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Low FARM Enrollment Means Lost Revenue for BCPSS
According to a fact sheet disseminated in the spring by the ACLU, the city school system stands a very good chance of significantly increasing its coffers by ensuring that a form is completed and returned to school administrators. The form, commonly referred to as the “free lunch form” is actually called the “FARM” form — the acronym stands for “Free and Reduced Meals.”
The form is given to every child at the beginning of the school year to take home to their parents. It would seem a simple enough process. Those parents whose children are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch would simply complete the form and return it. Unfortunately for lots of reasons, getting the form back is problematic. A significant amount of the FARM forms are not being returned.
Ensuring that every eligible student is represented by a FARM form allows an opportunity for the money-strapped school system to offset recent losses in funding. By the fiscal year 2009, the system will receive an additional $4,821 from the state for every student enrolled in FARM. This means that if all of the students who are eligible are enrolled, in FY 2011, City Schools stands to secure as much as $40 million from the state.
ACLU advocates maintain that “while the school system consistently shows that it has a very high FARM population at the elementary level, it does not enroll the same percentage of FARM students at the middle school level and, even less so, at the high school level. Less than 60% of City Schools high school students are enrolled in FARM. MSDE reports indicate that BCPSS in 2003 and 2005 had an enrollment of 83% FARM at the elementary level.”
While there’s a great deal of speculation as to why the middle and high school enrollments are so low, plans are in the making to ensure that every eligible student is accounted for. One thing is for sure, we’ll see significantly more emphasis on FARM enrollment this school year. City Schools administrator Michael Carter met with BEN staff earlier this summer to discuss strategies for increasing FARM enrollments. No doubt he met with other education reform advocates to have that same discussion.
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 A CALL TO PARENTS! Title I Funds Remain Unspent
While Baltimore City school officials continuously express the critical need for additional money under Fair Student Funding, BEN has learned that nearly $175,000 in Title I funds have been reported as “unspent” for this past school year ending in June 2008; these funds are at risk for being sent back. While interventions are in place to prevent the monies from being returned, one must ask the question how did BCPSS get in this position.
In the quest to level the playing field by making schools equal and competitive, certain schools are designated Title I status. Each year the public school system receives Title I funding from the feds for those schools so designated. Those monies are ear marked specifically to promote and support parent engagement. School principals control expenditures for the money, but need consent from their school’s organized parent group before spending it. Astonishingly, of the City Schools receiving Title I funds, nearly all reported all or a portion of their allotment was not spent last school term. It’s safe to assume that returning dollars to the feds surely was not part of the overall Fair Student Funding plan. Simply stated, the City Schools financial status is such that it is in no position to return money!
Many parent leaders involved with BEN have criticized principals for not using Title I money for parent engagement. Parent leaders have complained that when principals were asked for funds for projects related to parent involvement, they were told that no money was available. Ironically, many of those same principals head schools that have unspent Title I money.
Some important questions need to be answered: With the CEO’s strong commitment to parent involvement (he never fails to bring it up in public forums), why is it that those principals who returned money did not think to use it to promote and support parent engagement in their schools? What will top administrators at City Schools do to ensure that this scenario never happens again and what if any sanctions will be imposed directly on principals if this practice continues?
The idea of parents becoming more involved in Baltimore’s schools is not a novel one. It’s no mystery that solid parent engagement means better schools, students, families and communities. Why is it then that far too many principals continue to take such a relaxed, seemingly unconcerned attitude about parent engagement? Here’s an idea – tie salary increases and promotions to parent involvement initiatives in each principal’s school and let’s see if anything changes.
Granted, in the best of worlds principals should not have to court or seek out parents to encourage them to become active participants in their children’s education process. Unfortunately, we don’t live in the best of worlds.
In the here and now world principals should be courting parents to come into their schools. Their attitude should be that parent presence and participation is as important as testing outcomes and increased resources. They should view parents as having two significant things: parental presence and active participation in the education of their children, both in school and at North Avenue.
