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Site visit shines light on efforts to close achievement gaps in MPS
Posted: 10/7/2009 7:08:08 PM
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Educators from across the country were able to see first-hand Thursday how teachers, administrators and local union leaders are working together to close the achievement gap between white and minority students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).
The visits to eight Milwaukee schools were part of a three-day National Education Association (NEA) Foundation site visit hosted by the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Milwaukee Public Schools and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Alliance of Black School Educators, Inc. (MMABSE).
The NEA Foundation offers grants and programs that support educators' efforts to close the achievement gaps, increase classroom innovations, provide professional development, and salute excellence in education. About 90 public school educators, including administrators, professors and union leaders from across the country participated in the NEA Foundation site visit.
“What a wonderful opportunity for districts across the country to collaborate and have a dialogue about quality education for all students,” MMABSE President Rogers E. Onick said. “We have a diverse group of people who are bringing richness to a dialogue about public education and how we can sustain it over time and improve academic achievement, particularly for African American males, in the urban settings.”
MTEA Executive Director Tom Morgan briefly discussed Milwaukee’s high unemployment rate and other statistics to the group before they departed for school tours.
“Despite that, you see dedicated teachers who never give up,” Morgan said. “The solution is public education, not charters, not vouchers.”
MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos said working together is key to student success.
“We are all in this together,” Andrekopoulos said. “This is true teacher leadership and true teacher partnership. The support we need to take place is for all of us working collaboratively together for the students.”
MPS has 10 schools that received NEA Foundation grants, which were used for staff professional development that helped educators do what they do best – teach all students.
On Thursday, they broke into groups and visited eight schools.
One school was Frederick J. Gaenslen K-8 School on Milwaukee’s northeast side.
“The NEA Foundation helps keep funding for staff development,” Gaenslen Principal Ada Rivera told about 15 people who toured the school in the morning. Another 15 were scheduled to visit later in the day. “Last year after the MPS budget was approved, we had to eliminate $23,000. Usually the first thing we eliminate is our professional development. The grant helped us keep funding staff development.”
“It’s like the circle, you give to us and we return it back to the school and the community,” Rivera said. Gaenslen offers fully integrated programs for regular education, grades K-8, and students with disabilities, ages 3-14.
“Gaenslen students' performance on the WKCE/WAA improved in reading for special education in part due to the emphasis on improving reading instruction afforded us by the NEA Foundation,” said district curriculum generalist Barbara Hickling.
“It also provides support to increase family involvement and continue the work of the learning team,” Hickling said.
Bridget Wilder, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, brought her children, Gabriel, 2, and Joshua, 4 months, to greet the visitors.
“I like to keep involved,” Wilder said. “Parents have to take responsibility. Even one parent can be a big help. By helping my children, I am helping all children.”
Other schools visited during the conference were: Green Bay Avenue School, Albert E. Kagel Elementary School, Robert M. LaFollette Elementary School, Ralph H. Metcalfe School, Northwest Secondary School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and South Division High School.
The NEA Foundation is an independent public charity created in 1969 and sustained by contributions from educators, corporate sponsors, and other supporters of public education.
