I have been present for 3 of our 4
California Distinguished School validation visits (i.e., Twain, Woodcrest, Washington) conducted by the staff of RCOE. In each case, it has been
impressive work by the teachers and staff of
each school. The last visit (today) at Franklin Elementary will surely be of the same caliber. While these schools are being considered for this prestigious recognition the same could be said for many of our schools and classrooms.
At one of my recent visits, the observers
saw and
commented on:
- GREAT teaching and learning in the classrooms,
- strategic use of best practice,
- significant learning and growth of students,
- sophistication in the application of instructional strategies,
- high levels of student engagement and response,
- powerful and pervasive use of academic language by both teachers AND students,
- consistent use of higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy,
- issues of proximity,
- well-crafted differentiation of instruction, professionalism of teachers, and
- bottom-line a very student-centered school.
In conclusion, I can't imagine the job of the RCOE staff that get this task of validation visits. The
good news is that they see
great and exciting teaching and learning in schools. The
bad news is that somehow they obviously have to make recommendations between
VERY good schools.
Congratulations to ALL of our Distinguished School candidates and their staff members -- they are
great regardless of the outcome and recognition.
Dr. Miller,
ReplyDeleteAll of your observations share a common characteristic: it is all about the teacher and what he/she does with students. Perhaps we should do all we can to preserve that given today's conditions and pending decisions.
As a Classified employee I am a bit insulted by your comment. Although we serve the students and parents in a different capacity then the teachers do, I believe what we offer to the educational process and team effort is important. I'm sorry you see it differently.
ReplyDeleteHow come these schools can make it to the distinguished stage and still be 47th in funding like the rest of us? Or are these titles just handed out to make everyone feel good?
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI apologize. I in no way meant to demean the role classified employees play in the education of our children. I was simply focusing on Dr. Miller's observations. I completely respect and recognize the importance of classified employees in what occurs in our schools.
I think that you are taking Mr. Martin's comments completely out of perspective. Is it not okay to just comment or have an opinion on one thing? Why does the speaker/author have to cover all the bases to ensure they don't insult someone? He said nothing negative or condescending about classified employees. Thus, I don't think he meant anything negative or condescending about classified employees.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who works in education knows that the secretaries, clerks, custodians, health clerks, maintenance, and all of those that we call our "support staff" are the heroes that make our schools open their doors every single day. They serve not only the children, but the entire school teaching staff AND PARENTS. We absolutely could not do our jobs without them. When I was in sixth grade, the secretary of the school I attended actually saved my life. Mrs. Betty Gale lives in my heart to this day!
ReplyDeleteThe comment about these awards being passed out is offensive. I am a teacher who works at one of these distinguished schools and I can tell you we ALL (teachers, administrators, classified and students) work very hard to be recognized as a distinguished school. I am glad the blogger seems to be aware of the lack of funding for schools in CA and hence recognizes how hard it is to be recognized as a school that meets the criteria to be considered distinguished.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is an honor to be recognized for hard work, my question is: Why do we spend money for "fluff" when teachers and support staff are losing their jobs?
ReplyDeleteOur school received $1,800 for expenses to cover the application process. Add in costs for the site validation committee and sign painting and a conservative guess is somewhere around $5,000. Doesn't sound like much, but multiply that by the over 200 elementary schools nominated.
Everyone has their pet project, and it never seems to be the students.
My kid is in a distinguished school. I was under the assumption it meant something but after some research I find out it's nothing more than a feel good award that is unnecessary. When I get a notice in the mail from my daughters distinguished school stating that they can't even meet the federal or state regulations that doesn't scream distinguished to me. Have you considered if "the Board adopted English learner Master Plan to ensure continued growth of our English learners at accelerated rate" is going to help my English speaking children? Or is it going to help you say we bridged that gap? Give us our four years of being able to say "Distinguished School!"
ReplyDeleteI am not aware of a lack of funding for schools.
In fact, I see by the newsletter I received that the district received grants and there is a new school opening up. The whole moving forward section is telling me all about the testing for our English learners so the actual English speakers must be doing fine with what money they have right?