MCAS Title 1 Funding |
MCAS Title 1 Funding |
Jun 8 2009, 09:33 AM
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#1
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
Since I lost my job last week I have been busy preparing for the upcoming MCAS Board meeting tomorrow night. I plan on speaking on behalf of our Title 1 schools that have seen a dismal number of Title 1 dollars since the opening of the Eastport Early Learning Program and the subsequent decrease of ISTEP scores at the third and fifth grade levels.
These images are examples of the quality presentation I have in the works for tomorrow evening. Enjoy! For most of these, note the substantial drop in grade 3 ISTEP scores. I attribute the improvement in grade 5 scores to the previous high level of remediation dollars spent on those students building good study habits and a foundation during the early years. I would expect the grade 5 scores to begin tapering off/falling this year. I was shocked at the total amount of Title 1 funds allocated to the Eastport Early Learning Program. Over the last 4 years that program has received almost 1/2 of the total Title 1 funds available. Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 8 2009, 06:12 PM
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#2
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Getting Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 8-November 08 Member No.: 843 |
Nice job!!!! I am sure they will enjoy the information!
Sorry about the job loss! Are you okay with everything? Since I lost my job last week I have been busy preparing for the upcoming MCAS Board meeting tomorrow night. I plan on speaking on behalf of our Title 1 schools that have seen a dismal number of Title 1 dollars since the opening of the Eastport Early Learning Program and the subsequent decrease of ISTEP scores at the third and fifth grade levels. These images are examples of the quality presentation I have in the works for tomorrow evening. Enjoy! For most of these, note the substantial drop in grade 3 ISTEP scores. I attribute the improvement in grade 5 scores to the previous high level of remediation dollars spent on those students building good study habits and a foundation during the early years. I would expect the grade 5 scores to begin tapering off/falling this year. I was shocked at the total amount of Title 1 funds allocated to the Eastport Early Learning Program. Over the last 4 years that program has received almost 1/2 of the total Title 1 funds available. |
Jun 8 2009, 06:55 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 195 Joined: 30-May 08 Member No.: 793 |
Very thorough, Eric. Nice job!! The public needs to be aware of just how much administration is hurting our kids, and not making the kids our priority.
I hope to be at the meeting tomorrow to cheer you on. |
Jun 9 2009, 08:49 AM
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#4
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,413 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
Great work Eric. I look forward to hearing the sounds of silence from the Harding Sock Puppets on the board when you hit them with this.
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Jun 9 2009, 08:23 PM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 336 Joined: 26-April 08 Member No.: 787 |
Great job, Eric!
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Jun 9 2009, 09:29 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
Great job, Eric! Thanks! Here is a link to the presentation in Adobe Reader format. Enjoy Title 1 Funding Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 9 2009, 09:31 PM
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#7
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Getting Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 8-November 08 Member No.: 843 |
How did the School Board meeting go tonight? Was anyone there?
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Jun 9 2009, 09:45 PM
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#8
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
How did the School Board meeting go tonight? Was anyone there? Not much really. The Board is hell bent on finding out where the AK Smith Career Center capital project funds are which is a good thing. Mr. Boone, the MCAS CFO, has been asked to have more public "work sessions" by the Board. Mr. Boone thinks that a minimun number of "work sessions" will be required. However, MCAS Board President Kintzele let Mr. Boone know that this year is going to begin a new budget review period by the Board. I am looking forward to see what comes of it. Mr. Burgwald had requested three agenda items be added to tonight's meeting at the May 26th meeting that did not make it. He was pretty upset that his items were not added and let his discontment be know. The three items included: 1. A report on the expenditure of funds for the maintenance of the A.K. Smith Center. 2. A vote on the elimination of the position of Career and Technical Coordinator. 3. A new policy for consideration: “No third grade student who does not pass the Language Arts portion of the ISTEP shall be promoted to the fourth grade.” A few members of the public spoke regarding the girls basketball coach hiring procedure and the lack of trust in the MCAS Administration. No new news there. 5 educators were awarded by Mario Rosa for their involvement in the ENL (English as a National Language) program. Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 9 2009, 10:36 PM
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#9
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Getting Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 8-November 08 Member No.: 843 |
Thanks for the summary! I wasn't able to make it tonight. The displaced Knapp teachers had a get together to end the year. I felt that I had to be there. I will be back at school tomorrow to continue the packing...
