By Susan Turk
February 3, 2012—St. Louis—Last week, January 22-28 was National School Choice Week. Superintendent Kelvin Adams surprised SLPS parents by taking advantage of the timing to ask the SAB to approve resolutions asking the State Board of Education to allow the SLPS to sponsor two elementary level charter schools for the 2012-13 school year. Adams has been talking about opening district sponsored charter schools since he was hired in November, 2008. The SAB voted to support the resolution for the first one at their January 26, 2012 meeting. The resolution was worded, “To approve submission to the Missouri State Board of Education of the St. Louis Public School’s request to sponsor Lighthouse Academies of St. Louis, Inc.to operate a charter school in the City of St. Louis beginning with the 2012-13 school year.” Lighthouse Academies manage 20 schools in 7 states. They all use the same curriculum focusing on the arts.
As originally intended, charter schools were supposed to provide school districts with schools they could not create on their own that used innovative strategies to improve student achievement. In other words, they were supposed to be lab schools. Strategies found to be successful for improving student achievement were then supposed to be integrated into the regular district schools. But according to a 2009 Hoover Institution study, only 16% of charter schools nationwide perform better than regular public schools. And the ones which do seem to use strategies that would be prohibitively expensive, or impossible for regular public schools to implement, such as longer school days and year and expelling disruptive or not with the program students. Charters have evolved into competition or a replacement for the regular public schools. Is that what is going to happen here? Will one or both of the elementary arts magnet schools close?
It is not unusual for school districts lacking magnet schools to have charter schools that provide focused curriculum schools which they otherwise would not offer. Our state board of education, however, has seen fit to approve numerous charter schools which offer the same focus as existing magnet schools in St. Louis. The SLPS already has two arts focused magnet schools. So, why would the superintendent want to open an arts focused charter school? There is not a long waiting list for the arts magnets. There is no waiting list for Ames Visual and Performing Arts and only a short waiting list for Shaw VPA, nowhere near enough to fill a third arts elementary school. And if there were why not open a third arts magnet? Why open an arts focused charter when there is no indication of demand for one?
It is going to be interesting to see how the district markets this new school. It has been approved by the mayor’s charter school initiative. That should make it attractive.
There will be differences between the existing SLPS arts magnets and the charter. A non-profit company, Lighthouse Academies, Inc. will manage the charter school. A visit to Lighthouse Academy’s website ( www.lighthouse-academies.org ) demonstrates that this charter will not mirror the VPA magnet programs at Shaw and Ames. Rather than offering separate arts classes and preparing students for careers in the arts, it uses the arts in the teaching of all core subjects. Their academic curriculum is arts infused. Lighthouse Academies also adhere to a longer school day, 8 hours rather than the 7 hour SLPS standard, and a longer school year, 190 days rather than the 174 to which state law restricts the SLPS. More time on task has proven to increase academic achievement. Kipp Academy charter schools are also known for adopting the longer day and year model. In their two years of operation, they have not yet produced consistently better results than the SLPS in comminucation arts. SLPS 5th graders have performed better than KIPP students in communication arts and their math scores are comparable. Their one year of six grade math scores are significantly better. The regular public schools are limited by state law and funding from lengthening the school day and year.
Whenever the SLPS has lengthened the school day, parents who schedule after school activities for their children have complained. Parents concerned about their children having adequate summer vacation and opportunities for recreation time have objected to longer school years. Parents with inflexible work schedules tend to favor the longer days and year because it cuts back on their need to pay for before and after school care and daycare during school breaks.
Lighthouse claims they run their schools using only money provided “by law”. They will only be able to run school for more hours and days by paying their teachers less than the SLPS does. It ill be interesting to see how this works because AFT Local 420 came to an agreement with the administration to represent teachers in district sponsored charter schools.
