[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=56661.65

Board OKs Early Learning Study

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A contract to hire a consultant to study the effectiveness of the early learning program was approved 6-1 by the Michigan City Area Schools Board on Tuesday, but not without discussion.

The agreement was presented to the board by Joan McCormick, director of special education. She said the MCAS strategic plan recommended hiring an independent contractor to evaluate the program.

After a review of candidates, Terri Jo Swim, an early childhood education professor from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, was recommended.

Board member Beryle Burgwald spoke against the contract to hire Swim. He said he could already predict that the $11,000 study would show the program is successful, since it was being done by someone in that field.

"I think the skids are greased," Burgwald said. "We have someone who is an educator who favors early learning. Overall, I think the results are preordained."

The contract language was also criticized for giving too much control to the superintendent. According to the agreement as presented, the study couldn't be published without the consent of Superintendent Michael Harding.

Burgwald found fault with that provision because it "flies in the face of academic freedom" for a faculty member to have to get permission to publish a research study. He was concerned about what could happen if the results were not positive.

"Early learning is a pet project of the superintendent," he said. "If Dr. Swim comes out with a conclusion less than supportive, that study will never see the light of day."

McCormick explained the professor was being asked to allow MCAS to review the findings in order to protect confidentiality of the information prior to publishing results.

Board member Nate Gipson took exception to Burgwald's reference to the superintendent's pet project.

"Mr. Burgwald is short-changing the entire community by saying this is the pet project of the superintendent," Gipson said. "It's the pet project of the community."

Board member James Kintzele argued for changing the contract to say the superintendent needed to give the researcher permission, on behalf of the school corporation, to release the data and contract renewals would need board approval. The modifications were approved on a 7-0 vote.

The amended contract was approved on a 6-1, with Burgwald opposed. He said he continued to oppose the contract because results were a foregone conclusion.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Dump them all!!!!

[Dave]

"Early learning is a pet project of the superintendent," he said. "If Dr. Swim comes out with a conclusion less than supportive, that study will never see the light of day."

Truer words have never been said.

Board member James Kintzele argued for changing the contract to say the superintendent needed to give the researcher permission, on behalf of the school corporation, to release the data and contract renewals would need board approval. The modifications were approved on a 7-0 vote.

OK, I see two ways to read that. Is the Board directing Harding to give permission to release the data, or are they saying releasing the data is subject to Harding giving approval?

If it is the latter, I wonder if a Freedom of Information Act request by someone, like a reporter at the News Dispatch or for that matter any parent of a child attending the early education program, would result in disclosure should Harding not give approval? I'm thinking that if taxpayers are paying for the study, we should be able to read it. If it has confidential information (student's names and grades, for example), the confidential parts could be redacted to maintain confidentiality.

[Roger Kaputnik]

If the taxpayers pay for it, we own it. In fact, since it was done by the Board, which serves the public, we own it on that count.