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School News Network - Public Schools Work
May 21, 2013Good Morning Governor Snyder, Senator Jansen, Representatives MacGregor, VerHeulen, Lyons, Hooker, Yonkers, Brinks, and Dillon,Have
you taken the time to visit the School News Network? I have posted a
link to a story written by Charles Honey that gives you a clear picture
of how Northview students, staff, and families are working together to
prevent bullying.
http://www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/news/?rID=382Public Schools Work. Will your votes show that your are supporting or hindering K12 education in Michigan?
Sincerely,Mike Paskewicz, SuperintendentNorthview Public Schools
The Myth of Michelle Rhee
We're seeing the unravelling of the myths that unwittingly placed Michelle Rhee in the national spotlight as "reformer in chief" for public education, myths created initially and largely at the expense of DC school children and their teachers. They were myths promulgated by the media, particularly those catering to the right-wing, anti-public education crowd.
In my State of Michigan, Rhee was afforded an unusual platform in front of the legislature as reported by Mlive.com in the following post:
Michelle Rhee: Michigan lawmakers need to focus on reforms to help students, not the adults Rhee, a 'rock star' of the reform movement, has appeared on magazine covers and in the documentary "Waiting for Superman," and is criticized by union leaders who say her reforms are too dependent on firing teachers and principals. With an overflow crowd in the state Capitol, Rhee was asked about her experiences with issues including merit pay, evaluations, parental involvement and rules the require the most recently hired teachers to be the first laid off.
Yes, he did actually use the term, "rock star."
And as the next article demonstrates, Rhee was afforded access to the point she actually wrote or at least contributed to the spate of anti-teacher laws that recently passed the state legislature:
Probe shows union-busting Michelle Rhee wrote Michigan anti-teacher law The document from Rhee's group specifically says that it worked on the package of four Michigan education bills. One abolishes "reasonable and just cause" as the only reason for firing teachers and replaces it with any reason that "is not arbitrary and capricious." Another bill axes collective bargaining. A third makes tenure tough and lets school districts easily throw teachers back on probation.
But as of late (and it does come pretty late), NPR's highly respected and longtime education reporter John Merrow has torn down the facade and revealed, "The empress has no clothes!" But who created Rhee?
Who Created "Michelle Rhee"? We, the mainstream media, created "Michelle Rhee." Good argument there. Rhee blew into Washington like a whirlwind, where she was a great story and an overdo gust of fresh air. DC schools were pretty bad, and she was candid, accessible, energetic, young, and attractive–everything reporters love. While I don't think my reporting for the NewsHour was puffery, we did produce twelve (!) pieces about her efforts over the 40 months — about two hours of primetime coverage. That's an awful lot of attention.
Did anyone else get that much air time from us? Well, yes, we also produced twelve reports about Paul Vallas in New Orleans. But Vallas never received the positive treatment (or even the coverage) from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Charlie Rose, et alia, that Rhee did back in 2007-2009.
Were we skeptical enough about the 'miracle' gains in her first year? Unfortunately not. So we certainly helped create the public phenomenon that is "Michelle Rhee." Michelle Rhee and the Washington Post Why has the Post's editorial page been so uncritical? Some have suggested that it must emanate from the top of the masthead, from Donald Graham, the Chairman of the Washington Post Company. He denies exerting any direct influence, although he did say that it has been the Post's long-standing tradition to support the superintendent, whoever that may be, because, he told me, "The Post wants the schools to improve."
And now the Huffington Post has chimed in with the truth:
Time to Stop Waiting for Superman There was no DC miracle. Browbeating students and teachers into raising scores on state tests only makes them better at taking state tests, and reforming our schools in hopes of replicating an illusion is a petty crime against humanity. Even George W. Bush was forced to admit there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and we've long since gotten over the shock that Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire were juiced more than a Florida orange grove. We believe lies at our own peril. It's time to stop waiting for Superman and focus on the hard work of teaching our children the way we know works.
And who is/was Michelle Rhee anyway? Nobody who was made somebody simply by firing a few teachers and wowing the anti-public education movement.
