NYC Rubber Room Reporter and ATR CONNECT: Renewal Schools Give New Job Opportunities To NYC DOE Higher Ups Who Have Proved Their Worth

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Renewal Schools Give New Job Opportunities To NYC DOE Higher Ups Who Have Proved Their Worth

At the New York City Department of Education, anyone who plays along with the prevalent policy of the day (policies change, and employees hoping to stay employed change with them without question) gets promoted, coddled, rewarded, and benefits+.

The renewal policy will be, I believe, the newest disaster to hit the health, safety and welfare of the children trying to get a good education in NYC public schools.

Similar to the secret intent of the Workshop Model - namely to get rid of teachers - renewal is another name for "ditch the bad". Yes, all readers, it was our very own Carmen Farina who created and pushed the Workshop Model with its ridiculous scripts for teaching on the New York public school system, starting at PS 6 in Manhattan. Luckily, for purposes of having the right to say it doesn't work, I was at PS 6 when the Workshop Model destroyed the learning of the kids and the careers of the teachers.

I wrote an article about my youngest daughter's distress over TERC math, the fuzzy anti-learning policy also implemented also so that teachers and students could fail in higher order thinking in math concepts.

At PS6, what a group of parents and I did was to take the homework, work with our children to do the math in the traditional way, then put the hats over the numbers and scribble "work" onto the page that looked like we were getting the answers from literally fuzzifying the process. Our kids learned math the traditional way, but handed in fuzzy work to please the teachers, all of whom were told by Carmen Farina to punish any child not doing the homework the fuzzy way. (source will not be disclosed) Carmen ended the Gifted and Talented program at PS 6 because "all kids can learn" and a level 2 or 3 is fine.

At Stuyvesant High School, a separate curriculum was established for the kids who took fuzzy math in District 2, because they had no grasp of the traditional math concepts and had to be on a separate track.

We have posted before that the words "bad" or good", "properly" or "improperly", etc., are subjective opinions. When you hear the word “incompetent”, look at the person who is writing or saying it. The word itself is situation specific. For example, if a teacher is tenured and teaches chemistry for 10 years and then the Principal assigns this person to teach high school English literature, most people would say that perhaps this person would be “incompetent” to teach that subject. When you find out that a teacher was placed in a Senior calculus class but actually is certified in teaching global history, you know something is wrong. When you hear that a teacher is “incompetent”, the very next question should be “at what?”

But the UFT ignores the contract when a teacher is placed in a classroom outside of his/her licensed content area and then is observed and given "U" and/or discontinuance.

Shame on them.

Betsy Combier, Editor

Executive Director of Renewal Schools

Tracking Code

11232

Job Description

Please Note: Position only open to internal NYC Department of Education employees. The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability.

Position Summary: The New York City school system is the largest in the country, composed of approximately 1.1 million students and 75,000+ teachers in over 1,800 schools. The school renewal program is a top-to-bottom evaluation to improve struggling schools. Renewal Schools receive supports such as transformation into a Community School, expanded learning opportunities, and increased professional development. 94 Renewal Schools have been identified; elementary, middle, and high schools in need of support based on criteria including low academic achievement (test scores and graduation rates) and low ratings on the DOE’s Quality Review.

The Executive Director of School Renewal will work intensively with each Renewal School community over the next three years, setting clear goals, and with support from central, hold each school community accountable for rapid improvement. The Executive Director oversees all existing and new Renewal Schools in New York City, serves as an advisor to the Chancellor, Executive Superintendent of Renewal Schools and DOE senior leadership, and liaises with internal and external partners to ensure that the Chancellor’s vision for Renewal Schools is realized. Performs related work.

Reports to: Executive Superintendent for Renewal Schools

Direct Reports: Director of Program Planning and Evaluation, Director of Data, Analytics and Renewal Accountability, Director of Programming, Director of Communication Strategy, Director of Operations and HR, Director for Renewal High Schools, Senior Coaches for Renewal Schools, School Renewal Program Director for High Schools

Key Relationships: Superintendents, Executive Director of Community Schools, Directors of School Renewal, Principals, school staff, School Leadership Teams, DOE Central staff and Deputy Chancellors’ Offices

Responsibilities

· Provides direction, counsel, and support in a broad range of instructional, strategic, logistical, and

administrative areas to Renewal Schools.