By coincidence, parents from our arts magnet schools spoke during Public Comments at the last two SAB meetings. Shaw parent Shannon Lewis attended the December 6, 2011 SAB meeting to ask for more resources for her school. She reported that enrollment was up 28% this year. Shaw began the school year with 380 students. That puts the building at 100% capacity according to the 2003 Alvarez and Marsal School Consolidation Plan. As a consequence, Shaw no longer has dedicated classroom space for its’ gifted pull out program. Participants in the gifted pull-out migrate to the cafeteria, library or whatever nook and cranny is not crammed with other students. They sometimes have to move in the middle of activities because the space they have found for a given day has been assigned to another program without their being informed.
According to the parent report again, one quarter of the new students admitted this year had behavior problems and Shaw doesn’t have enough staff to deal with them. The number of disruptive students is limiting learning at Shaw. The principal is new, inexperienced and needs assistance. The teaching staff is caring and the school is progressing academically, but everyone is strained. Parents volunteer quite a bit, but there is a need for more special ed teachers. Discipline is a real problem.
There are indications that the administration did try to address the parent’s concerns. Subsequently, Associate Superintendent for Elementary Schools Paula Knight met with parents at Shaw. Dr. Adams also walked through the school. There have been some cosmetic improvements, but the gifted program still lacks dedicated space. Gifted programming has been cut back to only 4 hours/day 3 days/week . There are more than 30 students at Shaw who qualify for gifted programming. In years past, that would qualify the school for a full time gifted teacher. There used to be daily gifted pull outs. Shaw’s gifted program teacher is shared by four schools. Two early childhood assistants have been added for the kindergarten classrooms, but there is still a need for additional staff.
Concerns remain about a lack of funding for the arts specialties at Shaw. There is no dedicated budget for the arts programs which include dance, drama, string orchestra and vocal music. Students have missed opportunities to attend field trips to performances at Powell Symphony Hall and the Fox because of a lack of funding for transportation. Parents have removed their children from Shaw because of these problems. The school does not live up to expectations.
A parent articulated disappointment with the way magnet schools are portrayed. At Shaw and Ames for instance the students get one art or music period each day. Formerly, the arts magnets offered two arts periods each day. Dr. Adams ordered the reduction 2 years ago to provide more time for the teaching of reading and math to increase MAP test scores. This is typical of the impact that high stakes testing has in public schools across the country. Subjects not tested are being cut back or eliminated to increase the potential for schools to meet Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation adopted by the George W. Bush administration and subsequent Race To the Top (RT3) legislation adopted by the Obama administration. Six of Missouri’s 14 accreditation standards depend on MAP test achievement results. A district cannot be fully accredited without meeting at least one of the academic (MAP) standards. Provisional accreditation also requires meeting an academic standard. So, despite parental objections, the focus of the arts magnets has been compromised in an attempt to raise MAP scores. Neither school has an active PTO enabling parents to advocate effectively for their children’s needs.
At the January 26, 2012 SAB meeting, Ames PTO President Evie Williamson reported that the arts emphasis is being destroyed at Ames because of the pressure to attain AYP. She expressed concern about the cut backs in art classes to accommodate more time to prepare for the MAP tests. She also mentioned that there were not enough musical instruments for all the children in music classes.
Morale is low. She said she was considering transferring her children to Shaw or removing them from district schools altogether. She said the school leadership was pitting the parents against the teachers and discouraging teachers from talking to parents.
