The department has officially stepped back from their original plan for our schools. This outcome is entirely the result of the energy you brought to this issue. Please stay observant because our schools still need us to keep watching over their futures.
March 17, 2015
Final supporters
We ask the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Secretary of Education Mark Murphy, and Governor Jack Markell to reconsider their stated plans and time frame for the six “priority schools” located in Wilmington. The time frame provided is insufficient for districts and the schools’ communities to develop thoughtful, serious plans for improvement. Instead, the short time frame sets these schools on a path towards closure, conversion to charter and/or privatization (as threatened)—which would result in city children losing their public schools.
The following items must be considered:
1. A comprehensive review of Christina’s Stubbs and Bancroft elementary schools, conducted by the University of Delaware and commissioned by DDOE, released a report in early December indicating that these schools are making significant progress in a range of categories under their current leadership. In fifteen areas, including School Leadership Decisions, Curriculum and Instruction, and Strategies for Students Who Are at Risk, both schools received the highest possible evaluation.
2. Given such positive evaluation by a highly respected and objective organization, the removal of principals from these schools, merely to comply with federal regulations governing turn-around plans, seems arbitrary, capricious and harmful. Firing respected principals and/or teachers without careful evaluation, in order to replace them with leaders unfamiliar with the students and their communities, is a serious disservice to the professionals and children concerned. Doing this would further destabilize high-needs schools that have already experienced significant turnover. A strong school depends on trust among teachers, administrators, parents and students; this must be rebuilt whenever new staff are brought in.
3. The amount of money allocated to the “priority schools” is not enough to reach the ambitious improvement goals set by DDOE. The insufficient additional funding all but guarantees that these schools will close, convert to charter and/or privatize after failing to achieve dramatic improvement with modest resources within a short timeframe. The likely result is that city children will lose public schools obligated to serve every child in their area—in contrast to charters, which demonstrably choose which students and families to accept and retain.
We request that the following changes be implemented in these schools:
1. Provide needs-based funding—additional dollars to adequately meet the needs of low-income, special education and non-English speaking students
2. Institute smaller class sizes for disadvantaged student populations
3. Offer wrap around social services in the priority schools, to address the many factors that adversely impact educational outcomes for their students.
All of us want what is best for the children attending priority schools. The current DDOE plan is not likely to help them and may, in fact, diminish educational opportunity for many.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 8, 2015
December 30, 2014
I started this because I was worried about our schools but looking at the stories you are all sharing makes me realize how much deeper this goes. None of this would be happening if you had not decided that our children deserve better than these rushed decisions.
Reached 100 supporters
December 23, 2014
99 Comments
It is important that we keep what is best for kids foremost in all educational decisions. Removing the principal from Stubbs Elementary is certainly not best for those students.
If State officials can find the money to help save the casinos, they can certainly work a little longer to find money to help save our kids' future and bring stability & growth to our communities.
My school used to be a PZ school. That was the worst stress that my co-workers and I have ever experienced on the job. I remember some co-workers going home and crying due to the exhaustion and stress!
As a teacher of 36 years and an Association President for 7 I was appalled at DOE's unilateral decision making. As if DOE is comprised of professionals who actually know these students, teachers, and admin of these schools. I thought, in Delaware, we were working together.
At the very least these youngsters deserve careful, deliberate non-rushed planning to reorganize their schools. There also needs to be adequate resources, and that is what has always been the missing ingredient. If you are not going to fund the additional needed staff and technology then just go home!
Help DE!
Why is the DOE not intervening with schools like the Delaware School for the Deaf whose best proficiency rates have been between 20% and 30% in spite of nearly as many staff as students? Is it because there are no alternatives? How do they give equal accountability if they continue to be able to claim met AYPs? Don't those students matter? Has the appropriateness of student placement been checked as requested?
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The department has officially stepped back from their original plan for our schools. This outcome is entirely the result of the energy you brought to this issue. Please stay observant because our schools still need us to keep watching over their futures.
