* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Harris
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Edison Schools, Inc.
FOR the purpose of requesting the Chief Education Officer of Edison Schools, Inc., and the General Manager of Baltimore Edison Partnership Schools to address the City Council on the reported drop in test scores in Furman L. Templeton Elementary, Gilmor Elementary, and Montebello Elementary and to present evidence that rebuts those reports and supports the company's contention that student performance has improved in these schools under Edison's management.
Body
Recitals
Edison Schools, Inc., founded in 1992, purports to be the nation's leading public school partner with schools and districts, focused on raising student achievement through its research-based school design, uniquely aligned assessment systems, interactive professional development, integrated use of technology, and other proven program features. The company claims that Edison students are achieving annual academic gains well above national norms.
Contrary to these claims, recent articles published by the news media contend that scores in the 3 subject elementary schools, taken over by the State 6 years ago and given to the management of Edison, Inc., have fallen and that at least 1 might not meet federal No Child Left Behind standards - scores at Furman L. Templeton and Gilmore elementaries dropped at least 10 percentage points in most grades, and scores for 5th- and 6th - graders at Montebello Elementary also fell sharply. At Montebello fewer than 50% of the 5th graders passed the Maryland School Assessment math test, compared with 71% last year, and only 54% passed reading. Because 3rd and 4th graders did far better, Montebello is not in danger of being labeled a school that needs improvement.
It was reported, however, that Furman L. Templeton and Gilmor fell below the citywide average in nearly all grades in both math and reading. The 2 schools also ranked in the bottom 25 of the City's 114 elementary schools according to an analysis done by the paper of the Maryland School Assessment results. The analysis also showed that 62.7% of 3rd graders at Gilmore passed the math test in 2005, but only 41% passed this year; 6th grade math scores dropped from 53.2% passing to 30% passing. At Furman L. Templeton, scores dropped in 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades in both reading and math. In each grade, for both reading and math, the scores of the 3 schools averaged together were about 20 percentage points below the statewide averages.
Maryland Department of Education and Edison, Inc., officials refute these findings, contending that since Edison began running the schools - then considered some of the worst in the City - student performance has improved. Edison, Inc., representatives hold that school improvement is a long process, and that in the 6 years since Edison has assumed control, the culture of the schools is much better, and parents are pleased with the education their children are getting.
A new study by the Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center of the American Institutes of Research, a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, rated Edison Schools the nation's top Education Service Provider in a study released April 24, 2006. In the study, designed to be a guide for consumers, Edison earned the highest score possible in such important categories as the research of its design, professional development and technical assistance, and readiness for successful implementation.
Edison earned its distinction after a study of Education Service Providers that operate in approximately 350 schools nationwide and represent about 65 % of schools served by this new industry. These providers contribute to the nation's public school improvement efforts, running charter schools that have failed to make adequate yearly progress under the federal government's tough accountability system, No Child Left Behind.
While Edison, Inc., came to Baltimore with impressive credentials and the empirical evidence shows that their initiatives are universally successful in underperforming schools nationwide, we cannot afford to assume that the company is the best fit for our elementary schools. If, in fact, they are not able to perform their transformation in the Baltimore City public school system, we need to urge the State to reconsider renewing their contract that expires next June. Currently Edison reportedly has a $21 million contract, with an additional $1.85 million bonus if its schools reach a certain benchmark.
If Edison, Inc., cannot deliver on it promise of improved performance, maybe the State should consider returning our 3 elementary schools to us, along with the money they intended to pay Edison, and let us have a try. With adequate funding for what would be the 1st time in its history, Baltimore City Public School system could certainly deliver the "goods."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Chief Education Officer of Edison Schools, Inc., and the General Manager of Baltimore Edison Partnership Schools are requested to address the City Council on the reported drop in test scores in Furman L. Templeton Elementary, Gilmor Elementary, and Montebello Elementary and to present evidence that rebuts those reports and supports the company's contention that student performance has improved in these schools under Edison's management.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the State Superintendent of Education, the Acting CEO, Baltimore City Public School System, the Chief Education Officer of Edison Schools, Inc. and the General Manager of Baltimore Edison Partnership Schools, the Principals of Furman L. Templeton Elementary, Gilmor Elementary, and Montebello Elementary, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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