Friday, March 7, 2014

Save our schools from a mean-spirited corporate reform model and Mayor Mike Rawlings hostile takeover

“Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both.” Frederick Douglass
Mayor Mike Rawlings blamed the economic problems of the city on Dallas ISD at a press conference yesterday.

This was selling fear to the citizens of Dallas - fear mongering.

This is all about politics, power and money - not education.
With Mayor Mike Rawlings' constant unethical meddling into Dallas ISD affairs and Superintendent Mike Miles doing more harm than good, the result is a Dallas ISD teaching staff that appears to be more broken in spirit than I have seen in the 8 years I have served as a Trustee.
Authoritarians always want all power. 

They never want to share it. 

If they cannot get their way democratically, they change the rules and the game or take power by force.

Physician, first do no harm.

They laughed in city hall Wednesday. 

A city councilman asked Todd Williams of Committ what he thought of Dallas ISD governance. He refused to answer the question. They laughed. I guess it was funny. It felt belittling. 

Todd Williams (Mayor Rawlings' education advisor) did support the current SOPS (Support Our Public Schools) deceptive takeover petition that gives unlimited power to an unelected Charter Commission. 

The right of citizens and taxpayers to vote for school Trustees will likely be removed. That is the purpose - to get rid of those pesky voters.

Will Dallas ISD be turned into one big charter district like Louisiana state politicians imposed on the poor and powerless after the ethnic cleansing of New Orleans following the hurricane Katrina disaster?

See Rawlings, Support Our Public Schools unveil home-rule goals for Dallas ISD

This is turning into the ethnic cleansing of New Orleans-Naomi Klein

New Orleans is the example Mayor Rawlings used yesterday as the desirable model.

We might now be in for one of the most divisive times in Dallas ISD history if this group succeeds with the next ruthless takeover by those who will take away your right to vote and call it 'a civil rights issue.'

Civil rights should be protected - not taken away. 

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From "Save Our Schools" 
"Over the last 30 years, succeeding administrations have employed conservative solutions to social problems, significantly reducing federal programs to provide equal opportunities for the poor and minorities. Federal officials have redefined and curtailed assistance to combat hunger, insufficient income, poor housing, unemployment, and poor health care, leaving teachers as the only public workers charged with the responsibility to help Americans (regardless of their backgrounds) prepare themselves morally and mentally to compete in the world."  Save Our Schools - The Case For Public Education.
"Remember public schools were once expected to fashion a common national culture and prepare young people to be reflective and critical citizens in our Republic. The result of NCLB is that education will become a private matter in which individuals choose their futures, rather than a public responsibility of all citizens to each citizen. Save Our Schools -The Case For Public Education .
 "Advocates of NCLB will shout that because each individual is afforded this private educational choice, all American children enjoy equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Yet, as the hoax of the "Texas Miracle" clearly demonstrated, NCLB sacrifices our dreams to achieve lower taxes, political advantage, and business profits. Unless significant changes are made in the tenets and system of NCLB, the next decade will be a sad end to the most ambitious American experiment - universal free public education." Save Our Schools - The Case For Public Education.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Kimball Knights basketball team defeats Beaumont Central - face Amarillo in fourth straight state championship game


The Justin F. Kimball Knights defeated Beaumont Central on Thursday, March 6, at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX. 

Kimball's team won the game over Beaumont Central - 60-56. 

The Kimball Knights advance to the state championship game on Saturday in Austin against Amarillo.
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Dallas Justin F. Kimball Knights Cheerleader
(Michael Ainsworth Photo/The Dallas Morning News)
Click Here

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

3 Blind Mikes - Mayor Mike Rawlings - Trustee Mike Morath - Superintendent Mike Miles support the radical takeover of Dallas ISD financed by secret rich backers

Citizens of Dallas!

Please do not sign a petition today or any other day that is clearly intended to undermine citizen control of Dallas ISD.

You will end up with an appointed corporate controlled board financed by secret backers and no voice in electing future Trustees.

A power grabbing Mayor Mike Rawlings
An arrogant Dallas ISD Trustee - Mike Morath
A self-serving Superintendent Mike Miles

The 3 blind Mikes all support the most radical power grab in the history of Dallas ISD.

