Race to Nowhere to be shown again Feb. 28; Producer will lead post-screening discussion

Nearly 600 Ridgewood parents turned out in December to view and discuss the educational documentary film, RACE TO NOWHERE. Additionally, the film was shown to the entire faculty at Ridgewood High School. The film’s producer, Vicki Abeles, followed the strong response from our community and has planned a visit to Ridgewood to continue the dialog. On February 28th at 7:00 PM at the Benjamin Franklin Auditorium, Vicki Abeles will host a screening of RACE TO NOWHERE and lead a discussion. All members of the community are invited, but according to a recent email from the RHS HSA, Ms. Abeles is most interested in hearing from RHS students. Parents are asked to encourage their teen children to attend.

Personally, I think the parents who most need to attend the screening are parents of elementary school children. The attitudes and practices that are criticized or questioned by the film are attitudes and practices that begin when children are in elementary school. By the time our kids are in high school, frankly, the damage has been done. (That's not to say certain aspects can't be "undone." It's never too late to chill out!)

Following is additional background on the film, from promotional materials:

Vicki Abeles, a concerned mother turned filmmaker, in RACE TO NOWHERE, aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded schools and the lives of children, creating unhealthy, disengaged and stressed-out youth. Featuring the stories of young people in all types of communities who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, RACE TO NOWHERE is a call to action to challenge current assumptions on how best to prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, and contributing citizens.

RACE TO NOWHERE examines what is happening to students as a result of current policies and practices that focus on testing, performance and competition rather than meaningful teaching and learning. The film gives voice to those who are most affected by education policies – the students and teachers themselves. The film empowers everyone to get involved and take ownership of what’s happening in our schools and communities.

Admission is free of charge.

"Clerical error" or, more likely, something else.

The following was received from Dollars & Sense Education Advocacy (of which Ridgewood is a member), and they were passing it along from the Education Law Center. I definitely think there was more than a "clerical error" at play here, and the following potential explanation makes a lot of sense to me.

Media coverage of NJ's failure to secure a $400 million federal Race to the Top grant has focused on the "clerical error" that cost the state several critical points in a 500-point rubric used to evaluate RTTT grant applications.

While some reports noted that NJ lost many more points due to its poor data system and failure to secure more district and teacher union support for its plans, several other points have received little attention.

[For example,] When the Christie administration scrapped the compromise application worked out between NJEA and Education Commissioner Bret Schundler, and substituted a new proposal at the last minute, it replaced information about state education funding for 2008 and 2009 with data for 2010 and 2011. Instead of a simple "clerical error," this could have been an effort to disguise a $1.06 billion cut in state education aid. The original application noted that 2010 state education aid was decreased by 7.7% because one-time federal stimulus funds were not replaced by state funds (as required by the state's School Funding Reform Act). By substituting a 2010-11 comparison and playing with the numbers, the Governor's application tried to claim a 2.2% "increase in state revenue-based support for education" and give a grossly misleading answer to a question designed to gauge whether states were maintaining previous levels of support for their public schools.

There's plenty that smells fishy with this RTTT fiasco and I comment on it NOT because I was a proponent of RTTT, but rather as a commentary on the way the current administration seems to do business.

National Educational Technology Plan: Wow.

I'm trying to catch up on various reading "assignments" I gave myself over the summer. One of them was to read the National Educational Technology Plan, which was released by the federal government last Spring. I've only just reviewed the Executive Summary so far, but it is quite interesting. The full plan (and executive summary -- plus comments from educators and the public) can be accessed by clicking here.