She also mentioned that she and her husband had been banned from the school building because of a misunderstanding surrounding a field trip. Three classes were scheduled to go to the Magic House last Fall, but the busses failed to appear. The children were dressed in their coats and ready to leave the school building at the appointed time. They had to suffer the disappointment of the trip being cancelled. Mrs. Williamson and her husband were scheduled to serve as chaperones. They had taken off work to do so. When the busses did not appear, she tried to find out why. Ames office staff did not want to phone the bus company. Unable to get information at the school, they went downtown to the administration building to try to find out what happened. Staff at the administration building told her the busses were never authorized. Apparently this was never communicated to the three teachers involved. Upon returning to Ames, Ms. Williamson and her husband learned that they had been banned from the building. A trespassing restriction order had been issued against them. TROS are only used in extreme situations where parents have been disruptive in a school. Mrs. Williamson had to return downtown to get the TRO rescinded. She still does not know why it was ordered in the first place. She reported that the principal approved it without talking to her. Williamson said she has tried to work with the principal to improve the school. She loves the teachers and gets along with them. In general, she said parents do not feel welcome at Ames. PTO meetings have been held at times when parents cannot attend, such as 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m., just an hour after the children arrive home. Efforts to change PTO meeting times have been rebuffed by school staff. There is a sense that parents are not considered to be assets.
Now, parents will have an alternative to Shaw and Ames. An informal survey of VPA magnet parents found that some of them would consider moving their children to the new arts infusion charter school.
The new charter school will be located in the shuttered Mitchell Elementary School building, formerly home to the MEGA magnet program, in the Ville neighborhood. The Ville is an educationally underserved neighborhood, whose alderman, Sam Moore has complained bitterly as the administration closed schools in his ward in recent years. There is definitely a need for an elementary school in that area of the city. But will it pull students from other nearby schools which will then close? Time will tell.
According to Associate Superintendent of Innovation and New Schools Michael Haagen, the Lighthouse charter will eventually be extended to a middle and high school. Will it attract students away from Carr Lane VPA Middle and Central VPA HS threatening their viability? Although the curriculum is arts infusion rather than arts focused, parents may not understand the difference and the magnet schools may be impacted by the opening of this charter school.
The question remains, why a charter school and not a new magnet school? It’s possible the SAB has adopted an “if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em” philosophy. As members of the business community, SAB members full well know that their peers in business have bought into charter schools lock stock and barrel as the best thing since chalk to reform public education, ignoring their poor performance overall. Opening charters curries favor with the corporate community which insists on redesigning and controlling what they will allow to remain of our public school systems. Perhaps they may think that they’ll attract some students away from other charters or fool some parents looking for alternatives to the SLPS that this is not a district school faced with the same management problems as the rest of district schools. But the funding is going to come from the district since the SLPS will be its Local Education Agency (LEA), in other words DESE authorized funding agency and services will be provided by the district. Chances are they won’t have any better luck getting their students to field trips than any other St. Louis Public School. And once parents figure that out, well, the more choices parents are given, the more school mobility children experience. That’s no way to improve academic performance.
Haagen reported that district charters will be subject to an accountability plan that will ensure high academic achievement. The SAB required the one other charter school which the SLPS sponsors, the Construction Careers Academy to submit an accountability plan as a condition of its charter being renewed. Accountability plans are not an insurance policy for academic achievement. DESE requires accountability plans for unaccredited school districts. The SLPS operates under one itself. Also, since the SLPS is going to be the LEA, the charter’s achievement will be included in the district’s, not separate like the Construction Career Academy. It will be interesting to see whether time for arts end up being curtailed in the charter school as it has been at the magnets if the desired academic performance improvements don’t materialize as expected.
One would think that the SLPS would put some effort into getting its own house in order before opening new arts schools. Parent dissatisfaction with the existing arts focused magnet schools does not bode well for their future and the opening of a competing charter school may signal that the district is no longer committed to its magnets schools.
Save Our Schools, Saturday, February 18, Columbia, MO
Save Our Schools Missouri, an affiliate of the national Save Our Schools movement is holding its first annual statewide conference. If you are a parent, teacher or citizen concerned about the relentless and unwarranted attacks on our public schools and public school districts, plan to attend this conference.
Learn relevant statutes and this year’s pending legislation. Conference attendees will be provided with information that will help to effectively advocate for public education and counter the attacks on public schools. A goal of the conference is to develop a network of concerned activists who continue to work in support of public education in Missouri. Task forces will be formed.
This will be a day to form new relationships and network with others concerned about the status of public education in Missouri. Now more than ever Missourians need to build bridges across the state to expand and defend public education.
