Proving What Else Doesn't Work?

I hate being so negative, but it is May. The time of the year when we look around and see that things are still dismal. Graduation rates are low, truancy rates are high.

Our Chancellor and central admin have to do something, something bold. That’s what her predecessor and partner did. Came in, busted things up, grabbed a broom but really just left things a mess.

Now we’ve got a catchy new plan called the “Proving What’s Possible” grants. But first we’re going to “excess” over 300 effective teachers in the District. Immediately making these effective teachers feel like castaways and reminding all others that next time, it could be you. Nothing builds a teaching force like that. Perhaps the reduction of positions is helping to fund this new grant program? It’s hard to tell, even for Bill Turque, the WaPo reporter who has tried to find out where the money is coming from.

Read about that here: How is DCPS paying for ‘What’s Possible’?

But back to the grants. “So, struggling school, you may have lost a few teacher positions but here’s some money to…do…something…with. Let’s hear your ideas. And you’ve got about 4 weeks to finalize your ideas.” Sorry, but that’s not much time when you are already up to your elbows just trying to keep your school together. This kind of scenario is sure to breed some flimsy grant ideas. And you throw it to principals who, well, how can I say this, in many cases haven’t developed many good ideas in the first place.

So principals will cobble together some ideas that sound nice and the District will waste money. Kaya will be able to blame the schools and principals since she gave them the power and money to implement….something. This begs the question: does this mean our central administration is devoid of real ideas to support and change poor performing schools?

I hope we, the taxpayers, get to know:

a) where the money came from
b) what are the specifics of the plans being funded
c) whether they were successful, as judged by an objective evaluator

These grants are supposed to “leverage time, talent, and technology.” (I can just see them coming up with these catchy phrases, I’m having visions of “The Office.”) As a colleague said, “We’re banking our reform on a literary device.” [Alliteration – time, talent, technology.]

God, I hate being so negative. To make up for it my next entry will contain some constructive ideas!