The document summarizes a presentation by Dr. Heath E. Morrison about the future of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Morrison discusses the many educational reforms happening nationally and in North Carolina that will impact CMS. He then outlines his five goals for his first 100 days as the new superintendent: 1) focus on student achievement and effective teaching, 2) build collaboration with the school board, 3) increase organizational efficiency, 4) establish a respectful culture centered on teaching and learning, and 5) build public trust through communication. Morrison argues that CMS needs to ensure it is preparing all students to be college and career ready.
4. What’s next?
In North Carolina:
Grades for all schools
Kindergarten entry assessments
Early-grade reading assessments
Emphasis on third-grade literacy
Pay for Excellence plans (optional)
8. But is CMS
a great
district? Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
ABC Results - All Schools
Number of Schools by Growth Status - 2005-06 through 2009-10
120
108
100
2005-06
80
80 73
72 2006-07
67
60 64
60 2007-08
50 52 49
34 2008-09
40
m
N
30
S
h
o
b
u
s
c
e
r
f
l
17
2009-10
20 16
9
0
High Growth Expected Growth Less Than Expected
Growth
9. ‘Good’ is the enemy
of ‘great.’
We want great
results, not just
good ones.
18. Seven keys to college readiness
Read at advanced levels in Grades K–2
Score ‘advanced’ in reading on the Maryland School
Assessment in Grades 3–8
Complete advanced math in Grade 5
Complete Algebra 1 by Grade 8 with a ‘C’ or higher
Complete Algebra 2 by Grade 11 with a ‘C’ or higher
Score 3 on an AP exam or 4 on an IB exam
Score 1650 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT
19. But are we preparing students for
the future?
New jobs in the workforce require
greater education and skills:
70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will
require an education beyond high school.
40% of all new jobs will require at least an
associate’s degree.
21. $292 million in
increased earnings
$71 million in
increased investments
$655 million more in
increased home sales
$30 million more in
increased auto sales
2,600 new jobs
22. 2. Build a collaborative
relationship with the Board of
Education.
Federal, state and local pressure for reform. Change is coming.
Some of the national changes under way.
Some of the education changes in the budget bill: Kindergarten Entry Assessments – must be completed w/in 60 days of enrollment; requires PEPs (personal education plans) for at-risk students Early Grade Reading Assessments – designed to increase reading proficiency for K-3 graders Emphasizing Third Grade Literacy – retaining 3 rd graders if they do not pass their State-approved standardized reading comprehension tests; requires that schools provide summer reading camp to those 3 rd graders who are not reading proficient prior to retaining them (these students would have another shot at passing an alternative reading assessment at the end of the reading camp and, thus, be promoted to fourth grade if they prove to be reading proficient on the alternative reading test) Pay for Excellence Plans – Allows but does not require districts to develop pay for performance plans and to submit such plans to the State Board of Education by March 2013; includes 5 suggested criteria to be included in each pay for performance plan SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES SECTION 7A.3.(a) G.S. 115C-12(9)c1. reads as rewritten: "c1. To issue an annual "report card" for the State and for each local school administrative unit, assessing each unit's efforts to improve student performance based on the growth in performance of the students in each school and taking into account progress over the previous years' level of performance and the State's performance in comparison with other states. This assessment shall take into account factors that have been shown to affect student performance and that the State Board considers relevant to assess the State's efforts to improve student performance. As a part of the annual "report card" for each local school administrative unit, the State Board shall award an overall numerical school performance score on a scale of zero to 100 and a corresponding letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F earned by each school within the local school administrative unit. The school performance score and grade shall reflect student performance on annual subject-specific assessments, college and workplace readiness measures, and graduation rates. For schools serving students in any grade from kindergarten to eighth grade, separate performance scores and grades shall also be awarded based on the school performance in reading and mathematics respectively. The annual "report card" for schools serving students in third grade also shall include the number and percentage of third grade students who (i) take and pass the alternative assessment of reading comprehension; (ii) were retained in third grade for not demonstrating reading proficiency as indicated in G.S. 115C-83.1G(a); and (iii) were exempt from mandatory third grade retention by category of exemption as listed in G.S. 115C-83.1G(b)." SECTION 7A.3.(b) G.S. 115C-47(58) reads as rewritten: "(58) To Inform the Public About the North Carolina School Report Cards Issued by the State Board of Education. – Each local board of education shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education receives wide distribution to the local press or is otherwise provided to the public. Each local board of education shall ensure that the overall school performance score and grade earned by each school in the local school administrative unit for the current and previous four school years is prominently displayed on the Web site of the local school administrative unit. If any school in the local school administrative unit is awarded a grade of D or F, the local board of education shall provide notice of the grade in writing to the parent or guardian of all students enrolled in that school."
