2A ©#0
NEWS/iElie CMtte $0iEi2
Thursday, September 28, 2006
High schools’ challenge: Student achievement
Continued from page 1A
their students through End
of Course testing. The recon
stituted schools showed
improvement for the 2005-
2006 academic year, but
none reached the 50-percent
mark.
“We’re not educating the
kids well, and we’re not
doing what we need to do,”
said Gorman. “We have to
begin doing something dif
ferent. What will improve
the scores at these schools is
more effective teaching...
and leadership.’’
Gorman explained on a
national level, reconstitution
usually means taking 10
teachm^ who are strug^ing
at school A and moving them
to school B, and School
C...etc. However, that is not
how this plan will work.
‘We can not simply move
under performing employees
from one site to another,”
explained Gorman. “All that
does is move an existing
problem from one school to
another. We have poorly per-
fonning students at all of our
schools...we have to make
sure we provide them with
what is best.”
Gorman’s plan will mea
sure principal and teacher
effectiveness using estab
lished standards already
employed ' by CMS.
Principals, teachers and sup
port staff who perform at a
high performance level wOl
be eligible for a merit-based
salary supplemental bonus
for next year.
Principals, teachers and
support staff who do meet the
standards wiU be given
action plans that lay out spe
cific areas of improvement. If
they do not improve after
working on the Action Plan
this year, they will be consid
ered for dismissal.
‘Please understand this is
just one component,” said
Gorman. “Students play a
role, they must be held
accountable. Parents must be
held accountable. (But) I
can’t control the student
piece or the parent piece. I
have some control over the
staff piece.”
The plan will be imple
mented immediately with
initial observations of teach
ers and staff through Oct. 20.
By Oct. 31, individual growth
and action plans will be com
pleted for anyone needing
improvement. Before the
winter break, principals will
complete a second obseiva-
tion, and mid-year
appraisals will be completed
by the end of January In
May and June, CMS will
complete the non-renewal
and dismissal process.
In addition, CMS mandat
ed aU four hi^ schools must
reach 55 percent on EOC
composite scores by the end
of this year and 60 percent
by the end of next year. The
state m.i.nimum is 60 percent;
Judge Howard Manning,
who • is overseeing the
Leandro case for -funding
low-wealth schools and
threatened to shut down
struggling CMS campuses,
wants 55 percent.
“I don’t want a situation
where Judge Manning is
telling US how to run our
schools,” said Gorman. “We
need to get above that bar.”
The principals of each hi^
school were in attendance at
a media briefing on
Wednesday West Charlotte’s
John Modest acknowledged
the need for change.
“We have that challenge,”
he said. “We have ei^ty per
cent of our students on fiiee
and reduced lunch; student
Modest
population about 95 percent
African-American. I know
those students can learn I
have extremely hi^ expecta
tions, and itis
my job to help
provide the
% ^ ^yP® envi-
k _ ronment to
prepare them
for the next
level. Am I
afraid of the
challenge?
No.”
Each principal is aware
that their job is tied directly
to student achievement. Yet,
Gorman also realizes the fail
ure of his plan could mean
the end of his job.
“It’s my expectation that
the board won’t continue to
have me as Superintendent if
we are not successful with
this,” said Gorman.
“This is not a flexible tar
get,” said Gorman.- ‘We can’t
afford to wait. Ifwe don’t act
now more than 3,700 stu
dents wiU be in jeopardy of
not being able to pass the
state tests this year.”
The reconstitution plan is
only the first part of his
reform initiatives.
‘We are looking at perfor
mance-based pay and differ- beyond these four schools,
entiated pay expanded well This is the first step.” .
Come on in.
Xhe rates
are great.
/t iijenme of health Mrts here.
%
Fight sparks CMS security upgrade
By Erica Singleton
FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST
Chari otte-Mecklenburg
Schools Superintendent
Peter (Jorman said stronger
safety measures are being
put in place at schools, but
they can’t do it alone.
‘We must have help Sum
the community” said
Gorman, who urged parents
to be more
involved, espe
cially with
middle- and
high school
students.
‘You need to
know who
your child is
[hanging out]
are they
Green.
Also, more CMS staff wiU
be employed at games, espe
cially in the parking lots, to
help idaitify those students
that have been banned from
Schools will communicate
with parents regarding
restricted studaits.
