Ron Edwards writes (long quote, ends just before "Doug Mann responds"),
As CM Natalie Johnson Lee said: Why did you hire her? They told me that they hired her, not only because she was qualified, [but because] she had a proven track record of what she could do and how she could deliver it. The challenge is now that she is rising to her qualifications and demonstrating that she could prove, what is the problem? Many of you know, when someone cannot get us any other way, it becomes, “The Attitude.” We have personality differences. Well, get over it. Our children need someone with her personality to move an agenda for them and you need to be clear that we are not taking this sitting down... This is not a joke, we are not playing. We are serious about the education of our children and we believe she is the one we need right now to move our children's agenda forward. If you're ready for a fight [Johnson warned the board] bring it on! Even Brandt admits that In her first year on the job, Peebles has alienated some parents, teachers and principals with what they describe as an intimidating topdown style. But she has also taken control of the worst scoring schools, and the first set of test results to be released for her watch showed marked improvement in basic-skills tests for eighth-graders. Brandt goes on to admit that Dr. Peebles’ “ reputation for turning around troubled schools, both in Cleveland and in New York City” is why “Board members said they chose her.” We must then conclude that they really didn't expect her to be successful. Doug Mann responds, Here is the linchpin of Edwards' argument (The whole argument collapses without it): "In her first year on the job, Peebles has alienated some parents, teachers and principals with what they describe as an intimidating top-down style. But she has also taken control of the worst scoring schools, and the first set of test results to be released for her watch showed marked improvement in basic-skills tests for eighth-graders..." In his initial article about the those test score results, Steve Brandt noted that test scores were up districtwide compared to last year, but the gains were substantially smaller than average in schools with below average test scores last year, i.e., the test score gap between high and low performing schools greatly increased. And test scores gains were, on average, smallest in schools directly under Peebles' special supervision. The black-white test score gap also widened. The basic problem facing the Minneapolis Public Schools, in my opinion, is that a large majority of its students are not thriving academically. Large majorities of poor whites and people of color in Minneapolis do not have access to quality educational programs in the public schools. And it is not just the black community that has a stake in a fight to make a quality public education accessible to all on an equal basis. And, in my opinion, the school board and community should focus their attention on the education access gap and how to close it. The district has a legal obligation to acknowledge and do something about the grossly unequal distribution of critical resources between schools with high and low concentrations of African American students. -Doug Mann, King Field Candidate for 8th ward city council http://educationright.com/blog REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