Reform might have a bad name in Charlotte. But whatever you call it – change, reform, continuous improvement – it’s coming. Can’t stop it. Shouldn’t try. Instead, we need to use the push for reform to help us get to where we want to go, where we need to be: making sure that every student graduates from high school with a meaningful diploma. That every student is prepared for what comes next, whether it’s college, a career or the military. We’re not there yet. CMS has done more work than many other districts and is considered a national leader. But we still have a lot of work to do.
It is also important for us, and the community, to know there is urgency around this work. We’re not doing this work in a vacuum. We’re doing it in real time -- as students move through school. The clock is ticking for us – and for them.
So where is CMS right now? As a district, CMS and the community it serves have much reason for pride. There are a lot of good things going on in CMS. We won the Broad Prize last year. National recognition – and scholarships for our students. Our graduation rate has gone up. Preliminary state testing numbers suggest that more of our schools achieved high growth last year than the year before. That’s all good news. So we’re a good district right now.
CMS has accomplished a lot in recent years. We’re viewed as a national leader in many ways. But are we a great district? Are we everything we want to be? Are we everything that our students need us to be, and that the community expects us to be? .
Assessing where CMS is now, and how to get the district to great -- where we want it to be -- is the purpose of my entry plan. It has five goals.
In any district, anywhere, student achievement comes first. So that’s my top priority. I know that CMS is viewed nationally as a leader in raising student achievement. Here are some of the things CMS is doing now that are important to student achievement.
CMS has put a focus of effective teaching and leadership. The conversation about teacher performance started here earlier than it did in many places, and that’s good. My job is to support great teaching in every way I can. And I will. New Teacher Project – the irreplaceables. We want to attract great teachers and we want to keep them. That means we must create schools where there is a culture of respect, where teachers feel valued and trust their principals.
And then there’s the question of keeping the great teachers once we figure out who they are.
How do we keep them in the classroom? Here are some of the reasons they leave.
We need to focus our teaching on getting students through high school with a meaningful diploma. A high school diploma isn’t a guarantee of a job any more. But not having one is pretty much a guarantee of failure.
Having that piece of paper isn’t enough. It has to mean something. It has to reflect a level of literacy and numeracy that will enable the graduate to begin learning something else, whether it’s in college, in a career or in the military. It should also reflect that each student has been lifted to the maximum level possible. That’s not the same level for every student – it’s not realistic to expect all students to get A-pluses. But the diploma has to mean more than just pushing the low achievers barely over the finish line while very bright students graduate from high school academically unchallenged and unprepared for college. Public education has to span a wide range of abilities so that every student not only learns, but is challenged and stretched. We want all students to graduate with a diploma that represents a significant achievement for them.
Montgomery County uses these seven keys.
70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school. 40% of all new jobs will require at least an associate’s degree. Getting kids a meaningful diploma isn’t optional for us. We have to do it. The costs of failure – and we are failing a lot of kids, as the graduation rates make clear – is astronomical.
A high school diploma isn’t a guarantee of a job any more. But not having one is pretty much a guarantee of failure. . Getting kids a meaningful diploma isn’t optional for us. We have to do it. The cost of failure – and we are failing a lot of kids, as the graduation rates make clear – is astronomical.
Consider these facts from the Alliance For Excellent Education: An estimated 53,800 students in the class of 2010 were dropouts. If North Carolina had been able to cut that number in half – to get 26,900 of those students to graduate, we’d have millions more dollars in many areas today. We need to all be clear about this: We ALL lose here, not just the dropouts. Consider these facts from the Alliance For Excellent Education: An estimated 53,800 students in the class of 2010 were dropouts. If North Carolina had been able to cut that number in half – to get 26,900 of those students to graduate -- we’d have millions more dollars in many areas today. We’d have $292 million more in increased earnings We’d have $71 million in increased investments We’d have $655 million more in increased home sales We’d have $30 milliion more in increased auto sales We’d have 2,600 new jobs
My second entry plan goal is to build a strong working relationship with the Board of Education.
We need to make sure that our systems and processes are as efficient and effective as they can be.
We have systems and processes in place. By documenting these, we can show the public that we are efficient and effective. It also shows that we allocate resources wisely. It’s an opportunity for schools to show leadership in allocation of resources.
We have to get schools ready for a nearly paperless world. It’s not just a matter of buying kids computers. It’s a sea change in training, in mindset and in the way we operate.
It’s a lot of changes. If we hang back, we’ll get lost. But we also need to look at how this changes the teaching and learning process.
The fact is, we can do this work and we will do this work. It’s a matter of focusing on every child, every day, for a better tomorrow.
CMS has also made performance management a priority.
The district measures a lot of things. Some are things the state requires. Others are federally mandated. Still others are things we think are important. We need to ask ourselves: Are we measuring the things that parents care about? That the community cares about?
