 2003 this Web site moved to

http://www.mvschooltalk.net

We hear...
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We hear...

First grade class size at Traphagen is 28 and counting. No classroom aids in site thanks to layoffs. No classroom aids in kindergarten either.

Kindergarten isn't just playing around... With the District all torqued up about 4th grade testing, there's a now a nightly homework drill for Mount Vernon's littlest.

September 22 is the first full day of Kindergarten for Mount Vernon. This created a three week HEADACHE for parents coping with half days since school started. Why? "Transition" says the District. Transition from what? Most of these kids have been in some form of daycare for years!

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Charlie-

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MEETING NOTES: Thornton Elementary Meet and Greet, September 11, 2003
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7:00 PM Meeting began on time with a greeting from Principal Frances Lightsy. About 200 in attendance including approximately 60 children and roughly 35 staff members. "Meet and Greet Night" is what I knew as "Meet the Teacher Night" many moons ago.

In her opening remarks Mrs. Lightsy said proudly, "I live, work and worship right along with you here in Mount Vernon." Strong start - people loved it.

Mrs. Lightsy implored parents to please return their free school lunch applications, specifically stating that it would help Thornton to receive Title I subsidies from the US Government.

---SIDE OBSERVATION---
It's worth noting that Thornton exceeded its AYP (Acceptable Yearly Progress) targets under the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001-2002, the last year for which scores are readily available on the Internet. Failure to hit those targets would jeopardize Title I funding. Meanwhile, MVHS and the middle school fell short of some AYP targets under NCLB, but there are no clear consequences because those schools do not receive Title I - according to the New State Report cards. I still don't get this Title I business. If anyone does, please speak up.
---END OF SIDE OBSERVATION

Back to the meeting. Mrs. Lightsy emphasized the role of the 4th grade teachers, as their efforts are the gateway to good ELA and Math scores on the State exams that are the yardstick for the performance of the District. There will be a special meeting in October for parents of 4th graders in preparation for the exams. Mrs. Lightsy said, "We want you to see the test."

There was a roll call of teachers, after which several administrators and teachers spoke.

PTA President Freddie Robinson addressed the crowd briefly, rallying parent participation. I spoke with Mr. Robinson after the meeting and he indicated that he does not have children at Thornton at this time.

At 7:35 PM parents scurried off to spend time with their childrens' teachers in small groups, in their respective classrooms. -Charlie-

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Meeting notes: Davis Middle School PTA, September 9, 2003
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Start time: 7:00 PM, as scheduled. Dr. Judith Sampson Kronin, Principal, addressed the crowd of about 50. She seems like a no-nonsense administrator to me. "Hats will be confiscated," she said with authority. I believe her. All Davis parents have been provided a "code of conduct" letter stating these and other quality of life policies, that must be signed and returned.

The letter states that students are discouraged from bringing cell phones to school. That's good, because why does a seventh grader need a cell phone at school? Hello? While we're on the topic of common sense, how about requiring school uniforms? I'm for it. I used to be against it, but now I'm for it because it's one more subtle way to create a sub-culture that is inducive of learning.

The school is seeking via the PTA donation of certain books as well as a projector for PowerPoint presentations. Dr. Kronin's office can be reached at 914 665-5120.

Nominations and elections were held on the spot for 6 positions on the Davis PTA. All positions were filled. Kathy Brewington was elected President for a term of 1 year.

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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND WHERE?
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The Journal News reported today that 20 Schools in Westchester fell short of "No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB") targets. Mount Vernon Middle Schools Davis and Franko and MVHS are on the list of schools in need of improvement. What are the consequences if our schools continue to fail to meet NCLB standards?

The New York State Education Department School Accountability Status Reports as of September 2002 for Mount Vernon High School, Davis Middle School and Franko Middle School each state explicitly, "This school did not receive Title I funds in 2001-02 and, regardless of status, is not subject to NCLB interventions." The US Department of Education defines Title 1 as follows: "Title I refers to programs aimed at America's most disadvantaged students. Title I Part A provides assistance to improve the teaching and learning of children in high-poverty schools to enable those children to meet challenging State academic content and performance standards.

Any SchoolTalkers with expertise on Mount Vernon's Title 1 eligibility - please enlighten us. This is key to understanding the local impact of NCLB. The Yonkers schools in the recent announcement do receive Title 1 funding according to the newspaper.

Among the driving forces behind NCLB are accountability and CHOICE.

