Our favorite school board member, Dr. George Schimmel of Jackson Public Schools, is at it again in the Clarion-Ledger. The newspaper published a letter from the esteemed doctor yesterday:
"A less obvious consequence of charter school bills moving through the Legislature is the further politicization of public education.
The majority of appointees to charter school authorizing boards will be political appointees. Who starts a charter school and where it starts will be strongly influenced by who knows whom and who has what political connections.
Toward this end, entities wanting to begin charter schools will lobby those who have influence with an authorizing agent. The strength of a proposed charter will matter less than the relationships of the persons making the proposal.
Property owners will lobby legislators and local politicians to have schools located in their buildings or on their land. Some neighborhood organizations will seek charter schools to attract families. Charter groups will wine and dine appointees of authorizing boards in an effort to promote their vision. Education of all children will not be at the forefront. Political wants will be.
Politics will also influence which charter schools survive. Current legislation does not mandate the closure of a failing charter school. The ultimate decision rests with the authorizing board. Politics will be the final arbiter of which schools continue.
This added politicization of public education is not likely to benefit the majority of Mississippi's children. Those children with no voice will lose the most.
George Schimmel"
The doctor thus discovers politics and the fact it might appear in education and that could be a bad thing. Never mind all the fancy games of footsie that go on between current school boards and contractors. What about all the money spent by Parents for Public Schools on lobbying, oops I meant creating the Parents' Campaign? Jackson Public Schools wasting a bond issue. The horse-trading that goes on in obtaining an appointment from a Mayor to a school board. Pine straw. Hiring of family members. Notice David Hampton, the husband of the PR Director for Jackson Public Schools, doesn't publish the fact Dr. Schimmel is a member of the Jackson School Board. Where are the letters or statements from Dr. Schimmel about the failure of the Jackson public school system? The pitiful graduation rates or report cards?
While Dr. Schimmel worries about charter schools, perhaps he should instead worry about JPS losing its accreditation:
"The almost 30,000 Jackson Public Schools students could lose out on sports, cheerleading and other competitive extra-curricular activities if the district's accreditation is withdrawn.
The state Commission on School Accreditation will meet Monday to decide whether to give JPS leaders a chance to make the case for why the district's accreditation should not be withdrawn.
The district's current accreditation status is probation, one step before withdrawal.
If the district's accreditation is withdrawn, that would be a first for Mississippi's public K-12 schools.." Article
Pathetic but no surprise when all but one middle school and one high school are below the successful rating. No surprise at all when two high schools graduate less than 40% of their male students in four years. A parent's comment shows exactly why the school system is in trouble. James Richardson is a founding member of the advocacy group Parents for Better Play. In his mind, its all about the sports:
"James Richardson, a member of a group that has been petitioning the state and federal education departments to get equitable athletic opportunities for JPS students, asked, "How are you going to take something away from someone when they didn't have it in the first place?" JPS students still lack adequate places to practice, he said. JPS already offers just a fraction of the sports available in other districts, Richardson said. "That's not right. But that never gets put in the papers," he said. All students can't play basketball and football, he said. Take away sports, and students have nothing else to do but drop out, he said."
Someone should tell this clown schools are for learning and participating in sports at school is a privilege, not a right. The kids are not graduating. They are not learning. They are already dropping out. But hey, no problem, its all about the sports. They may not be able to get a job or read and write but damn, they'll be able to pass that basketball at age forty. But don't worry about it, Richardson and his ilk will just blame Republicans and racism for not being able to get ahead. Pretty easy to fail when you already have the excuses manufactured. However, there is not one complaint out of Mr. Richardson for the abolition of most gifted and talented programs in Jackson public schools.
The Jackson Free Press reported a year ago (Good story that is worth reading) JPS dropped programs for the gifted and talented in all but one high school and middle school. Not one peep out of the black community about that problem. It does see it as a problem, doesn't it? No groups are founded to bring back those programs. No letters written by Dr. Schimmel. Nancy Loome isn't sending out emails in protest every week. No editorials by David Hampton or columns of outrage by Claiborne Barksdale. Perfect example of why a school system is failing. The community goes beserk over charter schools or losing football teams but nary a peep over kids not graduating or schools failing. The state should revoke the accreditation for the Jackson public school system if it deserves it as its clear the local community refuses to hold it accountable. Its about time someone put his foot down and said enough!
