New Haven Independent

Posted by: education | March 31, 2009 8:22 PM

I am very glad that the Mayor is taking real steps to dramatically improve our school system, but I have to ask this question: How is the school district going to enact much needed reforms with Dr. Mayo at the helm? I do not doubt that Dr. Mayo cares about children, I know that many throughout the city care deeply for him, and I know that he has devoted most of his professional career to NHPS (since teaching science at Troup in 1967), but I believe that now is a good time for him to acknowledge the work he has done since becoming Superintendent in 1992 and give someone else the opportunity to take the helm.

I think it is excellent that New Haven has invested in school construction, I believe that administrators, teachers and students work hard day in and day out, and I know that there are many superb programs in and plans for our schools. However, I strongly believe that it is simply not ok for a Superintendent to say and do the kinds of things that Dr. Mayo says and does. For an example, read this recent exchange reported in the 2/24/09 New Haven Advocate:

[School test] scores are nowhere near what the Board of Education hoped to see in its "Five Bold Goals" that came due last summer in which the schools said, "Ninety-five percent of students will achieve math and literacy standards." When I ask Superintendent Mayo about those goals, he laughs and throws his arms in the air. "You didn't actually think I'd achieve 95 percent, did ya?"

Later on in the article:

"It drives me nuts when people say to me, 'Well, you've got these new schools. Your kids must be learning, right?'" [Dr. Mayo] says, after a staff meeting at City Hall about ongoing school construction projects.

School buildings are just one part of the puzzle, Mayo says, illustrating the multi-faceted issue by interlocking his fingers. "But our kids are worth it, aren't they?" he asks. "Even if they're not learning, don't you want your kid to be in a warm school? In a nice school?"

Posted by: mathteacher950 | April 1, 2009 10:45 PM

The problem with the lack of credible progress in closing the achievement gap in New Haven is that policy, and the policy-makers, need to be changed. Teachers are not the problem, the problem comes from administrators [district and building]not being effective leaders. One example is the extreme top down management model employed by NHPS. This stifles innovation and encourages subordinates to follw their marching orders to keep their 100K+ salaries. This heirarchy also contributes to low teacher morale and the problem of retaining better teachers. Look at Wall Street and how clear it is now that the wrong incentives lead to disaster.

Posted by: RichTherrn | April 2, 2009 3:33 PM

I'm not sure that quick out of context quotes fairly characterize the district attitude towards student achievment, as many responses to that Advocate article indicated. A better measure would be to examine the District Improvement Plan which DOES set some top down goals. But each school develops its own improvement plan as well.
I am sure that principals and subject supervisors would welcome "innovations" that help students meet achievement goals and standards.
Teachers are instrumental in developing curriculum as well as assessments, but ultimately are their instruction is the key for improving student achievement.
-Richard Therrien
-NHPS Science Supervisor

Posted by: RichTherrn | April 4, 2009 6:40 AM

I admit I am confused by the characterizations of district and building administrators and their motives. The district has high goals and has been recognized in the Cambridge Report, as well as monitored and held accountable by the CT State Dept. I look around at district level supervisors and leaders and see many from outside the district here less than five years who have made a dramatic impact. I see new building leaders promoted from both within and outside of the system and schools who engage parents. I see experienced principals who lead their buildings with effectiveness and vision.

Change WILL come, to both people and structures, at all levels. Innovations and reforms are needed and welcome. However, let us tone down the rhetoric about the teachers and principals. I have visited a dozen schools in the last week and been impressed at every single one. We need those educators who have dedicated not just two or three years, but their lives and entire careers, to improving public education.
-Richard Therrien
-NHPS Science Supervisor

Posted by: mathteacher950 | April 6, 2009 12:27 PM

There are effective people at all levels in any bureaucratic organization. Change needs to come because our kids are not learning as they should. There is much said about teacher effectiveness. There is nothing said about administrative effectiveness. The best analogy I can make is to look at AIG, the insurance giant. Their administrative leadership wrecked the company. However, they still wanted to get paid and keep their jobs. The same thing is happening in public education, except instead of the taxpayer bearing the brunt of executive failure, our kids are paying the price of administrative failure. Why do the same or similar things with the same people and expect different results? This is not rhetoric, this is indisputable fact.