Student test scores It was disappointing, but not unexpected news that Nashville’s schools have entered Restructuring 1 status for failing to meet benchmarks under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. It means the state of Tennessee has even more control over the school district and not just the highly underperforming schools. Despite how this sounds, our schools are doing much better in many cases. So how can we be doing better, but face greater penalties from the state? It’s a complicated issue, but it’s one that’s important to understand. All schools in the nation are obligated to meet yearly targets under the NCLB legislation. As an example, from 2002 to 2004 for grades 9-12, 86 percent of students in each school must meet reading/language goals, 65 percent must meet math goals and the graduation rate must be 90 percent. From 2007 to 2010, those goals increase to 93 percent for reading/language, 83 percent for math and the 90 percent graduation rate remains constant. By 2014, the goals are 100 percent in every category. While we all would love to reach 100 percent, it just won’t happen. It’s not a perfect world. What’s more, schools working to improve face a constantly moving goal line. If a high school was at 88 percent for reading/language in 2006, it would have to reach 97 percent in 2010, just four years later. In the last year, nine Metro schools moved off the high priority list and into good standing status – that’s one-third of all schools in the state that attained that goal. This makes the progress we’ve made even more remarkable. Overall, the district improved at every level and subject – especially high school math which showed an 11 percent increase! Most other gains were in the range of three to four percent. You can read the full report which gives greater detail about specific schools. I’m extremely proud of the hard work that’s been done by our teachers, staff and administrators and of the progress that has been made. I’m also grateful for the work done by Dr. Connie Smith and other state administrators who are working to strengthen our schools. However, I am concerned about the NCLB measurements and their attempt to achieve the impossible goal of perfection. It’s an unrealistic target that will eventually make all schools appear to fail and give the public a false perception of how their schools really are performing. The law also makes no allowance for different school environments. Schools in San Antonio that must deal with high student turnover rates caused by nearby military bases must perform as well as schools in stable and affluent Beverly Hills. Likewise, all Nashville schools are viewed equally despite the neighborhoods in which they are located or the turnover rate among students. Our schools are improving. Our children are doing better on tests, but the real picture of our schools is far more complicated than the broad labels applied to each school. I’m confident we can continue to improve our scores, but we must work together toward that goal. I have proposed a board committee to work with the state to create a set of goals for our new director when he or she begins work this fall. I’m hopeful that board president Marsha Warden will convene this committee soon so that we can begin this important work. Thank you for your concern about our schools and please feel free to contact me to discuss the most recent scores or any other topic that concerns our schools. Janitors of the year honored Top Row (l to r)Ralph Nolan - Jere Baxter Middle ; James Bryant - Ewing Park Middle; Dewayne Reynolds - Brick Church Middle; Harry Porter - Antioch High; Beatrice Nolan - Martha Vaught Middle; Granville Webster - Hull-Jackson Montessori Magnetl Ricky Green - Cora Howe Elementary; Andrew Linear - Bailey Middle; Donnie Patton - Harris-Hillman; Adnan Atrushi - Andrew Jackson Elementary Bottom Row (l to r) Paul Calloway - H.G. Hill Middle; Elliott Cartwright - Martin Professional Development Center; Suleium Tatar - Charlotte Park Elementary; Ronald Moore - Gra-Mar Middle; Michael Hayes - Glendale Elementary; Robert Stewart - J.E. Moss Elementary; Tammy Whitlock - Hickman Elementary Not Pictured: Eddie Edwards - Madison Special Education; David Vanattia - Waverly-Belmont Support Center The winners are: Elementary School Division Robert Stewart, J.E. Moss Elementary School Middle School Division James Bryant, Ewing Park Middle School High School Division Harry Porter, Antioch High School Special Education Schools Division Donnie Patton, Harris-Hillman Special Education School Professional Buildings Division David Vanattia, Waverly-Belmont Support Center Congratulations to the winners and nominees -- your work makes us proud! Stratford teacher gets national honor Jennifer Berry-Rickert, PhD, of Stratford High School will be among the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educators who will be honored in Washington, D.C., on May 28 The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program offers current public or private elementary and secondary mathematics, technology, and science classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching an opportunity to serve in the national public policy arena. Fellows provide practical insight in establishing and operating education programs. Fellowships increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between legislative and executive branches and the science, mathematics, and technology education community.  Congratulations to one of our outstanding teachers in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System.  Thanks to Jennifer and others who strive in every way to be role models for our students. Custodian of the year contest Metro Beautification is holding its annual Custodian of the Year contest.  