Rhee attracted a lot of attention before getting the top spot in DC. When Mayor Adrian Fenty appointed her superintendent, she went from managing an education nonprofit with 120 employees to running a school system with 55,000 students, 11,500 employees and a budget of $200 million. She'd never even been a principal before, and her only classroom experience was Teach for America. (Jason Stanford, The Huffington Post)
So when will this come full circle? When Mlive.com and our Michigan legislature admit they were duped by the radiance of Rhee's self-made glow.
Probably never.
In my State of Michigan, Rhee was afforded an unusual platform in front of the legislature as reported by Mlive.com in the following post:
Michelle Rhee: Michigan lawmakers need to focus on reforms to help students, not the adults Rhee, a 'rock star' of the reform movement, has appeared on magazine covers and in the documentary "Waiting for Superman," and is criticized by union leaders who say her reforms are too dependent on firing teachers and principals. With an overflow crowd in the state Capitol, Rhee was asked about her experiences with issues including merit pay, evaluations, parental involvement and rules the require the most recently hired teachers to be the first laid off.
Yes, he did actually use the term, "rock star."
And as the next article demonstrates, Rhee was afforded access to the point she actually wrote or at least contributed to the spate of anti-teacher laws that recently passed the state legislature:
Probe shows union-busting Michelle Rhee wrote Michigan anti-teacher law The document from Rhee's group specifically says that it worked on the package of four Michigan education bills. One abolishes "reasonable and just cause" as the only reason for firing teachers and replaces it with any reason that "is not arbitrary and capricious." Another bill axes collective bargaining. A third makes tenure tough and lets school districts easily throw teachers back on probation.
But as of late (and it does come pretty late), NPR's highly respected and longtime education reporter John Merrow has torn down the facade and revealed, "The empress has no clothes!" But who created Rhee?
Who Created "Michelle Rhee"? We, the mainstream media, created "Michelle Rhee." Good argument there. Rhee blew into Washington like a whirlwind, where she was a great story and an overdo gust of fresh air. DC schools were pretty bad, and she was candid, accessible, energetic, young, and attractive–everything reporters love. While I don't think my reporting for the NewsHour was puffery, we did produce twelve (!) pieces about her efforts over the 40 months — about two hours of primetime coverage. That's an awful lot of attention.
Did anyone else get that much air time from us? Well, yes, we also produced twelve reports about Paul Vallas in New Orleans. But Vallas never received the positive treatment (or even the coverage) from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Charlie Rose, et alia, that Rhee did back in 2007-2009.
Were we skeptical enough about the 'miracle' gains in her first year? Unfortunately not. So we certainly helped create the public phenomenon that is "Michelle Rhee." Michelle Rhee and the Washington Post Why has the Post's editorial page been so uncritical? Some have suggested that it must emanate from the top of the masthead, from Donald Graham, the Chairman of the Washington Post Company. He denies exerting any direct influence, although he did say that it has been the Post's long-standing tradition to support the superintendent, whoever that may be, because, he told me, "The Post wants the schools to improve."
And now the Huffington Post has chimed in with the truth:
Time to Stop Waiting for Superman There was no DC miracle. Browbeating students and teachers into raising scores on state tests only makes them better at taking state tests, and reforming our schools in hopes of replicating an illusion is a petty crime against humanity. Even George W. Bush was forced to admit there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and we've long since gotten over the shock that Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire were juiced more than a Florida orange grove. We believe lies at our own peril. It's time to stop waiting for Superman and focus on the hard work of teaching our children the way we know works.
And who is/was Michelle Rhee anyway? Nobody who was made somebody simply by firing a few teachers and wowing the anti-public education movement.
Rhee attracted a lot of attention before getting the top spot in DC. When Mayor Adrian Fenty appointed her superintendent, she went from managing an education nonprofit with 120 employees to running a school system with 55,000 students, 11,500 employees and a budget of $200 million. She'd never even been a principal before, and her only classroom experience was Teach for America. (Jason Stanford, The Huffington Post)
So when will this come full circle? When Mlive.com and our Michigan legislature admit they were duped by the radiance of Rhee's self-made glow.
