The Rochester City School District has submitted to the state its updated response to Distinguished Educator Jaime Aquino’s report.
Last fall, Aquino’s report detailed the failures in the district’s finances, educational outcomes, governance and more. State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia rejected the district’s original response earlier this year and gave the district a six-week extension to improve it.
In the cover letter addressed to Elia, district leaders said Aquino vetted "most, if not all," of the updated action plan.
Among the many ideas touched upon in the 68-page response is a seven-point vision for improving student achievement, starting with what the district calls a "relentless focus on teaching and learning." One of Aquino’s chief complaints was about the district’s lack of focus on these issues.
The response also details plans to change the nature of the district’s relationship with parents, aiming to "welcome them as partners in their children’s education."
It also offered steps to improve the board’s understanding of its role in the district.
It's not known yet whether this response will be enough to stop a proposed state takeover of the district.