The award ceremony is Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. It will be held at the East Park Community Center, 700 Woodland Street We will recognize the winner at an upcoming board meeting.  Nominees are listed in the chart below. The purpose of the Custodian of the Year Contest is to encourage custodians in their daily work to maintain and preserve public and private school properties, to promote cleanup, recycling and beautification throughout the community; and promote student, teacher, parent and community awareness of custodial responsibilities. The nominees are: Building Custodian Nominated by Waverly-Belmont David Vanattia Arthur Echols, IT Help Desk MNPS Prof. Devel. Dept. Elliott Cartwright Sheila Rediker, Sr. Control Clk. Brick Church Middle Dewayne Reynolds Chirelle Jefferson, asst. principal Hull-Jackson Elementary Granville Webster Susan Freeman, Teacher Ewing Park Middle James Bryant Katherine Thiele, Library media specialist Madison Eddie Edwards LuAnn Landrum, Principal Bailey Middle Andrew Lanier Dr. Vesta Whittaker, Asst. Principal Cora Howe Elementary Ricky Green Thelma Smith, Principal Gra-Mar Middle Ronald Moore Barry Potts, Principal Jere Baxter Middle Ralph Nolan Louis Long, Prog. Asst. Andrew Jackson Elementary Adnan Atrushi Ann-Marie Gleason, Principal Hickman Elementary Tammy Whitlock Dottie Critchlow, Principal Harris-Millman Donnie Patton Robbie Hampton, Principal Charlotte Park Elementary Suleium Tatar Angela Vaughn, Principal H.G. Hill Middle Paul Calloway Jud Haynie, Principal Martha Vaught Middle Beatrice Nolan Elaine Fahrner, Teacher J.E. Moss Elementary Robert Stewart Alison Effinger, Principal Antioch High Harry Porter Aimee Wyatt, Exec. Principal Glendale Elementary Michael Haynes Louis Clifton, Librarian Awards Given to A.C.E. Students On last week I was invited by Alan Hayes to attend a very inspiring ceremony given by the A.C.E. to recognize a group of young people for their talents.   I must say, I was very impressed at what I saw and the many talents of some great young minds throughout the middle Tennessee area.  One of those groups was our own Stratford High School. Congratulations to Stratford Comprehensive High School for a great showing on their A.C.E. (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentors Award. There were teams of young people from public and private schools in the Nashville and surrounding counties participating.  These students worked after school with various firms for one year to plan and construct their projects. The team from Stratford designed a coffee shop and art gallery they called the Monet Café.  The team of students in partnership with local architects, created the design, selected the location, drafted it in 3D software specific to the location, chose the materials, designed the interiors, layout and created a budget.  Their project was presented at the annual banquet hosted by MBA. It was an impressive piece of work. This community should be proud of the great work by our students. Thanks to Dr. Janet Wallace who was the site Coordinator for her hard work in helping these students to explore their talents.  We must continue to encourage our students to explore their dreams and the many options to a career path.   Friends of Metro School Recruiting Members Friends of Metro Schools held a public launch, Thursday, March 13, at Dan Mills Elementary. Parents, business leaders and faith leaders spoke at a press conference about the importance of public support for our schools. Friends of Metro Schools is an independent, grassroots advocacy organization devoted to making Metro Schools a top budget priority for local and state elected officials. Led by the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, Stand for Children, and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, membership in Friends of Metro Schools is open to individuals and organizations who pledge to speak out on issues impacting education funding. Visit www.stand.org/friendsofmetroschools for more information and sign up for a free membership. Shwab Elementary Celebrates "Read Me Week" March 3 - March 7 Shwab Elementary kicked off Read Me Week, Monday, March 3, with a full assembly and a reading by Family School Coordinator and Title One Chair, Ginny Cox. The reading was brought to life when Principal Diana Brooks; reading specialist Julia Stewart; literacy leader Paula Poag; and librarian Tina Fry performed a skit simultaneous to the reading. Throughout the week, classrooms focused on the importance of reading and the positive effect it can have on your life. Students, faculty and staff all pledged to read at least five books individually. A variety of books from different genres and authors were read throughout the building. Thursday, March 6, a special guest, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, joined the Shwab family and discussed how reading was a great way to learn about life. Lt. Gov. Ramsey stated that education was very important and he encouraged the students to do their best in all they do. As a treat, Ramsey read Dr. Suess’ “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut.” After the reading, a fourth grade student presented Ramsey with a book. Trellaney Lane, fourth grade teacher, presented Lt. Gov. Ramsey with a lapel pin to remind him of his day with Shwab. That evening families came to the school for “Family Read Night,” dressed in their pajamas and eager to hear stories and see celebrities such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and The Cat in the Hat. Families rotated throughout the building listening to stories and received books and a snack. Stratford Teacher Headed Abroad Jennifer Berry-Rickert, a teacher at Stratford High, is