Probably never.
Invest in K-12 Schools - Public Schools Work
May 20, 2013Good Morning Governor Snyder, Senator Jansen, Representatives MacGregor, VerHeulen, Lyons, Hooker, Yonkers, Brinks, and Dillon, Today's Every Day Evidence is from a parent to Crossroads Middle School Principal Andy Scogg. Please take a moment to visit the blog post contained in her message. You will make a critical decision on how to use increased State revenue. Will your votes indicate support for K12 public education? Every Day, Evidence That Public Schools Work Hi Andy, I ran across this blog and I thought of you. http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/04/30/dear-teachers-everywhere I know it's geared toward teachers, but you had a huge impact on our Justin when we lost Justin's uncle and a family friend both within six months. Thank you for all you did to help during that difficult time! Justin is graduating cum laude in a few short days. Can you believe it? We would love to have you and your family stop by his graduation party on June 22 at 2. We hope to see you there and no gifts are necessary! Just come and celebrate with us! He MADE it!!! Hope all is well and you are ready for the next Maxwell boy next year :)Sincerely, Wendy Fun Fact: This email is blind copied to over 900 people, many of the recipients send it on to their circles of influence. It is also posted on my blog and twitter accounts.Questions for Your Consideration* Over the past four years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been transferred out of the School Aid Fund to balance the General Fund. When will you vote to add a "real" increase to the School Aid Fund? * Are you supportive of K-12 public education? Will you make the statement to use additional tax revenue to increase funds for K-12? * Does your voting record over the past three years, including the current School Aid Bill in the House and Senate. show that you increased funding to K-12?* * HB 4571 - 4572 - 4677 would cut another $500 per student in Northview (and the State) or $1.7 million less ($750 million state wide) - how do you explain the rationale? ENOUGH. Improvements in public schools happen when the local community gives permission. Permission is granted when local communities trust their school district. Trust between our community and our schools is one reason why public schools work.Sincerely,Mike Paskewicz, Superintendent Northview Public Schools
Did I learned anything important in school?
Did I ever learn anything important in school?
Yes.
But, of course, I'm supposed to think that. I'm a Superintendent.
The question is what?
Neil Gaiman has said:
I've been making a list of the thingsthey don't teach you at school.They don't teach you how to love somebody.They don't teach you how to be famous.They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor.They don't teach you how to walk away from someoneyou don't love any longer.They don't teach you how to know what's going onin someone else's mind.They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying.They don't teach you anything worth knowing.
Each of us could add to the list that Mr. Gaiman started.
They don't teach you how to laugh.They don't teach you how to enter a room and feel comfortable.
They don't teach you how to react when you geta phone call with terrible news.They don't teach you how to be a friend.
The list could go on and on. School does not teach us everything.
But is it true that school doesn't teach you anything worth knowing? No!
School doesn't teach us everything. It is not supposed to. School can't teach us everything. There is just too much to know.
That's where parents, grandparents, friends, uncles, aunts, and others come in.
That's why we develop passions and interests and do our own research.
But that brings us back to the question that we started with - what did I learn in school that is important?
It's not so much that school taught me specific things that I will remember all my life - although it did. I learned about the periodic table and simplifying equations and the APA method of citations for papers. I learned specific tasks to help me complete specific homework assignments. I learned multiplication tables and spelling words. I learned the classics and the not-so classics.
I followed the tried and true math trail - algebra, geometry, algebra 2, and pre-calculus. I circled the globe learning about countries. I wrote papers. I completed projects in shoe boxes.
I learned the curriculum that was taught. And that was important.
The things I learned in school prepared me for college. It gave me a foundation that allowed me to continue learning.
But I also learned the curriculum that was not taught and that schools on occasion don't want to recognize.
I learned that people are not always nice. I learned that some people turn their backs on you and others embrace you. I learned that navigating the social pathway helps you learn a lot about yourself and a lot about other people.
I learned that looks are not everything. I learned that some people think they are.
I learned that some adults are your advocates and some adults are not.