According to the Official U.S. Department of Education Web Site, federal law lays out a stiff action plan, escalating in severity in each successive year in which a Title 1 school fails to meet well defined adequate yearly progress targets or "AYPs" in a subject and grade. In the Journal News article Superintendent Brenda Smith alludes to certain changes made to the middle schools, but it is unclear whether those changes were mandated in connection NCLB status.

As for choice, if a school fails to meet the NCLB criteria for 2 consecutive years or more, then students must be offered the opportunity to transfer to another school in the district that is in compliance. In our City there's only one main high school, failing in both math and english. Both of the junior high schools were cited for eighth grade English, and Franko for math as well. So what's a kid to do?

The NCLB Web site states:

"There may be situations where children in Title I schools have school options outside their own district. For instance, a school district may choose to enter into a cooperative agreement with another district that would allow their students to transfer into the other district's schools. In fact, the law requires that a district try "to the extent practicable" to establish such an agreement in the event that all of its schools have been identified as needing improvement, corrective action or restructuring."

More facts:
Davis did not make AYP (Adjusted Yearly Progress Targets) under NCLB for 2001-02 in English. So 2002-03 is a second year in a row.
Franko did make AYP under NCLB for 2001-02 in English and math. So, 2002-2003 was a decline.
MVHS - Did not make AYP under NCLB for 2001-02 in English or math. So, 2002-2003 is a second year in a row.

The NCLB law has a hold-down timer, which means that a school needs failing to meet state AYP targets for 2 consecutive years must then pass for 2 consecutive years to be removed from the NCLB "in need of improvement" list. -Charlie-

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Housekeeping and Feedback
Many have complained via email that the type is too small. I'm glad someone is looking, and it's easy to fix; I hope it's better now. A "SchoolTalker" wonders (via email) whether I have less than a positive regard for the School Board. Answer: That is not the axis of my discontent. I'm simply frustrated that our schools are limiting the options for the people who live here. My friends will say, "Traphagen is OK, but it's my kids future we're talking about." Or, "After 3rd grade, we're probably out of here." I hear it in my home, in the diner, at neighborhood meetings, even at Joe's Pizza. Now, I want to hear it from you, right here.

More housekeeping: Several have asked this -- if you want to post a comment, click right under this message where it says "no comments." If there are no comments it will say "no comments" and you will be entering the first comment. If there are 2 comments it will say "2 comments," and so on. Regardless, THAT'S where you click to get the comment entry form, and NO, you do not need to put your name or anything else if you don't want to.Charlie

School Board Meeting Notes: September 3, 2003
CRACKING THE CODE

I will, with your help, and in the pages of this Web log, crack the secret code of the Mount Vernon School Board. You would never know from listening to our Board tonight that there are serious educational problems in our midst.

Folks, the 7:30 PM meeting didn't even start until 8:17 PM. That's no way to run a meeting, and no way to run a School District. It breaks the spirit of doing business in public.

7:30 PM - 8:17 PM While we waited for the Board, two District employees were introduced by Superintendent Brenda Smith. Each delivered informal speeches to the public audience of about 40 people. First Barry Jordan, Construction Owners Representative, spoke about the progress of work underway at 6 schools. Next, the new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Philip B. Arbolino, reviewed his plan for this school year. He spoke about the need for articulation - creating curriculum that flows logically from grade to grade so students can make a smooth transition as they grow. He commented that although our elementary schools are revered, "As goes the High School, so goes the community." He's on to something.

8:17 PM - 9:14 PM Public forum was the first order of business after the Board arrived. Although this was not on the agenda, 12 people addressed the Board.
Some of the complaints:
--Atrocious physical plant problems at Franko Middle School.
--Assistant Principal at Pennington-Grimes Elementary transferred. "We passed the budget, so why the cuts?" Good question.
--Only one security guard at Graham Elementary.
--Administrator at Franko, transferred.
My favorite speaker was Franko parent Michelle Serafin, who complained that last year her child didn't receive a math textbook until one month into the semester. She said if it happens again, she'll be back before the Board, this time with Channel 7 at her side. I like her thinking. If the kids don't have the tools, they cannot learn.

