Changes at Oak Hill Elementary could shake up staff : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

HIGH POINT — Teachers and other employees at underperforming Oak Hill Elementary will have to reapply for their jobs as the district attempts to reform it, according to officials.

Officials said Guilford County Schools Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green is expected to recommend this evening that the school board remove the principal at Oak Hill Elementary in High Point and require all employees to reapply for their jobs, among other changes.

The recommendation is among the most radical attempts locally to help turn around the academic performance of a struggling school.

Green met with Oak Hill employees at the school Wednesday afternoon. He refused to discuss the matter after the meeting. The school district declined to provide any information on the proposal.

Teachers were asked in their meeting with Green not to speak with the media about the issue until after tonight’s board meeting.

Oak Hill Elementary is one of eight schools marked as the lowest performing schools in the state. As such, those schools are eligible for a federal grant worth up to $2 million per school, but the school district must implement one of four reforms.

School districts applying for the grant can close the school, turn it over to a group like a charter school, remove its principal or replace at least half of its teachers.

School board member Sandra Alexander said she was told Green is leaning toward either making several smaller reforms — the “transitional model” — or the more radical “turnaround model,” which requires the district to replace at least half of the teachers.

“I think the school is badly in need of the funding that will come from choosing one of the four plans, and the transitional model seems to be the one that will inflict the least amount of pain and the one most likely to best serve the students and parents at Oak Hill,” Alexander said.

It’s still unclear how much of the staff the district would rehire.

Tijuana Hayes, president of the Guilford County Association of Educators, said the Oak Hill community and staff prefer reform measures that would enact significant changes but not job cuts. Hayes went to the Wednesday meeting but left after Green asked her to leave.

“I will support it on the stipulation that this is not to be a reflection on the staff and principal at that school,” said board member Garth Hebert.

If the board approves the proposal, principal Sara Roberts would be removed, but she and other Oak Hill employees could end up at other Guilford County schools.

Hayes said she was told the school district will extend the time that teachers at Oak Hill have to request a transfer. Hebert said he was told a large percentage of teachers already had requested transfers.

Officials said it’s likely the school board would vote on the proposal tonight.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com

JoeScott

March 25, 2010 - 7:43 am EDT

The saddest part about this story is that this is an elementary school that's performing so poorly, meaning the very foundation of these kids' education (i.e. learning to read and simple math) has probably been botched beyond any future educator's ability to repair it.

Kudos to Mo for taking drastic measures to fix this problem. Let's just hope that it's not too late.

Panacea

March 25, 2010 - 7:53 am EDT

More changes need to be made than just changing staff. If you don't change the system under which the people actually work, you are wasting your time AND money.

gretzky

March 25, 2010 - 10:06 pm EDT

I believe they know this already but either do not know how, are unwilling to do so, or are unwilling to admit this openly.

NC_Dawg

March 25, 2010 - 8:38 am EDT

It's sad that the County must take such drastic measures, but if that is what it takes to turn things around then it needs to be done. Principals and teachers are only a part of the equation. The parents of these students are responsible for the performance of their children. It starts at home by setting a good example. Prepare your kids to learn. Read to them at home. Feed them a decent breakfast and get them to school on time. Be more engaged in what your kids are doing at school. Help them with their homework. Ironically, I'm sure this comment will never be read by any of the deadbeat parents I'm talking about.

March 25, 2010 - 10:09 pm EDT

It is true the dead beat parents severly limit the effectiveness of schools but at the same time we must ask why we live in a society in which we allow others to live in such conditions where they become parents like this. Schools can only go so far and in the name of reform we often make things worse when we ignore the source of the problem.

DaveW

March 25, 2010 - 9:25 am EDT

Oak Hill is a year round school.
There is a pre-k program in place.
There is a pre-k exceptional children's program in place.
There is a k-2 life skills program in place.
It seems like getting the extra funds is the only thing the school system could do that it is not already doing to improve the students achievement.Therefore that is why the staff may get turned over.From what I understand the staff there works really hard.I hope these teachers can get on somewhere else if they all cannot stay at Oak Hill.

haztwo

March 25, 2010 - 10:06 am EDT

“I will support it on the stipulation that this is not to be a reflection on the staff and principal at that school,” said board member Garth Hebert.--Then who is it a reflection on? The 5 yr olds?

