The Politics of North High School
Hurt the Students
Background
North High School in Worcester has the largest high school populations
in Worcester. Its students are mostly low income or English language learners
or newly arrived. Some are all three.
The City of Worcester is a Gateway City, a city into which many new
comers arrive and live. It is well recognized that this has obligated the City to provide increased services. Such
as public education.
It is also well recognized that low income students sometimes need
increased services in order to maintain grade level. The same is also true for
special education students.
North High School like most urban schools has a majority of students with
dark skin.
The State government underfunds these students.
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The
Problem
All parties say that the problem is the low standardized test scores of
some of the students. This has been known for some time. Given the demographics and the associated
learning impediments, the low scores are not a surprise.
Recently Superintendent Binienda initiated a “turnaround” program for
North High School. When Principal Dyer went on medical leave, Superintendent Binienda moved her office into North High School and assumed some of the Principal’s
responsibilities.
The State Department of Education responded to the events by saying that
it too was concerned.
The
Fake Issues
It is unlikely that the Department of Education (DEP) will take control
of North High School. There DEP spokesperson stated as much.
North High School does not have consistently falling standardized test
scores. Its test scores for last year were higher than the year previous. This
year scores might be lower than last year.
It is already known how to improve the standardized test scores. The
solution is to reduce class sizes and provide additional resources to newly
arrived students, low income students, and special needs students.
Superintendent Binienda moving her office into North High School has the
feel of a publicity stunt or some other political move. I really do not see any
real improvement coming from it.
The
Real Issues
A real issue is the use standardized tests to punish students, teachers
and administrators. Students are denied their diplomas and teachers are fired
based on test scores alone.
Standardized tests certainly can be used to evaluate education and to
make improvements.However, It makes little sense to use those tests as punishment.
Even with the attached punishment standardized testing has not
overcome the impediments of low income, English language learning, nor special
needs. There is no need of further “turnaround” to tell us this.
The real solution is to provide the needed resources to those students
that are faced with external and internal learning impediments. This means
fully funded public schools measured by the needs of the students and not the politicians.
Thoughts
on Superintendent Binienda
The Superintendent has done a good job overall. She was not my first
choice for Superintendent, Ms. Binienda has an especially good way of dealing
with the public. I met with her last summer and she was very knowledgeable and
personable.
I do not think that the School Committee should have given her such a
high evaluation this cycle, when by her own admission two schools in mostly Black, Latino,
low come locations are underperforming.
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