Talk About Whether to Restructure D65 Schools Is Back on the Table

By Larry Gavin

Some new life was pumped back into Jonathan Baum's proposal that the District 65 School Board discuss what the structure of the District's schools should look like. Mr. Baum said, "What I've been proposing is the District engage in what some people refer to as a ‘visioning process' to talk about what mix of attendance area and magnet schools is best for the District."

Mr. Baum said the process could lead to a decision to have all attendance-area schools or to have all magnet schools or to leave things the way they are. "I'm not saying we should come to any one of these conclusions. I'm just saying we should engage in a process where we think about what we want our school system to look like," he said.

Members of the Board expressed sharply divided views on the issue at their June 19 meeting, but four expressed some degree of interest in taking at least a first step to explore the community's interest in restructuring the schools. The narrow consensus rejects a May 22 recommendation of the Board's Program/Policy Committee to pull off the table any big picture discussion of restructuring the schools.

The issue of restructuring the schools has arisen as a result of the expansion of the Two-Way-Immersion program (TWI) and the impact the placement of TWI at some of the schools has had on the general education programs. Next year the TWI program will expand to eight kindergarten classes and a total of 29 classrooms. Superintendent Hardy Murphy has said if the program holds at eight classrooms per grade level, the program will need 48 classrooms in five years.

Mr. Baum has advocated the District should determine what it wants its school system to look like and then select a bilingual program "based on what we want our school system to look like."

He said, "The problem is we're backdooring our way into changing our school system. It is changing. For example, we face these decisions: Are we going to have TWI in every school? Are we going to have a language academy? And so forth."

"We've been given an opportunity by virtue of the pressure that is on us because of the growth of the TWI program," said Mary Rita Luecke. "Maybe there's a way of using the visioning process to set the parameters. Maybe that is a way of looking at this."

Board president Mary Erickson preferred addressing the issue in a narrower context. "I think our key decision, and it's a tough decision, is to figure out what to do with TWI," she said. "If the TWI program won't fit in one school, it begins to describe what the options are.…Everything else gets framed by that."

Ms. Erickson added she was reluctant to sign onto the bigger picture approach because it might create excessive expectations in the community.

Marianne Kountoures opposed looking at restructuring the schools, saying it would be a distraction. "We need to discuss TWI outcomes, to determine whether those outcomes justify its continued expansion or capping it. Then we're going to have to look at the structure of our existing schools to see if they can incorporate that expansion," she said.

"I'm very concerned because we have a full plate. We have TWI which is forcing us to even have a discussion about restructuring the District. We have parents who are very concerned about our perceived lack of focus about the general education classroom, and I just don't know what this is morphing into," Ms. Kountoures added.

Jerome Summers said, "I think this vision quest is going off on a tangent. We're not doing the fundamental things we need to do to beef up general education."

Dr. Murphy said the administration and principals had a lot on their plate for the coming year in terms of implementing the new reading textbooks, the middle school study recommendations, the African-centered pilot program and other initiatives. "We would suggest we focus narrowly on the TWI issue right now," he said.

Julie Chernoff proposed a survey to determine if the community had interest in the concept of limited school choice. "See if there's interest in the community, and if there's not interest, then I think we move with figuring out the parameters of TWI," she said.

The Board did not take a formal vote on the issue, but Ms. Mary Erickson reported that Board member Sharon Sheehan, who was absent from the meeting, had advised she preferred a broader picture approach and said, "I think there is consensus among four members of the Board to go ahead and look at a broader picture of planning rather than just concentrating on the TWI decision."
The first step in the big picture approach is a baby step. Ms. Erickson asked Dr. Murphy to contact professionals with expertise in conducting surveys to attend the Board's meeting in September to discuss the issue.

D65 Projects Surplus Through 2011

School District 65's Comptroller Kathy Zalewski presented a preliminary tentative budget for 2006-07 and updated financial projections for 2007-11 at the Board's Finance Committee meeting.
The preliminary budget for 2006-07 shows an operating surplus of $1.2 million, and the projections show operating surpluses for each of the next four years totaling $3.2 million. Assuming the District enjoys the surpluses projected, its cumulative cash position in all operating funds would be approximately $25 million at June 30, 2011.

Pope John XXIII Graduates

On June 4 at St. Nicholas Church, the following students graduated eighth grade from Pope John XXIII School:
Hope Alford
Jean Carr
Paul Clark
Ashley Durand
Stephanie Fenty
Jasmine Garvin
Frances Hallstrom
Julia Hartnett
Tayler Lenior
Joseph Ruel
Madeline Spellman
Elizabeth Swarczewski
Erin Szarnych
Ugoma Ugho
Kristina Walsh
Melvin Wright

2006-2007 School Registration

All new and returning students must register for the 2006-07 school year at the   Joseph E. Hill Education Center, 1500 McDaniel Ave. Call Information Services, 847-492-5887 with any questions.