Garth

March 25, 2010 - 11:19 am EDT

Nothing is simple about the issues at this school, sometimes life stinks and you have to deal with it and while I find those that fail to do their jobs accountable for their failure, sometimes we create, or life creates situations where failure is hard to define. Also, were this an issue of a grant forcing us to do this, no it would be a wrong in my book. This is a very complex situation with many variables making it wrong to define in a simple sound bite commentary.

EGParent

March 25, 2010 - 2:43 pm EDT

Garth is correct...this is actually a reflection of the 5 year olds families personal situation(s)!
High numbers of refugee, non-English speaking families, along with poverty, and high numbers of transitional students!

March 25, 2010 - 10:14 pm EDT

Teachers are the face of accountability but is it really their fault?

harvey15

March 25, 2010 - 10:10 am EDT

Anyone who has ever been out there would know that this tactic (firing staff) is merely shifting the blame. The school serves a large poor migrant community with very few english native speakers. Traditional education ideas simply won't work at Oak Hill because there are very few "traditional" students. This site would be a good location for a Newcomers-type program like teh one next to Western HS. Why isn't that idea being looked at?

Hantra

March 25, 2010 - 5:07 pm EDT

Agreed. Let's shift the blame, and not get to the root of the problem. We don't want to "offend" anyone.

While we're at it, let Mo, and his overpaid executives reapply for their jobs as well. This is ridiculous.

rey101

March 25, 2010 - 10:29 am EDT

Having a child attend Oak HIll Elementary last year, I saw first hand everyday how the teachers and staff ran the school, with discipline and respect. I also saw the efforts they put forth to make the students' educational experience the best it possibly could be. My child was fortunate in that he received excellent instruction from caring teachers and staff members who cared for him and the other students under their guidance and who cared how they presented the curriculum to the students. He continues to flourish and grow based on the foundations of learning he received last year. So I don't buy the whole "Change the principal and/or half the teachers" solution to improving their test scores. I sometimes think change is confused with progress. Change can do one of three things: it can lead to improvement in performance, it can lead to further decline in performance, or it can have no overall effect on performance. As I understand it, this is not the first time a change in the school's principal leadership has happened at Oak Hill, and the result of that change has been a continued decline in performance. So maybe it isn't just the teachers and/or the principal causing the poor performance?

I also observed the students and their parents who accompanied their children to school and realized that the traditional school model was not likely to work in most cases due to the social and economic circumstances of these students and their families. Addressing the language barriers and the economic climate in the home are larger problems that can't be totally addressed by making the described changes at just at one school in High Point. Superintendent Green, in following the procedure he outlines for effecting "change" at Oak Hill is creating a self defeating cycle that will almost surely lead to the failure of this school. I do not advocate turning the school over to another entity (i.e. charter school) to run, because this is why Mr. Green was brought to Guilford County, to administrate the schools. I believe a different process of educating in this location may produce the desired improvements. Put another way, address the students' educational needs after finding out the story first hand, Mr. Green. That will require actually visiting the school and observing the situation for yourself. Then you will be able to make an informed judgement on how to proceed. I hope for the best possible outcome for all concerned, the students, teachers, principal, and staff at Oak Hill Elementary, and Superintendent Green.

balance

March 25, 2010 - 10:28 am EDT

hastwo

Five year olds can't learn if their parents don't keep them in school. Some of these kids have missed 30 and 40 days of school this year. No teacher can help kids who aren't in school. This is a ridiculous idea. Hold parents accountable. Don't displace blame on teachers.

2fer

March 25, 2010 - 11:39 am EDT

My thanks to most of the people on this blog who have shared their ideas and experiences. With only a couple of exceptions, this is the most informative - almost the only informative - blog I've read in several years.
What makes Oak Hill such an exceptional school? Is the population so impoverished or transitory that the children have no preparation for beginning school or home follow-up once in school? Does the district have more rental housing and apartments than others? Is there a particular church or center of community activities that concentrates non-English speakers there? Have the various organizations public and private that assist immigrant people been at work in this district?
I've seen well intentioned and competent administrators and teachers fail communities before, but I've also seen the situation turned around with minimal changes in personnel and policy.

edward0275

March 25, 2010 - 11:52 am EDT

I'll 2nd what 2fer said.

March 25, 2010 - 1:00 pm EDT

Several languages and only affordable housing for refugees, very very transitory, that and several kids have never been in a school before and indoor plumbing is even novelty...like I said, no easy approach or answer.

