When I was a principal at Payson Elementary, I tracked a cohort of full time and a group of half day kindergarten students from Kindergarten to 5th grade. I was shocked to see that the kids who had been in full day kindergarten outpaced their contemporaries in every academic category, all they way through the fifth grade. I wish now, I could find the study.
Now, in research correlation does not automatically mean causality. There are many factors contributing to student performance and it is difficult to isolate factors in a clinically clean manner. However, what impressed me was that rarely do you see such a consistent result in a group of students in a longitudinal fashion.
I should mention that the impetus for my research was my skepticism relative to the impact of all day kindergarten. However, after looking at it empirically, I am now a very strong proponent.
It should be noted that this young man was a finalist for the PHS Principalship last year. He comes highly regarded. I for one am thankful he gave PHS a second chance and wish him all the best. I hope this young man brings some long term leadership after the last three years of tumult. Kudos to Superintendent Hitchcock for insisting on an analytical, competency based approach to choosing a leader.
Pat, he advocates teaching English and speaks English perfectly. He is simply fluent in Spanish as well. I think it is commendable when someone has mastered another language as he has. I am frankly excited to see this young man come to Payson. I have a lot of contacts and he comes with high regard. He was actually a finalist last year and the committee chose a local. When that was ended in less than a year, this individual was willing to take a second look. Payson High School students and staff deserve a competent leader that can do the job for more than a year or two. I think we should support him.
John, probably funded using "soft" money like the Forest Service, pending FES sale or entitlement grant. It is actually what would be called a Teacher on Assignment "TOA". Don, I think you are correct. Very rare for a principal to be removed after less than a year. Certainly would not be removed and placed in a position with the same or more authority.
You nailed it on the Charter schools. Check out Basis Schools. Their M.O. is to hire folks with Master's and PhD.'s as teachers and lure the brightest and best students. My daughter works for them. She teaches English. Her kids are definitely the brightest and best. High achievers on Advanced Placement and pre-college classes. Most are children of high level professionals. Here is something to think about. The majority are of Asian and East Indian descent.
In many cases, charter schools such as Basis Peoria or Basis Scottsdale are successful in getting best kids out of the local district. This increases the achievement disparity. It is the way education is trending. We really can't blame the parents. They have an obligation to try and give their kids the best educational opportunity possible. Public schools have got to create solid advanced tracks and lure the best teachers for them or they will be out of luck.
Right now, public schools are not attracting the brightest and best. Not only that, but if they by chance land the best, they are unable to retain them. You cannot blame a kid who is good enough to teach math at the high school level, if they come in at $37000 and deal with discipline, endless paperwork, lazy students, unresponsive administration, club and extra-curricular duties and standardized test score flogging, if they awaken one day and say, "Hmm, if I'm going to work this hard, be this tired and put up with all of this, I think I'll just go back and get an engineering degree or MBA and do it for $95000 instead of 37K." And that is just what they do.
Thanks Bob. If others have a concern, they should call board members or speak to the Board at the call to the public during a board meeting. The Board president sets the agenda with the Superintendent so if you want it on the agenda, the best way is through the Board President.
Here is the full quote Bob was talking about:
My concern is that the original bond to fund FES, the Dome at the high school and an addition to the middle school was 9.9 million dollars. I believe that FES was about half of that. After it was built, they had to upgrade the electric panel. They also upgraded the kitchen. Then they put in in the field and well for irrigation. Later, they put classrooms in the P.E. dome. Finally, the year before they closed it, they took money from the bond that funded the new JRE and the Middle school renovation and added to the parking lot. When you add all this together it's around 5.5 million. Now after 17 years (it opened in 1996) it is for sale for 1.25 million. I think that's about 23% of the cost. It's a bargain for sure. However, only in education with bond tax money can you afford to build something for 5.5 million, maintain it for 17 years and sell it for 23% of the cost. Not counted in this is another 2 million or so that was received via fed. and state funding for amending right of ways for schools etc. I would only add that price tag in JRE was about 20 million. It will hold about 500 or so. I believe FES had around a 400 student capacity. In the event a new elementary school is needed in 5 or 6 years, the price tag will most likely be around 25 million for a 400 student elementary school. This school district would go to bond for this money. As well, by that time, the chances are that many aging buildings at the high school will need fixing as well. Is this a good use of taxpayer money? Will it ingratiate the public to pass another bond, or a budget override they will be asking for in two years - or will it alienate an already strapped public?
Now, I realize there are some that might dismiss my apprehensions as leftover "bad blood" from the debacle three years ago. However, many will realize these numbers are real - from the last bond all the way to the projected cost of a new elementary in five to six years.
