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PPS and the philanthro-capitalists


What do Bill Gates and Eli Broad have to do with the lack of comprehensive secondary education for Portland’s poorest students? Lots.

(full story) 53 Comments

Money buys enrichment


Harrison Park teacher Bonnie Robb on the economics of enrichment

(full story) 27 Comments

K-8s from a teacher’s perspective


As PPS presses forward with high school system redesign, significant problems with the K-8 transition remain unaddressed. Teacher and parent Sheila Wilcox shares her inside perspective.

(full story) 52 Comments

High school system redesign: an (unauthorized) minority report


Analysis and recommendations in response to the proposed high school system redesign, and a Superintendent’s committee report.

(full story) 18 Comments

The numbers paint a picture


 
enrollment map
Current enrollment and transfer data show a persistent pattern lost enrollment from our poorest neighborhoods due to student transfers. These same neighborhoods have almost completely lost comprehensive secondary education, even while transfer slots into comprehensive schools have virtually disappeared. See it all in full-size, living color.

(full story) 15 Comments

“Choice” done right


There is a school district, of similar size and demographics to Portland Public Schools, with less funding per student than PPS, that manages to maintain strong and equitable neighborhood schools and a vibrant school choice program.

If they can do it, why can’t we?

(full story) 11 Comments

Size matters


How student transfers, “small schools,” and K8s steal opportunity from Portland’s least wealthy students, and how we can make it right

(full story) 15 Comments

The continuing history of racism in Portland Public Schools


Twenty-eight years after the Black United Front’s desegregation plan brought modest improvements in equity to non-white students, Portland’s schools have regressed into a two-tiered system, with schools more segregated than the neighborhoods they serve. What went wrong?

(full story) 34 Comments

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STARBASE reauthorized on a 4-3 vote


The Portland Public Schools board of education voted 4-3 tonight to approve another year of STARBASE, the Department of Defense’s elementary school recruiting program.

Principled “no” votes were cast by co-chair Ruth Adkins, Martin Gonzalez and Dilafruz Williams. David Wynde, Bobbie Regan, Pam Knowles and co-chair Trudy Sargent carried the resolution.

(full story) 8 Comments

STARBASE rally TONIGHT!


After a delay to get more information, the school board is once again poised to approve the STARBASE program, which sells the military access to fourth and fifth graders for a couple hundred thousand dollars. The rally is at 6pm Monday at district headquarters, 501 N. Dixon Street.

(full story) 2 Comments

FREE Public Education… But Please Donate at Roosevelt


POWER Academy at Roosevelt had $24,962 in Title I funds remaining at the end of the 2008/09 school year, but they ask for their majority free and reduced lunch students to pay fees, unlike wealthier schools.

(full story) 6 Comments

Did PPS Waste $4,964,861 on an Ineffective Math and Science Program?


Why did PPS discard an effective, inexpensive science and math program? Why do they favor of a weak, non-sustainable, military-funded science and math program?

(full story) Comments open

More articles

Teacher contract approved: What’s it mean for teachers? by Steve Rawley, March 1, 2010 (7 Comments)
Inequities in Special Education by Stephanie Hunter, February 26, 2010 (40 Comments)
HS Redesign resolution: a few suggestions by Zarwen, February 26, 2010 (148 Comments)
School board meeting open thread by Steve Rawley, February 22, 2010 (6 Comments)
You Couldn’t Pay PPS to Close the Achievement Gap by Carrie Adams, February 22, 2010 (31 Comments)
A veteran speaks out on STARBASE by S. Brian Willson, February 18, 2010 (4 Comments)
Notes from the K-8 Planning Meeting 2/16/10 by Stephanie Hunter, February 18, 2010 (13 Comments)
Teacher contract open thread by Steve Rawley, February 16, 2010 (13 Comments)
Where’s the Superintendent? by Carrie Adams, February 12, 2010 (25 Comments)
Starbase demographics by Steve Rawley, February 11, 2010 (1 Comment)

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