ABC News: Stupid in America

Granted, I haven't watched this show myself, but I have seen a million of its kind and so have you. Isn't this kind of story just too easy? There certainly is a balance to keep, but isn't it a fundamental struggle to telling the truth in the "public square" the fact that inflammatory is easy? Or that anger is quick? Or that perfection in individuals and organizations non-existent?

What really take a lot of time and effort is reporting (or conversations with friends!) that finds and provides context. That does not simply collect quotes and incidents, but that makes relevant comparisons responsibly. Stepping back and saying, "everyone is screwing up" and doing so with pictures is shallow.

Sometimes a strong exposé of misdeeds, incompetence, and wrong-doing is EXACTLY what is needed. But it is easy to make little stuff look bad. I really am reminded of the Theodor Roosevelt quote:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points ... where the doer of deeds could have done them better."

I will spare the rest, because it is probably just a bit too sappy. But the sentiment is correct, I think.

Too often in our city, people imply that their participation in the public schools is ultimately dependent on some standard of perfection on the part of the district officials, the board, or others that is probably never really attainable in a non-ficticious school district.

Of course this leads them to ignore realities and accomplishments right before their eyes that are truly meaningful.

For example, I have just learned (reference coming shortly) that PUSD is the second highest performing school district within its size category. NUMBER 2!!!

I will stop there for today, or I might start getting preachy. (too late perhaps...)

More on this to come. I really want to dive into some examples from parents with kids in the district and parents that have been spending A LOT of time touring schools and discussing what they are seeing amongst themselves.

Examples of Parental Concern

In reference to the post below, "What do parents think?", I have had some further input, and I think highlights some points.

As I said before, one of the biggest challenges with the school closings/boundary changes beyond the actual impacts is the uncertainty that surrounds the *possible* impacts. Everyone wonders what will happen, particularly with regards to their child and their family's options.

One example of this that I have heard raised is the concern that with all of the priority being given in Open Enrollment to families of children in closing schools will there be any room or slots left for families who are new to the district and are just trying to get a spot.

First, let me reiterate my position that giving priority to the affected families is highly appropriate, and I think that most people agree with that.

Second, someone pointed out to me that this particular example is not terrribly problematic for one simple reason: essentially all families affected by closures and boundary changes will be moving into grades 1-12, whereas almost all families who will be enrolling for the first time will be kindergarten families.

So, keep asking questions! We will keep sorting through the impacts as quickly and correctly as we can.

Getting everyone engaged

One of the fun things about working for PEN is that I am getting to meet lots of people in Pasadena and hear what they have to say about the public schools. I am sure that it comes to no surprise to the readers of this blog that so many people genuinely want to see the schools succeed. The problem of course is that everyone comes to the table of this discussion with their own perspectives, biases, and plans.

If PEN has any contribution to make to this discussion, I think that it boils down to bringing a constructive tone to this conversation. This constructive tone should be based on one premise: there is a large and *growing* group of parents who absolutely love their schools and want to see PUSD, the City Official, and Pasadena community embrace their schools the same way that they have. That is, the foundation for every conversation is what more can we be doing, not, "what needs to change before we can help out."

This represents a big change in tone, but one that is fundamental for Pasadena to have a school district that looks longingly to its neighbors for positive district-community relationships.

What do parents think?

I get asked from time to time, "What do parents think about the school closures and open enrollment?"

Of course the most correct answer is that parents think a million different things. But I can probably simplify and categorize the primary things that I hear about into a few different nuggets. Let me just say up front that two caveats apply: First, these characterizations come from the parents that I personally talk to, not all parents in Pasadena; second, I can by no means do a perfect job of separating my own biases from my list, though this represents a good faith effort on my part to do so.

1. I think that it concerns parents, but mostly because of the uncertainty that is resulting. Basically, "What is going to happen now?"

2. I think it concerns them that these closures mean something is wrong, but by and large they see this concern in the context of declining enrollment, and that seems reasonable to them.

3. At another level, most of the parents I have spoken to are not terribly concerned b/c many of these parents were looking at some of the other bigger schools that are offering specific programs.

At the end of the day, these school closures themselves do not concern the parents I talk to, but the uncertainty that they create do.

PUSD Family does some crazy giving!

This is great! Despite all the nonsense that is said about PUSD schools, this family has stepped up in a way that makes an enormous statement. First of all a family with such means not only gives a gift, but feels strongly enough about what a good job PUSD is doing, that it will effectively entrust the school district with almost a million dollars!!!

Certainly our school district, educational foundation, and individual schools can find many ways to improve. But more and more in my life, I am learning that it really is much easier to stand on the sidelines pointing out all the ways the current team is missing opportunities, than it is to say, "ok, this is our team, let's roll!"

Thank you anonymous donor family for giving this amazing gift that will benefit all of our families.