Pat:
I respect what you have to say about your grandkids. I would add that my three kids were born and raised in Payson and attended the Payson schools. My experience is that three were very well prepared and academically competitive after graduation. Many teachers came alongside of them and helped them to be successful. I am thankful to each and every one.
I agree with the Roundup's view on this one. My concern is that the original bond to fund FES, the Dome at the high school and an addition to the middle school was 9.9 million dollars. I believe that FES was about half of that. After it was built, they had to upgrade the electric panel. They also upgraded the kitchen. Then they put in in the field and well for irrigation. Later, they put classrooms in the P.E. dome. Finally, the year before they closed it, they took money from the bond that funded the new JRE and the Middle school renovation and added to the parking lot. When you add all this together it's around 5.5 million. Now after 17 years (it opened in 1996) it is for sale for 1.25 million. I think that's about 23% of the cost. It's a bargain for sure. However, only in education with bond tax money can you afford to build something for 5.5 million, maintain it for 17 years and sell it for 23% of the cost. Not counted in this is another 2 million or so that was received via fed. and state funding for amending right of ways for schools etc. I would only add that price tag in JRE was about 20 million. It will hold about 500 or so. I believe FES had around a 400 student capacity. In the event a new elementary school is needed in 5 or 6 years, the price tag will most likely be around 25 million for a 400 student elementary school. This school district would go to bond for this money. As well, by that time, the chances are that many aging buildings at the high school will need fixing as well. Is this a good use of taxpayer money? Will it ingratiate the public to pass another bond, or a budget override they will be asking for in two years - or will it alienate an already strapped public?
Now, I realize there are some that might dismiss my apprehensions as leftover "bad blood" from the debacle three years ago. However, many will realize these numbers are real - from the last bond all the way to the projected cost of a new elementary in five to six years.
roy sandoval 1 day, 2 hours ago on All-day kindergarten touted as key to boosting scores
All-day kindergarten touted as key to boosting scores
When I was a principal at Payson Elementary, I tracked a cohort of full time and a group of half day kindergarten students from Kindergarten to 5th grade. I was shocked to see that the kids who had been in full day kindergarten outpaced their contemporaries in every academic category, all they way through the fifth grade. I wish now, I could find the study.
Now, in research correlation does not automatically mean causality. There are many factors contributing to student performance and it is difficult to isolate factors in a clinically clean manner. However, what impressed me was that rarely do you see such a consistent result in a group of students in a longitudinal fashion.
I should mention that the impetus for my research was my skepticism relative to the impact of all day kindergarten. However, after looking at it empirically, I am now a very strong proponent.
roy sandoval 1 week ago on New Administrator at HS.
New Administrator at HS.
Pat, Are you sure Spanish was invented yet, back when you were in high school?:)
roy sandoval 1 week ago on New Administrator at HS.
New Administrator at HS.
We agree.
roy sandoval 1 week ago on Principals picked promptly
Principals picked promptly
It should be noted that this young man was a finalist for the PHS Principalship last year. He comes highly regarded. I for one am thankful he gave PHS a second chance and wish him all the best. I hope this young man brings some long term leadership after the last three years of tumult. Kudos to Superintendent Hitchcock for insisting on an analytical, competency based approach to choosing a leader.
roy sandoval 1 week ago on New Administrator at HS.
New Administrator at HS.
Pat, he advocates teaching English and speaks English perfectly. He is simply fluent in Spanish as well. I think it is commendable when someone has mastered another language as he has. I am frankly excited to see this young man come to Payson. I have a lot of contacts and he comes with high regard. He was actually a finalist last year and the committee chose a local. When that was ended in less than a year, this individual was willing to take a second look. Payson High School students and staff deserve a competent leader that can do the job for more than a year or two. I think we should support him.
roy sandoval 1 week, 4 days ago on Principal Van Zile - Demotion or Scam?
Principal Van Zile - Demotion or Scam?
John, probably funded using "soft" money like the Forest Service, pending FES sale or entitlement grant. It is actually what would be called a Teacher on Assignment "TOA". Don, I think you are correct. Very rare for a principal to be removed after less than a year. Certainly would not be removed and placed in a position with the same or more authority.
roy sandoval 1 month, 3 weeks ago on 178 Link school funding to test scores again?
178 Link school funding to test scores again?
You nailed it on the Charter schools. Check out Basis Schools. Their M.O. is to hire folks with Master's and PhD.'s as teachers and lure the brightest and best students. My daughter works for them. She teaches English. Her kids are definitely the brightest and best. High achievers on Advanced Placement and pre-college classes. Most are children of high level professionals. Here is something to think about. The majority are of Asian and East Indian descent.
