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Patricia Hawke Profile and Articles
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1). Excelling Arizona Schools Named for 2004-2005 School Year
As with many school systems across the United States, Arizona Schools have several measurement and accountability programs in place to improve student scholastic achievement. One accountability program for the Arizona schools is the AZ LEARNS achievement program. AZ LEARNS holds all Arizona schools accountable for the performance of their students and teachers, measuring performance over several years versus a snapshot one-year measurement.
2). Breakfast Pays Big Dividends in Boston Schools
For many years, scholars have recognized the link between a good breakfast and improved student behavior and academic performance. Boston schools see breakfast as their first tool of success.
In 2000, the Boston schools partnered with the Massachusetts General Hospital to conduct a study on the impact of the federal School Breakfast Program in 16 of their elementary schools.
3). Eleven Virginia Schools Divisions to Participate in Commonwealth Scholars Program
The Commonwealth of Virginia and Governor Timothy M. Kaine have for some time been encouraging Virginia Schools high school students to take more rigorous coursework. The Governor recently announced the pilot Commonwealth Scholars Program and promotional campaign to underscore this commitment to excellence in Virginia’s youth.
Eleven divisions within the Virginia schools initially will participate in the new program.
4). California Schools Educators Retirement System and Lionstone Group Create Investment Fund
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CSTRS) is the second largest public pension fund in the nation, providing retirement, disability and survivor benefits to California schools educators. Over 776,000 kindergarten through community college educators are members of the CSTRS, which currently has an investment portfolio of $142 billion.
Keeping quality educators in the California schools is of primary concern to everyone in the state.
5). 69% of Class of 2006 Pass Both Portions of State-Mandated Exit Exam in Los Angeles Schools
Los Angeles schools announced the results of the 2004-2005 school year, state-mandated California High School Exit Exam. Of the students slated to graduate in 2006, 69 percent (more than two thirds) of the class passed both the English language arts and the mathematics portions of the exam. Of the remaining 31 percent of the Class of 2006 students (12th.
6). Report Cards Out — New York Schools Show Progress in Student Achievement but Graduation Rates in Trouble
The spring 2006 statewide report cards for New York Schools show that more schools are making progress in meeting their achievement goals for improvement in English and mathematics, as mandated by the state. Though achieving standards in middle school English is still a problem, fewer students have serious academic problems at the elementary and middle school levels, while more of these students are demonstrating higher standards in mathematics.
7). T-STEM Initiative a Boost for Texas Schools Students
The T-STEM initiative was launched in December 2005 by the Governor Perry’s office in partnership with the Texas schools, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, National Instruments, and the Communities Foundation of Texas.
The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) initiative is a $71 million dollar project to better prepare Texas schools students for success in college and the workplace.
8). Virginia Schools Signs Agreement With SACS CASI For School Division Accreditations
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) was founded in 1895. It is a voluntary, nongovernmental agency with more than 13,000 accredited colleges, universities, secondary, middle and elementary schools. The Council on Accreditation and School Improvements (CASI) is a division of SACS and accredits pre-kindergarten, K-12 and vocational schools in 11 southern states, as well as several other countries.
9). Controversy Continues Between Home Builders Association and Orlando Schools
Since the year 2000 when the Martinez Doctrine was promoted by the Orange County School District, of which Orlando schools is a part, and adopted by Orange County as a planning tool, problems have been building between the schools and the developers across the county. The Martinez Doctrine ensures that growth cannot take place if it overcrowds a current school or near an already overcrowded school.
10). Baltimore Schools Designate Six Schools as Persistently Dangerous with a Warning to Another
The federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires that all states report any schools that are considered persistently dangerous. The state of Maryland is only one of six states that have reported having such schools. Some metro areas with similar or worse problems report no dangerous schools at all.
Since each state sets its own suspension limits for reporting, the NCLB provision is inconsistent across the nation with many states ignoring it all together.
11). Three Houston Schools In Trouble… Public Upset Over Possible Closings
Three Houston schools have been persistently rated as unsatisfactory by state guidelines for three or more years. As with most school closing warnings across the nation, the parents, community, and elected officials with a political stake in the area are up in arms over the possibility.
Though parents want their children to attend schools within their.
12). Florida Schools Flying High on Last Year’s Middle Schools Success
The 2005-2006 school year was a tremendous success for the Florida schools, especially at the middle school level. The Florida schools’ educators across the state worked hard to improve student academic achievement levels and were rewarded for their efforts. The state of Florida awarded grades of A or B to 75 percent of its public schools. Not only did this show extraordinary progress for the Florida schools, but it also was a new record for the state.
13). Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Invests $21 Million in Chicago Schools
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made an investment of $21 million in Chicago Schools to strengthen the students’ preparation for college. The gift funds the Chicago High School Redesign Initiative, which will provide for major improvements in high school curriculum and instruction to ensure the students are prepared to succeed in college and career.
14). Dallas Schools Focus on Student Safety
Dallas Schools are dedicated to providing the best education possible, while keeping the children safe. Unfortunately, our world has changed in the past few years. It is no longer as safe as it once was to visit other countries, to fly from one city to another (especially the truly large and/or important cities, such as Washington D.C.), or to even go to school, especially in a large metropolitan city like Dallas.
15). ‘No Bully’ Policy at Philadelphia Schools
Philadelphia Schools has a “just say no” policy, when it comes to school bullies and other related negative student behavior.
Approximately, two thirds of all deaths among children and adolescents in the United States are the result of injury-related causes. These include motor vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 126 students committed a school-associated homicide or suicide between 1994 and 1999.
16). Tampa Schools Prepare Students for the World of Tomorrow through Global Classrooms
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), along with New York-based Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., has brought the Model United Nations to Tampa schools. Originally, only four high schools were participating and only as an extra-curricular activity. Now, over 50 teachers teach the Global Classrooms curriculum to students in over 120 classrooms in 35 Tampa schools.
17). St Louis Schools Implement Mandatory Summer School for All Eighth Graders
For some time within the public schools across the nation, there has been a focus on academic achievement by improving basic skills, decreasing the high school dropout rate, and preparing students to enter both college and the workplace.
The St Louis schools have found that too many ninth graders are unprepared for the crucial years of high school.
18). New Pilot Program To Nab Sex Offenders Being Tested In Phoenix Schools
We are a nation focused on eradicating sex offenders from the lives of our children. They are in and near our schools, at the local parks, living next door, and even in some of our churches.
The Phoenix schools, as well as their teachers, administrators and parents, want to protect their children from sexual attacks and abductions. Together with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office, the Phoenix schools have devised a pilot project to apprehend sex offenders and alleged abductors before they can do harm.
19). Spotlight on Success Program to Benefit Arizona Schools
For many years, the Arizona schools have experienced a lot of negative publicity that affects its ability to recruit talent, garner extra funding, and keep students in the public school system. Current superintendent Tom Horne says that much of this publicity is unwarranted and unfair to the Arizona schools that have made many positive strides toward improving education.
20). Union Trade Apprenticeships for Philadelphia Schools Students
The Philadelphia schools, along with other schools across the nation, are concerned with students who do not enter college upon graduation. Many are left with low-paying, dead-end jobs with little prospects for future improvements — keeping many of those students from impoverished homes in the low-income lifestyle.
This has been of concern also for James Nevels, chairman of the state-appointed School Reform Commission that is responsible for overseeing city schools within the state, including the Philadelphia schools.
21). Tax and School Finance Reform — Help or Hindrance to the Dallas Schools?
Securing enough funding for the Dallas schools is a problem experienced by many school districts in the United States. Most funding has become program specific, with government controlling its use and generally benefiting only a portion of the Dallas schools students. State funding has been scarce, requiring Dallas schools to rely upon local property and school taxes to cover the general needs of the schools.
22). New Denver Plan of the Denver Schools Is Ready to Launch
The Denver Schools have a new roadmap to reform — The Denver Plan. After making the Plan public, the Denver schools then solicited comments from principals, teachers, parents and the community at large. Thirteen public meetings were held across the city. All were packed with people who wanted to discuss the future of the Denver schools. The Denver schools received hundreds of emails and letters, as well.
23). Florida Schools’ McKay Scholarship Program Offers Alternative School Choices to Students with Disabilities
The McKay Scholarship Program of the Florida schools offers parents and their children with disabilities the option to attend the public or private school of their choice. Florida schools students in grades kindergarten through high school, who are mentally handicapped, speech and language impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, physically impaired, emotionally handicapped, specific learning disabled, hospitalized or homebound, or autistic may be eligible for this program.
24). Tampa Schools Encouraged — Student Referrals to County Disciplinary Panel Down
The Tampa schools are a member of the Hillsborough County School District, in which the Disciplinary Committee resides. The disciplinary panel deals with the troubled youth who commit serious offenses and policy violations at school. The panel imposes such measures as expulsion or reassignment to another school.
This past school year of 2005-2006 had the lowest number of referrals to this disciplinary panel than any other since the 1998-1999 school year.
25). Chicago Schools With Mostly Low-income Students See Inequitable Funding Standards
Most parents assume that their children are getting an equitable education, regardless of where they attend school or in what district. However, Chicago schools may differ in educational opportunities, depending upon several factors — the most prominent being the percentage of low-income students and the quality of property values within the different districts.
26). Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Benefits the Tampa Schools
A constitutional amendment was passed in November 2002 that established the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for all four year olds in the state of Florida. The program benefits not only the children but the Tampa schools, as well, by preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.
Documented studies have shown that preschool is one of the best investments for any city and its youth.
27). New Committee Appointed by State to Work with St. Louis Schools
In July, St. Louis schools’ Superintendent Creg Williams abruptly resigned. Since then, many members of the community, government officials, and parents have called for various types of intervention for the St. Louis schools. The law allows for such consideration at different levels of the public school system. Thus, the state has appointed a new committee to oversee, work with, gather information for, and make recommendations to the St.
28). NEA Gives New York Schools a Failing Grade
Though public schools across the nation are improving their school environments for students, the New York schools are falling behind, according to the National Education Association (NEA). In a recently posted web page, the NEA cited many failings of the New York schools. Here are some of the challenges that the New York schools continue to face during the 2006-2007 school year.
29). Proposed Budget for the New York City Schools
In June 2006, the city announced a proposed operating budget of $14 billion for the New York City schools. Parents and educators are still waiting pessimistically to see the final cut.
Though this year’s unveiling of the New York City schools budget was received more peacefully than in recent years, the city’s past track record makes optimism difficult.
30). Houston Schools Support 2007 Goal of Success for McReynolds Middle School
On the evening of August 31, a meeting was held for the parents, students, teachers, staff, business partners, and other community members of McReynolds Middle School, a member of the Houston schools that is located on the east side of the city. Hundreds of people filled the school’s auditorium, leaving standing room only.
McReynolds, along with Houston schools Kashmere and Sam Houston, will be closed next spring, if they do not improve their state rankings.
31). Mayor Villaraigosa Shares Control of the Los Angeles Schools
Last month, I wrote in an article about Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposing a legislative bill to take control of the Los Angeles schools (see Los Angeles Schools Strongly Opposed to Takeover by Mayor Villaraigosa). Reform Bill 1381 passed the state legislature at the end of August, with some changes.
Villaraigosa, who portrayed himself as the one person who could make a success of the Los Angeles schools system, instead must share control of the school system with the Los Angeles schools board and the Council of Mayors.
32). New York City Schools and Teachers’ Union Join Forces to Attract New Teaching Talent through Innovative Housing Support Program
Like many other school districts in large, metropolitan cities, New York City Schools currently have a shortage of qualified teachers, especially in the most challenging schools. Though state law requires teachers in the targeted critical subject areas of mathematics, science and special education to be certified, there are 600 positions now held by teachers without the proper credentials.
33). San Diego Schools Choice Program Means More Opportunities for Students but More Work for Parents
More than one-third of the students in the San Diego schools were enrolled in the Choice Program for the 2005-2006 school year. The program gives parents the ability to transfer their children from their assigned school to one that offers more academic opportunities or specific school attributes. The program offers six methods of eligibility.
Program Improvement School Choice.
34). Participation in Texas Schools’ Advanced Placement Program on Increase but Minorities Underrepresented
The rigorous coursework in the Advanced Placement (AP) program has proven to build a good foundation for high school students, who plan to attend college after graduation. Most college and universities give course credit for AP exam scores of three or higher — students score from one to five on the exam. Even students who score one or two on the exam have proven to be better prepared for college-level work, than students who do not participate in the program.
35). Many Denver Schools to Close Campuses During Lunchtime
Beginning with the fall of 2006 school year, many high schools in the Denver schools system will close their campuses during lunchtime. This means that Denver schools students will not be allowed to leave campus to eat at nearby restaurants, fast foods, and convenience stores.
Denver schools superintendent Michael Bennet introduced the final draft of the new policy, called the Denver Plan, in the spring of 2006.
36). Michigan Schools Taking Direction from Governor Granholm
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has a vision for the state of Michigan and the Michigan schools. In 2005, the Cherry Commission on Higher Education recommended that the state must double its number of college graduates in order to compete economically. Granholm took this recommendation and developed her small high school initiative for the Michigan schools.
37). Overcrowding and Legislation Are Obstacles to Orlando Schools
The city of Orlando has a fast growing population and rapid development, creating a situation of overcrowding in the Orlando schools. The facilities are so overcrowded that, by the end of 2006, an estimated 40 percent of Orlando schools students will be taught in portable buildings — and the need is much greater than previously anticipated. With rising.
38). CEO Bonnie Copeland Leaving Baltimore Schools Cause for Concern
CEO Bonnie Copeland left the Baltimore schools on July 1, 2006. She had been with them for three years, which is a norm for an urban school superintendent. Her leaving, however, was not of her own choosing.
