PPS History of Broken Promises
Pop Quiz
Which high school promised this?
- A small, personalized learning environment
- Self-esteem and leadership skills development
- Rigorous college-preparatory curriculum
- Focus on business entrepreneurship, sports/entertainment management, and law enforcement/forensics
- Purposeful involvement in community service to develop life and leadership skills
- After-school, Saturday & summer enrichment opportunities
- Support for academic and non-academic needs
Answer: Jefferson Young Men’s Academy
After one year and spending at least $30,000 in grant money on student recruiting efforts and planning, Jefferson High’s Young Men’s Academy has enrolled 42 students in grades six through nine. Doesn’t seem like much compared with Portland Public Schools’ 2005 goal of eventually attracting 400 Academy students in grades seven through 12. But it is a fivefold increase from last year’s recruitment of eight students—numbers so low that the district delayed the school’s opening from fall 2006 until fall 2007. This year’s enrollment of 42 is apparently enough to open what’s now being called the John H. Johnson Leadership Academy for Young Men, named after the late magazine publisher from Chicago.
But there were more problems…..
Carole Smith,the newly hired superintendent who often said the academies at Jeff would be “great,” later said administrators were doing what they could, but she avoided talking about “details.” (sound familiar?)
And then the Young Men’s Academy closed after struggling for 2 years…..
Low enrollment prevented the school from fulfilling its mission,” said Toni Hunter, Portland Public Schools assistant superintendent of high schools. “The Young Men’s Academy never exceeded 55 students and continues to decline.
So district administrators promised Advanced Placement classes at the new, new Jefferson but implementation was postponed for one year and then another year and now the superintendent is promising AP or IB classes for 2011.
All of the broken promises have prompted parents to ask whether anyone would be held accountable for making sure this never happens again.
What do you think?
6 comments
I will be very surprised if PPS delivers anything like a “core curriculum” at Jeff. Whoever ends up there will be stuck with the Middle College program. Others have already said this, but it is only a matter of time until Jefferson is officially closed as a neighborhood HS and its attendance area farmed out to other schools.
Of course, Carole Smith will be retired by then, and other people will be on the school board, which is why these events aren’t already happening now.
Is it just me or is the concept of ” middle college” at an already struggling high school such as Jeff, not quite the right fit? I understand the desire for PPS to work along side PCC ( and like you said earlier, Zarwen..we all know where that’s heading ), but let’s be realistic here…how about first starting with just a basic high school foundation, and then, once you’ve got your numbers up and most of the kinks worked out, then maybe start looking at a middle college idea, but not now. That to me, sounds intimidating, and almost takes away from what high school is meant for. Sure, it’s great to cater to your high achievers, or offer students no-cost or low-cost college credits but most kids at this age group just want to focus on high school, at least their first 2 years. It’s almost like Carole Smith felt Jeff needed some new title or want the public to believe Jeff will be more than just a neighborhood school. I’m not sold that easily, and would really prefer to see Jeff be a dual neighbohood school along with an arts magnet school- build on the dance prpgram, bring kids in from all over the district, etc.. then you have a school of appx. 1,300 students! Jeff needs something new, but certainly not a college prep program, not when only 20% are meeting bench mark.
It’s not exactly “college prep” when you are getting credit for your high school courses, taught by high school teachers, at PCC. I read somewhere on another blog that “middle college” could be considered a type of remedial program. I don’t know much about it, but I do know that that’s where Jefferson is going.
I am curious whether the dance program will eventually become part of PPC too or whether it will end up at another high school.
Zarwen, what other blogs are you finding that are discussing the redesign? I’m really missing PPS equity….
Thanks for the historical reminders about Jefferson, Carrie.
Apologies for the typo in my previous post: it should have read “PCC,” not PPC.
NAL, there is a discussion on Urban Mamas, and I also belong to the Grant HS google group.
I miss PPS Equity too, but I don’t see why this blog can’t be our new home.
Thanks Zarwen!
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