Comments on: Madison teachers vote no confidence in principal, small schools

By: Teacher

Teacher — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:19:19 +0000

It’s not about the model – it’s about ineffective leadership. Small schools work and there are examples all over this country. If we want our schools to be equitable places where real learning takes place, then we need to have true educational leadership. From what I’ve seen – there isn’t any. The reasonable gains and efforts made in Portland small schools are due to the devoted and exceptional teachers who take the work on – it is work that is done with incremental success in spite of poor leadership. Imagine what could actually happen if our schools were organized and managed by individuals who have a real grasp on education, instructional practice, and democratic ideals.

By: Steve Buel

Steve Buel — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:31:52 +0000

Let’s count: Madison, Marshall, and Roosevelt pretty much destroyed by the small school approach — and the refusal to heed the obvious problems pointed out by the people who work there. Jefferson decimated by the “reforms” brought about there. Benson, previously recognized as one of the finest technological high schools in America, totally messed up by the decisions brought about from the top. Pretty pathetic record on high schools.

By: Marvin McConoughey

Marvin McConoughey — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:00:48 +0000

Small schools, like many reforms, work in some situations but not universally. Oregon would do better to focus on more productive reforms such as a longer school year, honest grading, and stronger in-school student discipline.

By: Teacher 2

Teacher 2 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:21:29 +0000

Once again the frustrations of teachers surfaces and makes the news. Within the system of PPS little heed is given to those who teach in the classroom. Top down management systems have replaced any former efforts by both sides to find a mix that would work for both sides. Decisions are made according to the latest fad in education, not well thought out educational plans that are best for kids. The K-8 fiasco was so disruptive and naive that we now have 2 schools sending kids to a high school because there is not enough space for them in their schools. Even though this was all pointed out in the faux meetings allowed by the district for input before these schools were created. The visions of Vicki Phillips were visions for her life not the kids in Portland and Carole Smith has shown little new leadership other than following the plans of Phillips who brow beat into submission any principal who differed with her myopic goals.
The frustration point at Madison has its foundation in the less than receptive principal who is guided by the district office. She becomes the district puppet and moves from there…..the mess left by Miss Phillips will take years to undo and at a cost to students, teachers and the community of the east side of Portland. One minor note here is that no changes in school formats took place west of the Willamette except at one school that went K-8.

By: Keri

Keri — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:07:25 +0000

This is yet another blow to the small schools. Correct. Small schools, merely by virtue of being small, are not one and the same. Until the district, the union and our community begin to understand these are separate schools, we will continue to take blows to the very work we do. These blows come at our very foundation and core.

No one involved in small school reform believes that small schools work for every one, every school, or every teacher. Teachers must be the ground swell of this work. It is on their shoulders. The outfall at Madison is not due to small school reform, it is a product of reform work when your main stakeholders are not bought into the process or the ideal.

Small schools are taking a blow everywhere when the distinction is not considered or noted.