“The policy to ban students
fiom games is not new, but it
has not been enforced as
strong as it could be,” Green
said.
Banned students who are
caught at games face the
possibility of expulsion or
trespassing charges.
“Fourteen-year-olds should
feel safe going to a footbaU
game,” said Gorman.
“Students can govern their
own behavior. These kids are
old enough to be fi:ee-think-
ing and make positive deci
sions.”
• Urgent Care • School/Sport Physical
• Sports Injury • Allergy Test
• Minor Trauma • In-House Lab/X-Ray
* Immunization
(*
Andrew Ighade, MD FAAP
BOAltD CERTIFIED
rtidny 0;00iim-'5:00t>ni • S.>turi|jv9.00am-l:00pn>
CAi 1 NOW FOR APPOINTMf NT'S
SSi'lO Wt’5.1 Atuiwoocl H(l. Suite UlO
Cbiutottfi. NC ?82T3
WWW miclcaroliiuipwl.i'oni
(704) 58a-Q2.T2 nhone (704) 588-044.‘i t.i>!
Se HeiMn Gspohul
AM MAIOR INSURANCES ACC.EWD - V^AIK INS WFlCOMt
Girlfi
1 1^! i
\Gdaway
Green
with... where
going...why are they going
there... and know what your
child is bringing to school.”
He added that in addition
to the incident at East
Mecklenburg High School
last week, there has been an
increase of weapons, Mke
knives and Airsoft pistols
being brought to school.
“This has to stop,” said
(Jorman. “These are not toys.
Help us keep your children
and our schools safe.”
Chief Operating Officer
Maurice Green and
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Deputy Chief of Police Dave
Stevens discussed ongoing
and new security measures,
as well as the status of the
football incident.
‘We have made one arrest
for an assault of the two
men,” said Stevens.
“However, we are not pre
pared at this time to give out
the name. “This is an on
going investigation... we are
seeking one other suspect.”
Stevens added that police
have reason to believe this
was a gang related incident.
‘We are very concerned
about safety at schools, par
ticularly at East
Mecklenburg,” Green said.
He outlined that while
some security plans and
actions wiU go into effect
immediately others may be
put into place after further
evaluations of current prac
tices. Between 14-25 police
officers wffl continue to be
present at games.
Beginning this Friday, all
students attending Derita
Alternative School due to
behavioral and disciplinary
problems will not be allowed
into any games. Also, stu
dents who “display gang
style behaviors,” will be put
on social restrictions, ban
ning them fiom attending
The ulTimate trip for tfre ultimate circle of friends.
Pack your bags and go In style with the Girlfriends L.A. Getaway.
Enter for your ohanoe to win o trip to glamorous Los Angeles, California,
Plus sensational sights, shopping and spa treatment for you and three of your best girlsl
-ferfttke
to
•k
come and get your love'"
Slltel
wireless
o my circle — call anyone on any network for free. Visit ailtelcircle.com for details.
“Gcdng to athletic events is
a privilege, not a right,” said
Alitsl Rtttli Swes 1 O Thw> Rsliil Storas Now Opsn Sundsy.
atari oH«
iSMQallatiaeiva
ttM&3244SE
Q aaRdPimenaite
tidEHatiiBIvtl
mnwsi
Rea i/lllage llncolmDn
liE24Prtiriijancan 0 1429 E Mae SI.
IW 846-2144 (tM) 740-9229
QTonngaon Market Monroe
34l9Torlng:l9nWBy. Q ISSTDickeitanBlvil
Sta lOe lt04)292-24?4
(704)296-1690
Gaaienla
03S44E FtarUinBM
[7D4)eB1>366D
Kannapfiila
0^326 Rose a
(704) 79146 E9
Moaraaville
OaeotiW PiaiaDi
(?04)662-W44
Pliwville
OBI^Pineville-
- Mallhovt RJ
(7W)643«63
16080 CertrumPImv Staiaaville
(lesideltifiBil) Ol630E»Deda
HDOknigham
117S E Broad
(910)^7-7066
SaltatiiKY
910E InresSI
(7M) 696-0066
Shelhy
311096 DKoeBIwi
(704)460-7466
1 Prwtdy.Agsntiil
E^uiprnsiit S prerfioiietisl offers
at these looatiotis may vary
Salta bury
(704)6934406
(704)897-80%
lAuthorljS.dAflMm] SquiptTient 8 proncrtional offers
at these locations may vary
Shop ataPameipeiitig
vinL^MAirr
Oiarlolla
(704)697-6770
Worth CafuUfla
Biaeoa
3D\WraiM9
(916)4212210
(hincord
Puiura Cell Jar
(704) 788-9930
Proud Spcmior d: »
I ta Mobile
(?04)979-67f?
