I was surprised to read Dr. Clay’s post titled: “Academic Excellence Award – 2010 Illinois Honor Roll”. This January 31, 2011 post was a direct response to my January 25, 2011 post: “So where are the educational achievements?” In that post, I opined about the District’s lack of academic achievement at each of it’s seven schools.
Melzer School’s achievement is laudable.
Melzers Principal, Shawn Schleizer, deserves our praise.
That said, Dr. Clay’s retort, in my opinion, is no more than an excuse for EMSD#63’s continued lack of academic achievement at each of the other schools.
So let me ask this question?
What about Apollo, Gemini, Mark Twain, Nelson, Stevenson and Washington?
EMSD#63 - Adequate Yearly Progress Results
Data derived from Illinois Interactive Report Cards
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There is one failing school that concerns me the most, Gemini Junior High School; the only Junior High School in the District and the direct feeder school to District 207’s Maine East High School (MEHS). Based on recent discussions with MEHS teachers, too many EMSD#63 graduates still appear to need remedial work upon entry into the 9th grade.
As you can see, long time Gemini School Principal Scott Herrmann has failed to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) 6 out of of his last 8 years.
Mr. Herrmann’s services do not come cheap!
Scott Herrmann – Gemini Principal – Pay Data 2001-2009
Mr. Herrmann is a likeable fellow. That said, he is the same Principal who, based on District#63 FOIA documents, permitted extraordinary grade inflation at Gemini Junior High School in 2006. I wrote about this subject in 2006-2007. See Counterfeit Excellence and Counterfeit Excellence – Update.
My father owned a horseradish factory. From the time I was 10 until I was 18 I spent my summers working in the factory. One summer, when I was a teenager, I asked my dad why we didn’t add turnips to the horseradish so we could turn a bigger profit like some of our competitors. My father provided me a “teaching moment” when he said: “Ken, my customers are buying horseradish and they will get horseradish, nothing less”.
EMSD#63 taxpayers believe they are buying an educated student and they deserve nothing less!
Maybe it’s time Mr. Hermann consider retiring. I’m sure, if he needs extra money, he can always follow Dr. Williams to Wisconsin. Just an idea!
Finally, let me say this one more time!
Based on my experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone does the best they can, all the time, no matter what the endeavor. I believe no one enters into any enterprise with the intention of failure.
If my belief is true, then it will be impossible, with EMSD#63’s current personnel and leadership to succeed.
One can not do better than their best, no matter how much additional tax money they get.
6 comments:
Mr. Butterly,
Surely you can find better things to do with your life other than deminishing the reputation of our students, teachers and administrators and district. Our teachers work hard every day to make a difference in their students lives. Many of our students come from different parts of the world. They do not speak English when we get them. We do the best we can. Your harping on our perceived shortcomings do not help or serve this communities children. Find something else, maybe horseradish, to spice up your dull life!
Anon: February 07, 2011 11:05 PM,
How is stating the obvious diminishing the reputation of EMSD#63’s students, teachers, administration or district? Seems to me, if anyone has diminished anyone, it’s District#63 itself. What is it about failure you don’t seem to understand? You say the teacher’s work hard. I’m sure they do. And I’m sure they’re doing their very best. That’s the point isn’t it? They’re doing their best and not succeeding. What do you suggest I say? Those teachers and administrators are doing their best and there’s no way to succeed? Now if that’s the position of this school district, than so be it. At least that type of statement would be refreshingly honest.
You need to look at the bigger picture here. It is well known that No Child Left Behind is structured in such a way that literally every school in the country will be unable to meet AYP by 2014. You also state your opinions as if they are based on well researched fact...you obviously have little understanding of AYP and what it means. District 63 students have made improvements in achievement every year, including, and maybe even especially, those schools that have not made AYP. In fact, more than 84% of all students in this district achieve at or above state standards, well above last year's AYP goal. You, of course, would not be interested in mentioning these important facts. You clearly have no interest in the facts about District 63, public education, or No Child Left Behind. The facts would only get in the way of your irrational, anti-public education message. Shame on you Butterly for spreading ill informed opinions as if they are reality to serve your own agenda.
Anon: February 10, 2011 7:01 PM
Let me take your comments one at a time.
1: “You need to look at the bigger picture here. It is well known that No Child Left Behind is structured in such a way that literally every school in the country will be unable to meet AYP by 2014.”
Answer: It is also well known that NCLB standards have been dumbed-down over the years for the sole purpose of making AYP achievement easier. Now I don’t know where you got your “No Child Left Behind is structured in such a way that literally every school in the country will be unable to meet AYP by 2014”. I have no idea who you are, or your authority or expertise in the field. That said, even if the last statement is true, it doesn’t make any difference. Today’s standard is achievable – today. Take a look at the chart. Four out of seven EMSD#63 schools passed AYP in 2010. Two schools made AYP each year since 2001. One other school has failed to make AYP only once. What about the rest of the schools?
2: “You also state your opinions as if they are based on well researched fact...you obviously have little understanding of AYP and what it means.”
Answer: You obviously have a problem with basing opinions on the obvious. There are standards. District #63 is not achieving those standards while other school districts are. We pay our administrators a lot of money to develop pedagogic strategies to achieve academic success. I think I’m being very reasonable in calling these administrators out on their lack of achievement (read failure).
3: “District 63 students have made improvements in achievement every year, including, and maybe even especially, those schools that have not made AYP.”
Answer: Oh, I’m sorry, I misunderstood. I thought when you failed you failed.
4: “In fact, more than 84% of all students in this district achieve at or above state standards, well above last year's AYP goal.”
Answer: Would you go to doctor who failed in the job15% of the time? How about a plumber, electrician or carpenter? Too technical you think? How about a dry-cleaner who failed to clean 15% of your cloths every time you went? Only schools think they can get a pass on achieving success.
5: “You, of course, would not be interested in mentioning these important facts. You clearly have no interest in the facts about District 63, public education, or No Child Left Behind.”
Answer: I don’t mention those “facts” because they are not facts. They are excuses. My readers can get all the excuses they’ll ever need directly from you guys.
6: “The facts would only get in the way of your irrational, anti-public education message. Shame on you Butterly for spreading ill informed opinions as if they are reality to serve your own agenda.”
Answer: Oh spare me!
I am a Melzer parent, but one of your comments just doesn't make sense. You state that Melzer Principal, Shawn Schleizer "deserves our praise". This praise is due to Melzer test scores.
You forget, however, that the most recent test scores available are from BEFORE Mr. Schleizer came to Melzer. We have absolutely no data for which Mr. Schleizer is responsible.
While he may very well earn our praise, let's wait till it's earned.
Anon: February 15, 2011 5:05 AM
Thank you.
So, I am withdrawing my congratulations to Melzer Principal, Shawn Schleizer, for now.
Let me comment a bit further.
Students and parents are the driving force behind Melzer’s AYP success. Teachers and administrators contribute but students, encouraged and support by their parents, are the ones who succeed or fail.
So, congratulations Melzer Students and Parents!
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