Tag Archives: public

Comparing Ethical Norms of Public School Communities

Malverne School District Community Posted on by

Under the influence of the current accountability trend, The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) aligned its methodology of evaluating superintendents and school boards to the HEDI matrix. (A sample of the matrix as used by NYSED is pictured). The 18-page evaluation guidelines are available on the association’s website. The NYSSBA guidelines evaluate more aspects than the matrix. The association added fields dedicated to the quality of the community-school board relationship and the … Continue reading →

School Board Committees—the “public” in public education

Malverne School District Community Posted on by

At the beginning of February, I reposted in our local FB group dedicated to schools a picture from a vigil held in Port Washington. Some time passed by until a couple of days ago I read an article entitled “Have We Lost Sight of the Promise of Public Schools?,” by Nikole Hannah-Jones, published in the New York Times. The article enticed me to develop the facts I learned behind the picture into a story … Continue reading →

Prep and Testing Cycles Parents Have to Deal with

Malverne School District Community Posted on by

Earlier today, I sent the following email letter to parents whose children attend M.W. Downing school, Malverne, NY. Since it’s an elementary school hosting grades K–2 only, the children are not yet exposed to the NYS high-stakes tests. But it’s the prime time to be discussing, #parentcamp-style, how parents envision the future education of their children. Dear Parents, The preparation cycle comes to an abrupt end today. The contracts of the test prep services … Continue reading →