I'm in a school because I believe in schools. Can schools be better? Absolutely.
Do I believe that schools help people learn things that are important? I believe that they do!
Yes.
But, of course, I'm supposed to think that. I'm a Superintendent.
The question is what?
Neil Gaiman has said:
I've been making a list of the thingsthey don't teach you at school.They don't teach you how to love somebody.They don't teach you how to be famous.They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor.They don't teach you how to walk away from someoneyou don't love any longer.They don't teach you how to know what's going onin someone else's mind.They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying.They don't teach you anything worth knowing.
Each of us could add to the list that Mr. Gaiman started.
They don't teach you how to laugh.They don't teach you how to enter a room and feel comfortable.
They don't teach you how to react when you geta phone call with terrible news.They don't teach you how to be a friend.
The list could go on and on. School does not teach us everything.
But is it true that school doesn't teach you anything worth knowing? No!
School doesn't teach us everything. It is not supposed to. School can't teach us everything. There is just too much to know.
That's where parents, grandparents, friends, uncles, aunts, and others come in.
That's why we develop passions and interests and do our own research.
But that brings us back to the question that we started with - what did I learn in school that is important?
It's not so much that school taught me specific things that I will remember all my life - although it did. I learned about the periodic table and simplifying equations and the APA method of citations for papers. I learned specific tasks to help me complete specific homework assignments. I learned multiplication tables and spelling words. I learned the classics and the not-so classics.
I followed the tried and true math trail - algebra, geometry, algebra 2, and pre-calculus. I circled the globe learning about countries. I wrote papers. I completed projects in shoe boxes.
I learned the curriculum that was taught. And that was important.
The things I learned in school prepared me for college. It gave me a foundation that allowed me to continue learning.
But I also learned the curriculum that was not taught and that schools on occasion don't want to recognize.
I learned that people are not always nice. I learned that some people turn their backs on you and others embrace you. I learned that navigating the social pathway helps you learn a lot about yourself and a lot about other people.
I learned that looks are not everything. I learned that some people think they are.
I learned that some adults are your advocates and some adults are not.
I'm in a school because I believe in schools. Can schools be better? Absolutely.
Do I believe that schools help people learn things that are important? I believe that they do!
Every Day Evidence #51 - Parent Voice, Public Schools Work
May 17, 2013Good Morning Governor Snyder, Senator Jansen, Representatives MacGregor, VerHeulen, Lyons, Hooker, Yonkers, Brinks, and Dillon,Today's EDE is from the parent of a 2012 graduate of Northview High School. Mr. Thomas is the principal."Every Day Evidence that Public Schools Work - Parent Voice, Graduate SuccessHello Mr. Thomas, I just wanted to let you know my son Max Carpenter, a graduate of Northview class of 2012, has earned an award as the number one freshmen in the subject of Chemistry at Valparaiso University. We are going down tonight to see him accept this award. Thanks to his education at Northview he has had a very good freshmen year. Thank you Northview,Rhonda Carpenter"Fun Fact: Why you should read - from Highlands 5th/6th School"You should read because in high school you will have to read 3 hours. If you read it is like your whole life. If you can read you will do great in school. I sued to hate reading. Now I love reading. Since I love to read my grades are really good. O I encourage you to start to love reading. Olivia F."Questions for Your Consideration* Over the past four years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been transferred out of the School Aid Fund to balance the General Fund. When will you vote to add a "real" increase to the School Aid Fund? * Are you supportive of K-12 public education? Will you make the statement to use additional tax revenue to increase funds for K-12? * Does your voting record over the past three years, including the current School Aid Bill in the House and Senate. show that you increased funding to K-12?* * HB 4571 - 4572 - 4677 would cut another $500 per student in Northview (and the State) or $1.7 million less ($750 million state wide) - how do you explain the rationale? ENOUGH. Improvements in public schools happen when the local community gives permission. Permission is granted when local communities trust their school district. Trust between our community and our schools is one reason why public schools work.Sincerely,Mike Paskewicz, Superintendent Northview Public Schools