That culture starts at the top. I’ve begun to assemble my full leadership team – I inherited some vacancies.
Central office support for schools New team – Ann, Earnest, Frank, Millard, Valerie, three principal vacancies filled Looking during entry at structure to see if it best serves needs, talking to school staff as I visit schools
The culture of respect that every school should have.
We want public trust in our schools. We also want public involvement at every school – partnerships that benefit our students and our schools.
Public education has never fully engaged parents. That has to change. We need parents in our schools doing important things, not just picking up trash and trimming landscape plants. We need their expertise, their input and their engagement. But every school does not benefit equally from partnerships. Some schools are very good at them. Others are not. We want to have equally high levels of parent engagement at every school.
Strong partnerships are an important part of great schools. The schools in the Ballantyne area have some great partners doing great things. South Meck is a good example. The school gets financial support, volunteer support and booster-club support from a wide range of businesses, faith partners and corporate and community citizens. And students at that school have a new, state-of-the-art EcoLab that’s helping them learn about science and the environment. That lab was built with the help of many corporate sponsors, including the names you see up there – Lowe’s, Tecta America, REI and many others. Hawk Ridge Elementary also has strong partnerships. Here are some examples from Troy Moore, the principal at Hawk Ridge: Home Depot – Grant to establish extensive gardens. They have acted as consultants in each planting season and offered deeply discounted rates on all supplies, seeds and plants needed since the initial planting. In turn, our produce and herbs are donated to the Harvest Food Bank. Great learning experiences for our students! ICA Inc. (Insurance Claims Adjusters INC) - They have provided new Laptops and other technology equipment for technology initiatives. They also provide sponsorship funding for student events such as movie nights, etc. In addition, sponsored a meal at a local restaurant for all Dads to get information on our Hawk Dads group that aims to boost male volunteerism at Hawk Ridge. Point of Contact- Steven Bucey Unit Paving http://unitpaving.com/ - They have provided amazing pavement options for our courtyard at no cost. It provides a nice eating area for families and classes and frames out our gardens. Point of Contact-Scott Michaud The Ballantyne Rotary Club http://www.rotary7680.org/club-details/ballantyne-rotary-club - They have supported us in many ways over the last two years. They supply book bags and school supplies for any students who we feel could utilize this benefit. They put on the Ballantyne Teachers Cup Volleyball Tournament in March. Hawk Ridge has been the top ticket sale school for the last two years. One hundred percent of that money comes right back to the school which has been very beneficial for our technology initiatives. Not to mention this is a fun community event that promotes school spirit!! BiLo Elm Lane Store – BiLo has selected us to be a recipient of their Golf Tournament Proceeds in years past. They also offer food items for special events we are hosting. They have been gracious to allow us to keep a bin at the store for box top collection. Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/ - The Autism Speaks Organization partnered with Hawk Ridge Elementary to promote Light It Up Blue Day on April 24, 2012. They offered support and materials to go along with the vision our EC Department had for the day. Randy Peterson from Autism Speaks (East Coast) spoke at a parent information night and was on hand to document the day. Clips from our celebration were featured on the Worldwide Light It Up Blue Day video. Morrison YMCA- Hawk Ridge and the Morrison YMCA are true family partners. We share facilities and create programs and partnerships to benefit the Hawk Ridge Community in many ways. At Hawk Ridge, we have amazing parent involvement and log over 8,000 hours a year.