Below are the times and dates for registration:
Mon./Wed./Fri.: noon-7 p.m.
June 28, June 30, July 24, July 26, July 28, Aug. 9 and Aug. 11.
Tues./Thurs. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
June 27, June 29, July 25, July 27, Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.

Any child living in District 65 who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 is eligible to register for kindergarten for fall 2006.

D65 Appoints New Assistant Superintendent of School Operations

By Larry Gavin

Dr. Valerie Moore was confirmed by the District 65 School Board on June 19 as the District's new assistant superintendent of school operations. Dr. Moore replaces Dr. Lynn McCarthy,  who is retiring.

Superintendent Hardy Murphy said Dr. Moore holds a doctorate in educational administration and a master of arts in educational administration. She most recently served as director of research for professional development and research and school improvement at Proviso Township High School in Maywood. She previously served as a principal at Northwood Jr. High School in Highland Park and prior to that was a fine arts and performing arts teacher and staff development coordinator at Evanston Township High School.

Dr. Moore said, "I know you have the highest of high expectations for students. So do I. And just like you, I value academic excellence and achievement. I will be committed to work tirelessly to continue the great work that you are doing in this District."

Dr. Murphy said Dr. McCarthy was retiring to be a full-time grandmother. Addressing Dr. McCarthy, he said, "All of us,  Lynn, and I especially, will miss you. It's important to have, in light of the challenges faced in the District, someone who has an infinite amount of energy and willingness to take on tasks, to have someone on your staff who will say, ‘I'll do it.' I will always remember that about you. It's been a delight to have you as part of our team." Dr. Murphy added, "The principals have talked about how you got the job done.…This entire District appreciates you and that's the hallmark of success."

New Orrington Principal
 Dr. Murphy also announced that Debbie Gardner would be the new principal at Orrington School. Ms. Gardner holds a master's in education and administration and previously served as a principal at schools in Barrington and Riverside.

Ms. Gardner said, "I'm very excited about getting to know the families and staff at Orrington, and I look forward to a wonderful year."

Test-Prep Course Shows Some Positive Results

By Jennie Berkson

ETHS students enrolled in a credit course designed to help them improve their scores on the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) have shown some positive results on the test, according to preliminary analysis of the data.

The course was offered for the first time this spring, using materials and consultation from Kaplan Learning Systems, to second-semester juniors whose grade point average was 2.0 or higher and who scored between 13 and 16 points on a sub-test of the PLAN test. The PLAN test is a standardized test taken by high school sophomores.  School administrators thought that with additional assistance, this group of students had the potential to meet standards on the PSAE.  Administrators set an objective that at least 50 percent of the students would exceed the predicted outcome based on PLAN scores.  Based on past analysis, predicted gain for this group of students, without any additional assistance, was approximately one or more points, according to a report presented to the District 202 School Board on June 19.

ETHS is particularly concerned about improving student scores on the PSAE, as it is the measure by which adequate yearly progress (AYP) against goals set by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is measured.  Students in a number of the sub-groups tracked by NCLB, including black and Hispanic students, have continued to fail to meet standards. So far, sanctions against the school have included a requirement to offer school choice and supplemental educational services.  This year, if District 202 does not make AYP, they will also be required to take corrective action such as replacing school staff, implementing new curriculum or extending the school day or year.

A total of 100 students were originally identified as candidates for the course; 67 ultimately registered and completed it.  There was an average of 12 students in each section.  The report presented to the Board included results for 57 students, as not all of the ACT tests from the PSAE had been scored in time to be included in the report. The results were reported for 34 black students, seven Hispanic students and 13 white students (three students were not included in the racial breakdown).  Overall, 63 percent of the students improved their scores in reading by 2 or more points and 25% of the students in reading by seven or more points. 

Math scores also improved: 62 percent improved by 2 or more points, 16 percent by more than 7 points.  At the high end of the improvement range, black students made fewer gains than white students: 24 percent and18 percent of black students, respectively, increased their scores in reading and math by 7 or more points; 54 percent and 23 percent of white students respectively increased their scores in reading or math by 7 or more points.  Hispanic students showed fewer gains than either of the other two groups: Only 43 percent of students increased their scores in reading, and only by 2 points; 57 percent of Hispanic students did better in math.

In addition to the score evaluation, students and teachers were "surveyed to death," said Madeline Powell, ETHS Counselor and coordinator of the test prep program.  The survey showed that students understood that good performance on the ACT part of the PSAE was important, but they did not understand the value of the rest of the test, which includes a science assessment and a component called WorkKeys,  which assesses what level of work skills students have.  

