Monfredo: More Information on the I.B. Program Proposed For Doherty High
Saturday, March 07, 2015
The program being recommended for this academy is an International Baccalaureate Program. It’s a rigorous and more internationally focused curriculum. Enrollment would begin in grade nine. The IB program, as stated by administration, is recognized as a “comprehensive and challenging curriculum and its mission emphasizes the importance of educating students to become knowledgeable, curious and compassionate young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The I.B. program contains four elements: curriculum, assessment, professional development and school evaluation.
As I stated then and now to reiterate any program that would benefit our students certainly deserves our attention, but a community discussion on the merits of the program, its impact on the rest of the student body, and its cost needs to take place.
At our February meeting, as promised, Dr. Boone did bring forth the answers to the questions that were submitted by me and school committee member Tracy Novick. In addition there were discussions with the public (parents, educators, and business leaders) about the merits of the proposal.
First here are some of the questions and answers about this proposal:
- Why at Doherty? This Academy is proposed to serve students across the Worcester Public Schools. Doherty was selected due to its central location in the city. This program will admit students citywide.
- How do we plan to handle private school students applying to this program? They won’t have MCAS and may not have honors classes? The Academy is designed for students who are enrolled in the WPS at the time they apply for admission.
- Given that the students are applying in eighth grade, the parental involvement will be high. How can we ensure that all students who might be suitable apply? The outreach will be extensive throughout the schools as well as working with community groups such as Latino Education Institute, Central Las Americas, Southeast Asian Coalition, African Community Educators, Black Legacy and the faith based communities as examples.
- Are there any plans to formally partner with higher Education in anything other than admission? It’s been suggested, for example, that professors on sabbatical might be well suited to teaching the Theory of Knowledge course? Yes, Higher Ed partnership with the Academy is a significant aspect of the plan. They will also have seats on the Advisory Council and the idea to support teaching courses is an excellent one.
- Has any thought been considered for duplicating Goddard Academy at another middle school site and then tie it into one of the comprehensive high schools? Due to the success at Goddard Academy we have a waiting list. Yes, and the district applied for a federal grant to support that replication. However, we were not successful for that grant. We will continue to pursue grant opportunities to replicate. Additionally, the School Committee charged the Superintendent to develop a proposal based on the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee.
- What will be the criteria of admission? General admission criteria are included in the proposal. The specific rubric to evaluate applications has not been developed and will not occur prior to the approval of the Academy due to the significant time and resources required for its development.
- The current Innovation Schools established in Worcester were designed as cost neutral. How can so much expense justify the establishment, implementation and sustainability of an IB school? This is a decision / issue for the School Committee to deliberate as it considers action on the proposal.
- Most importantly, do we have the revenue to sustain a new program? The IB program does have many benefits and does require our system to a serious long term commitment and professional development. Will we have the resources to sustain such a commitment? The cost according to the information sent to the School Committee will be $405,000 in its first year of fully enrollment of just two classes of 125 students… will we have the funds to do it? Will there be a fee required for students to pay for to complete IB diploma program? Will funding the program have an impact on the lack of funding in other areas of the school budget? Funding for the proposed Academy is not currently included in our budget. Additional funding will have to be identified for the Academy. The Academy is not designed to supplant funding for or undermine existing magnet and pathway programs.
For an answer to all of the questions submitted you may contact the School Committee office for a copy.
Now, what did the public have to say about this proposal? It was a mixed bag! Many parents felt that the academy estimated to cost over $2 million by its fourth year was an expensive investment for so few students. Some questioned why rigor in the curriculum can’t be on-going at all schools. Some parents liked the idea of the Academy and one parent wanted to add on a dual language program. Another parent did not think that the IB program was a good fit and it has not been proven to improve student performance. One parent felt that Doherty High was too crowded now and felt that the plan was a marketing campaign for a select few. At this meeting there were more parents opposed than in favor of the plan.
