CAT Tracks for December 12, 2002 CHANGE OF PLANS?

Yesterday's anticipated "sign off" meeting took a turn in a different direction...hopefully a good sign!

First of all, no ISBE representatives were present...only the Educators in Residence (EIRs) from each attendance center. The EIRs led assembled Board members, administrators, and teachers through the "latest" draft of the proposed performance agreement for Cairo School District Number One.

This is encouraging since input was finally sought from (some) teachers who will be held accountable for whatever is finally agreed upon. It's a step long past due!

HOWEVER...a discouraging note...two of the three columns in the proposed performance agreement were declared "off limits"...no changes would be allowed by ISBE..."written in stone". These columns just happen to be the most important columns...the columns that say what sanctions will be taken against employees and when! Assembled parties were only allowed to make comments and/or suggestions concerning responsibilities and timelines (in Column #3 only) for achieving student academic progress.

This continues to be very improper since the choosing of "targets" and the "timeline for sanctions" violate BOTH ISBE and NCLB (No Child Left Behind) guidelines.

In response to questions by teacher participants as to "Why?" (these questionable and probably illegal actions were being taken in CSD #1)...no answer was forthcoming. BUT...then, again...no ISBE representatives were present. Only they can explain their position.

(REMEMBER...on November 12th, it became a "he said/she said" situation...ISBE said that the Cairo Board and administration asked for the scheduled "restructuring"...the Cairo Board and administration said that ISBE demanded it! Hmmm...)

So...where do we stand at present?

The EIRs were supposed to report back to ISBE representative Sheryl Poggi and ask for clarification of issues raised. All we can do is wait for the next step to be announced...or "rumored". Stay tuned...