News and Views: November 8, 2011
Boston's "Golden Era"
by Forum Convener Larry Myatt
In the context of big-city school systems, beset as they are by the 
challenges of budget, leadership stability, struggling families, political in-fighting, union-management disaccord and the legacy of racism and poverty, Boston experienced what one might call a decade of unique opportunity and favorable circumstances. From 1995-2005 the city was home to a ground-breaking union contract, the schools had the support and attention of a new, "Education Mayor," and perhaps most importantly, enjoyed a virtually unprecedented sense of continuity with the tenure of Thomas Payzant, a highly-respected superintendent and former Assistant Secretary of Education.
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Featured Sizer Fellow
Ayla Gavins, Principal of Mission Hill School, Boston
Read "Knowing Names" by Ayla Gavins, the first of our Sizer Fellows to be featured in News and Views
"Hello, I was wondering how my son is doing at school today. He had a really 
rough morning before leaving the house." A parent called to inquire about her child on the second day of school. I responded with "Let me take a peek in his classroom. Hold on." She didn't tell me her child's name, but I knew it and where to find him. "What I love about Mission Hill School is that I know everyone's name." That was written by one of our teachers in a recent newsletter column. That's something I love too about our school community.
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Yet Another Commission
by Forum Convener George Wood
In yet another signal that the one-size-fits-all approach of NCLB is not working 
(as if we need one), policy makers in Ohio are pointing to an ever-growing number of college students needing remedial work. Of course, every such problem provides a chance to convene yet another 'commission'; this one is called the "Regional Consortia for P-20 Alignment."
Their task is "to bring high school standards in line with the realities of higher education," according to our state superintendent. With 41% of college students taking remedial courses in mathematics or English something must be done.
Really?
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A Broader Bolder Approach Uses Education to Break the Cycle of Poverty
by Forum Convener Pedro A. Noguera
from Phi Delta Kappan magazine
Forum Convener Dr. Pedro Noguera doesn't use poverty as an excuse for a 
lack of education, but he does recognize its deleterious effects on children and hopes the Broader, Bolder Approach will mitigate those potentially devastating effects. Results are encouraging in the New Jersey high school that has embraced BBA.
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The One Best Way...Not
by Forum Convener Deborah Meier
(in Education Week's "Bridging Differences" blog)
Dear Diane,
Thanks for the news from San Diego. We can use happy stories. One of my favorite educators, Anthony Alvarado, was out there for a while, and it wasn't one of his shining success stories.
Tony was a brilliant, young superintendent of a fairly autonomous New York City district in the 1970s and early 1980s - East Harlem. He launched a "reform" that consisted mostly of encouraging and supporting teachers with interesting ideas - and then freeing them to start their own schools. He used his power to find ways to help them get around foolish rules. It was a decade of creativity and enthusiasm throughout the district. He and his assistant, Sy Fliegel, ran their wown creative noncompliance regime, and they extended that mindset down to the rank and file. It paid off.