OAKHILLPARENT

March 25, 2010 - 11:57 am EDT

Who here has actually stepped foot in the school for more than 5 min? Who here has driven through the neighborhood? who here has seen the way the teachers and staff work with these kids and for these kids? Who here even has THE RIGHT TO JUDGE? I would never want to be in these teachers shoes...and I truly feel bad for those of you who cast blame without seeing exactly what the teachers there do...

eduguytoo

March 25, 2010 - 12:00 pm EDT

I'm over 50 years of age, and I grew up in Greensboro on "the other side of the tracks." I also received a stellar education that has enabled me to be successful and move far in life. The "big elephant" that Mo Green is powerless to move is the family situation from which most of these students come. My parents, and the parents of my school peers in the 1960s, were insistent that we understand the importance of education from our earliest matriculation. We went to school every day prepared (fed, clean, clothed, well-rested, homework from the previous day completed). While the families I knew were not very "well-to-do," they believed to the core that education was the best opportunity for an improved quality of life. Thus, education (elementary especially) was a focal point. "How was school today?" "What did you learn?" "How did that science experiment go?" "Eat a snack and get started on your homework." "Isn't there a PTA meeting next week?" "Maybe if you can get your work done we can read a few chapters in the Hardy Boys before you go to bed." The best teachers in the world and the best facilities in the world are powerless when confronted by the overwhelming negative influences (at home, away from school) that are brought to bear on many of today's children. And I think a good portion of Oak Hill's student population is indicative. I wish I knew how to change the family situations; can Mo Green fire parents?

March 25, 2010 - 12:50 pm EDT

Agreed, but the change occurred by the early 1970s if not before, and I'm loath to blame it all on TV since social change usually lags far behind technological change, especially as TV of the 1950s and 1960s still had a genuine educational component that was not isolated to specific channels as it is today but was pervasive among the three national networks - you couldn't avoid a smattering of Shakespeare and Beethoven and Michelangelo.
I know that there are those who would blame it all on the Civil Rights movement, but that too seems false at its core, since those who were on the front lines of that movement were inspired by the very kinds of parents you describe and fought most valiantly for their children to have the opportunities to study and acquire the quality education they had got only under such difficult and trying conditions.
When and why did parents forget how to parent? When did family values cease being a matter of daily life for families to deal with and become a political hot potato for one level of government or another to enforce?

March 25, 2010 - 9:06 pm EDT

Good observations, and I'll concede that I watched far too much television during the 1960s and 1970s than I should have. The fact that I can still sing all the lyrics from Gilligan's Island and the Brady Bunch should attest to that. At some point...and this is admittedly a generalization...parenting skills took a dive. Even some of the "best" parents today are clueless. My wife teaches at a very well-respected preschool, and she is amazed at what she runs into. For example, when she suggests that parents read to their children, the parents interpret that to mean buy some books so the children might possibly look at them sometime. It isn't the same thing at all as having the child on the lap, reading the words, pointing out things in the pictures, letting the child finish phrases, etc. Similarly, when she suggests active play with children, that gets interpreted as buy some toys for the children to play with on their own and have some DVDs that can be popped into the home entertainment center that might encourage some dancing around. We are coming up with a generation of "auto-pilot" children because fundamental, and seemingly intrinsic, parenting skills have vanished. I don't know why.

March 25, 2010 - 10:22 pm EDT

Family values are a reflection of one's place in life. People who feel helpless and have only known hardship act in irrational and self destructive ways. They do not aspire to be ignorant or miserable. We live in a society that preaches equality of opportunity but the capitalisitc reality is we must have inequality of outcome thus the hypocrisy of serving to reform schools while at the same time perpetuating social class.

March 26, 2010 - 12:43 am EDT

If "social class" was prerequisite to quality of education and educational opportunity, I'd be asking folks at the drive-thru window whether or not they wanted to supersize their value meals. I know of people in situations of great hardship who are terrific parents. I know of people who can throw stacks of twenty dollar bills into the wind and not care where they land...yet they are horrible parents. I fervently believe that our society is awash in people who are not qualified to be parents, who don't want to be parents, and the educational system suffers. I taught in public schools for nine years (that was 30 years ago), and I saw it then. As my own children have come through public schools more recently, I have seen it rise like a tsunami. One of my college history professors said this: "Other than public education, name one other thing that you are willing to pay for and then willingly refuse to accept?" He had a point. My parents valued education; because of that, I valued it. For many today, the value of education doesn't resonate. Blame capitalism if you wish, but I think that's far off target.