9:14 PM - 10:00 PM The Board voted on 78 resolutions, or "tabs" as they say in Board-land. Tab 41 would change the definition of former Superintendent Ronald Ross' July 2002 departure from "resignation" to "retirement." Can't say I know why or how that one turned out, because at 10 PM the Board went into Executive Session to discuss it, along with other personnel matters, presumably. I went home to get my decoder ring. Charlie

School System: Driver Error
This site's only been up for like 10 days, and with only a minimal p.r. effort, it's getting a surprising number of visitors every day. The Web is an incredibly efficient way to reach people. If you're reading this, you don't need convincing. The Mount Vernon City School District's Web efforts need some serious help, I'm afraid. In doing the research for these posts, I spend a lot of time searching on Google for information about education, achievement scores, etc. There seem to be three hard-to-find "official" Web sites for the Mount Vernon City School District:

1. This appears to be the official Web Site of the Mount Vernon City School District
The list of Board Members hasn't been updated since the election last May, and the list of Board Meetings stops in July 2003. I've heard complaints that nobody is reporting the good things that happen in the District. What can you expect when one of the best communication vehicles available to the District is as stale as week old bread?

2. This one appears to be a page with the official Web site of the City of Mount Vernon It has a welcome message from Ronald Ross for the 2001-2002 school year. However, there's a picture showing Brenda Smith, listing her as Acting Superintendent. That's just sad.

3. This one win's the prize for best metaphor.
If you go to the Web page in number 2, above, and then click on the link for "Official Board of Education Web Site" you get an error message. "no default driver specified" If you're a computer engineer, you know that's a bad thing, essentially a database problem. "No default driver," -- hmmmm, sounds like nobody is in charge....

This Blog: One Day At A Time
Mood:  a-ok
Many of you have been kind enough to join this discourse. Both via this blog, and via email, there have been a wide variety of productive comments in just one week. A nerve has been struck.

More than one person has asked me to continue to take the high road, and avoid the temptation to relentlessly criticize the District. There are good things going on in Mount Vernon Schools, at every level.

I agree, and as moderator I'll try to keep the tone centrist. However, make no mistake, this is not a feelgood Web site. It's a public forum on how this community can provide better public education. Sometimes the hardest step is the first, admitting this community has a problem.

Charlie

Mount Vernon High School High Failure Rate Analysis
Let's take a thoughtful look at what happened in Mount Vernon High School in the first half of academic year 2002-2003. The following is reported in "Mount Vernon City School District - State of the District Report, May 2003", page 42 (the "Report"):

Marking Period	Students Failing 3 or More Classes	Students Failing 3 or more Classes After Attending Saturday School
1	980	690
2	1073	890

Students who failed three or more classes were given an opportunity to receive special instruction on five consecutive Saturdays during the subsequent marking period. Then, subject to some criteria not stated in the the report, students could have up to two failing grades CHANGED to passing grades. Imagine that! A quickie DO-OVER!
I'm all for giving a kid a break on a grade under certain circumstances, but this scheme appears to have been more of a mass effort to cleanse the abysmal performance of the school system than a noble effort at remedial education. Here's why:

Look again at the stats: While students trudged off to Saturday school in the winter wind, they were failing second marking period classes at an even higher rate than before!

The Saturday Learning Academy actually lowered the bar by giving students a lackluster effort at remediation with a dubious underlying purpose. It threw shame on top of shame, and taught young people that a failing grade is like a cheap coach airplane seat; you can just get an upgrade if you don't like it. Kids, that's not how life works.

This begs another basic question. Was there any actual learning going on at the Saturday Learning Academy? The Report quotes the decline in incidents of students failing three or more subjects. However, it doesn't cite the number of students upgraded to "pass" status in only one class versus two classes. The Report does state that 500 students attended Saturday school and only 290 had any positive result. This suggests that the other 210 kids didn't get squat. Another 500 or so didn't even show up. I personally know one of the "Saturday kids." He told me he went there to play basketball.

The best solution to the failure epidemic at Mount Vernon High School is a a well run school, Monday through Friday. By the time 1000 kids are enabled to fail 3 classes each, the proverbial bar has been set way too low. Dressing up the failure by retroactively changing students' grades is both questionable and reactive . One fundamental ground rule for education is that when you fail a subject, you either accept that or you take the class again, and hopefully pass. The District sought short term damage control, and enjoyed very limited results. Sadly, students received a lesson in a whole new way to fail.

What is needed is a root cause analysis for the high failure rate. The School Board needs to accept the high failure rate as its own failure over a period of many years. The mission of the District should be to teach students to succeed, rather than to normalize failure.

All comments are welcome.
Charlie