If you are familiar with the original Dr. Doolittle series then you are also familiar with the legendary creature the pushmi-pullyu, a “gazelle-unicorn cross” which has two heads (one of each) at opposite ends of its body. When it tries to move, both heads try to go in opposite directions.
With only thirteen days left in the school year, there are more questions ruminating throughout the district than there seem to be answers creating a sort of pushmi-pullyu effect of heading in several directions yet going nowhere.
Has the Superintendent’s contract been settled?
If so, what does it state?
What does the new SEG look like?
Are schools still growing out to K-8 or Pre-K-8?
Is the district moving ahead with the FMP?
What, if anything is being done to meet the needs of students at the elementary level of education?
What is happening with All City High?
Has the district adopted the Freedom School model?
If so, in what capacity and how will that model connect to the All City High structure?
What is the district doing now to encourage the neighborhood school concept for the future?
How will the recent federal waiver for New York State NCLB funding affect our district?
Will test scores continue to heavily influence teacher evaluation outcomes?
How directly will student attendance effect teacher evaluation?
How will district tutoring programs be chosen and by what measures will they be held accountable?
What will accountability look like under the new superintendent?
What will accountability look like for the new superintendent?
The pseudo-transparency of the district has revealed quite a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. Unfortunately, the Rochester community has produced its own pushmi-pullyu creature through its inability to actually unite its efforts and move in solidarity toward widespread, fundamental, sustainable, change in our system of education.
With our educational leaders living out a fairy-tale existence of committed inertia to effect change, it is no wonder our children find it difficult to work hard toward their educational success. We are, after all, their role models.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