The keynote speaker will be John Kuhn, superintendent of the Perrin-Whitt School District in Texas. Kuhn spoke at the SOS march last summer in Washington, D.C.
Time: Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Allen Auditorium, Arts and Sciences Building, University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, MO
For more information contact 816-298-7913 KC, 573-760-3544 Van Buren, MO, or 314-771-0946St. Louis
Suggested conference donation $10.00
Directions: From Interstate 70 take Exit 126 and drive 1.8 miles south on Missouri 163 Providence Road. Turn left on Turner and drive 0.2 miles. The Turner Parking Garage is on the left. Parking is free on Saturdays. The Arts and Sciences Building is 2 short blocks east.
Conference Schedule
9:30 a.m. Registration
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Greetings and Announcements — Peg Nicholson, State SOS Coordinator, Bill Wickersham, Peace Studies Department, University of Missouri, Columbia
10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Morning Panels and Discussion: Our two largest public school districts are unaccredited. Missouri’s smallest district is obliterated. A domino effect of unaccrediting and consolidating students into other districts on the precipice of losing accreditation may further destabilize the educational environment or our most vulnerable children.
10:15-11:00 a.m. Lessons from St. Louis and Riverview Gardens, Susan Turk moderator, St. Louis Board of Education Member Donna Jones, retired Board of Education Member Peter Downs, SLPS Teacher Mark Kasen SLPS Parent Jessica duMaine, Riverview Gardens Social Worker Barb Chicherio
11:00-11:45 a.m. Kansas City— Where Do We Go From Here? State Rep. and former AFT Local 691 President Judy Morgan, moderator, Jemekia Kendrix, KCPS parent,a KC Board of Educaton member
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Accreditation issues discussion with panelists
12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30:-2:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker John Kuhn
2:00-2:30 p.m. Discussion with John Kuhn
2:30- 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45-3:45 p.m. Aftenoon Panel and Discussion. Why Children Need Schools, Teachers Need Unions and Democracy Needs Public Education. Panelists: Karen Lewis, president Chicago Teachers’ Union, Roman Davis, Occupy KC, and a representative from the Milwaukee Education Association
3:45-4:30 p.m. Next Steps and Action Groups. Now more than ever Missourians need to build bridges across the state to work together.
4:30-5:00 Press Conference
St. Louis Board of Education Meeting
January 10, 2012
By Lawrence Johnson
I – Attendance
Present at the meeting were: Katherine Wessling, President, Chad Beffa, Emile Bradford-Taylor, Bill Haas, David Jackson, Donna Jones and Rebecca Rogers.
II – Public Comments
Susan Turk again reported that on February 18, 2012 there will be a state-wide “Save Our Schools Conference” in the Arts & Science Building on the University of Missouri, Columbia campus from 10 AM – 5 PM. The conference is being sponsored by teachers, parents, and concerned citizens from around the state; national speakers are invited.
III – Legislative Session
Board Member Beffa reported that there are several, draft pieces of legislation in the Missouri Senate that could impact the St. Louis Public Schools. They are:
SB451: “Two or more school districts…may cooperate and share resources…. [including] school district facilities (schools) for education purposes…These entities may also: cooperate to share employees, enter into agreements relating to the use of sites, buildings, facilities, furnishings, and equipment; and enter into agreements for services.”
