Analyzing PuertoRico's incoming governor's pubic policy on education. First it cites a little plagiarized sentence I wrote in 2012, again, without credit.
"Educacion sirve de punto de lanza para el desarrollo social y economico del pueblo". "Eperienza educativa donde nuestros jovenes se desenvuelvan en las destresas... a ser productivos y ciudadanos de pensamiento critico e independiente".
Includes the often said "decentralizing". This would mean a break in PuertoRico as an SEA/LEA that would mean a huge leap, it requires @usedgov approval. And a technology and data management overhaul (E-rate), funds received under my administration, frozen again bc mismanagement
Unlike Biden public policy, it actually mentions the pandemic! Focus on student achievement and improvement and tech infrastructure. Something that can be achieved with E-rate funding.
Using the local public broadcasting corporation, local funds that are basically non-existent. In terms of the UPR, local public higher education but not mention as to how improve its infrastructure. These two entities need major local investment, UPR has lost most accreditation
It mentions a lot of investment on edu tech, equipment and internet access. Again, that would mean, if it's a practical plan, E-rate dollars, which have been a lifesaver in the states, specially those with remote areas.
Unlike Biden's public policy, it mentions protocols to ensure a safe back to school and in class learning, parental support for in class learning and after school. Not clear as to how it will be funded. All of a sudden there's a difference in style and branding in content...
Improve education through our leaders' preparation; recruiting, motivation and compensation; retention of staff and students. Curriculum improvement and academic offering. Competitive programs, investigation, practice and tech. (I'm trying my best to translate)
"Quality of education relies on the quality of our teachers and principals". As well as our management staff. (Cleary, who wrote this has some understanding of the challenges facing PuertoRico, however, I don't know if the appointed secretary can meet these challenges.)
It aims to achieve school autonomy. Again, going back to break PuertoRico's SEA/LEA dependence. Professional development and leadership (use of Title II funds, which PuertoRico has had a hard time in expending. Better allocation of resources and recruiting.
(Recruiting is a challenge given the salaries). Again it mentions the pandemic, opening schools if the meet guidelines (not specific of what these are) and following successful models. Unlike Biden's public policy this platform acknowledges actual challenges regarding schools
Platform aims to incentivize better careers in teaching, increase salaries and ensure pensions (teachers in PuertoRico currently are not eligible for Social Security). It promotes lowering tuitions for those seeking higher education in teaching careers.
Whoever wrote this has his/her feet on the groung
*ground
Expanding Head Start (federal funding that currently in PuertoRico is allocated to the Dept of Health, including Early Head Start, also federal funding).
Address school drop out rate seriously. (This is a real challenge since the pandemic, I believe we've lost a whole generation since Hurricane Maria, the earthquakes and now the pandemic, some students will never be back. What programs, training, career pathways will they have?)
Expand extended learning to 6pm, recruiting retired teachers, much of which have a mediocre pension. Promote alliances with local communities and municipalities, include fine arts and family involvement in school. Pathways to teacher careers and recruitment, including #VocEd
Only halfway through the platform and public policy, but hoping @mikeroweworks will take notice. PuertoRico is interested, let's get involved!
@mikeroweworks Employment and school curriculum alignment, plus encouraging bilingual schools. This is something I can personally vouch for in #Pierluisi's congressional career. He fought against Obama's and congressional policy preventing PR from using federal funds to increase bilingualism
@mikeroweworks Expand Montessori, now a very mainstream PuertoRico trend (even though it's from the 70's, we're catching up) and #STEAM. Civics (Thank God!) and fine arts.
@mikeroweworks Regarding #SpecialEd, it is exponentially more expansive than Biden's. 40% of students in PR have special needs, yet 90% of teachers don't have the skills to teach #SpecialEd
@mikeroweworks Continuing analysis of @pedropierluisi platform of education. It is by far more extensive and actually achievable than Biden's. On #SpecialEd acknowledges the need to cut through red tape and regulations. (Courts have crippled the implementation of reform).
@mikeroweworks @pedropierluisi Need to support therapists and T1's, a reform that the 2009-2012 republican administration implemented. Most recruits have to renew their contracts annually, which the platform recognizes as a hurdle in achieving continuity in the program. (This is a great step).
- new curriculum in #SpecialEd -direct money directly to student services, not bureaucracy - stop litigation which takes away millions a year from services, specifically from state funding.
Stardard: evaluate student achievement. This is the federal law since NCLB. Again, sports and fine arts. At least they included civics, which Biden didn't. Title IV, which PuertoRico barely received money on, is emphasized, regarding family services.
Recognizes the PRDE has the biggest budget in PR, including a disproportional federal budget compared to other states (9% versus over 33% in PR) it still has not met it's goals. Sorry, but I'm OCD. Yet another change in fonts and graphics, was this copy pasted?
Finally, it's not about a lack of funds, like I've said this for decades. There needs to be a systemic reorganization. Emphasis on educational leadership, even though the last local reform decentralized the system, this didn't really happen.
By "finally" I meant "finally", not the end yet. If PuertoRico were divided as a real school district, it would have 7, but it's still functionally an SEA/LEA. From what I'm reading the policy is to change that.
This would include a reform based on staff per pupil. Right now the PRDE is overstaffed. Professional development again highlighted. That schools have a functional school council, right now it's always been a rubber stamp. (This is easier said than done)
"Accountability", how many times have we written or heard about this with no results? @cate_long
Improve federal competitive proposals. Under my leadership, PuertoRico received the largest competitive proposal of this century, $154MM for school improvement.
- teacher evaluation -school climate - maximizing existing online platforms - increase statistical analysis of schools - Improve controls in the purchasing departments
This is a new position: a manager assigned to a certain number of schools to ensure adequate and authorized recruitment. (Not clear on what this means).
IT and infrastructure. Again, acknowledging the challenging post Maria, earthquakes and the pandemic. Go for E-rate is my opinion! Distance learning and online repository of classes based on grade level, as well as a scaled approach of return to classes.
The Secretary would have the sole responsibility on contingency plans (mind you, PuertoRico does not have a School Board). Require adequate ventilation (all infrastructure costs have always been with local funds and PuertoRico does not have property taxes.
Promote alliances with the private sector.
The End. The platform was written by someone knowledgeable of the systemic problems. However, it is merely impossible to implement any of this without a strong top to bottom leadership. It is comprehensive in its approach.
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