The Baltimore schools board felt she had a low-key management style and did was not a strong enough leader to make the changes needed to reform the Baltimore schools.
39). Will Legislators Help or Only Provide a Patch for the Phoenix Schools?
There is a lot of discussion in the news and especially in school districts across the nation about per student spending rates. As noted in the Business Journal of Phoenix, these rates have doubled over the past 30 years, yet test scores and graduation rates have remained the same.
The Phoenix schools would not know what doubling the per student spending rate might do for the achievement of their students.
40). Houston Schools New Budget Brings Needed Money for Teachers and Improvements
Houston schools teachers have not had significant pay raise in seven years. The new Houston schools budget plans for an average 8.6 percent pay raise for teachers for the 2006-07 school year, with a total of $49.2 million in funding. The state is providing $31 million for the pay raises, and the Houston schools are providing $18.2 million from their own revenues.
41). Eleven California Schools Districts Awarded $150,000 to Encourage Students to Attend Health Career Institute
In June of 2006, superintendent of public instruction Jack O’Connell awarded $150,000 in grants to 11 districts within the California schools. The funds are for California schools student attendance at the California Health Science Education Institute and associated costs of the program.
Currently, there are numerous jobs in the healthcare industry for applicants with college and only high school degrees.
42). Michigan Schools Shore Up a Failing School System
While other states and school districts are searching for progressive and innovative methods to improve student achievement and graduation rates, the Michigan Schools continue to shore up the current failing system, according to The Detroit News. Rather than improving the current system, teachers’ unions act as oversight bullies, the Michigan schools appear to follow their dictates, and legislators just keep pouring money into the Michigan schools, while complaining that funds are limited.
43). Ohio Schools Award $4 Million to School Districts for Teacher Training in Mathematics and Science
In June 2006, the Ohio schools awarded more than $4 million in competitive grants to school districts across the state. The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) program, and authorized by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The MSP grants, which are funded throughout the 2006-2007 school year, will give 1,800 teachers in high-need Ohio schools the opportunity to increase their knowledge of mathematics and science.
44). Financial and Political Problems Plague the Troubled St. Louis Schools
The 2006-2007 school year for the St Louis schools brings with it a financial deficit and accreditation problems carried over from the previous board majority. Additionally, superintendent Creg Williams’ proposed budget was voted down on June 13, so currently there is no budget for the upcoming school year.
Financial Deficit
The current financial deficit was caused by the state, when it refused to honor its contract with the St Louis schools under the desegregation agreement of 1999.
45). Music Comes to the San Diego Schools
Over the last decade, schools across the nation have experienced the loss of music. The San Diego schools also had to replace music in many of its schools with other curriculum dictated by the state or federal law. The San Diego schools’ budget only stretches so far and, unfortunately, the arts have felt the biggest hit.
Frank Glasson and the Presidio Brass are changing all of that for the San Diego schools.
46). Orlando Schools Hope to Encourage Healthier Students This School Year
The Orlando schools will be promoting health and wellness to its students this year. As part of the Orange County Schools, the Orlando schools will implement a new wellness policy that was just approved this month.
The new policy is in response to a federal mandate, under the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. All schools that receive federal funding for school lunch programs must have a wellness policy in place.
47). Three Boston Schools to Extend School Day for 2006-2007 School Year
In the fall of 2005, the Boston schools began exploring the education reform strategy of extending the school day for its middle schools. The extended school day gives students more time for learning at a crucial time in their education. The middle school years provide the much-needed preparation for students to enter high school, college and the workforce.
48). Special Education Needs Causing Financial Crisis in California Schools
Now, I am all for special education for children with disabilities. I attended school at a time when such children were either put into “special” schools or thrown in with the general student population to sink or swim on their own. It was a terrible inequity. It finally was addressed in the 1970s with a law designed to correct such discrimination by giving these children the civil right to an equal opportunity to learn.
49). NCLB Program Should Take Its Cue from Dallas Schools
Failure to educate our country’s most disadvantaged students is the most glaring and abiding social and moral problem of the United States. For nearly 20 years, our nation has worked to improve our schools and student achievement levels. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was to be the answer to this dilemma by holding all schools accountable for student performance using high-stakes testing.
50). Improvement in Florida Schools Libraries Boosts FCAT Scores and Students Reading Abilities
The purpose of any school library is to promote reading and improve reading and research skills. Educators have long agreed that good libraries are essential to academic success, since students must be able to read by third grade in order to learn other subjects, such as history and science.
A study by Donna Baumbach, professor and director of the.
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