In many cases, charter schools such as Basis Peoria or Basis Scottsdale are successful in getting best kids out of the local district. This increases the achievement disparity. It is the way education is trending. We really can't blame the parents. They have an obligation to try and give their kids the best educational opportunity possible. Public schools have got to create solid advanced tracks and lure the best teachers for them or they will be out of luck.
Right now, public schools are not attracting the brightest and best. Not only that, but if they by chance land the best, they are unable to retain them. You cannot blame a kid who is good enough to teach math at the high school level, if they come in at $37000 and deal with discipline, endless paperwork, lazy students, unresponsive administration, club and extra-curricular duties and standardized test score flogging, if they awaken one day and say, "Hmm, if I'm going to work this hard, be this tired and put up with all of this, I think I'll just go back and get an engineering degree or MBA and do it for $95000 instead of 37K." And that is just what they do.
roy sandoval 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Rethink sale of school
Rethink sale of school
Thanks Bob. If others have a concern, they should call board members or speak to the Board at the call to the public during a board meeting. The Board president sets the agenda with the Superintendent so if you want it on the agenda, the best way is through the Board President.
Here is the full quote Bob was talking about: My concern is that the original bond to fund FES, the Dome at the high school and an addition to the middle school was 9.9 million dollars. I believe that FES was about half of that. After it was built, they had to upgrade the electric panel. They also upgraded the kitchen. Then they put in in the field and well for irrigation. Later, they put classrooms in the P.E. dome. Finally, the year before they closed it, they took money from the bond that funded the new JRE and the Middle school renovation and added to the parking lot. When you add all this together it's around 5.5 million. Now after 17 years (it opened in 1996) it is for sale for 1.25 million. I think that's about 23% of the cost. It's a bargain for sure. However, only in education with bond tax money can you afford to build something for 5.5 million, maintain it for 17 years and sell it for 23% of the cost. Not counted in this is another 2 million or so that was received via fed. and state funding for amending right of ways for schools etc. I would only add that price tag in JRE was about 20 million. It will hold about 500 or so. I believe FES had around a 400 student capacity. In the event a new elementary school is needed in 5 or 6 years, the price tag will most likely be around 25 million for a 400 student elementary school. This school district would go to bond for this money. As well, by that time, the chances are that many aging buildings at the high school will need fixing as well. Is this a good use of taxpayer money? Will it ingratiate the public to pass another bond, or a budget override they will be asking for in two years - or will it alienate an already strapped public? Now, I realize there are some that might dismiss my apprehensions as leftover "bad blood" from the debacle three years ago. However, many will realize these numbers are real - from the last bond all the way to the projected cost of a new elementary in five to six years.
roy sandoval 2 months, 2 weeks ago on What is wrong with the School board
What is wrong with the School board
Pat: I respect what you have to say about your grandkids. I would add that my three kids were born and raised in Payson and attended the Payson schools. My experience is that three were very well prepared and academically competitive after graduation. Many teachers came alongside of them and helped them to be successful. I am thankful to each and every one.
roy sandoval 3 months ago on Board should rethink plans to sell Frontier
Board should rethink plans to sell Frontier
I agree with the Roundup's view on this one. My concern is that the original bond to fund FES, the Dome at the high school and an addition to the middle school was 9.9 million dollars. I believe that FES was about half of that. After it was built, they had to upgrade the electric panel. They also upgraded the kitchen. Then they put in in the field and well for irrigation. Later, they put classrooms in the P.E. dome. Finally, the year before they closed it, they took money from the bond that funded the new JRE and the Middle school renovation and added to the parking lot. When you add all this together it's around 5.5 million. Now after 17 years (it opened in 1996) it is for sale for 1.25 million. I think that's about 23% of the cost. It's a bargain for sure. However, only in education with bond tax money can you afford to build something for 5.5 million, maintain it for 17 years and sell it for 23% of the cost. Not counted in this is another 2 million or so that was received via fed. and state funding for amending right of ways for schools etc. I would only add that price tag in JRE was about 20 million. It will hold about 500 or so. I believe FES had around a 400 student capacity. In the event a new elementary school is needed in 5 or 6 years, the price tag will most likely be around 25 million for a 400 student elementary school. This school district would go to bond for this money. As well, by that time, the chances are that many aging buildings at the high school will need fixing as well. Is this a good use of taxpayer money? Will it ingratiate the public to pass another bond, or a budget override they will be asking for in two years - or will it alienate an already strapped public? Now, I realize there are some that might dismiss my apprehensions as leftover "bad blood" from the debacle three years ago. However, many will realize these numbers are real - from the last bond all the way to the projected cost of a new elementary in five to six years.