A meddling Mayor Mike Rawlings who doesn't care about unethically interfering in the affairs of a major independent urban (code word) school district.

There is no Mayor in the Texas Education Code. 

Mayor Rawlings has no right and no authority to impose his political agenda on Dallas ISD.

Mike Morath is an arrogant Dallas ISD Trustee who is acting to undermine the governance of the independent school district he was elected to serve, protect and defend.

The self-serving Superintendent Mike Miles never should have been hired. He was assisted by the political interference in Dallas ISD by Mayor Mike Rawlings and others.

Superintendent Mike Miles is the first Superintendent in recent history who is being allowed to openly undermine the Board of Trustees that has the authority to hire and fire the Superintendent.

Superintendent Mike Miles supports this latest effort to replace the elected school Trustees with an appointed Board that will likely be accountable only to the Mayor - not the citizens and taxpayers.

Superintendent Miles should be fired, and he would be if I could vote five times.

The secret group of financial backers is now publicly supported by Mayor Mike Rawlings.

The so-called Support Our Public Schools is an innocent sounding name covering up a nasty reality.

They will take advantage of uninformed citizens who have no understanding of what the paper they sign really means.

It was all to start today (election day) without public awareness

Mayor Mike Rawlings and others should not be allowed to buy the school district and use our students as pawns to create more wrongheaded reform myths.

Corporate school reform has failed over and over again.  Mayor controlled public education invites the worst form of political corruption.

There is no magic bullet in education. There never was.  There never will be. That is clear.

I would support teachers and educators any day over money and power driven corporate reformers who are seeking to make a dollar on the backs of our poor and needy children by privatizing public education and turning it into a profit-making business.
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Do Not Sign or Support the following Petition:

Support Our Public Schools (Petition Language) - No!
"I know the purpose of this petition is to request that the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District appoint a Charter Commission to frame a home-rule school district charter for Dallas ISD. I understand that by signing more than one petition to request the appointment of a Charter Commission for Dallas ISD is prohibited."

What this is really intended to do is to destroy your right to elect Dallas ISD Trustees.
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Friday, February 21, 2014

Texas Education Agency nominates Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy for 2014 national Blue Ribbon Award

Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff of Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy on being one of four Dallas ISD schools nominated by the Texas Education Agency for 2014 National Blue Ribbon School honors for high level school performance.
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Texas Education Agency Website
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/news_release.aspx?id=25769809492

25 Texas schools nominated for 2014 national Blue Ribbon honors


AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency announced today the nomination of 25 Texas public schools for national 2014 Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. Founded in 1982, Blue Ribbon Schools is a U.S. Department of Education program that recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels.


The nominated schools in Texas include the following:
  •   Avalon ISD – Avalon School
  •   Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD – Early College High School
  •   Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD – McCoy Elementary School
  •   Conroe ISD – Geisinger Elementary School
  •   Clear Creek ISD – Bay Elementary School
  •   Clear Creek ISD – Lavace Stewart Elementary School
  •   Dallas ISD – Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy
  •   Dallas ISD – Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy
  •   Dallas ISD – Middle College High School
  •   Dallas ISD – School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
  •   Eagle Pass ISD – Liberty Elementary School
  •   El Paso ISD – Cielo Vista Elementary School
  •   El Paso ISD – Transmountain Early College High School
  •   Fort Worth ISD – Charles Nash Elementary School
  •   Garland ISD – Routh Roach Elementary School
  •   Garland ISD – Walnut Glen Academy For Excellence
  •   Houston ISD – Houston Academy For International Studies
  •   Kerrville ISD – Nimitz Elementary School
  •   KIPP Inc. Charter – KIPP Houston High School
  •   KIPP Inc. Charter – KIPP Sharp College Prep (Houston)
  •   Mason ISD – Mason Elementary School
  •   Saltillo ISD – Saltillo School
  •   San Angelo ISD – Santa Rita Elementary School
  •   Sudan ISD – Sudan High School
  •   Waller ISD – Fields Store Elementary School
All schools that have been nominated for the 2014 honor were selected as exemplary high performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Each school has an economically disadvantaged population of 40 percent or greater.
The nominated schools must now complete a rigorous application process through the U.S. Department of Education. Announcements of the national award winners will be made in September 2014.  Schools that receive the award are recognized at the Blue Ribbon School conference in Washington, D.C.
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Four Dallas ISD schools nominated for National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition

Monday, February 17, 2014

Michael Hinojosa will be working with PROACT Search as Senior Vice President

"Michael Hinojosa and Patrick Russo will be working with PROACT Search as Senior Vice Presidents and will work to grow the reach of PROACT Search in K12 Executive Search Services, work closely with client engagements and bring new expertise in developing new products and services for the firm."

https://www.facebook.com/PROACTSearch


Michael Hinojosa, former Superintendent of Dallas ISD (2005-2011), became Superintendent of Cobb County Schools (Georgia) in June 2011.
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Dallas ISD to spend up to $200,000 on search firm to find Mike Miles’ cabinet members and principals-Education Blog - DMN - 5-24-12

Former Dallas superintendent Michael Hinojosa resigns from top job in suburban Atlanta schools

Former Superintendent Michael Hinojosa returning to Dallas
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24631397/former-superintendent-michael-hinojosa-returning-to-dallas

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Dallas ISD celebrates 5 new National Board Certified Teachers


National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Dallas District Reception

Traditional ginger ale toast
Cheers, celebrations and congratulations flowed throughout the pinning ceremony and reception for five Dallas ISD teachers who recently completed certification requirements of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.



This evening, with big smiles and flowing tears, the following new Dallas ISD National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT), along with admiring colleagues, family members and friends, lifted glasses for the traditional ginger ale toast:

 
Rhonda Bliss – Arturo Salazar Elementary School
Ignacio Javier – Louise Wolff Kahn Elementary School
Olubukola Olaloko  --  Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
Tiffanye Lockhart-Oliver – Harrell Budd Elementary School
Iheanacho  Orabuchi, Ph.D. --  L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary School

Dr. Martin Osae, one of two of the first Dallas ISD National Board Certified Teachers, spoke to honorees about “Being a Dallas ISD NBCT.” Here is a summary of his inspiring 5 Point Charge: 


1.     You are in a place of influence.  Use it.

2.     You are a catalyst for change.  Be it.

3.     You are a voice for accomplished teaching and best practice.  Speak it.

4.     You are a commitment to duplicating yourself. Do it.

5.     You are an infection of DNA for accomplished teaching.  Spread it.    
Rhonda  Bliss, National Board Certified Teacher

These new certifications give Dallas ISD a total of 23 National Board Certified Teachers.  This accomplishment is not easy, but with support, resources, encouragement, as well as lots of sweat and some tears, it can be done. 

Tiffanye Lockhart-Oliver, National Board Certified Teacher
National Board Certified Teachers Karen Barnes, Christine Koski and a team of NBCTs planned and sponsored the ceremony.

Dr. Iheanacho Orabuchi, National Board Certified Teacher

Congratulations Ms. Bliss, Mr. Javier, Mrs. Olaloko, Mrs. Lockhart-Oliver and Dr. Orabuchi.  “We’re proud of you.”

Ignacio Javier, National Board Certified Teacher

Olubukola Olalodo, National Board Certified Teacher
     

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Merit pay doesn't work in education but it does increase cheating

Merit pay study: Teacher bonuses don't raise student test scores (USA Today- 9-21-10)
"NASHVILLE — Offering middle-school math teachers bonuses up to $15,000 did not produce gains in student test scores, Vanderbilt University researchers reported Tuesday in what they said was the first scientifically rigorous test of merit pay."

There appears to be no body of consistent data showing that merit pay results in significant improvement in academic test scores. 

Merit pay changes collaboration to competition and creates a culture of exploiting students for adult profit. 

Who will want to teach the students in greatest need if it creates an unfair financial disadvantage?

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward.

The Puzzle of Motivation

Friday, January 10, 2014

Dallas Fire Fighters provide coats for 529 students at Martin Weiss Elementary School




After hearing about Project Warm at a national professional convention last summer, Fire Fighter Mike McLemore knew exactly how he and his colleagues could support and help children in Dallas ISD.   

