MY HAND IS POLITELY RAISED

The exams have been taken, scored, curved, and students received their grades.

The FCAT has been taken, scored, scaled, and schools have received their grades.

Springboard has been implemented county-wide for the entire year - some schools have used it longer.

Teachers have had training, observations, retraining and review.

As skeptical as I am about Springboard, I was determined to give it my best shot.
*The kids exam grades were mediocre.
*The kids FCAT scores were mediocre.
*My school's grade dropped.

I failed.

No M.A.P.S. No Performance Pay. I failed.

We are owed an examination of all the data.
*How closely (if at all) does Springboard correlate with FCAT and the Sunshine State Standards?
*Are we teaching the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful on the FCAT?
*Since Springboard is the child of the SAT, how did our kids do and how do our kids compare with those who have not been exposed to Springboard?
*Can we make a determination about Springboards efficacy?

I did my part to the best of my ability with one LESS planning period Ms. Elia. I am not alone.

We are owed an explanation of the data.

NOTHING COUNTS - NOBODY CARES #5

Walking up the steps to the state level we find this and this.

I feel for the staff trying to make progress in the face of student apathy and outright resistance to learning.

NOTHING COUNTS - NOBODY CARES #4

Traveling around the county provides an uncommon glimpse into the cultural of the "schoolyard".

Too many managers - not enough leaders.
Too many rules - not enough staff to follow through.

Crisis management - spin dizzy response.

This is an uncommon and courageous letter and post about what we all know is true.

While most traveling employees have witnessed what the author has, this letter could not have been written by just anyone.

He is on the line. We must thank him.

Now let's watch and hope somebody cares.