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I read Lynnell Mickelsen's report to the school
board about her experience with the Folwell External Review Team, led by the
Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF). First, I want to thank
Lynnell for taking the time to help the Minneapolis Public Schools work
to become better by participating in the review process.
Her comments about the MAEF process were
important feedback.
Each Review Team was given extensive data on
the school it reviewed. Should the Review Team also have observed
classrooms? Of course! I was disappointed that MAEF sent a team into a
school for four days of interviews, but never scheduled time for people to
observe classrooms. That type of shadowing or observation can be useful, not
because the volunteers are expertly trained
reviewers of teachers and curriculum--they're not--but because volunteers
can tell whether students are engaged, and research indicates that engaged
students are learning.
We want schools to be held accountable. And we want these outside reviews to be smart, rigorous and fair. So the Board will make sure future reviews are done differently and better. But Lynnell's experience demonstrates why it's so important for the district to have outside community volunteers who are willing to serve on these teams. We want and need community feedback. Which is why, as a Board member and citizen and candidate, I've always valued the Mpls Issues List. Catherine Shreves Minneapolis School
Board
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