In an ideal world all parents, regardless of economic status, place a high value on education and work to ensure that their public school system gives their children the very best education that can be offered. Those parents don’t wait for an invitation to the decision-making table, they assume that their seat is a given and that their participation is critical to any decisions made about their child’s education. We’ve seen those types of parents in the Baltimore schools that are consistently successful.
Because City Schools has lagged so far behind on the issue of parent engagement, an argument could be made that it is the primary responsibility of school principals to creatively find ways to promote, create and support strong parent engagement. Add to that the strong support of school administrators, then and only then will true parent engagement in city schools become the norm.
For their part, principals have the authority to make parent engagement a top priority. Had they used Title I money during the last school term for that purpose, instead of running the risk of losing it, they would have demonstrated a good-faith effort toward convincing parents that they are wanted and needed in the schools.
View the list of schools that returned funds. Is your school one of them? If so, you need to inquire as to why. In a time when our school system has to smart size and streamline spending, returning Title I money is counterproductive, and flies in the face of the “not enough funding” mantra from school headquarters.
That such a large amount of much Title I money is possibly at risk is a clarion call to parents to get involved and ask questions about the money allocated to their schools. Parents must insist in knowing the principal’s plan for how funds will be used and how parent engagement fits into that plan. It’s your child, your school, your principal, and your money. You deserve answers. Make your voice heard! Get involved!
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New BEN Parent Organizers
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 BEN Organizer Sarah M. Larkin will be working with several schools in Southwest Baltimore. Looking for a bigger and more metropolitan city, she and her fiancé moved to Baltimore from North Carolina at the end of April 2008. “We ‘re enjoying living in this great city. My friend said it is a big city with a neighborhood feel. I couldn’t agree more.
Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, both of Sarah’s parents are public school teachers. “They raised me with an understanding of the importance of a quality public education for all children,” says Sarah.
Sarah graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology in 2003, and moved to Los Angeles to participate in an AmeriCorp program. During that year, she was a teacher’s assistant at a school for students with behavioral and emotional disorders. “It was a great year for me and afforded me a very eye-opening experience. I saw the effect that parents, and the overall environment have on a student and his or her ability to succeed. I am looking forward to an exciting year and I hope to learn a lot more about this great city, its schools and it’s citizens.”
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 BEN Organizer LeVar A. Jones will be working with several schools in Northeast Baltimore. He is committed to helping empower parents and community members to take charge of the direction of our great city, specifically in the lives of Baltimore youth.
LeVar was born in Washington, DC and reared in a nearby suburb of Prince George’s County. He studied Communications at Prince George’s Community College and plans to continue those studies at the University of Baltimore. He has been involved with youth development for the past 6 years in Maryland and abroad in Switzerland, Brazil and the Philippines.
For the past 3 years, he has served the youth and families of the Barclay community of East Baltimore as Youth Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. He has also worked with both Johns Hopkins University and Loyola College in the area of youth development. His life revolves around the youth of his ministry, whom he considers extended family because they spend so much time in his house. He resides in Baltimore City with his brother and spends leisure time writing, traveling, and singing.
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BEN Inducts 30 New Ambassadors
On June 4th, in a room filled to capacity, thirty parent leaders from around the school system raised their right hand as they took the BEN Ambassador pledge administered by BEN Executive Director, Elijah Etheridge. Surrounded by family and friends the newly inducted parent leaders celebrated completing BEN’s Parent Leadership Development Institute, an intense eight-week training that includes sessions on everything from How to Start a PTA/PTO to Understanding the Importance of Organizing, as well as a host of other important issues and topics.
 Amongst the proud graduates was Ms. Florence Scott, an 85-year-old great-grand mother and advocate who completed the entire training. Ms. Scott said, “I’m so happy that you honored me as a BEN Ambassador. I thought I was just coming to class with my daughter, I never dreamed that I would be acknowledged as an Ambassador.” She also declared that, “BEN can count on me to show up anywhere I’m needed, and I will continue to attend these trainings because I think they are so important for the parents.”