Dr. Judith Levinson, director of research, evaluation and Assessment, told the RoundTable, "I believe the results are encouraging - we may have to tweak the program, depending on the results [of the rest of the test]. Certainly, students' ACT scores improved and will provide more opportunity for students for college entry.  The bar for AYP is high - we are hopeful that more students will pass the PSAE, but that will depend on ACT and WorkKeys performance.  We may need to schedule the course over a longer period to include test prep for WorkKeys as well as ACT."

"We found that we were re-teaching geometry," said Marilyn Madden, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.  She pointed out that students did not have the vocabulary they needed to read some of the passages in the reading section and did not know how to proceed, given that lack of knowledge.

Student feedback suggested that the course should be longer.  "We had to rush through most of the books, and some of the things aren't able to stick due to the fact it went too fast," was one student's comment.  Students requested more homework and more study time for  the science section because "it was the most difficult to understand," they said.

"It bothers me that geometry had to be re-taught," remarked Board member Margaret Lurie.  Vice-President Jane Colleton expressed her concern that "we are becoming so test-absorbed."  She said, "I understand why it has to be this way, but these are skills [the students are] supposed to have from the [regular] classroom."

Board member Mary Wilkerson said "a year-long course might be important." Board member Martha Burns supported the idea of test preparation.  "Until our society changes how kids get scholarships and into college ... we need to equip all of our students with those skills," she said.

Ms. Madden recommended that the course be continued for the 2006-07 school year and that the possibility of expanding it to a yearlong course also be explored.  According to the report presented to the Board, the one-semester course will cost $35,000 to administer.

Sun Does Not Set on Additional Help for Underachieving Students

By Jennie Berkson

The District 202 School Board voted on June 19 to extend a program that lets students participate in extracurricular activities and athletics despite the fact that they do not meet required academic standards.

The Extracurricular Academic Plan (EAP) was developed in response to  Evanston Township High School's implementation of an eligibility standard of a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) for students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics.  The EAP provides students with GPAs in the previous semester of 1.7 to 1.99 with a one-time opportunity to continue to participate in extracurricular activities while receiving focused support and fulfilling the requirements of a contract. Only six students per semester, on average, have opted to participate in the program since its inception in the spring of 2004. Because the program was subject to a sunset clause, it was brought up for review at the recent Board meeting.

Board members had asked for information from ETHS administrators about the GPAs of students after they completed the EAP and farther down the road.  Of the 31 students who completed the program, 81 percent had over a 2.0 average at the end of the semester in which they participated in EAP.  A longer-term evaluation identified the current or graduating GPAs of 25 students who had participated in the EAP at some earlier time in their high school career.  Of those 25, 68 percent had above a 2.0 average.

Although Superintendent Allan Alson had originally suggested that the program be discontinued because it was used by so few students and was perceived to be costly, he revised his recommendation contingent on development of a marketing plan for the program and active monitoring of students and provision of services when necessary following their participation in EAP.

Board member Rachel Hayman expressed her concern that "we have many narrowly focused support programs and no one clearinghouse for a student to get to ask, ‘Where can I get help?'  This seems like just one more strand of spaghetti. We need something more coordinated."

The Board voted unanimously to continue the program through second semester 2008, when it will come up for review again.

Fifth-Graders Tackle Weighty Issues at YEA

Although the words were sometimes drowned by the clatter of the El trains, the messages were clear: Bullying, racism, drunk driving and smoking are already on the minds of 10-year-olds.

These and other societal problems were subjects that fifth-graders at Lincolnwood School tackled during the year in conjunction with the Shanti Foundation for Peace.

Lindsey Smith spent the year working with the Lincolnwood students as part of Shanti's ACIS program - Arts and Communities in Schools.

"We worked with the entire fifth grade on several issues of social justice," said Ms. Smith. The children identified several societal issues that affect them, and then wrote plays about them. "When it came time to decide which ones to perform at YEA, the Young Evanston Artists festival, they didn't want to choose just a few, so they edited and combined the plays into several skits," she added.

The skit on racism was so intense that at the YEA performance Ms. Smith said the student who played a racist father wanted everyone to know that he was just playing the part. In another skit, a bully learns firsthand the harm she is doing when her sister is hurt.

"Bullying is wrong," say the student narrators at the end of the skit. "It comes from a place of sadness and anger. If someone is bullying you, tell someone.'

The Shanti Foundation works with schools in Evanston and Chicago on issues of social justice, Ms. Smith said.

Additional ETHS Grads

Two names were omitted from the list of 2006 Evanston Township High School graduates published in the June 14 issue of the RoundTable:  Keisha Ashley Campbell and Jacob Perry Nachsin

NIU Announces Spring Dean's List

Northern Illinois University announced that the following students made the  Spring 2006 dean's list:  Catherine Moody, Ashley Pointer and Adolfo Villegas.