Rewarding failure in Jefferson County Schools

Read the full "Rewarding Failure" commentary here.

According to superintendent Sheldon Berman's performance evaluation the 2008-2009 stated goals for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) were:

"...to enhance effective teaching, enhance effective leadership, strengthen organizational culture and improve organizational effectiveness"

Enhancing effectiveness is great.  That sort of language makes people feel good.  However, I hope there were some numbers associated with these goals somewhere because the following set of numbers is quite alarming.

This graph shows the proficiency rate of 11th grade students in JCPS for 2009-2010.  In simple terms, these numbers are not good enough.

From the evaluation:

"Dr. Berman is a knowledgeable educator who is committed to moving the district to higher levels.  To meet this goal, the Board encourages Dr. Berman to work towards developing a relationship of mutual respect with district staff.  The Board believes that by improving his relationship with staff, Dr. Berman will become an even more effective leader that staff will gladly follow"

Here is how I think the room for improvement section of this review should read:

"JCPS is a district that has not met the watered-down, basic requirements of No Child Left Behind for 7 consecutive years and has 47 schools that have not made adequate yearly progress in the last school year.  To remedy this serious deficiency immediately, the Board demands that Dr. Berman establish bold, quantifiable goals to ensure that all schools in the district will meet these basic requirements in the next school year.  The Board realizes that JCPS is about kids and not adults.  As a knowledgeable educator, it is Dr. Berman's responsibility to take this problem head-on and get results."

Read the full "Rewarding Failure" commentary here.