Some educators were questioned the cost and the Education Association of Worcester President Leonard Zalauskas questioned why the Doherty High Staff and administration wasn’t involved in the initial discussion about the Academy being at that site and wanted to know where the money was coming from since the City Council has only funded the district at the bare minimum as required by the Department of Education during the past few years. Another educator felt that taking away the brightest students from city high schools would drive down those schools’ performance. However, Doherty Assistant Principal Peter Bowler felt that it would be a challenge but that the school was up for it.
City organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce supported the plan and stated in a letter from Tim Murray, President and CEO that the Academy would benefit the community and make “us stronger and more economically vibrant… the Academy also builds on a strong tradition within the Worcester Public Schools that offer families of students various education options.”
The Latino Education Institute’s executive director Mary Jo Marian felt that the program would be beneficial and suggested that “ that selective high schools throughout the nation have tended not to reflect the diversity of the students in their respective communities… we urge you to work with us and others in the community to develop a school that works for all of Worcester, continuation and strengthening the system- wide reforms and a transparent broad base admission rubric.”
On the other hand, the Worcester Education Collaborative’s executive director in a letter to committee urged the school committee to carefully weigh this important step. The organization has reservations and wrote about the equity in this proposal, the cost factor, and the allocation of resources. Board members expressed concerns that the creation of this academy will focus on the highest achieving students and may divert attention from the very real needs of the vast majority of students in the system.
However, they did agree that the best and the brightest students’ needs must be met. They suggested that the district look at previous Worcester programs that have been successful such as the current Goddard Scholars program and the past PEAK program. They went on to say, “ The Board firmly believes that we must commit ourselves to addressing these needs. Is the current proposal sufficiently broad, deep and visionary to accomplish this? … also, an advanced academy will not only need dedicated resources from the district, but financial support from the private and higher education sectors. Is this support that can be sustained?”
As you can see a healthy discussion is taking place but when all is said and done it will come down to whether the program has the needed funding, both public and private, to move forward! More discussions will need to take place.
Related Articles
- Monfredo: State of the School Address: A Celebration of Accomplishments and Vision for the Future
- Monfredo: Civics Education…A Relic of The Past or Critical Component to Our Future
- Monfredo: Healthy Students Equals Better Learners…New Concept- Health Ambassadors in High Schools
- Monfredo: Veterans’ Day … A Special Holiday!
- Monfredo: A Magical Night … as Students Showed Off Their Talent
- John Monfredo: Left Behind: Chronic Absenteeism and Negative Educational Outcomes
- John Monfredo: “Kids Who Read Succeed”… Join Our Team
- John Monfredo: First Innovation Schools Starting Their Second Cycle
- John Monfredo: Worcester Library Foundation, An Asset to the City
- John Monfredo: Worcester: The City That Reads Kicks into High Gear
- John Monfredo: Have You Considered Becoming a School Council Member?
- Monfredo: South High Celebrates…Applying to College
- Monfredo: How to Make the Holidays Sparkle
- Monfredo: Grant to Look at Ways of Reducing School Suspensions
- Monfredo: Congrats to Our Future Leaders, Posse Foundation Announce Scholarships
- Monfredo: All Aboard For “Love A Book Month”
- Monfredo: Black History, Alive and Well in Worcester, Visit Our Library and See
- Monfredo: Chronic Absenteeism ...Still a Concern
- Monfredo: Senator Warren Impressed by Worcester Technical High School Students
- Monfredo: Worcester Public School I.B. Academy- A Discussion That Needs to Continue
- John Monfredo: A Different Kind of Holiday - Gifts of Love
- John Monfredo: Ted Coghlin: A Dynamic and Caring Hero Who Will Be Missed!
- Monfredo: Parents, A Child’s First and Most Influential Teacher, Ideas for 2015
- Monfredo: Gang Violence in Our Community.. What Parents Can Do
- Monfredo: A Follow-Up With More Suggestion to Stop Chronic Absenteeism
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It