Not much really. The Board is hell bent on finding out where the AK Smith Career Center capital project funds are which is a good thing. Mr. Boone, the MCAS CFO, has been asked to have more public "work sessions" by the Board. Mr. Boone thinks that a minimun number of "work sessions" will be required. However, MCAS Board President Kintzele let Mr. Boone know that this year is going to begin a new budget review period by the Board. I am looking forward to see what comes of it. Mr. Burgwald had requested three agenda items be added to tonight's meeting at the May 26th meeting that did not make it. He was pretty upset that his items were not added and let his discontment be know. The three items included: 1. A report on the expenditure of funds for the maintenance of the A.K. Smith Center. 2. A vote on the elimination of the position of Career and Technical Coordinator. 3. A new policy for consideration: “No third grade student who does not pass the Language Arts portion of the ISTEP shall be promoted to the fourth grade.” A few members of the public spoke regarding the girls basketball coach hiring procedure and the lack of trust in the MCAS Administration. No new news there. 5 educators were awarded by Mario Rosa for their involvement in the ENL (English as a National Language) program. |
Jun 10 2009, 06:00 PM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 195 Joined: 30-May 08 Member No.: 793 |
Not much really. The Board is hell bent on finding out where the AK Smith Career Center capital project funds are which is a good thing. Mr. Boone, the MCAS CFO, has been asked to have more public "work sessions" by the Board. Mr. Boone thinks that a minimun number of "work sessions" will be required. However, MCAS Board President Kintzele let Mr. Boone know that this year is going to begin a new budget review period by the Board. I am looking forward to see what comes of it. Mr. Burgwald had requested three agenda items be added to tonight's meeting at the May 26th meeting that did not make it. He was pretty upset that his items were not added and let his discontment be know. The three items included: 1. A report on the expenditure of funds for the maintenance of the A.K. Smith Center. 2. A vote on the elimination of the position of Career and Technical Coordinator. 3. A new policy for consideration: “No third grade student who does not pass the Language Arts portion of the ISTEP shall be promoted to the fourth grade.” A few members of the public spoke regarding the girls basketball coach hiring procedure and the lack of trust in the MCAS Administration. No new news there. 5 educators were awarded by Mario Rosa for their involvement in the ENL (English as a National Language) program. So does that mean that Beryle's items will be placed on the next agenda? What was Harding's excuse? BTW, very nice job, Eric. I'm going to listen to the SB meeting now. |
Jun 12 2009, 07:01 AM
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#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
YES!!! It worked. The MCAS Board of School Trustees is having a Public Work Session on Thursday June 18 at 6:30 to discuss Title 1 Funding!
MCAS Work Session Announcement (Adobe PDF) Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 17 2009, 09:45 AM
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#12
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 5,171 Joined: 11-December 06 From: Indiana Member No.: 10 |
Good Job Eric!!
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Suess
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Jun 18 2009, 08:54 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
Like a broken record the MCAS Administration is diverting 1/3 of the overall Title I budget to the Eastport Early Program.
Additionally, they are proposing a paraprofessional for classroom in grades pre-k through 2. I am scheduling a meeting with J. Radford and T. Dombkowski. Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 19 2009, 01:59 PM
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#14
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,413 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
Like a broken record the MCAS Administration is diverting 1/3 of the overall Title I budget to the Eastport Early Program. Additionally, they are proposing a paraprofessional for classroom in grades pre-k through 2. I am scheduling a meeting with J. Radford and T. Dombkowski. And just to be clear, the State of Indiana said that was illegal, correct? |
Jun 19 2009, 11:02 PM
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#15
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Getting Comfortable Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 8-November 08 Member No.: 843 |
Let us know how that meeting goes. I would be interested in hearing their reasoning. What do you think of Fast Forward and Read 180?