headed overseas in March with the American Council for International Education. Mrs. Berry-Rickert will travel to Taganrog, Russia (16 hours by train from Moscow) where she will work to advance education, research, and mutual understanding between countries. American Council's mission is to foster democratic development and civil societies by advancing education and research, cultivating leadership, and empowering individuals and institutions through learning. If you would like to follow along on Mrs. Berry-Rickert’s travels, visit her blog at http://jenniferberryrickert.blogspot.com/. She will be updating her blog throughout her trip. Meigs Magnet Selected for Best Buy Award Congratulations to Meigs Magnet School. An application submitted by James Parsons was selected to receive a $2,000 Best Buy TeachTM Award. Along with a $2,000 Best Buy Gift Card, the school received a 1 GB Geek SquadTM USB drive loaded with useful tools and templates for communication purposes. Gladiators Win Big Congratulations to Gra-Mar Middle School who recently won the Girls’ and Boys’ City Basketball Tournament. The Lady Gladiators beat Haynes Middle 39-38, finishing the season with a 19-1 record. The boys’ team beat Goodlettsville Middle 55-48, finishing the season 18-2 with a 17 game winning streak. In addition to both teams’ successes, two students received special honors: Tangela Crenshaw was named Miss Basketball for the entire Eastern Division, and Chris Willingham was named the City Tournament MVP. Also, special congratulations go out to both teams’ coaches: Erika Bradley and Heather Smith, Lady Gladiators’ Coaches, and Eric Bryson, Head Coach of the Gladiators. MNPS Middle School Science Fair The 2008 MNPS Middle School Science Fair opens Friday, Feb. 29. Student projects will be in the following categories: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth/Environmental Science, Research & Design/Engineering and Team projects. Fifth and sixth grade projects are judged together as are 7th/8th grade projects. The schedule is: Friday February 29  Registration and project set-up 3:00 - 5:45 MLKing Small Gym Judging 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.     Saturday March 1  Projects open for public viewing 10:00 - 1:00 5th/6th grade awards ceremony 1:00 p.m. MLK Auditorium 7th/8th grade awards ceremony 1:30 p.m. MLK Auditorium Get involved in Tennessee’s pre-K movement! This year, Gov. Bredesen has asked the Tennessee General Assembly to approve an additional $25 million to continue the expansion of Tennessee’s voluntary, high-quality pre-kindergarten program. If approved, the state will be able to add 245 additional pre-K classrooms in the 2008-2009 school year. The more than 650 members of the Tennessee Alliance for Early Education (TAEE) are working hard to let their legislators know how important the expansion of pre-K in Tennessee is to the future of our state, and they want you to join them. Anyone can become a member by visiting www.prekfortn.com and clicking on “Show Your Support.” It’s free! Please send an e-mail to prekalliance@mpf.com for more details. The TAEE also invites everyone to attend the 2008 Pre-K Day on Capitol Hill next Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Small Learning Communities at MNPS In the fall of 2008, MNPS will take the next big step in a district wide educational reform movement known as Small Learning Communities (SLC). SLCs are simply this: a restructuring of the student body and teaching staff that will create smaller learning environments enabling students and teachers to forge closer relationships and create personalized learning environments. SLCs will provide students with more learning choices and therefore more opportunities to succeed in life. The number one focus of Small Learning Communities is the student. In traditional high schools, students choose either an academic path or a technical path toward graduation. SLCs combine the two avenues providing more opportunity than ever for students. Small Learning Communities will maintain the same academic curriculum currently taught in MNPS, while providing students an opportunity to learn specific workplace skills in the context of a particular career, chosen by the student. Students will also gain practical experience through internships with local businesses. Small Learning Communities are designed to prepare students for whatever life may bring them after high school, either college or career. Students will have a strong academic background, career skills and practical work experience. SLCs will equip students with an arsenal of tools to ensure their success in the global community. Maplewood Students Bring Home the Gold, the Silver and the Bronze! Six Maplewood High students participated and placed in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Essay Contest sponsored by the Vanderbilt University Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. The students who participated are:  Ronald Barnes-11th; Seleste Carter- 11th; Shainnekqua Taylor- 11th Tahra Jonnson-10th; David Reedy- 10th and Jasmine Black- 9th.  Shainnekqa Taylor won first place, received a plaque and $150; Tahra Johnson won second place, received a plaque and $100; and Ronald Barnes won third place, received a plaque and $75. All participants also received a certificate and a $15 gift card to Best Buy. Congratulations to each student.  © 2008 Gracie Porter for School Board :: Jacques Porter & Alicia Riggans, Co-Treasurers. P.O. Box 60466. Nashville. TN. 37206. 615-227-1376. information@gracieporter.com home | about me | photo gallery | events | volunteer! | login/register | contribute | endorsements | Copyright 2003-2008, campaignwindow.com™ Find out how you can create your own political website!