March 17, 2015
Final supporters
We ask the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Secretary of Education Mark Murphy, and Governor Jack Markell to reconsider their stated plans and time frame for the six “priority schools” located in Wilmington. The time frame provided is insufficient for districts and the schools’ communities to develop thoughtful, serious plans for improvement. Instead, the short time frame sets these schools on a path towards closure, conversion to charter and/or privatization (as threatened)—which would result in city children losing their public schools.
The following items must be considered:
1. A comprehensive review of Christina’s Stubbs and Bancroft elementary schools, conducted by the University of Delaware and commissioned by DDOE, released a report in early December indicating that these schools are making significant progress in a range of categories under their current leadership. In fifteen areas, including School Leadership Decisions, Curriculum and Instruction, and Strategies for Students Who Are at Risk, both schools received the highest possible evaluation.
2. Given such positive evaluation by a highly respected and objective organization, the removal of principals from these schools, merely to comply with federal regulations governing turn-around plans, seems arbitrary, capricious and harmful. Firing respected principals and/or teachers without careful evaluation, in order to replace them with leaders unfamiliar with the students and their communities, is a serious disservice to the professionals and children concerned. Doing this would further destabilize high-needs schools that have already experienced significant turnover. A strong school depends on trust among teachers, administrators, parents and students; this must be rebuilt whenever new staff are brought in.
3. The amount of money allocated to the “priority schools” is not enough to reach the ambitious improvement goals set by DDOE. The insufficient additional funding all but guarantees that these schools will close, convert to charter and/or privatize after failing to achieve dramatic improvement with modest resources within a short timeframe. The likely result is that city children will lose public schools obligated to serve every child in their area—in contrast to charters, which demonstrably choose which students and families to accept and retain.
We request that the following changes be implemented in these schools:
1. Provide needs-based funding—additional dollars to adequately meet the needs of low-income, special education and non-English speaking students
2. Institute smaller class sizes for disadvantaged student populations
3. Offer wrap around social services in the priority schools, to address the many factors that adversely impact educational outcomes for their students.
All of us want what is best for the children attending priority schools. The current DDOE plan is not likely to help them and may, in fact, diminish educational opportunity for many.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 8, 2015
December 30, 2014
I started this because I was worried about our schools but looking at the stories you are all sharing makes me realize how much deeper this goes. None of this would be happening if you had not decided that our children deserve better than these rushed decisions.
Reached 100 supporters
December 23, 2014
99 Comments
Let's really get to the bottom of the issue! The families need support. Many of them live in poverty and don't have an education themselves! If you want to fix the problem, help the families! The rest will then be easier.
It is important that we keep what is best for kids foremost in all educational decisions. Removing the principal from Stubbs Elementary is certainly not best for those students.
If State officials can find the money to help save the casinos, they can certainly work a little longer to find money to help save our kids' future and bring stability & growth to our communities.
My school used to be a PZ school. That was the worst stress that my co-workers and I have ever experienced on the job. I remember some co-workers going home and crying due to the exhaustion and stress!
As a teacher of 36 years and an Association President for 7 I was appalled at DOE's unilateral decision making. As if DOE is comprised of professionals who actually know these students, teachers, and admin of these schools. I thought, in Delaware, we were working together.
At the very least these youngsters deserve careful, deliberate non-rushed planning to reorganize their schools. There also needs to be adequate resources, and that is what has always been the missing ingredient. If you are not going to fund the additional needed staff and technology then just go home!
Help DE!
Why is the DOE not intervening with schools like the Delaware School for the Deaf whose best proficiency rates have been between 20% and 30% in spite of nearly as many staff as students? Is it because there are no alternatives? How do they give equal accountability if they continue to be able to claim met AYPs? Don't those students matter? Has the appropriateness of student placement been checked as requested?
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Let's really get to the bottom of the issue! The families need support. Many of them live in poverty and don't have an education themselves! If you want to fix the problem, help the families! The rest will then be easier.