Gorman Meeting Notes~November 14, 2007

Although this blog is coming late it should be a nice way to get a steady write up about our meetings going.

The following are just a few highlights from our meeting with Dr. Gorman, CMS Superintendent and Mr. Scott R. Muri the Area Superintendent for the Northeast Learning Community(Mallard Creek, Vance, and Garinger High Schools)

We began by discussing the recent election results. Voters had approved the package for the CMS bonds and School Board canidates had been chosen. Dr. Gorman made several points about the school board canidates:

Why were several canidates chosen over others?
-Could names have played a factor?
-Experience?
-Did not stating specific issues help canidates?

After a great dicussion on this topic we moved on to our main issue for the night, School Progress Reports. Upon entering we each recieved an excerpt from Dr. Gorman's blog titled "Data and its Consequences" and a CMS packet on School Progress Reports.

Some students at the meeting were clearly against spending money on a report that was already done on a Federal, State, and District level yearly. After a brief summary of what his plans were Dr. Gorman opened the floor for questions; "tear it up if you want to, I'm a big boy, I can handle it"

Of course the first question asked how much CMS was planning on spending, the Superintendent responded that in total the grading program would cost around $400, 000 to $500, 000.

What would citizens be offered for $500, 000? Dr. Gorman stressed that other reports lack the "specifics" necessary to classify a school as top notch. This new system would compare kids at one school in categories such as free/reduced lunch, ethnic/racial group, home life, parents education, and income, to those of students from another school -- with this data CMS plans to take teaching styles that are working for example, poor minority students at one school to help students who fit the same criteria at other schools.

Another vital part of the school progress report is growth measurement. Gorman detailed two different situations that occured in CMS high schools during the past year. On one hand we have an achievement zone school that three years ago had around thirty percent passing the state test. Presently around fifty percent are passing. That shows twenty percent growth, yet the school is still labeled underachieving despite its vast growth. The second situation occured at one of CMS's "high performance" schools. A student enters the fifth grade reading at seventh grade level, yet after a year in the classroom they are still shown to be reading on a seventh grade level. While it is great that the student is above the average, school is meant help children progress. Do we allow schools that meet the standards to become complacent?

The National Assessment of Educational Programs conducted a study that showed the number one factor that was constant in growth achievement was not the parents backgrounds or education levels, but the amount of books in the home. However, this line becomes blurred when you have what Dr. Gorman described as a "Katie vs Sally" situation. Katies parents both graduated from college, one with a Doctorate the other a Masters, they live in a well to do neighborhood and she attends a great school where teachers with National Board certification is the norm. Sally, however, goes to a school where the passing rate is thirty percent, she is on free lunch, and her parents never attended college. If Sally were to bring home a "C" on her report card the reaction may be slightly different if Katie were to do so. Dr. Gorman concluded the scenario with "its a little bit of black, a little bit of white, and a whole lot of gray"

After deviating from the original topic to the importance of parents and PTA's in the success of a childs education it was time to wrap up. MYV members helped offer some addition criteria for meausuring schools such as the amount of school spirit and student participation. The group also dicussed how a school would ever be able to shake the official rating of an "D" Does the community not already know through test scores and news media what schools are doing what right and which schools could use some improvement?

In his closing remarks Dr. Gorman touched on his three goals for the school progress reports Clarity, Contest, Candor. According to the Superintendent those who see a problem have three choices they can either 1.Not follow those doing the wrong, 2. Follow quietly, or 3. Change the situation themselves. Dr. Gorman seems to be doing the last and left after saying its all about "who do I want taking care of me when I can't take care of myself"

Candidate Forum for Youth

Make your voice heard…Get ready for Election 2007...Learn where candidates stand on issues important to youth!

Candidate Forum for Youth

Who's invited? Mecklenburg County students representing youth organizations, public schools, independent schools, religious schools and home schools

Candidates for School Board, At-Large: Bill Clayton, Liz Downing, Trent Merchant, Hans Plotseneder, Joe White and Julian Wright (Kaye McGarry regrets that she cannot attend due to a prior commitment)

Only students will be allowed to question candidates!

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: CMS Education Center - 4th Floor Board Room
701 E. Martin Luther King Blvd, Charlotte 28202
Please use the rear entrance - others may be locked

Why? Make student voices heard and learn where candidates for school board stand on issues important to youth

Learn more! Visit www.kidsvoting.org/youth/cfy.htm for directions, parking information, links to information about the school board, researching the candidates and asking good questions.

Sponsored by Kids Voting in partnership with Mecklenburg Youth Voice and the youth of Mecklenburg County

Questions? Contact Kids Voting 704-343-6999 or info@kidsvoting.org