A weird aftertaste is something we can pretty much avoid, just don't use it and completely avoid these imitation ingredients. There are also other side effects that are more serious and debatable like causing CANCER. No matter we can still choose to avoid products that use them.
However LPS will be serving up a product with IMITATION ingredients that students in the WASHINGTON SCHOOL district can't AVOID. They have to go this IMITATION INNOVATION SCHOOL.
Why would they not chose to go? We've been told it is cutting edge. There are lots of bells and whistles. The trouble is that when we misrepresented the name, we didn't steal all of the philosophies that went along with it. The result will be an inferior product.
To help with the sell, LPS has sprinkled the creation with the letters S, T, E, and M to make this substitute more palatable. Maybe SCIENCE has changed a lot since I went to school, I mean after all, I do have my share of gray hairs (the scary thing is I think I am starting to get that STARBARD balding pattern), but I always thought you had to read first. Maybe by focusing on these subjects with this age group, they will be able to engineer a better back pack.
So by targeting this group, not only do we have an INNOVATION that is an IMITATION, we are also being INNOVATIVE that is not really RELATIVE. Maybe the CANDY MAN will be able to show them that there are corners in a circle.
You know this proposed new school is full of IRONY. What I am afraid of is that the memory of our first president will be tarnished. I mean, here was a man known for his HONESTY and now with this IMITATION INNOVATION SCHOOL being tied with his name, I wonder about one of our core values being weakened. Well maybe it probably wasn't a cherry tree after all.
What is an innovation school?
ReplyDeleteAn in-district public school that can operate with increased autonomy and flexibility related to the following areas:
1) curriculum
2) budget
3) school schedule and calendar
4) staffing policies and procedures
5) district policies
6) professional development
It receives the same per-pupil allocation as other district schools, and operators can raise additional funding from public or private sources
It may be established as a new school or as a conversion of an existing school
An approval process is entirely locally based; authorized by the local school committee (there is no formal state involvement in the authorization of these schools)
How do you start an innovation school?
Applicant prepares a prospectus and submits it to the superintendent, who convenes a screening committee that includes the superintendent, a school committee member, and a representative from the local teachers’ union.
After 2/3 of the screening committee approves the prospectus, the applicant forms an innovation plan committee (comprised of a wide array of stakeholders). This committee develops the innovation plan for the school (the plan must include measurable annual goals).
With majority approval of the innovation plan committee, the innovation plan for a conversion school is reviewed and must receive a 2/3 vote of approval by the current faculty in an existing school. For a new school, if the innovation plan includes any proposed waivers/modifications to the collective bargaining agreement, they must be negotiated by the appropriate parties.
Plan is submitted to the school committee. School committee must hold at least one public hearing to discuss the proposed innovation plan.
The school committee, upon a majority vote, can authorize the Innovation School for a period of up to five years.
Each school will be evaluated at least annually by the local superintendent.
Based on school performance, the school committee can change components
of the innovation plan, terminate the authorization of the school, or renew the
school for another five years. Any proposed changes that affect the collective
bargaining agreement must be resubmitted to faculty of the school and requires 2/3
approval.
For more information:
www.mass.gov/edu/innovationschools
Bridget Rodriguez at EOE:
bridget.rodriguez@state.ma.us
(617) 979-8346
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education::
achievement@doe.mass.edu
(781)338-3010
Has LPS followed all of the above procedures? If not, I would guess then that we cannot call Washington School an innovation school (at least not for the upcoming school year)
ReplyDeleteThank god some one around here has facts and sources. You should start your own blog, Lori.
ReplyDeleteDon't you see the word CAN ..not must
ReplyDeleteAlso says school committee MUST hold public hearing regarding proposed innovation plan. That never happened.
DeleteThey will never go for innovation schools, because it comes with requirements/guidelines, benchmarks and most of all accountablility! LPS strugglings with all of these. Hence, not going for it or willing to go for it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, not one school committee member truly understands an educational system and the overall requirements and mandates, yet, they get elected into office.
Ford School tried to do this and had no support. The former VP of the school opened up one in Revere and has received rave reviews. Vision in Lynn, none!
ReplyDelete