Another heartwarming testimony came from Mrs. Katrina Arrington, a BCPSS employee who also successfully completed the training. Both she and her husband graduated as BEN Ambassadors and received their certificates together. Mrs. Arrington glowed as she spoke of how proud she was of her husband for completing the course. She also noted that as a direct result of his attendance, he has become more outspoken.
As her voice cracked and she fought back the tears, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Mrs. Arrington lovingly embraced her husband. Her pride at his accomplishment shone through for all to see. The June induction of BEN Ambassadors brings BEN’s total number of trained parent leaders to 350. BEN staff extends heartfelt congratulations to its new Ambassadors. We look forward to a relationship of mutual support, respect, and hard work.
Sign-up for the next Institute Training beginning October 2, 2008. Call George Morning at 410-576-2361 for additional information.
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 Getting Ready for School
Before you know it summer fun will end and children will return to the class room. For many parents, the back to school bell is reminiscent of a failed New Year’s resolution. When school began, you vowed get involved in your child’s educational experience, but for lots of reasons you didn’t. Your time commitment is an important first step toward parent involvement. Start small, don’t volunteer for the most time consuming commitment unless you’re really up for it. Sometimes your presence alone is an action. There’s no job too small in a parent group or as a volunteer at your child’s school. All efforts count! Plan to get involved in September.
Inside Your Child’s School
If you don’t have relationship with the principal from the previous year, this school term make it a point to introduce yourself to the principal and begin to develop that important relationship. An appointment is good, but you really shouldn’t need one. However you make it happen, the important thing is to make sure that you introduce yourself and your child. Far too often, the only time parents meet principals is when their child is in trouble.
Inquire if your school has a parent organization. If it does, attend at least two meetings. You’ll be able to see: 1) what direction the group is going in; 2) how strong it is; 3) if it’s working in partnership with the principal; 4) if its work and focus benefit the school; and 5) just how you can become involved.
Remember, every parent has something to offer. Figure out what you want to do in the group and focus on that. A good idea is to find someone else in the group to work with you on a special project. If public speaking isn’t your strong suit, maybe you can make phone calls, write letters, or just be a presence at important meetings and events. Figure out where you fit in and go from there.
Outside the School House
There’s no shortage of education issues or meetings to talk about the issues. School related meetings can sometimes be painfully boring and seemingly unproductive, but they’re important for two reasons; the devil is in the details, you’ve got to sit through the talking heads to become informed. Some really important information can come in what seems to be a long and boring meeting. More importantly you can share your opinions and concerns. Often, lawmakers, school administrators and School Board members are long on promises and short on follow through. An informed parent is a powerful one.
Before Choosing an Issue to Support:
- Respectfully challenge proposals you question – let your voice be heard
- Get the facts and opinions to help shape your position – remember, facts inform us on what position to take.
- Don’t just question authority – question the motives of the authority
- Weigh the pros and cons surrounding the issue – ask yourself how proposed education issues and initiatives affect your child/ren, your family, and your community.
- Support education advocacy groups that share and support your position.
- Work with your school’s principal and parent organization to move an issue forward or thwart its progress.
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Why Join A PTA?
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The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more advantages. Here are just a few:
Get Connected. There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.
Discover Great Resources. The PTA offers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.
Tap into a Network. Parenting is not easy—it helps to share ideas, concerns and experiences with other parents and educators in the community. PTA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind.
Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you gain valuable experiences. It’s an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use for a good cause—your child and all children in the community.
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Speak Up. Because the PTA is a forum for exchanging ideas, you are encouraged to make suggestions. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child’s school.
Witness Improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based programs, and social events—all vital to a school’s success.
Be a Role Model. By becoming a PTA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.
