Five Rochester schools began the school year in receivership. But one school in particular has the state Education Department's attention.
The state Education Department places low-performing schools under receivership status. Those schools receive special attention to help improve student outcomes.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said in a letter to the district that Monroe Upper needs a more targeted plan to improve the school.
“Dr. Rosa has to weigh whether or not the school makes demonstrable progress,” Interim Superintendent Demario Strickland said in a recent school board meeting. “But she ultimately did say that we just have to put additional efforts and to make sure that we don't keep repeating the process.”
Rosa said in her letter to RCSD that if the district does not provide an adequate plan by the end of July, the state will take further action to manage the school.
"The plan should ... detail how the superintendent plans to ... address critical issues including high rates of (students with disabilities) and (English language learner) student placements, and the high rate of uncertified teachers filling vacancies." Rosa said in the letter.
Rosa also noted that the superintendent needs to detail a strategy to either replace the current building leader or "implement a significantly enhanced direct coaching" for the school's leadership team within that same deadline.
That responsibility will fall to incoming Superintendent Eric Rosser, who takes over leadership of the district beginning July 1.
For the other four schools in receivership — School 16, School 28, School 33, and Edison Tech High School — student absenteeism and staff turnover are some of the challenges those schools are facing as they work to improve student outcomes.
“We need to make sure that our attendance team is putting some strategies in place, working with the families, working with the staff, to get the students in the school,” State Monitor Jaime Alicea said. “If they're not attending school, they're not going to learn."
The most recent reports from school leaders show efforts to stabilize the learning environment for students amid challenges.
Staff turnover at School 28 has taken a toll on some young students’ progress, according to the school’s report to the state. One kindergarten class has had three different teachers this year.
“While frequent transitions have contributed to behavioral challenges, these issues are anticipated to subside as the new teacher establishes consistent routines and expectations,” the report states. “Additionally, a new teacher has been appointed to one of the specialized autism classrooms, improving student behavior and academic progress.”
Edison Tech High School’s report to the state shows it is employing different tactics to tackle absenteeism both at home and in the hallways.
A recent report to the state shows that staff made 90 home visits for chronically absent students. And starting in late March, staff began hallway sweeps in between periods to get students to class on time, adding to an array of strategies to consistently get students to their desks.
“‘Minimizing hallway drama and reducing smoking has created a safer, calmer school environment,’” said one teacher quoted in the state report. “To further sustain this momentum, Edison celebrates student growth through the Blueprint Award, given bi-weekly to students who demonstrate improved attendance and engagement."
