(Hour 1b) Rich gave the details from last night’s school board meeting including the news that the Teacher’s Union has rejected the current contract extension. Will Mayor Gatsas be able to make a deal with MEA President Ben Dick and the Teachers?
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Previously, Rich Girard decided that parents don’t need transparency during the development of Manchester Academic Standards as a replacement for Common Core. How’s that working out? Two months into the six month project and nothing has been done. Hardly surprising.
Next, Rich decides that public decorum and respect for the rights of others are really not essential. Ms. Staub suggests that she wants to “DRAW AND QUARTER” students in her effort to obtain 95% compliance with Common Core aligned assessments. What’s the big deal with her outrageously flippant remarks during a public meeting?
The strategic planning committee not only discussed ABSENTEEISM and students not taking statewide ASSESSMENTS seriously, but also PUNITIVE measures such as summer school or remediation in alternative schools. Parents have the right to opt-out of objectionable materials in schools, including assessment materials. This committee was trying to prevent parents from exercising these rights. Keep in mind the district is aiming for 95% compliance with these statewide assessments.
Completely overlooked by the committee are any valid reason for opting-out. Parents might find the assessments objectionable for any of a number of reasons. Students might find these statewide assessments cause them to be extremely anxious, like many students are in NY state. Why no discussion on justifiable excuses and only on retributive policies?
Next committee members will suggest that any student who opts-out will be reported to Child Protective Services. That’s already happening in NY state.
So, yes, Ms. Staub does have every intention of inflicting harm upon families, if students don’t comply with her wishes. Not only that, her language was disrespectful and abhorrent.
No student or teacher would be given carte blanche to use threatening language against any other person in the school. So why is Ms. Staub exhonorated for outrageous comments while she’s conspiring to strip parents of their rights to protect their children?
Funny, I thought I called for transparency and sure enough, I did! I will continue to do so, so I’d stay tuned to see just what information gets released and when it does, remember that it came because I believe the public has a right to know.
http://www.girardatlarge.com/2013/10/transparency-defined-creation-manchester-academic-standards/
http://www.girardatlarge.com/2013/10/transparency-vital-school-standards-process/
http://www.girardatlarge.com/2013/11/transparency-manchester-academic-standards/