Like many schools in Baltimore City, your school may not have a PTA. You can one of two things: 1) Contact BEN to get information on how to get a PTA started or 2) call 410-760-6221
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Mayor Wants Baltimore City Schools Back
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In a recent interview with one-time police commissioner, now talk-show host, Ed Norris, Mayor Sheila Dixon expressed an interest in the city reclaiming control of Baltimore’s public school system. The Mayor said that she’d talked with CEO Alonso and would like to see the city begin to manage the system in a year or so.
Chief among her concerns was the lack of parent involvement. “We’ve got to get parents more involved. We must create an environment in which schools provide additional support services for parents.” She also suggested that psychologists and mentors be incorporated into the domain of Baltimore’s public schools. Citing the decline of the U.S. superiority in education, she also suggested longer school days, and said that she was not opposed to a year-round school schedule.
While the possibility of such a change happening in a “year or so” unlikely (too much red tape), it is not outside the realm of possibility that it will eventually happen. CEO Alonso seems to be making progress. He is vocal, he is accessible, and he has flexed his chief administrator muscles to bring about much needed change at North Avenue. He has brought people aboard who have proven track records of success. He appears to be a sincere and worthy taskmaster, and he has risen to the challenges put before him. And get this, he
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actually listens to parents and is actually elevating the role that they play in schools! He and the Mayor obviously agree on the importance of parent involvement.
How successful he will be in bringing remedy to many of the system’s ills remains to be seen. How serious the Mayor is in her quest to run the school system also remains to be seen. The old saw “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” might be applicable in this situation. For her part, the Mayor seems supportive of Dr. Alonso, and thus far there’s been no public squabbling between the two. In a city vexed with infighting and back room politics, the fact that the two are not fighting bodes well for all citizens.
Will good relations between the two last? They might... If the Mayor is handed the reins to the school system, we can expect some issues to arise between these two heavy hitters. When and if it happens, the best that we can hope for is that Dr. Alonso continues with his strong leadership, and that the mayor continues to support him by letting him do what he does best and ensuring that he gets adequate funding to get the job done. What Baltimore needs is a true partnership between the Mayor and the school system’s CEO. By all appearances, that currently seems to be the case. No matter the outcome of the Mayor’s most recent musings, here’s hoping that the partnership remains solid.
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This ‘n That
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4 Point Prone Restraint Banned at BCPSS
In June Laura Kallins, Pro Bono Coordinator for the Maryland Disability Law Center e-mailed BEN a copy of a letter sent to the MDLC from City Schools announcing that the system will no longer allow the use of the 4 Point Prone Restraint on emotionally disabled children attending city schools. Kallins stated in her e-mail to area education advocates that, “This is a wonderful victory which I hope will serve as a catalyst for other school systems.”
The letter, authored by Ida Hauss, Deputy of Special Education, also stated that City Schools was searching to find a company with a more effective program in crisis intervention techniques. The letter also states that all of City Schools staff involved with programs will be trained by the new provider by the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.
This information is important because of the numerous complaints by parents of children with emotional challenges who feel that the 4 point prone restraint is too aggressive an approach to manage a child in crisis. For more information on the progress of this issue contact Idalyn Hauss, Deputy Special Education Officer, at 410-396-8900.
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It’s Academic!
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What We Read This Summer
I’ve always been interested in children’s books. In college I took more than a few children’s literature courses. My interest was fueled by the fairytales I read as a child, as well as the Nancy Drew and Andy Hardy books I read as a teenager. I enjoy books for children just as much today as I did then. No longer just “books for kids,” Children’s literature expands a broad scope of topics and themes, and the illustrations are pure eye candy.
