Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
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Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Big news on Dayton Public, Roosevelt HS
Dayton Superintendent Percy Mack made if unofficially official this morning — Dayton will jump up two rungs on the state’s accountability ratings to “continuous improvement” when the ranking is released Aug. 15.
That sparked a joyous explosion among 2,500 teachers and support staff at the district’s annual convocation event at UD Arena, punctuated with the Colonel White High School band marching in and banging out celebratory rhythms on the drums and cymbals, waving gold pom-poms and flags.
“Two years ago that band had 12 people in it,” Mack shouted over the music from a group of about three dozen kids. “It shows we can do it. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s here.”
It’s a big news day for the district, totally overshadowing the other big story from last night’s school board meeting — the final nail in the coffin for historic Roosevelt High School.
No matter how you look at it, moving out of academic emergency is an accomplishment for Dayton, a district that for three years has been buried at the bottom of Ohio’s report card ratings.
I asked Mario Gallin, one of just two board members who pre-dates the Gail Littlejohn era, what she thought were the most important factors in the district’s turnaround. Here’s what she said:
—First, a real emphasis on accountability. “People were unable to hide any longer behind who they knew or how long they had been here,” she said. “We don’t have that attitude, for the most part, anymore.”
—Second, teachers and staff bought into the idea of consistent instruction across the district. “Putting together consistent curriculum and teaching can have an effect,” she said.
—Third, a self-informed school board that doesn’t just rely on the superintendent for information. “This board is very open and reached out to various parts of the school district,” she said. “We had round table discussions with teachers, parents and others and we forged relationships around the district with people we could go back to and get advice and input from. And the superintendent was willing to work with those relationships.”
Check back later today for more from convocation.
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