Obama's education plan

Please listen to President Obama's speech on education and notice his 5 pillars of reform. Assessments, higher standards, innovation, charter schools, and more -- are just part of the future of education. Change and innovation are part of the landscape. These are all simply facts we face. Change is coming faster than ever to public education. President Obama proposed the following five pillars of reform: (but please -- listen to the speech and read more at the web site)

1) "Investing in early childhood initiatives" like Head Start;

2) "Encouraging better standards and assessments" by focusing on testing itineraries that better fit our kids and the world they live in;

3) "Recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers" by giving incentives for a new generation of teachers and for new levels of excellence from all of our teachers.

4) "Promoting innovation and excellence in America’s schools" by supporting charter schools, reforming the school calendar and the structure of the school day.

5) "Providing every American with a quality higher education--whether it's college or technical training."

more on 11 month calendar

Meetings are scheduled for parents (and anyone) to attend and learn more about the 11 month calendar. Here is the schedule. Parent meetings will be held April 20 at 6 p.m. at Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School, April 21 at 8 a.m. at Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School and April 30 at 6 p.m. at Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School.

And, the "public" should know that every school board meeting is a public forum. Anyone is welcome to come and request to appear before the board in "open forum" at the beginning of each meeting. If you need longer than 4-5 minutes, just send a written request to the school district office and you can have a longer time to speak. The idea that the "public" doesn't have a chance to make comments, simple isn't a fact. All meetings are open for public comment as long as that comment isn't directed at a specific employee or student.

11 Month Calendar

Several comments on the blog have been about the 11 month calendar. We were planning to discuss at the board meeting on April 13, but we will wait.

There has been so much happening lately with the new building projects that the administrators have had their focus on getting the projects started. So, Dr. Phillips is planning some more surveys and meetings with parents about the 11 month calendar. Check with the elementary principals for more information. Many of the parents who attended the recent parent-teacher day had a chance to complete a survey.

Also, if you check at http://www.columbuscityschools.org/ there is a link about the calendar on the home page and an email address for submitting your comments about the proposed calendar. Please ask your questions so you can get answers and understand the new calendar -- what it is and what it isn't -- and understand the advantages for students.

Proposed 11 Month Calendar

Dr. Phillips presented to the Board a plan for an 11-month school calendar. It seems that anything beyond the typical 180 day calendar is commonly referred to as "year round." However, the plan calls for closing the entire month of July. It adds 22 days to the calendar. We are calling these "yellow days" or "success academy days." Yellow because the calendar is color coded. "Success" because we expect the new calendar will significantly improve the success level of many children.

There is a 2-week block in the fall, 1-week in January, and 2 weeks in the spring. During those days, the students who have tested minimal or basic will received small group, individualized instruction. Those students who are proficient or advanced will participate in a variety of enhanced learning activities.

A few notable questions to answer: YES -- if a child is behind instructionally, he will be required to attend the yellow days. YES -- teachers and everyone else involved will be paid for these extra 22 days. For more information refer to CMSD web site or articles in the newspaper: Dispatch article and Dr. Phillips Editorial.