[ProgressiveEd] tomorrow's meeting

[Beverly McClain]

Greeting all.
I know tonight is an important meeting on the eve of seeing Mr. Klein, and I
don't think I'm going to make it up there for work-related reasons, though
our PTA prez who is one of the delegation will be there. (Judy
Garnar-Wortzel). In flying through the posts, I do want to say a couple of
things regarding the focus of tomorrow's meeting.
First, based on the ongoing dialogue I've had with Mr. Klein, I think the
blanket waiver issue is dead for now. I just don't think he's going to budge
(unless intervention/budget cuts dictate)  because whether we like it or
not, EVERYONE, INCLUDING HIM (!) is answerable to higher ups who think tests
are the be-all and end-all. While he (Klein) appears willing to accept that
there are other measures of success and endorses their continuation, they
must be considered within the context of all schools also raising their
scores. So let's do what we must to accomplish that while not letting go of
what we know is good in our schools now.
Also, it appears that the English aspect of the new curriculum isn't too
bad, and Chicago Math's biggest problem for us is how it is implemented in
bridge classes etc. Also the rigidity of the time slots is a real problem.
Mr. Klein's hope in working with PENNY and progressive schools generally
seems to be finding ways of incorporating the new curriculum without
destroying the existing ones and other good things our schools have going
for them. Whether that is possible isn't for me to say but to keep flogging
the waiver issue rather than finding workable compromises will probably
waste precious time while we do have his ear and good will.
We need to find out where the $$ is coming from to finance this...out of our
existing (paltry) budgets?? Where are the staff developers going to come
from and can we have a say in who they are? Will we still be able to
maintain our autonomy in other areas as before? AND WHY THE HELL DO THEY
NEED TO PREAPPROVE GRANT APPS????? THIS IS A DESTRUCTIVE AND FRUSTRATING
DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD PREVENT SMALL SCHOOLS FROM GETTING FINANCIAL HELP.
Will we be provided with staff dev's who are also well-versed in progressive
ed? Just a few questions off the top of my head.
Good luck tonight and tomorrow. Am keeping my fingers crossed that we can
all find common ground.
Beverly/CWS