As summarized on the blog weblogg-ed, some key elements called for in the NETP include:

* Personalized learning
* Learning that is “lifelong and life-wide and available on demand.”
* A device and "ubiquitous access" for every student and teacher.
* Professional development that focuses on “connected teaching” in “online learning communities”
* Professional learning that is “collaborative, coherent, and continuous" instead of "episodic and ineffective"
* Learning that is “always on”
* Learning that is no longer “one size fits all.”
* Student work on the cloud
* Student managed electronic learning portfolios
* Students as “networked learners”
* Broadband everywhere
* Open educational resources
* Creative Commons licenses
* Changes to CIPA and FERPA to open up access
* Rethinking the “basic assumptions” of schooling

Like any high-level government report, there is plenty of rhetoric and vagueness as to how these great things will come about, and in some cases the concepts seem to contradict Race to the Top strategies for standardization, etc. But I think it is encouraging that people at fairly high levels are having this conversation at all. This is a truly visionary document -- and visions are supposed to be "out there," giving something to aim for.

Anyway, as we are preparing to discuss Board and District goals, I thought I would share with you that one of my personal goals for this year is to instigate a thoughtful and inclusive discussion of our own technology practices and plans. The NETP will be one valuable resource for that discussion.

Breaking news: Governor Christie fires NJ Ed Commissioner Schundler

What a state we live in... No wonder the Federal government didn't trust New Jersey with millions of dollars in grants. Maybe if our state government could get its act together...

Published: Friday, August 27, 2010, 11:23 AM Updated: Friday, August 27, 2010, 11:28 AM

Josh Margolin/Statehouse Bureau

TRENTON - Gov. Chris Christie fired state education commissioner Bret Schundler this morning after Schundler refused to resign in the wake of the controversy over the state's loss of up to $400 million in federal school funding, two officials briefed on the situation said.

Christie's chief of staff, Richard Bagger, ordered Schundler to turn in his resignation Thursday night after federal officials released a video that appeared to contradict the commissioner's account of what transpired when the New Jersey delegation met with the federal officials to review funding application and review process.

By this morning Schundler had not quit, so Christie ordered his termination.

As education commissioner, Schundler was one of the highest profile members of the governor's cabinet. Governors can fire most cabinet members -- including the educational commissioner -- at will.

The controversy stemmed from the federal Race to the Top competitive grant program for education dollars. N.J. was seeking almost $400 million.

The Race to the Top application had asked for figures on state education funding from 2008 and 2009, but state officials provided figures for 2011. The oversight cost the state 4.8 critical points on a 500-point application. The state missed out on the grant by three points, placing 11th behind Ohio.

Christie originally blamed Washington bureaucrats at a Wednesday press conference, saying they refused to allow the state to fix a simple error in its application. But on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education released video footage contradicting Christie's claim. The video shows state officials, headed by Schundler, struggling and failing to provide correct budget information during a 90-minute presentation.

In addition, a federal official said the state never provided the required information.

Budget resolved. Now on to making it work.

Last night the Village Council voted to reduce the schools' tax levy by $100,000. This was based on the Board of Education's suggestion. (Well, after we suggested that they cut nothing, and it didn't sound like that idea was going anywhere.) Board President Michele Lenhard said last night that $100,000 could be trimmed from the transportation line on the budget. This means no further staff cuts...no cuts of librarians...no cut of 5th grade music...no cut of Learning Disabled Teachers...and those other things that were on the potential cut list.

Where did this $100,000 come from? When the District created the budget, they included an estimate for transportation, based on an educated "guess" (and historical trends) as to how much bus rates are going to go up. Bus rate increases must be approved by the state, and the state doesn't give the rate increase until after our budget vote. (Just another state practice that makes no sense.) So our budget included an increase of 5% in bus charges. Then, late last week, the state finally approved the new bus rate increase, and it's 0%. Revising our transportation line in the budget resulted in about $100,000 savings. This is what was offered to the VC as a way they could (symbolically, some would argue) cut the budget without affecting jobs.

Finally the District can get to work finalizing staff changes and reorganizing departments to cope with all the changes brought about by our staff cuts. It's going to take a lot of work to combine some supervisor jobs, fill holes from retirements, and figure out how remaining staff are going to pick up the tasks and responsibilities left when positions were eliminated.