Like a broken record the MCAS Administration is diverting 1/3 of the overall Title I budget to the Eastport Early Program. Additionally, they are proposing a paraprofessional for classroom in grades pre-k through 2. I am scheduling a meeting with J. Radford and T. Dombkowski. |
Jun 23 2009, 09:42 AM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
I filed a formal complaing with the Indiana Department of Education today:
http://www.hanke-family.com/Public/Title%201%20Complaint.pdf Eric M Hanke 11856 West 400 North Michigan City, IN 46360 June 23, 2009 Lee Ann Kwiatkowski Director of Title I Office of Title I Academic Support Indiana Department of Education 151 West Ohio Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Dear Mrs. Kwiatkowski: In accordance with the September 2008 Title 1 Fiscal Handbook I am formally filing a complaint with the Office of Title 1 Academic Support regarding the use of Title 1 funds by The Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS), Corporation 4925. My initial complaint began almost 4+ years ago with Brenda Martz and was initiated when the MCAS decided to use 1/3 of the overall Title 1 budget to open an early learning program. It was my understanding as a parent that Title 1 funds could only be used to remediate already enrolled school students. Brenda and I exchange numerous phone calls and e-mail messages during that time period. Unfortunately I have not saved any of those e-mail messages and according to Mrs. Martz she has also deleted those outdated messages from her e-mail. Since the opening of the Early Learning Program the MCAS has allocated 1/3 to 1/4 of the available annual Title 1 funds toward the early learning program. And as such, our elementary Title 1 schools have reaped the negative benefits of historically lower ISTEP scores for each of our Title 1 schools (see attached documents). These schools also are failing in making AYP and NCLB / PL 221 requirements for schools in improvement. I have re-opened my dialogue with Mrs. Martz and the US Department of Education. The US Department of Education would not comment on an ongoing investigation and recommended I file a formal complaint with your office. The person I spoke with was with the office of Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Director, Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs, Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education (202) 260-1824. I would like your office to confirm the following: 1. That the MCAS, Corp 4925, is properly allocating/spending Title 1 dollars. 2. That the MCAS, Corp 4925 is completing, and filing with your office the required quarterly monitoring reports. 3. That the MCAS, Corp 4925 has provided your office with the School and District Parent Involvement Policies. Additionally, I have requested a meeting with you and Mrs. Martz regarding the ongoing Title 1 issues with the MCAS. Can you provide an update to my meeting request? I appreciate your time and thank you in advance. Sincerely, Eric M Hanke Concerned Parent, MCAS Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jun 23 2009, 03:49 PM
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#17
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,413 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
This ought to be interesting. Please keep us posted.
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Jun 25 2009, 02:44 PM
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#18
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,413 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=45577.89
QUOTE Schools OK stimulus, Title 1 spending Craig Davison For The News-Dispatch MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Area Schools board by a 6-1 vote Tuesday night approved the administration's plans to spend almost $3.5 million in one-time federal stimulus money and more than $2.3 million in basic Title I funding. The stimulus money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The district is receiving more than $1.85 million for special education and more than $1.5 million for Title 1 funding. Jan Radford, MCAS director of K-12 curriculum, said the plan for special education funding would include: about $71,000 for pre-kindergarten education; $1.2 million for contracted services, $810,000 of which will fund the new Fast ForWord program; and $250,000 for a special education bus that is wheelchair accessible. Radford said the Title 1 stimulus money plan would include purchasing laptops for elementary teachers and literacy coaches, buying instructional materials and funding the Read 180 program, which targets students reading two years below grade level beginning in the fourth grade. Board member Beryle Burgwald was the lone no vote on both measures and said he has problems with some parts of the plan, like the requirements that some of the money benefit non-public schools in some way, such as the district loaning laptops. The district's Title 1 Basic Grant for the 2009-2010 school year would spend $2.3 million in areas such as: $745,000 to pre-kindergarten education, $235,000 to professional development and $624,000 to Title 1 schools, said Thomas Dombowski, Title 1 program coordinator. The Fast ForWord contract, funded by one of the stimulus plans, also was approved later in the meeting. This computer software would allow students to work for 30 minutes a day in language arts at an individual pace and provide immediate feedback, Radford said. The software, used in districts across the nation, would help improve language arts scores on ISTEP testing, help struggling students catch up and let gifted kids move forward, she said. Board member Kathryn Lee said Fast ForWord has a strong auditory part since it will help focus on listening skills and improve students struggling with poor auditory diagnosis skills. |
Jun 25 2009, 03:57 PM
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#19
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
The numbers are incorrect. The early learning program is receiving ~785k and the reading programs are receiving less than the 810. I have a request into the Administration for the top sheet budget page for each school and will post more detail once received. Knowing the MCAS it make take a few days to get the information. They love to drag their feet. If nothing else I will get it from the State Title 1 office after it's submitted on July 1st. Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
Jul 7 2009, 02:38 PM
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#20
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 445 Joined: 24-August 07 From: Kissimmee, FL Member No.: 546 |
Why is it that everyone can see this except the MCAS Board of School Trustees? Welcome to the Michigan City Area Schools, we are over budget, over paid, overwhelmed ... |
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