This summer my eight-year granddaughter was charged with the task of reading 1-2 books a day and to do a book report on each one. While that might seem a bit harsh to some, I took a hard line because she’s one of those children who loses her reading and math skills it if she doesn’t use them. We’ve talked about summer learning loss and let me be the first to tell you if you don’t already know…it’s a real phenomenon. Once her initial resistance passed, she’s been cooperating by keeping up with her reading and book reports. As a result of my diligence and her efforts, she is a better, more confident reader.
Rather than take her to the library, I choose the bookstore route because I wanted to teach her that like clothes, toys, food, and anything else she wants me to buy for her, books are worthy of purchasing. I also wanted to stress the value and fun of going into bookstores to browse read and relax. We have two great ones in our neighborhood, one’s a little pricey, but you can always find something inexpensive. I usually purchase two books for her. We each choose one. I have two rules about her purchases; the first is that it must be on or above her grade level. The other is that the book that she chooses absolutely cannot be related to a television or movie character. I usually get frowns and whines on the later, but hardcore granny has a reason for that rule too.
I want to share with BENews readers some of the books on our summer reading list. All of the books listed were purchased from a discount bookstore, but I’m sure they can be found in the library. I hope that you enjoy them as much as we did.
1. Poolena-E.B. McHenry-Especially great for a little girl who likes the color pink and dogs. This is a story about a very pampered pink poodle that learns how to enjoy being a dog-Pink
2. The Big Box-Toni Morrison-Yes that Toni Morrison, a somber, somewhat cerebral book for younger kids, it’s excellently illustrated-Different
3. A Ride On Mother’s Back-Emery & Durga Berhard- This books teaches the young reader the different, but creative ways that moms all over the world carry their babies-a lesson in diversity-Charming.
4. The Rain Babies-Laura Krauss Melmed-Tells the intriguing tale of what happens to an older couple who wish for children-Sweet
5. Stella Luna-Janell Cannon-People don’t generally like bats, but you’ll fall in love with Stellauna and her quest to fit in-Strikingly illustrated.
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6. The Twins and the Bird of Darkness-Robert San Souci-This Carribean fairytale tell the story of Princess Marie’s quest to save her people, and twin brothers who set out to save her-Beautifully illustrated.
7. Rainbow Fish Finds His Way-Marcus Pfister-Reminiscent of Finding Nemo, this colorful story has a beautiful rainbow fish who actually sparkles-Cute.
8. Angelina Ice Skates-Katherine Holabird-Angelina and her adventures has long been a favorite of children readers. This time we learn how Angelina fares as she prepares for her special ice skating show for New Year’s Eve-Funny.
9. Bread and Jam for Francis-Russell Hoban-My mother would say that Frances the bear is more than a handful. Read how she deals with her preference for bread and jam. First published in 1964 (I paid fifty cents for it at the library), this is wonderful story for the picky eaters-Hilarious.
10. The Plant Sitter-Gene Zion-First published in 1959, (I was nine years old) we get to see how far illustrations have come. Cartoon like illustrations aside, it’s a great book, especially for children interested in taking care of houseplants-Funny.
Links for Homework Help
Listed are several links that parents and teachers will find helpful in assisting children with homework.
Many city parents are still in a quandary because of their reluctance to send their children back to public school for another school term. For a variety of reasons, they have lost their confidence in City Schools. For those parents who have the time and are inclined to make the commitment, Home Schooling is worth serious consideration.
Home Instruction is supported by a partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and City Schools; between the two entities, all kinds of information is available. Contact Richard Scott at 410-767-0288 or email rscott@msde.state.md.us.
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A Few Words from the Editor...
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Editor:
Fatima Wilson
Layout & Design:
Barbara Wilson
September 2008 Contributors:
American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
Elijah Etheridge
Harvard University
George Morning
Bebe Verdery
LaToya Walker
Articles and Calendar Items:
Deadline for articles and calendar items
is the 15th of each month.
BENews is a publication of the Baltimore Education Network, Inc. BEN believes the school system will provide a consistently excellent education when families and community are partners in the decisions impacting teaching and learning. BEN strengthens the power of parents and community by informing, building capacity, and facilitating civic dialogue and collective action on school improvement issues.