Strong partnerships are an important part of great schools. The schools in the Ballantyne area have some great partners doing great things. South Meck is a good example. The school gets financial support, volunteer support and booster-club support from a wide range of businesses, faith partners and corporate and community citizens. And students at that school have a new, state-of-the-art EcoLab that’s helping them learn about science and the environment. That lab was built with the help of many corporate sponsors, including the names you see up there – Lowe’s, Tecta America, REI and many others. Hawk Ridge Elementary also has strong partnerships. Here are some examples from Troy Moore, the principal at Hawk Ridge: Home Depot – Grant to establish extensive gardens. They have acted as consultants in each planting season and offered deeply discounted rates on all supplies, seeds and plants needed since the initial planting. In turn, our produce and herbs are donated to the Harvest Food Bank. Great learning experiences for our students! ICA Inc. (Insurance Claims Adjusters INC) - They have provided new Laptops and other technology equipment for technology initiatives. They also provide sponsorship funding for student events such as movie nights, etc. In addition, sponsored a meal at a local restaurant for all Dads to get information on our Hawk Dads group that aims to boost male volunteerism at Hawk Ridge. Point of Contact- Steven Bucey Unit Paving http://unitpaving.com/ - They have provided amazing pavement options for our courtyard at no cost. It provides a nice eating area for families and classes and frames out our gardens. Point of Contact-Scott Michaud The Ballantyne Rotary Club http://www.rotary7680.org/club-details/ballantyne-rotary-club - They have supported us in many ways over the last two years. They supply book bags and school supplies for any students who we feel could utilize this benefit. They put on the Ballantyne Teachers Cup Volleyball Tournament in March. Hawk Ridge has been the top ticket sale school for the last two years. One hundred percent of that money comes right back to the school which has been very beneficial for our technology initiatives. Not to mention this is a fun community event that promotes school spirit!! BiLo Elm Lane Store – BiLo has selected us to be a recipient of their Golf Tournament Proceeds in years past. They also offer food items for special events we are hosting. They have been gracious to allow us to keep a bin at the store for box top collection. Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/ - The Autism Speaks Organization partnered with Hawk Ridge Elementary to promote Light It Up Blue Day on April 24, 2012. They offered support and materials to go along with the vision our EC Department had for the day. Randy Peterson from Autism Speaks (East Coast) spoke at a parent information night and was on hand to document the day. Clips from our celebration were featured on the Worldwide Light It Up Blue Day video. Morrison YMCA- Hawk Ridge and the Morrison YMCA are true family partners. We share facilities and create programs and partnerships to benefit the Hawk Ridge Community in many ways. At Hawk Ridge, we have amazing parent involvement and log over 8,000 hours a year.
Strong partnerships are an important part of great schools. The schools in the Ballantyne area have some great partners doing great things. South Meck is a good example. The school gets financial support, volunteer support and booster-club support from a wide range of businesses, faith partners and corporate and community citizens. And students at that school have a new, state-of-the-art EcoLab that’s helping them learn about science and the environment. That lab was built with the help of many corporate sponsors, including the names you see up there – Lowe’s, Tecta America, REI and many others. Hawk Ridge Elementary also has strong partnerships. Here are some examples from Troy Moore, the principal at Hawk Ridge: Home Depot – Grant to establish extensive gardens. They have acted as consultants in each planting season and offered deeply discounted rates on all supplies, seeds and plants needed since the initial planting. In turn, our produce and herbs are donated to the Harvest Food Bank. Great learning experiences for our students! ICA Inc. (Insurance Claims Adjusters INC) - They have provided new Laptops and other technology equipment for technology initiatives. They also provide sponsorship funding for student events such as movie nights, etc. In addition, sponsored a meal at a local restaurant for all Dads to get information on our Hawk Dads group that aims to boost male volunteerism at Hawk Ridge. Point of Contact- Steven Bucey Unit Paving http://unitpaving.com/ - They have provided amazing pavement options for our courtyard at no cost. It provides a nice eating area for families and classes and frames out our gardens. Point of Contact-Scott Michaud The Ballantyne Rotary Club http://www.rotary7680.org/club-details/ballantyne-rotary-club - They have supported us in many ways over the last two years. They supply book bags and school supplies for any students who we feel could utilize this benefit. They put on the Ballantyne Teachers Cup Volleyball Tournament in March. Hawk Ridge has been the top ticket sale school for the last two years. One hundred percent of that money comes right back to the school which has been very beneficial for our technology initiatives. Not to mention this is a fun community event that promotes school spirit!! BiLo Elm Lane Store – BiLo has selected us to be a recipient of their Golf Tournament Proceeds in years past. They also offer food items for special events we are hosting. They have been gracious to allow us to keep a bin at the store for box top collection. Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/ - The Autism Speaks Organization partnered with Hawk Ridge Elementary to promote Light It Up Blue Day on April 24, 2012. They offered support and materials to go along with the vision our EC Department had for the day. Randy Peterson from Autism Speaks (East Coast) spoke at a parent information night and was on hand to document the day. Clips from our celebration were featured on the Worldwide Light It Up Blue Day video. Morrison YMCA- Hawk Ridge and the Morrison YMCA are true family partners. We share facilities and create programs and partnerships to benefit the Hawk Ridge Community in many ways. At Hawk Ridge, we have amazing parent involvement and log over 8,000 hours a year.
The clocks are ticking for us – 141,000 clocks waiting to be educated. Those clocks don’t run at all the same speed, either. As the picture suggests, they run at many different speeds. Some run fast, some keep good time and some run slow. Some students are learning at higher levels than others. Some need more help than others. But a key measure of success for us will be how effectively we reach all kinds of students – how well we are able to teach and to challenge high fliers and average students and struggling students.
Because whether they run fast, medium or slow -- every student in CMS deserves the best education we can give them. Doing this well is in their best interests. It’s also in our community’s best interest.
So what do we do now? What’s next for CMS and all of us?
We’re going to work on educating every child.
We’re going to work on it every day.
So our students will have a better tomorrow. There is no work more important, more energizing or more crucial than this.