Information on Jackson Public Schools posted previously on this website:
Elementary Schools (33)
Star: 2
High Performing: 7
Successful: 6
Academic Watch: 8
Low Performing:
At risk of failing: 10
Failing:
Middle Schools (9)
Star:
High Performing:
Successful: 1
Academic Watch: 6
Low Performing
At risk of failing:2
Failing
High Schools (8)
Star:
High Performing:
Successful: 1
Academic Watch: 5
Low Performing
At risk of failing: 2
Failing
% of total schools at Academic Watch or below: 66%
% of elementary schools at Academic Watch or below: 55%
% of middle & high schools at Academic Watch or below: 88%
Graduation rates (Male graduation rate in parenthesis)
Bailey Magnet: 74% (68%)
Callaway: 59% (50)
Forest Hill: 56%(49%)
Jim Hill: 66% (59%)
Lanier: 56% (54%)
Murrah: 74% (69%)
Provine: 49% (38%)
Wingfield: 50% (36%)
Now lets look at the dropout rates for the same group with the black male students in parenthesis:
Bailey Magnet School: 12% (13%)
Callaway: 28% (38%)
Forest Hill: 20% (24%)
Jim Hill: 22% (23%)
Lanier: 20% (19%)
Murrah: 15% (18%)
Provine: 37% (43%)
Wingfield: 31% (38%)
Sunday, March 11, 2012
State might revoke JPS accreditation. Where's the outrage?
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17 comments:
Dr. Schimmel's opinions are not shared by the entire JPS Board. And, as to "where is the outrage"? It was worn out a long time ago. Those who could left the JPS System and those who stayed feel/felt powerless to change anything.
The performance of JPS is embarassing. Admin is WAY too top heavy and a State intervention may be the only way to clean things up.
That said, taking competitive sports out of JPS would be a mistake. If a student keeping his/her grades up to be eligible to play sports keeps that child engaged, what possible benefit would come taking that away? Same goes for classes for the gifted.
You want to save money, cut admin back.
No Charter schools allowed in Jackson because Jackson Public Schools are performing a such a high level, Charter schools are not needed.
12:27 I have a friend in California. In his public school district they had a huge budget problem. The school board gutted the adminstration but kept the teachers. A after a couple of years the budget was much better and the student test scores went up.
Was amazed to find Editor Hampton on March 6 saying in his column/ blog. Let's not get charters . If it is less beauracrazy you want ,we can now do that . We know know we can . Just give jps a chance to do it right now after 45 yrs of doing it wrong. We know what you say you want -less admin and regulations. We can do that folks - just don't destroy our little fun and games here at jps where the city newspaper editor is actually the de facto head PR person for the school system. His wife has this job in reality but you won't find too many school stories with Peggy Hampton's name on them I believe. In fact it appears to me , Mr. Hampton is so obsessed with keeping the schools under his domain and thumb ,he needs some type professional help for this- no matter that a majority of the states are using Charters with great success. Does anyone feel there may be a special place in hell for those who have had so little regard for children's lives that they put their personal or their political interests above flesh and blood children ?
Was amazed to find Editor Hampton on March 6 saying in his column/ blog. Let's not get charters . If it is less beauracrazy you want ,we can now do that . We know know we can . Just give jps a chance to do it right now after 45 yrs of doing it wrong. We know what you say you want -less admin and regulations. We can do that folks - just don't destroy our little fun and games here at jps where the city newspaper editor is actually the de facto head PR person for the school system. His wife has this job in reality but you won't find too many school stories with Peggy Hampton's name on them I believe. In fact it appears to me , Mr. Hampton is so obsessed with keeping the schools under his domain and thumb ,he needs some type professional help for this- no matter that a majority of the states are using Charters with great success. Does anyone feel there may be a special place in hell for those who have had so little regard for children's lives that they put their personal or their political interests above flesh and blood children ?