SB456: “…the school board of a school district that does not maintain an accredited school is required to pay the tuition and transportation of resident pupils who attend an accredited school in another district of the same or an adjoining county…By June 30, 2012, each district must establish criteria for the admission of nonresident pupils from unaccredited districts…”
SB503: “This act allows the Special Administrative Board of the St. Louis City School District to be the sponsor of a charter school and declare itself as the local education agency of the charter school for funding purposes. If the special administrative board is dissolved, the charter school may continue to operate provided it seeks and obtain a new sponsorship under the new governing board of the school district…”
SB543: “…When school districts consolidate, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must grant the new district a waiver from Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) review for three years…”
SB576: “In addition to the St. Louis City and Kansas City School Districts, charter schools may be operated in unaccredited districts, provisionally accredited districts, and in districts accredited without provisions if sponsored by the local school board…This act removes the restriction that a sponsoring public four-year college or university have its primary campus in the school district or in a county adjacent to the county in which the district is located. In addition, a community college whose service area encompasses some portion of the district may be a sponsor…”
SB581: “…This act allows the State Board of Education to assume responsibility and general supervision of the Kansas City School District after classifying it as unaccredited. The State Board may enter into contracts with other school districts or educational providers…to deliver education programs to residents of the district…The State Board must grant waivers from the MSIP to contracting school districts for the students they serve from the Kansas City School District…After a boundary line change occurs, for the next three school years, the receiving school district may, but will not be required to, include the statewide assessment scores for any students it receives in the district’s scores…When a school district gains enrollment because of a boundary line change, during the two school years following the change, its weighted average daily attendance figure will be adjusted so that it receives twice the weighted average attendance for any students it received as a result of the boundary change…”
After much discussion concerning what action to take, the Board voted to invite meetings with the Special Administrative Board (SAB) and the St. Louis State Legislative Delegation to identify common ground and strategies for responding to the proposed legislation.
The Board also considered a public, working session, though no date was finalized pending the outcomes of the above meetings.
IV – Monitoring and Audit Report
President Wessling reported that she and Board Member Haas met with the State Auditor, Thomas Schweich, and his staff to discuss the possibility of his office auditing the St. Louis Public Schools. They are still awaiting a decision from Mr. Schweich.
V – Behavior in 1st Tier Schools
President Wessling reported that since Compton Drew School was changed this year to a 1st Tier school, meaning children now arrive at 7:00 rather that 8:00 AM, there has been an increase in behavior incidents. It’s believed that these behavior problems are attributable in part to the earlier starting time. Studies suggest this to be so, and she invites public comments on the experiences at other 1st Tier schools.
VI – Staff Hiring Procedures & Background Checks
Board Member Haas reported that there was recently a reported incident of an Instructional Care Assistant “abusing” students at the Sigel School. He wondered how this could happen: what are staff hiring procedures; do they include background checks; were the procedures followed in this instance, and if not, why not?
After some discussion of the Board’s role in a personnel matter, it was decided to ask Superintendent Adams to address this issue when he joins the Board at their meeting in February. The matter may be discussed in Executive Session to protect persons’ privacy and any on-going investigation/litigation.
VI – Community Outreach – No report
VII – Board Member Reports
President Wessling reported that she has been invited by Superintendent Adams to join the Internal Auditing Committee of the School District.
VIII – Announcements
President Wessling reported that mold was being removed at Humboldt Academy without notice to the students and parents, causing illness to staff and students. She’s heard of mold issues at Columbia and Dunbar Schools, as well, and wonders what are the District’s procedures for informing the public? A request for information will be made to the adminstration regarding how notice is to be given to the public.
NOTE: Superintendent Adams will address the Board of Education at its next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 14th; at 7 PM at Carr Lane VPA Middle School
Correction
In the last edition of the Watch the names of current elected Board of Education President Katherine Wessling and former President Rebecca Rogers were mixed together. Apologies to both elected Board members.
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Calendar
February 14, Tuesday, regular monthly Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m., Carr Lane VPA Middle School, 1004 North Jefferson, enter from parking lot
February 16, Thursday, regular bi-monthly SAB meeting, 6 p.m., 801 North 11th Street, room 108
February 18, Saturday, Save Our Schools Missouri conference, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Arts and Sciences Building, Allen Auditorium, University of Missouri Columbia
Please note, The Schools Watch has a new mailing address, P.O. Box 1983, St. Louis, MO 63118. Our email address continues to be SLS_Watch@yahoo.com
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