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Cleveland HS PTA – Points of Consensus edited for brevity

Mike Rosen, Cleveland HS PTA, Legislative Chair

Focus on High Schools Insufficient  There needs to be an open and frank discussion about the equity issues in grades K through 8, the ramifications of maintaining the district's K-8 transfer policy, and how that policy will impact high schools under any proposed plan.  In addition to structural issues, the District needs to address programmatic issues known to also significantly impact student achievement, such as, teaching quality and necessary family supports. 

Best Practices  We want to see that the specific strategies for improving outcomes and closing the achievement gap are based on best practices, sound data, and proven strategies.  

Transfer Policy We question whether neighborhood-to-neighborhood transfers are the biggest part of the problem.  We call upon the District to provide data demonstrating the extent to which different types of transfers affect each school in terms of both losing and gaining enrollment.  That said, we support restricting transfers. 

Focus Schools  Focus schools have been presented as an integral part of the redesign process, but with little discussion about how many are needed, and what the demand really is.  The District needs to clearly articulate the goals of Community, Focus Option and Alternative Schools, and show what measures will be used to evaluate their effectiveness.  We believe phasing in one Focus Option School at a time would be a prudent strategy.

Slow Down The Process  The proposed solution cannot be adopted without meaningful public discussion and input to be provided by an advisory panel of parents (HS specific), city, neighborhood and community based business representatives.

Slow Down The Implementation  Any major changes should be phased in over 4 years in order to allow the community and families to adapt and prepare.  We suggest a moratorium on closures until 2012 to allow time for aggressive efforts to address the HS equity/achievement gap through a variety of proven tools and tools that transcend only “Structural” changes.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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