This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.
The accompanying audio podcast is 6 minutes long. Just click once or twice on the audio bar.
AYP IS A PUBLIC RELATIONS DISASTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In Minnesota nearly 1000 of 2000 schools didn't make AYP in 2008. In our neighboring state of Wisconsin 153 of 2200 schools were in the same catagory. 50% versus 7%! And our systems are very similar in every other measure of success.
This crazy system, as it is being employed in Minnesota, is absolutely destroying the publics confidence in our schools. Most people read a headline and a couple of paragraphs. Education leaders are forced into a defensive posture as they try to explain the results. Teachers are becoming demoralized as they see no chance of their schools being successful.
In Minnesota, our leaders have devised a system in which there are only going to be two kinds of schools.... those not making AYP now and those not making AYP in the future. Wouldn't it be great if the state education leadership would acknowledge that 'bludgeoning' our schools and undermining the publics confidence is not the way to get to better results.
Every public educator in Minnesota wants to provide our kids a great education, but need support and help, not this type of negative attack publicity.
MASA FALL CONFERENCE
Mark your calendars for October 5, 6 & 7. The MASA Fall Conference will be at Madden's near Brainerd this year. The conference is shaping up to be very strong and we will be emphasizing opportunities for members to interact in professional learning community (PLC's) groups.
Conference materials will be out to you on August 25th.
MEET WITH LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES NOW
There are at least 2 candidates running for each of the 134 state representative seats for the MN legislature. The best time to be meeting with them is before the elections. By inviting candidates into your schools you can show them some of the good things going on and determine their attitudes about public education. You also help the candidates by having them being seen in the schools and being introduced to members of the electorate.
Look for promises now and then hold the winners feet to the fire once the election season is over.
PREPARING FOR PRE-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
Pre-school workshops begin within a week and a half. Your schools plans for the professional development workshops are probably pretty well set up. One thing that you should be doing during this period of time is to visit with as many staff members as possible.
Sometimes Superintendent's and top administrators get too busy and forget that 'pressing the flesh' with the front-line people that deliver the education in your schools. This is also a time to enjoy seeing people again and to have a bit of casual time with them.
BRING POSITIVE MESSAGES TO 8TH GRADERS AS THEY ALL TACKLE ALGEBRA I
It is important for MS math teachers to be communicating with their 8th grade students with messages that they will be able to do algebra. In several conversations that I have had recently with math teachers I'm afraid that the communication may be that this is very hard and students won't be able to do it. We know we are stretching our students up to world class standards and they will have more success if they believe they can do it.
Have a great start to the school year!
ENCOURAGE SUCESS FOR 8TH GRADERS BEGINNING ALGEBRA I
This is the first year that all 8th grade students will be taking Algebra I. This change will require a significant step up in rigor for a big portion of our students, but will bring them into line with what students in a number of leading nations are now doing. The biggest difference is that we will be doing this for nearly all students.
One of the most important things to do is to convince students that they can be successful. Based on several recent conversations with MS math teachers, I'm afraid that they may give students the exact opposite message. It is important to convince your teachers to provide students with positive encouragement and to employ relevant teaching techniques as they work with their 8th graders.
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