Thanks for asking Diana. Parental advocacy has been key in driving positive changes at the school, particularly regarding reading curriculum. The petition organized by Laurie Gray last spring helped bring about the transition to evidence-based reading instruction expected next year (before that, they had already purchased the "revised Calkins curriculum," which I believe they are using this year, and at least one frustrated and very involved [reading specialist] resident rebuffeed for long time finally decided to move to Concord to escape the curriculum). Now would be an ideal time to voice your concerns and push for empirically validated approaches across curriculum and policies to improve student outcomes. I imagine there are other areas for improvement, especially given the (understandable) inertia. Local resident involvement is crucial.
On a related note, we could try to alter the scope of the school committee, which has historically considered its purview to be budgeting/financing mostly (or so they have described their role). If you ask chat GPT what the role of the school committee is, here is the answer: A school committee plays a crucial role in the governance and management of a school or school district. The committee typically consists of elected or appointed members from the community, including parents, educators, and sometimes local government officials. Its responsibilities and duties can vary depending on the country or school system, but generally, the key roles include: 1. *Policy Development*: The committee is responsible for establishing policies that govern the operation of the school. This can include decisions about curriculum, student discipline, teacher hiring, and other important areas. 2. *Budget and Financial Oversight*: School committees oversee the allocation of funds and ensure that the school’s financial resources are spent efficiently. This includes approving budgets, funding for programs, salaries, and ensuring fiscal accountability. 3. *Hiring and Evaluation of Personnel*: The committee often has a role in hiring key staff, including the superintendent or principal, and may be involved in evaluating their performance to ensure effective leadership. 4. *Community Engagement and Advocacy*: School committees represent the interests of the community, including students, parents, and teachers. They engage with local stakeholders to understand their concerns and advocate for resources or policy changes that benefit the school. 5. *Strategic Planning*: They help set long-term goals for the school, ensuring that the institution’s mission, vision, and educational objectives are being met and that the school evolves to meet changing educational needs. 6. *Accountability and Oversight*: The committee ensures that the school complies with local, state, and federal regulations and standards. It holds the administration accountable for achieving educational goals and maintaining a safe and effective learning environment. 7. *Conflict Resolution*: The committee often mediates or helps resolve conflicts that may arise among parents, students, teachers, or between different stakeholders within the school community. On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 8:56 PM Diana Smith <diana.smith.r...@gmail.com> wrote: > What can we do to change the teaching approach in Lincoln Schools? > Especially given that the excellent Lexia reading (phonics based) programs > were developed by Bob Lemire in Lincoln and sold to school systems all over > the country, it is shocking to me that we allow such a misguided and > damaging system for teaching reading to be used in Lincoln. > Diana Smith > Orton-Gillingham trained reading teacher > > On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 9:39 AM cmontie montie.net <cmon...@montie.net> > wrote: > >> Thank you, Sarah, for bringing this concern about the Caulkins reading >> program to the LT spotlight. >> >> For LT readers who would like to better understand this issue (it’s >> far-reaching and impactful!), take the time to listen to this excellent >> podcast produced by American Public Media: “Sold a Story” >> >> https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/ >> >> Or search for it on Spotify podcasts. >> >> I’ve recommended this podcast to many people—along with supporting >> programs like Springboard Collaborative >> <https://www.springboardcollaborative.org> which seek to correct the >> failings of curriculums such as that marketed by Caulkins et al. (and which >> has been used in the Lincoln Public Schools for years unfortunately). I’ve >> seen Springboard Collaborative in action in the Boston Public Schools as a >> reading skills intervention— and its evidence-based, phonics-rooted, >> parent-involved method has measurable positive impact on students’ reading >> skills—and by extension their self confidence and enjoyment of learning. >> >> If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll take the time to listen to this >> podcast, advocate for evidence-based reading instruction locally, and even >> consider a year-end contribution to Springboard Collaborative (also >> supported by MacKenzie Scott, the Skillman Foundation, the Green Light >> Fund, Echoing Green, among others who do their homework before funding). >> >> Best, >> Carolyn Montie >> >> >> Message: 8 >> Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2024 21:00:58 -0500 >> From: ?Sarah Postlethwait <sa...@bayhas.com> >> To: "LincolnTalk.org" <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> >> Subject: [LincolnTalk] Calkins lawsuit >> Message-ID: >> <cah9ufvseucbmnp_ciwomvkwqeak_z3ob2dxp2eaveo_crcr...@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >> >> New Lawsuit filed against Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pinnell >> in MA for their low quality curriculum they sold to MA schools, including >> Lincoln Public Schools. >> >> Despite pleas from Lincoln parents to remove the Lucy Calkins curriculum >> from LPS, also known as ?Units of Study?, this subpar curriculum is still >> being used to teach our children. >> >> The good news is- we can all join the class action lawsuit soon! >> >> < >> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/04/metro/science-of-reading-lawsuit-calkins-fountas-pinnell-heinemann/ >> > >> >> https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/parents-sue-lucy-calkins-fountas-and-pinnell-and-others-over-reading-curricula/2024/12 >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: < >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/attachments/20241204/b7608cd8/attachment-0001.htm >> > >> >> >> Best >> >> Carolyn >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> > > -- > Diana Smith > PO Box 6294 > Lincoln MA 01773 > Cell: 617 803 8022 > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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