Also at last night's meeting, the Board agreed to conditionally give our support to New Jersey's Race to The Top grant application. There is so much that is vague in the state's plan, and we are being rushed to sign on without answers to a lot of questions and with many things that will require legislative changes which may or may not occur. We decided that we want Ridgewood to be part of the conversation...to be part of the solutions in improving education in New Jersey...so we will yes with many conditions -- primarily 1) we will not participate if the costs to implement exceed the grant money Ridgewood would receive; and 2) we reserve the right to withdraw if the program is not making sense for Ridgewood.

Other business last night: The Board approved several staff changes, including the retirements of several long-time staff members, including: Elizabeth Bennett (3rd grade Travell, 16 years), Diane Callaghan (secretary, 22 years), Karen Fisher (2nd grade Travell, 37 years), Carol Savitscus (3rd grade Travell, 16 years) and Garland Allen (Director of Wellness, 11 years).

And, finally, the Board approved the Parent Survey, scheduled to take place by around June 1. (More info on that to come soon!)

President Obama's education budget highlights...the long road to reform starts here?

The US DOE has posted President Obama's education budget, which confirms that the new Race To The Top goals will inform spending going forward in the near term. Some highlights:

* $539 million for innovative teacher and leader reforms such as performance pay, bringing the total to $950 million, and $269 million for teacher and leader recruitment and preparation, bringing the total to $405 million.
* $354 million for school turnaround grants, bringing the total up to $900 million.
* $250 million for special education students, bringing the IDEA Grants to States total to $11.755B
* $210 million for Promise Neighborhoods, a new competitive grant program modeled on the Harlem Children's Zone that combines comprehensive social services with school improvements in order to transform whole neighborhoods.
* $197 million for programs designed to promote a well-rounded education, supporting comprehensive literacy, STEM and other core subjects including history and arts.
* $81 million for expanding educational options, including at total of $365.5 million in funding for charter and other autonomous schools.

The budget...
...does not seem to mention "No Child Left Behind." See ya.
...features a continued heavy emphasis on merit pay, expansion of charter schools, and closing failing schools.
...includes $14.5 billion for states to align standards with college and career-readiness, but those standards are still in the works. Trying to achieve a consensus should be interesting, to say the least.

Stay tuned...

Ridgewood won't join the Race

Among other business at last night's Board of Education meeting, the BOE voted to NOT participate in the state of New Jersey's application for Federal Race to the Top education funds. Assistant Superintendent Regina Botsford explained how it is difficult to predict how much money could possibly come to Ridgewood, but that any grant amount would be based on the total number of districts participating and the total funds from Washington. Further, the grants would be tied to the amount of Title I funds the district most recently received (Ridgewood's Title I total was $160,000) and also the district's Title ARRA allocation (which for Ridgewood was ZERO). Thus, it appears that Ridgewood would receive very little funding under the Race to the Top -- but we would be expected to implement the state initiatives (many of which we are already addressing). We would incur additional costs -- and no big surprise that we're hesitant to take on more costs right now. We did discuss the district's obligation -- to both New Jersey education in general and our own students. Personally, I feel our first obligation is to our own students -- fiscally and educationally. For our students, participating in the Race to the Top would be fiscally irresponsible and educationally marginal.

Anyway, other news from last night's meeting:

Our bonding attorneys and financial advisors discussed options for issuing the referendum bonds. We'll finalize the bond issue at the February 22 meeting, and at that time we'll announce the exact date for the issue. You can let your broker know, in case you're interested in purchasing bonds. (Many community members have expressed interest.)

We approved the first work on referendum projects, authorizing M. Disko Associates to provide professional engineering services for the athletic field projects at Ridgewood High School, Stevens Field, and the all-weather track at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

The DEP will be holding a hearing here in Ridgewood for public comment on the fields projects -- date to be determined, but it will be soon. (I'll announce the date/time here.)

The middle school principals gave a report on the new schedule implemented this year (overall it's great) and discussed some revisions for 10/11 (eliminating the A/B portion of the schedule).

