WPHS and the Renaissance Process

Tonight was the big presentation from the 2 providers that we have to choose from -- Johns HopkinsTalent Development/Diplomas Now and Mastery Charter. Coming into this, I was positively disposed towards Johns Hopkins. This provider proposed to work with West as a public school -- meaning it would retain staff as employees of the district and as represented by the teachers union. In addition, its approach to curriculum, to the structure of the school seemed to give the most chance for continuity with what's going well at the school while adding structure and support. Because Mastery is a charter operator, and I am not a fan of the idea of giving up public schools to charter operators, I was not positively disposed. Its written proposal was quite superficial (in contrast to JH's', which was very detailed). I am anti-charter mainly because I see that process as ultimately threatening the continued existence of public schooling with its democratic possibilities -- though in their present form, public schools are hard to defend.

Specifically in the case of WPHS, I see JH as offering the most potential for the continuity of practices/people that have contributed to the improvement of the school since 2007 and the best strategy for supporting and improving instruction. Mastery, because it is a charter, would result in little if any continuity. Most if not all of the current West staff would jump ship -- including the principal. So, if the council went with Mastery, 2010-2011 would be an awful year for the students. I must say, however, that Mastery did a much better presentation that JH. More pointed, simple, spoke to anticipated questions. JH sounded like the "old guard" and not in a good way. Too complicated, not well prepared to present within the time frame, too disconnected. Bad powerpoints!! Scott Gordon gave straightforward answers devoid of jargon. The JH option seemed very complicated, hard to track the pieces of. Who would be responsible, what would be the leadership? Its answer to what role the community would play was inadequate. Of course Mastery has a strategy for parent involvement - but it is a very traditional one too. Just seemed more deliberate. Essentially, everytime JH people spoke, they used a lot of jargon and complicated answers that sort of sounded like the -- dare I say it -- a traditional school district response. Double speak. Gordon was much more straightforward - if you liked what he said, fine. If not, fine.