Was amazed to find Editor Hampton on March 6 saying in his column/ blog. Let's not get charters . If it is less beauracrazy you want ,we can now do that . We know know we can . Just give jps a chance to do it right now after 45 yrs of doing it wrong. We know what you say you want -less admin and regulations. We can do that folks - just don't destroy our little fun and games here at jps where the city newspaper editor is actually the de facto head PR person for the school system. His wife has this job in reality but you won't find too many school stories with Peggy Hampton's name on them I believe. In fact it appears to me , Mr. Hampton is so obsessed with keeping the schools under his domain and thumb ,he needs some type professional help for this- no matter that a majority of the states are using Charters with great success. Does anyone feel there may be a special place in hell for those who have had so little regard for children's lives that they put their personal or their political interests above flesh and blood children ?
Just like everything else that illustrates the death of Jackson, the current citizens don't appear to give
a rat's butt crack about what's wrong with the entire city.
If these people will vote to elect the Stokes woman ,
then there is no alternative other than to give up and move to Madison or Rankin County.
JPS is the ultimate joke.
Every week, two of my employees receive "emergency" calls from JPS because their kid disrespected another kid over a pencil.
WTF ?
But when a serious fight breaks out on the Bus, no one at the main JPS office will get involved.
Although I loose money every time "Moma:" has to go down to see about a "pencil crisis ",
...I'm doing my best to keep the "Mamas"
employed.
I don't think that I can continue this for much longer.
KF, you are right about the current problems. But, Dr. Schimmel is correct as well.
Why do we want to trade fiefdoms rather than make fiefdoms more difficult?
Is the aim to improve public schools or to change whose pockets get lined?
I continue to be convinced that the difference between a Republican and Democrats is whose friends get MY money!
Speaking of Jacktown, education and the Stokesters ~ Someone told me both of them are adjunct professors at JSU.
It is obvious to me this question of Charters is all about money/power to Democrats and all about Children to Republicans. And isn't that sad since 99% of these children's families would call themselves Democrats and yet they can't see which party is actually for their children's advancement.Talk about IRONY! These parents should do their own research on charters in other states and stop being led around by Demigogues in high places here . The facts for success in most charters are there- kids on long waiting list to get in, slots available being given out by drawing lots, students becoming scholars who were once almost dropouts.
JPS is a joke - same as a large percentage of public schools in Mississippi! Administration is top-heavy and a large majority of teachers have no command of the english language. Charter schools are the only possible hope for so many Mississippi children.
Saw George at a wedding yesterday...I like George, we're just in different worlds....JPS needs some competition....it's a good thing!
"State education officials also are asking the Legislature for the authority to allow parents to send their children to other public schools if their regular school is in a district that has lost accreditation. The related state funding for those children would go with the children to their new school."
It would be very, very interesting if this happens. Does this mean if I live in Jackson and my kids are in private school right now, I could enroll them in JPS after their accreditation is pulled and get a free trip to Madison or Ranking County schools?
Sports is the only thing keeping some of the kids in school, in the JPS district and others. When students must keep up their grades to play, they have an incentive to do their work. Take away their sports, they are gone.
I don't know why the public thinks sports are less important. It's like any extra-curricular activity such as band, debate club, drama club, dance team, etc. The kids must meet the minimum grade requirements to participate. The incentive to succeed is based on being able to participate in the activity they love.
Part of education is finding something that means something to the kids, to keep them in the classroom.
Wm Winter even trotted out by CL to say how SLOW we need to go on these Charters--- if we are dead last in performance and dead last in getting them -- SLOW we are already doing! Unbelievably Winter sees himself as another of the school's directors- from -on -high, like Hampton. And sees these bottom of the barrel schools as a of part of his personal legacy for Mississippi ,along with Hampton. Can anyone doubt that these two ,who are fighting Charters ,will be the first to claim the glory when they do come in and roll over these die hards and finally bring some light into the darkness of our beleaguered public schools? And yes, have them as part of their legacy for a job well done in guiding schools to some success. Somehow the CL will work that right out.
With all of these opinions of JPS, I'm wondering: How many of you stepped foot onto a JPS campus in 2011-2012?
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