Blogging With Brizard
There is one thing I learned having NATO in my front yard – people will go to great lengths to be heard.
It is the same, I am finding, when it comes to this huge Chicago Public Schools debate.
CEO Jean-Claude Brizard is highly qualified and very versed in education, yet every step he takes to alter this school system’s failing trajectory has been met with combat.
It is a known fact that Chicago is the best city for debate and discussion so CEO Brizard was seemingly excited and definitely ready to answer an onslaught of questions. We all love our children, and it is very evident that he loves our children as well. It is safe to say that collectively we all want Chicago students to be the best of the best.
If only the City of Chicago could send out copies of Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D. to get people to settle down and get focused. Additionally, a reminder that every one is due respect couldn’t hurt as well. After all, it must be remembered that change is a process.
In most instances, where reform is needed most, it takes trying this and that more than once. Change takes time.
40 years of no reform cannot be undone over night.
THAT said, as one of the participants in CPS’s Social Media Outreach, a sort of “Roundtable with CEO Brizard”, I have learned the facts behind the ingredients being used in the big bowl of change to better our Chicago Public Schools.
While our conversation was long, and in no way did we cover every pertinent issue, we did learn solid answers to a few key points:
- talks with Chicago Teacher’s Union have not broken down.
- process that was outlined by law is in play
- there are arbitrators from both sides working to establish a good outcome
- there is no push for merit pay
- qualitative research is being utilized to reformat
- career ladder, in terms of accurate pay scales, is being examined
Many parents have been practically jumping up and down about the longer school day and it being funded properly. The Chicago Moms heard this cry and asked specifically about the funding process. Many parents also clamored about the day simply being too long for their children. The $130 million that is now in play has been given to each school to leverage autonomy.
- instructional improvement is the bottom line for the entire Chicago Public School System
- national examples are part of the consideration as we move forward
- there will be a single form for high school enrollment next year (it will be available online and in print)
- Illinois ranks last in education funding
- this fight is being taken to Springfield in a sort of “Give Us Our Fair Share”
- College Ready Fund is a financial contributor; an all one lump sum to be used at the schools’ discretion
- Recess Providers can also be contributors
- A guide has been provided by CPS Administration to assist schools in supplementing their programs
- Schools can utilize having new staff and new equipment
- Elementary schools’ recess and lunch coverage is now discretionary
- Principal/Teacher prep times have been increased
- if schools want to, they can hire more teachers
There is a lot of misinformation out there as Chicago parents are not getting the most accurate initiative background. This may be the cause of so much unrest.
The $130 million in funding has afforded schools the freedom to expand and have their needs met. The distribution between High Schools and Elementary Schools was figured with lower grades getting more funding as their need-base was slightly more. The other funding issues are being taken up with legislators and a legal team downstate.
The reallocation of the day will get Chicago’s school children college ready. It will also open doors for Chicago’s most needy students, like those in Alternative Schooling, who are now simply drop-outs. This reform will lesson the likelihood of developing these children into potential community misfits.
As this school year wraps up, let us all remain hopeful, and supportive, of change. Let us roll up our sleeves and dig in to keep this momentum toward the best evidence-based practices that will benefit all of Chicago’s kids and their learning.
A round of Thank-You’s:
Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO
Monica Lee, Director of New Initiatives
Marielle Sainvilus, Press Secretary
Alex Soble, (Our Trusty) Social Media Guy
Category: New Posts
Interesting on your take on the CPS brass’s side of the story. Obviously from your position only Brizard has the best interest of the students of Chicago Public School.
So you sat down at a round table with Brizard and his paid staff members along with other self interest groups who are looking at lining their pockets using my and other tax payers money to make sure “reform” is taking place in the name of children. My question to you is, were there any teachers who are currently working at CPS sitting with you and Mr. Brizard and if so, who and what schools are they currently assigned? Was there any members of the Chicago Teachers Union sitting at this “round table” discussing some the major issues that teachers, the ones who actually do the heavy lifting, apart of this discussion on how we can implement their programs that can give all children in the city of the Chicago a well rounded education? I’m betting, NO! Why involve the actual people who have to do the job to be apart of this discussion when it’s easier for those looking through the window to tell us how the job should be done?