JackK

March 25, 2010 - 12:55 pm EDT

I gather that your folks, like mine and many others who grew up during the Depression and WWII, had middle-class aspirations for their children even if they were decidedly NOT middle-class themselves. Education was seen as way out, a way for their children to live a better life than they were. Going to school had a purpose and goal; now it seems to have little purpose in many peoples' minds and is no longer seen as a springboard to a greater goal. Education is just something to fill up many hours in between the really interesting stuff--texting, watching TV, playing computer games, etc. I fight against that response with my own children, who are more than capable students, but the constant rounds of testing and increasingly tedious instruction coordinated from the central office to accommodate lower level students is the deciding conditioner for them.

As for Oak Hill, I say fire all of the faculty, administrators and staff . . . only if every GCS employee who wrote a directive, worked with the Oak Hill staff or pushed a program onto that staff is also fired. A clean sweep, if truly called for, must be a clean sweep indeed.

March 25, 2010 - 2:37 pm EDT

I agree with Garth...
This is not an easy one and many posters are posting in complete ignorance to the situation.

Oak Hill Parent...yes I have visited and I have a serious concern with this completely falling on
those working so hard to handle it. Since I know the majority of these posters do not understand
the complexity of the situation, I will assume that I may be ignorant to everything related
to the decision that Mo Green is making.

I pray he makes the best for all concerned...the staff and the students!

chickenlittle02

March 25, 2010 - 2:54 pm EDT

Back years ago, there was another low-performing school in Guilford County. I won't mention any names, but it was right at the bottom of the barrel. Great staff at the school, much like it sounds like at Oak Hill, but nothing was changing. They brainstormed with their PTA leaders. One of the things identified as problematic was the lack of parental involvement. Most of these parents had not had good experiences in school themselves, and were mistrustful of the school environment. That, coupled with bigger problems than whether their kids were getting a decent education, like putting a roof over their heads and food in their mouths, kept parents away. What really turned it around was a concerted effort on the part of the school to get parents involved. The school started with inexpensive suppers to bring families and neighbors into the school (I mean really inexpensive.) Next, they partnered with GTCC to offer adult education classes so parents had an opportunity to get their GED (most never graduated from high school). In the first year alone 43 parents obtained their GED! Parents developed good relationships with teachers as they interacted more frequently in social settings like the suppers. Trust began to develop. Parents began to see the benefits of education and worked on their own. Things started turning around quickly at the school. The school persevered despite a lot of naysayers telling them that nothing would ever change...it can happen at Oak Hill too..and no one needs to be fired or pushed out to make it happen.

March 25, 2010 - 10:04 pm EDT

No one knows the solution to school reform. Failure has occured ever since success was defined as educating everyone to a certain level of proficiency.The latest public relations experiment on children, No child left behind, was based upon a model used in Houston in which numbers were manipulated (Google texas miracle) and such shell games occur in NC as well. Thats right, our goals are based upon a model that not only doesn't work, but was created by people who felt justified in cheating, who felt that legitimate interventions do not exist. Schools in NC cheat as well, look at the school report cards for instance. Find any high school and compare the number of students in a sophomore class and how many take sophomore EOCs like Biology or geometry. Most schools do not allow at risk kids to enroll in these classes, they just wait for them to drop out. Drop out rates are falsified as well, usually reported between 3%-5% but when measured by how many people in a cohort drop out, the rate is closer to 40%. Fads come and go, teachers limp along in quiet disillusionment, some students get educated well but of content and aims that are of questionable value. Billions of dollars are used for reforms that are soon abandoned, students endure prison like atmospheres and teachers are disempowered by being forced to do scripted lessons or being evaluated on how well they can keep students quiet or well spaced in a line to the bathroom.
The idea of equity is noble but this is undermined from a variety of sources, some we know well, some we know but are not willing to change, and others occur in subtle ways or through the complexity of the institution. The "solutions' presented for Oak Hill may cleanse the system from a few teachers who do not contribute and it provides money, but it will only pass the problems to a new group until other drastic measures are implemented. If we could have honest conversations with these teachers, we may find realities that are deeply unsettling and it will be a shame to find in a few years these measures have been counterproductive

news-record.com

NEWS