As 1st Vice President of Local 58 Dallas Fire Fighters Association, Fireman McLemore suggested an annual project: Select a Dallas ISD school and raise funds to ensure that every student had a new coat to help them be warm, healthy and ready to learn throughout the cold winter .  The project caught fire.


Today fire-fighter volunteers and Auxiliary members distributed coats at Martin Weiss Elementary School.  By grades, all 529 Martin Weiss owls lined up with big smiles, hand-written cards and colorful signs of appreciation.

Volunteers were struck by expressions and emotions of some students who may not have ever owned a new coat.

 Though temperatures were warm outside and inside the school building,  once trying on their new coats, students did not want to take them off.  Having previously provided information, many were able to select their favorite color and a coat sized to fit this year and next.


Receiving new coats was zipped up with students' meeting Fire Chief Louie Bright, III, a Dallas ISD graduate, and visiting a big red fire truck.  What a day to remember!


Teacher Dwayla Berry co-ordinated, assisted by technology specialist Euraine Patin and counselor Kimberly Washington.

Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham is Principal at Martin Weiss Elementary. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Dallas ISD District 6 Election - May 2014

Dear District 6 Friends,

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Trustee for the last 8 years (2006).

I will not be a candidate for re-election in May, 2014.

Thank you for your support during these very difficult days for public education everywhere.

Serving you has been an honor, a privilege and my pleasure.

With thanks always,

Carla Ranger
District 6 Trustee

Saturday, December 7, 2013

A tribute to President Nelson Mandela - 'His Day Is Done' by Dr. Maya Angelou

"Yesterday, the U.S. State Department unveiled a tribute poem written by Dr. Maya Angelou for Mandela "on behalf of the American people."
"Yes, Mandela's day is done," the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angelou said. "Yet we, his inheritors, will open the gates wider for reconciliation." NPR

"His day is done.
Is done.
The news came on the wings of a wind
Reluctant to carry its burden.
Nelson Mandela’s day is done.
The news, expected and still unwelcome
Reached us in the United States and suddenly
Our world became somber.
Our skies were leadened
His day is done.
We see you, South African people
Standing speechless at the slamming
Of that final door
Through which no traveler returns.

Our spirits reach out to you
Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer
We think of you
And your Son of Africa,
Your Father
Your One More Wonder of the World.
We send our souls to you
As you reflect upon
Your David armed with
A mere stone facing down
The Mighty Goliath,
Man of strength Gideon,
Emerging triumphant
Although born into the brutal embrace of Apartheid
Scarred by the savage atmosphere of racism,
Unjustly imprisoned
In the bloody maws of South African dungeons.
Would the man survive?
Could the man survive?
His answer strengthened men and women
Around the world.
In the Alamo in San Antonio, TX
On the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco,
In Chicago’s loop
In New Orleans Mardi Gras
In New York City’s Times Square
We watched as the hope of Africa sprang
Through the prison’s doors
His stupendous heart in tact
His gargantuan will
Hale and hearty

He had not been crippled by brutes
Nor was his passion for the rights
Of human beings
Diminished by twenty-seven years of imprisonment
Even here in America
We felt the cool
Refreshing breeze of freedom
When Nelson Mandela took
The seat of the Presidency
In his Country
Where formally he was not even allowed to vote
We were enlarged by tears of pride
As we saw Nelson Mandela’s
Former prison guards
Invited, courteously, by him to watch
From the front rows
His inauguration.

We saw him accept
The world’s award in Norway
With the grace and gratitude
Of the Solon in Ancient Roman Courts
And the confidence of African Chiefs
From ancient royal stools.
No sun outlasts its sunset
But will rise again
And bring the dawn
Yes, Mandela’s day is done,
Yet we, his inheritors
Will open the gates wider
For reconciliation and we will respond
Generously to the cries
Of the Blacks and Whites,
The Asian, the Hispanic,
The poor who live piteously
On the floor of our planet
He has offered us understanding
We will not withhold forgiveness
Even from those who do not ask
Nelson Mandela’s day is done
We confess it in tearful voices
Yet we lift our own to say
Thank You.
Thank You, Our Gideon.
Thank You, Our David.
Our great courageous man

We will not forget you
We will not dishonor you
We will remember and be glad
That you lived among us
That you taught us
And
That you loved us
All!"