· Coordinates with Executive Director of Community Schools to deepen support for renewal schools within the community.

· Oversees school needs assessments for renewal schools across all six elements of the Framework for Great Schools.

· Manages the Renewal Team in building capacity for cross-functional roles by designing, implementing and providing tools and resources for professional development.

· Identifies issues facing renewal schools, addresses road blocks, and ensures that issues are seen through to resolution.

· Serves as an advisor to the Chancellor, Executive Superintendent and DOE senior leadership on Renewal Schools to set policy for renewal schools.

· Manages a variety of special projects that require a high degree of research and analysis; evaluates results and presents recommendations to Executive Superintendent to be used as a basis for policy decisions.

· Supports the Superintendents and principals and ensures that best practices are utilized in a seamless and coordinated fashion throughout the Renewal Schools.

· Oversees the design, delivery and implementation of workshops and professional development related to accountability, special education, operations, instruction, data, assessment, teacher quality and strategies that accelerate student achievement in Renewal Schools.

· Supports Principals capacity-building efforts around resource optimization, strategic staffing, and effective operational practices that impact and accelerate student achievement.

· Support Superintendents in recruiting and selecting new principals/leadership.

· Provides guidance and support to Renewal Team regarding management of their teams and meeting their goals and targets.

· Works collaboratively across central offices to ensure consistent and effective application of best practices, developing key relationships to ensure the smooth flow of information and work processes for Renewal Schools

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

Must currently possess a New York State Certification as a School District Administrator (SDA) or School District Leader (SDL).

Plus

· Prior successful school leadership experience in a diverse urban setting.

Preferred

· Successful central policy making experience in managing a multifaceted complex organization.

· Experience in supporting organizational change and school turnaround.

· Excellent and effective communication skills, including the ability to organize facts and present information and figures in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing.

· Strong leadership, teamwork and influencing skills, with experience in managing project teams at all levels in a cross-functional, diverse and changing environment.

· Experience in effective program design, development and implementation.

· Strong ability to evaluate and provide feedback to ensure the alignment of program goals and DOE instructional priorities.

Salary: $144,315+

Please be sure application includes cover letter and your 6-digit file number

Applications will be accepted through August 12, 2015 at 3:00PM.

Please Note: Position only open to internal NYC Department of Education employees. The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Job Location

NEW YORK, New York, United States

Position Type
Full-Time/Regular
New Posting
Yes
Readvertisement
No
Recanvass
No
District
N/A

School Renewal Program

The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is partnering with school leaders, staff, families and community partners across the city to transform 94 schools through the School Renewal Program.

The School Renewal Program is a call to action. The NYCDOE will work intensively with each Renewal School community over the next three years, setting clear goals and —with support from Central—holding each school community accountable for rapid improvement. The NYCDOE has selected as Renewal Schools those schools that met all three of the following criteria and four that were added per the Chancellor’s discretion:

Were Identified as Priority or Focus Schools by the State Department of Education
Priority: The bottom 5% lowest-performing schools statewide
Focus: The bottom 10% of progress in a subgroup

Demonstrated low academic achievement for each of the three prior years (2012-2014):
Elementary and middle schools in the bottom 25% in Math and ELA scores
High schools in the bottom 25% in four-year graduation rate

Scored “Proficient” or below on their most recent quality review

Building on the Chancellor’s vision, the NYCDOE is looking beyond test scores to determine where schools need to improve.

Key elements of the plan include:

Transforming Renewal Schools into Community Schools, with deepened support from and for families and community partners. Partnerships with community-based organizations will enable these schools to offer tailored whole-student supports, including mental health services and after-school programs.

Creating extended learning time – an extra hour added to the school day to give all students additional instructional time.

Supplying resources and supports to ensure effective school leadership and rigorous instruction with collaborative teachers.