From your piece, it seems you look at teachers as one of the people that were portrayed in the book and movie, “The Help.” You know, teachers are to look after other folks children and squeeze out a short moment or two for our own children. Teachers will just have to make adjustments because mom or dad are too busy taking care of Miss Ann’s children. Right?
40 years of reform. Where did you get that number? From Rham, from Brizard or from Arne Duncan? Anyway, teachers if you are not aware do not make up any of the policies or the curriculum implemented in any school. Teachers just go along and do what they are told, even if we know there might be some issues. Let’s start with Paul Vallas former CEO of Chicago Public Schools as an example. While Mr. Vallas did make the schools’ budget in the the black, he also made it MANDATORY for teachers to teach all students on level no matter where they were. Now, as any child development specialist would tell you, that method does not work. You must teach children where they are and implement a variety of methods so that the child can have successes and eventual show growth. But since teachers weren’t asked about this method, we had a flock of 3rd and 6th graders who constantly failed the standardized tests given as well as their classroom assignments. It didn’t work and we were blamed. However any successes, not one teacher is standing along with the CEO, the mayor or other top people. No. They take their bows and forget to mention who really helped with making the academic gains our children made.
I know it has been the “sport” as such to bash teachers and point the finger at educators who devoted their lives to this profession to as what is wrong with all of society’s ill. It’s easier to blame a teacher than to say that parents have a crucial role in their child’s education and development. It’s easier “bullying” teachers and blaming them for why Johnny and Janey haven’t made the “so-called” concrete gains academically. Why focus on the fact that for many years, decades even schools and teachers have had to deal with underfunding from the state and their local government so that all children can have a quality education and be on the same level playing field.
I know that many think that the “thing” to do is to just hand over education to the business sector which I think is remarkable. After all, wasn’t it the private business sector that caused our country’s financial collapse? Besides any teacher in the charter schools does not have to meet the same standards of being “Highly Qualify” and have the necessary qualifications as those us in the traditional public schools. In the charter schools, they can have a degree in basket weaving and teach high school Algebra. Just take a look at the State of Illinois Report Card; not one charter school made the top 100 schools but yet we are to listen to those who are the band wagon for the expansion of charters bet drum the beat that teachers in the traditional public schools are failing students.
Unless you, Mr. Brizard and all the non supporters of hard working teachers have been in a classroom in the last year or so, your opinion means little. You and others like you talk the talk but will never, ever walk the walk. Why should you? It’s easier to point finger than to do the hard work which is educating our children.
Marcia Brown-Williams,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I think you misinterpret what the purpose of our discussions with CEO Brizard are. We are not, in any way, part of the reform. We simply receive updates and answers to our questions. Period.
I am a tax payer and civil servant, so while you may think my opinion means little, I have as much at stake as you. For one, I was born and raised in CPS. Additionally, I coach, counsel and supervise offenders who are products of CPS.
CPS failures result in social issues across the board… and well if I am 45 years old, and not much has changed in the arguments, well, that is where I derived the “40″ years of reform.
I do not pretend to have scope as to what teachers are feeling. This post was mainly to discuss how much vitriol is out there instead of support for change and it is coming from the entire bandwagon. Your comment provided no insight as to what you all are fighting or dissatisfied with other than condemnation for my support of change.
Honestly, how else do you suppose we get where we need to be? Sit and hope it happens or take action? I think it goes without saying most positions of service are thankless, I know mine certainly is, it is kind of kin to being a mom. You do it because it is your passion, because its right and because it makes a difference. Trust when I say I am overworked and underpaid… we all are… I hear your frustration and stand with you even when you don’t see it.
This is an incredibly biased article. As a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools (who can more than dispute these erroneous claims made by Brizard) and a parent who at one time was a very big fan of this blog, I am very offended and surprised that this article was posted without considering what the union and teachers are asking.
Uptown Mom, our sessions with CEO Brizard are not inputting sessions. We are not part of the discussion. It is a town hall of sorts. We are not part of the debate either. I apologize for offending you, but this post is merely about how people have such a hard time supporting change. I would love to hear your vision on overhauling this incredibly challenging situation.
Please don’t feel badly as I am sure if the criminal court system is ever overhauled ( my employer ) I will not be consulted either, nature of the beast when you are a foot soldier.
Additionally, if the CTU invites us, which they have not, I will be there bright-eyed and bushy tailed.
Thank you for taking a moment to voice your opinion.