I would appreciate the opportunity to address an inaccuracy and other issues raised in the Dec. 29, 2008, editorial on the proposed charter school.
The editorial suggests that outward School Choice is costing the city $1.4 million a year. That is not true. The figure for the current year is a net $916,273.
The school choice issue cannot be understood without reference to differential funding levels and the instability that was introduced into Gloucester by the $1.3 million cut in state aid between fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004. Prior to the start of our funding difficulties, Gloucester was reducing the number of students who were choosing to attend schools in other districts: from a net figure of 104 in fiscal 1997 to 37 in fiscal 2002. Since that time the net outward-bound figure has increased to 171 this year.
Neighboring districts typically spend far more per student than Gloucester is able to do. Between fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2007, spending per student in Gloucester was on the average $696 per student less than the state average, $696 per student less than Rockport, and $2,187 less than in Manchester and Essex. Parents understand that these higher spending districts are able to provide a wider range of services or smaller classes, and some make their choices accordingly.
The authors of the current charter school proposal try to make the case that families are choosing to send their children to schools in other districts because Gloucester public schools do not innovate. The proposal provides no data in support of this assertion.
Examples of initiatives that have been implemented during the past several years are set out below:
The Arts: In collaboration with the Gloucester Education Foundation, the establishment of string instrumental instruction program in the elementary schools, the establishment of an annual event to celebrate student achievement in the visual and performing arts, and the re-establishment of a high quality music program at the high school.
Mathematics: The introduction of the Investigations program in the elementary schools, a Grade 7 algebra class, and the hands-on Interactive Mathematics Program at the high school.
Literacy: The introduction of the Fundations program (an element of the charter school application). The establishment of a districtwide goal that 90 percent of students will read with comprehension at or above grade level by 2010, supported by leveled book rooms in kindergarten through grade eight, and the establishment of Literacy Circles and Writing Workshop approaches as common teaching methodologies.
Assessment: The introduction of diagnostic assessments in literacy and mathematics as the basis of differentiated instruction, and a three-tier intervention program in literacy; and the introduction of a standards-based mathematics report card.
Social and Emotional Intelligence: The Responsive Classroom program (an element of the charter school application) is being introduced across the elementary schools as resources allow. At present, four of the five schools are involved, and participation of the fifth is planned.
Science: The development of a collaborative program with the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, which provides hand-on maritime studies activities for third- and fourth-graders, is being extended to all elementary schools this year. We are optimistic that a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will enable the program to be extended across grades three through eight.
With the help of the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF), robotics programs have been introduced at grade 5, and in the middle and high schools, and a field study program involving a variety of outdoor learning experiences for second- through sixth-graders is being implemented.
With the support of a $1 million grant through the GEF, a collaborative program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is providing professional development for teachers, the opportunity to develop hands-on units of study at the middle school based on MIT's Edgerton Center initiatives, and a two-week summer program for middle school students based at MIT and the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. Recent development topics include digital mapping and navigation, renewable energy and maritime studies.
An engineering/technology resource center is under development at the middle school.
As these examples demonstrate, it is not true to say that Gloucester public schools or their teachers are uninterested in innovation. It is notable that these developments are being carried through in the context of the observation of the state's 2007 Education Management Audit report that "The district leadership team comprised of central administrators and principals lacked the resources necessary to provide adequate educational programs due to budgetary restrictions."
While the multi-age class proposal is interesting, it is hardly new. We had them in Sheffield in the United Kingdom back in the 1980s. Rockport has them now. Manchester Essex does not. Anyone following budget discussions over the past several years will know that multi-age classes have been discussed frequently, and the School Committee is investigating that form of organization.
The editorial charges me with "railing" against the proposed charter school. If I have been guilty of "reviling or scolding in harsh, insolent, or abusive language," as railing is defined, please point me to when and where this railing took place and I will apologize.
Superintendents of schools have a professional obligation to advocate on behalf of all those who attend a district's schools now or in the future. My concern, and that of city officials, is not with $2.4 million per se, but with what the loss of $2.4 million will probably mean to the opportunities that can be provided for the city as a whole. Interestingly, now that they understand the implications of the proposed charter school, some of those who wrote letters of support for the application have now modified their position.
Those interested in the district's response to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the charter school proposal can find it on the district Web site at www.gloucesterschools.com.
Christopher Farmer is Gloucester's superintendent of schools.