Performing school needs assessments across all six elements of the Framework for Great Schools (rigorous instruction, collaborative teachers, supportive environment, effective school leadership, strong family-community ties, and trust) to identify key areas for additional resources.

Bringing increased oversight and accountability including strict goals and clear consequences for schools that do not meet them.

Here are the key next steps:

A needs assessment will be completed in each Renewal School by spring 2015 to identify specific focus elements from the the Framework for Great Schools and to develop goals for improvement.

Each School Leadership Team will work in partnership with NYCDOE leadership to create a School Renewal Plan and a road map for success.

NYCDOE leadership, school leadership, educators, families and the community must come together to support and accelerate improvement for students and staff of each Renewal School.

The NYCDOE is committed to working collaboratively as we strive to provide all of our students a high quality education to get them ready for college, careers and independent living.

List of Renewal Schools

P.S. 015 Roberto Clemente
Henry Street School for International Studies
P.S. 149 Sojourner Truth
Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts
P.S. 050 Vito Marcantonio
Renaissance School of the Arts
Coalition School for Social Change
P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson
P.S. 194 Countee Cullen
P.S. 132 Juan Pablo Duarte
High School for Health Careers and Sciences
I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School
P.S. 154 Jonathan D. Hyatt
J.H.S. 162 Lola Rodriguez De Tio
Foreign Language Academy of Global Studies
New Explorers High School
J.H.S. 123 James M. Kieran
M.S. 301 Paul L. Dunbar
Holcombe L. Rucker School of Community Research
Urban Assembly Academy of Civic Engagement
The Bronx Mathematics Preparatory School
Herbert H. Lehman High School
The Hunts Point School
Banana Kelly High School
J.H.S. 022 Jordan L. Mott
I.S. 117 Joseph H. Wade
J.H.S. 145 Arturo Toscanini
I.S. 219 New Venture School
Bronx Collegiate Academy
Leadership Institute
I.S. 313 School of Leadership Development
Bronx Early College Academy for Teaching & Learning
Urban Science Academy
New Millennium Business Academy Middle School
DreamYard Preparatory School
I.S. 339
Bronx High School of Business
J.H.S. 080 The Mosholu Parkway
P.S. 085 Great Expectations
The Bronx School of Young Leaders
Academy for Personal Leadership and Excellence
The Angelo Patri Middle School
Fordham Leadership Academy for Business and Technology
DeWitt Clinton High School
P.S. 112 Bronxwood
Globe School for Environmental Research
The Young Scholars Academy of The Bronx

School of Diplomacy
P.S. 092 Bronx
School of Performing Arts
Peace and Diversity Academy
Fannie Lou Hamer Middle School
Entrada Academy
Urban Scholars Community School
Monroe Academy for Visual Arts & Design
P.S. 067 Charles A. Dorsey
Satellite East Middle School
MS 596 Peace Academy
J.H.S. 050 John D. Wells
Juan Morel Campos Secondary School
Foundations Academy
Automotive High School
Frederick Douglass Academy IV Secondary School
Boys and Girls High School
Upper School @ P.S. 25
M.S. 584
Middle School for Academic and Social Excellence
Ebbets Field Middle School
Brooklyn Generation School
East Flatbush Community Research School
P.S. 306 Ethan Allen
Essence School
P.S. 328 Phyllis Wheatley
Multicultural High School
Cypress Hills Collegiate Preparatory School
P.S. 165 Ida Posner
P.S. 284 Lew Wallace
P.S. 298 Dr. Betty Shabazz
Brooklyn Collegiate: A College Board School
Pan American International High School
Flushing High School
Martin Van Buren High School
P.S./M.S 042 R. Vernam
M.S. 053 Brian Piccolo
P.S. 197 The Ocean School
August Martin High School
Richmond Hill High School
John Adams High School
J.H.S. 008 Richard S. Grossley
P.S. 111 Jacob Blackwell
Long Island City High School
J.H.S. 291 Roland Hayes
I.S. 349 Math, Science & Tech.
Academy of Urban Planning

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