[ProgressiveEd] response from Gates Foundation
Beverly McClain
[email protected]
Wed, 12 Mar 2003 11:51:44 -0500
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Greetings all.
In my angst a couple weeks ago, I wrote the following plea to Tom Vander
Ark, the head of the Gates Foundation (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/.)
This organization champions alternative programs and small schools and I
requested that they initiate a dialogue with the mayor and chancellor
regarding the plight of our progressive public schools. Today I got what
appears NOT to be an automated response! Maybe something could come of
this...and maybe it would be worthwhile for others to write as well.
Best, Beverly McClain
parent at Children's Workshop School
Ms. McClain,
Thank you for your note to Mr. Vander Ark. I am Tom's assistant, and I
wanted to let you know I forwarded your message on to him. We appreciate
your comments, and your perspective on what's happening in NY schools.
All the best to you as you continue to work on behalf of students.
Ron
-----Original Message-----
From: Beverly McClain [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 10:40 AM
To: EdInfo
Subject: Please forward to Tom Vander Ark
Dear Mr. Vander Ark,
I just left a voice mail at your foundation that I hope you will hear. I am
a parent of a kindergartner in an exceptional progressive "choice" public
school in lower Manhattan (the Children's Workshop School) and am active in
scrutinizing and fighting the sweeping one-size-fits-all reforms that Mayor
Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein have created, presumably to improve this
country's largest public school system.
I believe that for failing schools with chronic problems, it is possible
that a uniform curriculum and the support that comes with it could be
useful. But in the process, the Mayor and Chancellor are about to wipe out
the unique, hard-won programs of up to 60 progressive, enlightened and
successful public school programs that are very much in line with your
foundation's principals and philosophy. These schools do not necessarily
make the best grades on standardized tests because they do not teach to the
tests. They do include an ethnically diverse crowd of students and regularly
welcome problem kids. Their dropout rates are lower, attendance is
exemplary, school discipline issues are far below the average, and the
children love learning and being part of a cohesive, principled school
community of committed teachers, parents, staff and kids. None of these
things seem to be of importance to the new chancellor, and to date, he has
in no way addressed our concerns.
The Dept. of Ed has now given all New York public schools only a week to
apply for a waiver to exempt them from this new curriculum. They appear to
have made it as difficult as possible for anyone to voice their dissent,
which is discouraging. Therefore, our 60 schools aren't looking for money
from you, though we could certainly use it. (We are, in fact, currently
battling the governor who wants to cut all school budgets in the state to
the point where universal preK will be eliminated, and worse. But that's
another issue for another day.) Right now, we're just looking to retain our
autonomy, to have the freedom to continue to realize our unique visions and
goals, and to not be smothered by an administration who doesn't even
recognize that we've existed, thrived and grown for as long as 10 to 20
years IN SPITE of a seriously broken system.
I'm just hoping that you might be willing to contact the Mayor and
Chancellor and try to bring them up to speed on the value of our alternative
programs and enourage them to accomodate our continued success. If there is
any chance of that, could you let us/me know?
I know I'm just one parent, but I am echoing the concerns of thousands of
parents, kids, and gifted teachers and administrators.
Thank you for your time,
Beverly McClain
c/o Kellum McClain Inc.
151 1st Avenue #PH1
New York, NY 10003
212 979 2661
[email protected]
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<TITLE>response from Gates Foundation</TITLE>
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Greetings all. <BR>
<BR>
In my angst a couple weeks ago, I wrote the following plea to Tom Vander Ar=
k, the head of the Gates Foundation (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/.)=
This organization champions alternative programs and small schools and I re=
quested that they initiate a dialogue with the mayor and chancellor regardin=
g the plight of our progressive public schools. Today I got what appears NOT=
to be an automated response! Maybe something could come of this...and maybe=
it would be worthwhile for others to write as well. <BR>
<BR>
Best, Beverly McClain<BR>
parent at Children's Workshop School<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<I>Ms. McClain,<BR>
<BR>
Thank you for your note to Mr. Vander Ark. I am Tom's assistant, and =
I wanted to let you know I forwarded your message on to him. We apprec=
iate your comments, and your perspective on what's happening in NY schools. =
<BR>
<BR>
All the best to you as you continue to work on behalf of students.<BR>
<BR>
Ron<BR>
</I><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
-----Original Message-----<BR>
From: Beverly McClain [<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>mailto:KelMcC@BellAtlantic.=
net</U></FONT>]<BR>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 10:40 AM<BR>
To: EdInfo<BR>
Subject: Please forward to Tom Vander Ark<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Dear Mr. Vander Ark,<BR>
<BR>
I just left a voice mail at your foundation that I hope you will hear. I am=
<BR>
a parent of a kindergartner in an exceptional progressive "choice"=
; public<BR>
school in lower Manhattan (the Children's Workshop School) and am active in=
<BR>
scrutinizing and fighting the sweeping one-size-fits-all reforms that Mayor=
<BR>
Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein have created, presumably to improve this<BR>
country's largest public school system.<BR>
<BR>
I believe that for failing schools with chronic problems, it is possible<BR=
>
that a uniform curriculum and the support that comes with it could be<BR>
useful. But in the process, the Mayor and Chancellor are about to wipe out<=
BR>
the unique, hard-won programs of up to 60 progressive, enlightened and<BR>
successful public school programs that are very much in line with your<BR>
foundation's principals and philosophy. These schools do not necessarily<BR=
>
make the best grades on standardized tests because they do not teach to the=
<BR>
tests. They do include an ethnically diverse crowd of students and regularl=
y<BR>
welcome problem kids. Their dropout rates are lower, attendance is<BR>
exemplary, school discipline issues are far below the average, and the<BR>
children love learning and being part of a cohesive, principled school<BR>
community of committed teachers, parents, staff and kids. None of these<BR>
things seem to be of importance to the new chancellor, and to date, he has<=
BR>
in no way addressed our concerns.<BR>
<BR>
The Dept. of Ed has now given all New York public schools only a week to<BR=
>
apply for a waiver to exempt them from this new curriculum. They appear to<=
BR>
have made it as difficult as possible for anyone to voice their dissent,<BR=
>
which is discouraging. Therefore, our 60 schools aren't looking for money<B=
R>
from you, though we could certainly use it. (We are, in fact, currently<BR>
battling the governor who wants to cut all school budgets in the state to<B=
R>
the point where universal preK will be eliminated, and worse. But that's<BR=
>
another issue for another day.) Right now, we're just looking to retain our=
<BR>
autonomy, to have the freedom to continue to realize our unique visions and=
<BR>
goals, and to not be smothered by an administration who doesn't even<BR>
recognize that we've existed, thrived and grown for as long as 10 to 20<BR>
years IN SPITE of a seriously broken system.<BR>
<BR>
I'm just hoping that you might be willing to contact the Mayor and<BR>
Chancellor and try to bring them up to speed on the value of our alternativ=
e<BR>
programs and enourage them to accomodate our continued success. If there is=
<BR>
any chance of that, could you let us/me know?<BR>
<BR>
I know I'm just one parent, but I am echoing the concerns of thousands of<B=
R>
parents, kids, and gifted teachers and administrators.<BR>
<BR>
Thank you for your time,<BR>
<BR>
Beverly McClain<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
c/o Kellum McClain Inc.<BR>
151 1st Avenue #PH1<BR>
New York, NY 10003<BR>
<BR>
212 979 2661<BR>
<BR>
<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>[email protected]</U></FONT> <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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