After having met earlier in Executive Session to discuss the matter, the Board approved a resolution to suspend three RHS students until June 30, 2010, based on the superintendent's recomendation.

And...applications are currently available for the Board of Education election in April. Two seats will be open. Application petitions are due at the Ed Center by March 1. The election will be April 20. Come join us!

Tonight's BOE meeting agenda

First Board of Education meeting of 2010 tonight (same Bat time, 7:30 p.m., same Bat place, Ed Center 3rd floor). Some highlights from the agenda:

-- Update on the Referendum. By now you should have heard the good news that the state is NOT holding our grant money. We'll also hear from our bond attorneys and financial advisors re: our bond issue rating.

-- New middle school schedule and courses for 2010-2011

-- Discussion of Race to the Top, and whether the District should participate in the state's bid for Federal funds. (I've written about my misgivings in the past, click here to read.)

The usual financial approvals, personnel changes of assignment, resignations, additions, etc.

Click here to read the full agenda.

Race to the Race

I already wrote about some of my misgivings re: New Jersey's application for Race to the Top funds. Now I read that the NJEA has officially opposed the state's application. (Read the NJEA's official statement here.) The NJEA's main objection involves tying student test scores to teacher evaluation and teacher pay. There's a real concern that the RTTT will mean more standardized tests for our students, and more classroom time spent "teaching to the test." I'm concerned about that, too. Don't we test our students enough?

There's also a concern about the costs of all this testing. The RTTT grants will run out fairly quickly and then Districts will be expected to maintain the funding of additional testing, etc.

Plus, I just hate how this RTTT stuff has been so rushed. New Jersey wasn't going to participate, then suddenly it was. And the deadline to the Federal Government is less than two weeks away! If we could have come up with coherent, cost effective, smart and meaningful education reforms in a couple of weeks, why haven't we done it as a state before now? It just seems a bit desperate and somehow fishy to me...

But then I look at all that RTTT money they're dangling...(how much would make it to Ridgewood?...another worry). It's tempting. I've heard comments like "if the federal government is giving out money, we should do whatever it takes to get our share."

There are parts of New Jersey's plan that I like -- for example increased use of technology to assess and track individual student performance over the years, and inform teaching based on student needs. I also like increased professional development to ensure the highest quality teachers and teaching.

The NJEA is not the only state teacher organization to oppose the RTTT. The California teachers' union has also opposed California's participation. (There may be others, I just happened to check California.) This dissension could be problematic for states, as one of the government's requirements is that states must show full support by teachers, school boards and districts.

If our District wishes to be considered a "participating district," we will need to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) next week. I haven't seen the agenda for Monday night's Board meeting yet, but I expect the RTTT to be on it. If parents have an opinion about RTTT, please contact a Board member or Dr. Fishbein, come speak at the Board meeting, or post something here.

Race to the Top or race to more problems?

In the world outside the Ridgewood referendum...
As reported in the Bergen Record, various state lawmakers are upset with Education Commissioner Lucille Davy for not getting New Jersey's application in for Federal Race to the Top education funds. It seems her office decided to leave it for the new governor's staff to handle. I'm not going to comment on the politics of all that (and you can bet it's about politics), but I'm thinking it may not be such a bad thing to drag our feet in the race to the Race. Sure, it would be great to get $200 million to $400 million from the the Federal government for NJ schools, but at what cost? The Obama administration's education policy is something our students will live with for years, and parts of it concern me:
• There's a big focus on charter schools, even though research shows that student achievement in charter schools is as mixed as it is in traditional public schools;
• I have yet to see practical, real-world description of how student test scores can be linked with teacher evaluations;
• Why would NJ want to adopt national common core standards, if many of those standards are lower than New Jersey's existing academic standards?

All I'm saying is, these things are giving me pause and hoping we can get more info/explanations/assurances. The rush to this Race to the Top reminds me of the early days of No Child Left Behind, and we know how well that turned out.