Some key issues that the Stamford Public Schools are facing right now:
Crisis of ConfidenceThe investigations, arrests, damaging reports and media frenzy that surround the “Stamford High scandal” have left many citizens wondering about the competence and leadership abilities of the elected Board of Education and the school district’s central administration. The Board should develop a plan for addressing the reported shortcomings in the district’s climate and culture.
Changing personnel is the first step. But more must be done to assure that a new administration does not fall back into the same habits. I believe that board members must connect regularly with the school community to avoid being caught unaware of problems. OvercrowdingPerhaps the most significant challenge facing SPS is overcrowding and the attendant demographic projections. The need for more space will intensify over the next decade and necessitate a long lead-time to plan, design and construct. Traditional facilities may be inappropriate for future learning.
The overcrowding problem has been known for over two years (and probably longer). We need an immediate solution to address the current crisis - there is not time to design and build. We need to look at leasing alternatives. Any new building must be flexible. What should a classroom look like 20 years from now? Are there better ways to configure classrooms? These questions must be answered when planning new construction. |
Acquisition of Sacred Heart PropertyKudos to the administration and legislative team that helped get the financing through. However, renovating an old structure is usually more expensive than building from ground up. There are often unforeseen complications. I would prefer a site where the cost is less for the same result and the estimates are more reliable.
I am further concerned that we are constructing a school in the same model as last-century buildings. I would like to see the design reflect forward-thinking ideas and teaching concepts. |
Common CoreWhile I understand the premise of setting a state-wide or national standard for student progress, I do not agree that having a rigid structure for all students will yield a superior learning experience. It contradicts the efforts made to further “personalization” in our schools. Students learn at different paces and in different styles, and a “one-size-fits-all” solution does not work. Additionally, it tends to rely on traditional instruction methods and assessments rather than consider evolving technologies and instructional approaches.
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Charter SchoolsI believe the current charter schools (Stamford Academy, Trailblazers) are assets and complementary to SPS. They concentrate on the most in-need, at-risk constituents. The developing Stamford Charter School for Excellence is a different model. Ultimately, it may be an economic benefit to Stamford (though that cannot be guaranteed) and provide some relief to overcrowding in the public schools, but it adheres to different regulations and incentives. It may have the unintended consequence of aggravating the SPS achievement gap based on standardized testing.
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