PifleViltO
1 Touch Mcblla
(7041641-9793
F«r BtsinsM & Qsvtrtmwni Accounts cah 1-677-B(Z-CNTR or vNII sIlMlbiisinMS.eom
ACC
rK(MaaH|iii:8t«a4tt4&Airottttiibiritttmyapi)iY Aanonitaokirifli will apt
plan Onty those messtjaseonnrmad to b« seniorrecekeTOibe applie/toyour bli ..
Igr up to three (3) Oays Alltel does not guarantee ifisssage accurecy.coffpletaness orr
currenlty not available 0|I-Qh lutnotlOH: ltd ITOP toBTOGE lo h4 maHliee. Help
tuppori can 1 -eaD-ARel-l GlrttHaiaa lA QaUway: No pnekiaa aeoauaiy to eaior. Hay. oi wia.
Iindwiteiesttalaphonenumbefr — —' - -
tupport' ,.... r .
hen0ptintyeurnartie,luHadSrais,i)8yhmB,e»aninflindWiteie$ttalaphone . ...
Ml trivia reepensei and maU-in entnaa.up ta ton |10|, win count as ontrios into tha Sweepstakes per
tississippi. North Carolina, south Carolina, or Ohio Who ora ie y
For Alltai Oustoffleri, tha Pharaailer text tnaiiaoingiervisa will uaiy demanding onyour plan. Eaohrretiaee sent pr racaiveil will courtt against your massiging
larelMeach.ahapav-pahusabiah DnmostoFiohosJextrfiBssagesaialitnitadtDlseehBraatersparmassaga MessageswlHba saved4daiiveiyaflemptad
t monitored not conmad lor contant, ekeapt lor direot cdhvnunlcitiafi tram Alltel Massaging deUll [date, hme 4 phone numesr the massage was sant to) is
Sltot[iro|timniotmalloa.A44iliflaallHfiitfiiaHaa:Te«mas4ai “ ’ “
teaimessaBBttthashortcoOerMetopbtintE •"
(ogbonall on I r «!' piaea oi paper and send it in a pro
-v.ialtime Period Yau da not have to answer tha Ctvieiiuaw.
isdua t1 89p m {teaah Sunday Wsn‘Wihn mg weakly anriBiwiiibeeartied aver inia tha suDseouantweek's
_ , ... , -.. - yaaiadligaoioidai Void whale pmniBlted Fuilfulasand|etailsatwwwaliteleeitvgirilriehdsNlvtlfBla:A'
too n«io4hioliar My Circle appliislo tan numbers per adoauntwFilchiTUst be shares among all iinas on the primary aocouht Not available on prapaid plans CustameimBynptdeSignataownwiieiessarvdicB
ivailabiaftumiiata.Ca66mu»tlisgin4andinyour plan's calling area DasgnatadnumbaiemuHbewitfiinthaUS PfearimmeybBjiscohBnuadatthadiSetabonolAltBl Orraiaare-’-' ...-i*-—• '
or aHtsi com Ai product 4 sirvico maika riiaranced are tha names, trade namashademarki 4 logos H thsir raapactive awnera t2CDBAltel Communicahnns. ins Al lights lesarvi
SwBBpstakas Ininas madB Bytaxt massaging wtHbeShargad according
.reek's drawing OBansniytolegalfamaieresidenlsclAabame.Akansas,
irela; Available to new and ekisnng outtomers ah current salecf fate plans
jivcicB mill number. DifeclcryAssistanoe SI 900 nuifbeisaSanyolfha ten
subject to bia Altai tbrns 4 Condihcnifor Communicahons Sarvicas available at any Altai store