Contact Information:
Addr: 1233 W. Mt. Royal Ave
Baltimore, MD 21217
E-mail: BENinfo@BENetwork.org
Phone: 410.576.BEN1 (2361)
FAX: 410.576.0375
Web: www.BENetwork.org
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Our front page highlights the CEO’s Community Support for Schools Initiative. As I crafted the article I was reminded of the similarities between beginning a new school year and the holidays. The beginning of the school year is a lot like Christmas and the incoming New Year because most of us are hopeful about the possibilities of the incoming year.
First, there’s all that new stuff. New school clothes, uniforms, teachers, schools, classrooms, principals, expectations, attitudes…the list of new things goes on and on. Then there’s the big one — the CEO’s new plan for city schools. Much like a finely wrapped, expensive Christmas gift, we’re all waiting in excited anticipation to see exactly what’s in the box.
Waiting for the actual implementation of the new initiative is similar to kids waiting to see if Santa will actually deliver the goods. Even though many kids will readily admit that there’s no Santa, they still want the gift that they’ve asked for. If your teenager asks for an Ipod, an Ipod shuffle will be a disappointment. Like our children, all of us want the genuine article and we are greatly disappointed when we have to settle for less.
The CEO’s Community Support for Schools Initiative gives many education reform advocates a much needed infusion of hope. It’s a lofty and costly initiative, but it’s also a thoughtful one whose time has come. Most importantly, it does more than just invite parents and community members to the decision making table. Its very existence is defined by their much needed presence. No longer just encouraged to promote parent involvement, the word from North Avenue is that all
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school principals will be held accountable by the CEO’s office to make it happen. They will be expected to ensure that the ideas and presence of parents and community members are welcome in their schools. The expectation is that parents will participate in transparent budgeting and planning decisions as well as school governance, and that all those decisions will be fueled by healthy and productive partnerships between themselves and principals. That’s a huge mandate. The question is not can, but will it work.
The approaching holidays also create lots of hustle and bustle. The house gets a thorough cleaning, furniture gets rearranged, and lots of money gets spent on food, decorations, gifts and sprucing things up. There certainly has been a lot of hustle and bustle at North Avenue lately. Lay-offs, reassignments, and a general changing of the guard has many of us looking forward to how the business of managing of Baltimore’s public schools will be different….different in a good way. Clearly some folks will continue to be uncomfortable with the changes. I suspect that either they’ll get on board, or get off the train.
What happens after the holidays is all too familiar. The tinsel and lights don’t seem as bright, and as consumers, we realize that what we’ve paid out didn’t quite measure up to the pay off we were looking for. The reality is that as the Community Support for Schools Initiative moves forward, we’ll get to see how well it works, and they’ll be opportunities to smooth out the rough edges, tinker with and improve it…advantages that we seldom get during the holidays.
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“This new plan empowers principals and makes schools more competitive,” said Elijah Etheridge – executive director of BEN – who was in attendance at the hearing. Etheridge went on to say, “We need our schools to become more competitive and success should be rewarded.” Fair Student Funding is based on the number of students enrolled in each school. Schools that end up loosing enrollment will result in their budgets being negatively impacted. The incentive therefore is to create an environment where students and parents feel welcomed, engaged, academically challenged, and where progress is being made. Dr. Alonso remarked that this past year Baltimore City students had made significant improvements in statewide test scores. The 2008 MSA reflects in grades 3, 5 and 8 respectively, 73%, 76% and 49% were proficient in reading and 72%, 67% and 28% were proficient in math. The gains were larger then any other school system in the state although overall Baltimore City Schools still trails behind the other leading school systems statewide (some at 100%). At the end of the CEO’s presentation, parent leaders from PCAB and BEN spoke to the committee members lending their support for Dr. Alonso and the New Fair Student Funding direction. 
