Wednesday, September 01, 1999
Two CPS schools reborn
Poor test scores bring changes in Clifton, Parham schools
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Public Schools launched its bold experiment in school reform Tuesday,opening two schools — labeled among the worst last year of the district's 79 — with new teachers, principals and academic programs.
Clifton and Parham schools were targeted for overhaul because persistently poor test scores convinced leaders of the 47,200-student district that the only way to improve was to start over.
The overhaul at Clifton emphasizes small classes, hands-on learning and community service.
The new staff is a blend of teachers recruited from outside the district and reform-minded CPS veterans who asked to be assigned to Clifton.
“It will take a miracle to turn this school around, but it's a miracle that will happen,” said literacy teacher Beth Corbo, who transferred from Carthage School.
Said sixth-grade teacher Emily Schroth, who asked for a transfer from Eastern Hills Foreign Language Academy: “When you're in a rut and you're doing the same thing over and over and over again, then you're not going to improve. With a new focus, there are new — and very strong — possibilities.”
Teachers spent the first three weeks of August in training workshops — without pay.
“These teachers are committed to making change, and
that's crucial, because they have a lot to do,” Principal Jeannie Schoonover said. “You just can't go through the normal day and think you're going to get the job done” in a school as troubled as Clifton.
Only 2 percent of Clifton's fourth-graders, and 6 percent of sixth-graders, passed all five sections of state proficiency tests last year.
Mrs. Schoonover, one of the first to apply for a job at Clifton, is a veteran at revamping failing schools. She started as principal at Cline Elementary in Cold Spring in 1995, when it had the worst proficiency scores in Campbell County. Within three years, its standingon statewide testing rose from 36.7 to 59.8, the highest countywide and among the highest in Northern Kentucky.
Many of the children at Clifton are the same students whose low test scores doomed the school to redesign.
About 96 percent of the 350 students in kindergarten through eighth grade are from low-income families. Poor families tend to move frequently, so teachers are constantly starting over with new students.
“In the back of our minds, we might say that is one of the factors in students' low achievement,” Ms. Schoonover said. “But we're not going to use that as an excuse. Achievement will improve.”
Parental involvement also has been a weakness. The school has no PTA. And most of Clifton's students live in other neighborhoods.
But teachers are confident their new methods will work.
The academic program, called expeditionary learning, emphasizes investigative learning. For example, instead of using textbooks to learn about prairies, students plant and tend them.
Most classes are no bigger than 15 students. Students often work in small groups, or “community circles,” mentoring each other.
Students are required to do community service, to teach respect and com passion. The program is based on 10 principles, including collaboration and competition, intimacy and caring, self-discovery and reflection.
Teachers engage students through activities, rather than traditional lectures and instruction by blackboard.
“It's just a whole different attitude of teaching,” said third-grade teacher Jodi Hammond, formerly of Cline Elementary in Cold Spring. “It's more interactive, and that really holds students' interest.”
That was evident Tuesday in Room 210, where the Whiffle balls and stuffed animals were flying.
Teacher Tracy Adler looked on approvingly. It was a get-to-know-you exercise, and the students barked out each other's names and polite thank-yous as they launched their projectiles.
As Ms. Adler talked about the importance of making eye contact, communicating and paying attention, 11-year-old Jasmine Powell of Avondale deduced the real lesson her teacher hoped to convey: “Learning can be fun.”
“You're in a very different school,” Ms. Adler agreed, nodding. “In this school, learning will be fun.”
Parents dropping off their children for the first day of school said they hoped for improvement.
“It's a better program. It should make the students want to work harder,” said Michelle Watson of Avondale, who enrolled two daughters at Clifton.
James Phillips of Avondale, who has three children at Clifton, agreed: “We've got to invest in our neighborhood schools.”
Sixth-grader Zonnell Jones, 12, of College Hill, added: “It's like a Catholic school because there are a lot more rules than last year, but it probably will be better other than that.”
Besides the opening of the redesigned schools, the rest of the first day of classes in CPS was uneventful, district spokesmen reported. Officials reported no significant transportation or security problems.
Prosecutor: Sheriff broke law when he sued Democratic Party
Thousands gather for vision of Mary
Ballpark job complex
Mary Love's killer could get death penalty
Death of infant begs for answers
Executive shot by son expected to recover fully
New rules on car seats begin today
A new tool in the search for breast cancer
Jury works on case of fliers
Second woman sues over employee dunking
Street succumbing to retail sprawl
Two CPS schools reborn
Annual luncheon celebrates survivors
Boutique caters to all women's health
Orange barrels demand a polka
T-shirt launches Tall Stacks poster
Art museum director plans outreach
Cincinnati's Century of Change
GET TO IT
Tristate scene: Gravelrama in Cleves
Summer promos can predict network bombs
Assault charge violated rights, suit says
Beiting steps down as chairman
Bicycle lanes to open in township
Cell-phone calls credited with limiting fire damage Fire damages antiques shop
Centenarian still raring to go
Comments sought on Ky. 16 plans
County leans on insurer to pay man for wreck
Discipline urged against officer
Farm too small for inquiry in death
Fluor Daniel must submit bid to finish Fernald cleanup
Laurel Homes residents fear displacement
Ludlow mayor won't back down
Man accused of kidnapping ex-wife
Northwest retiree takes post at Badin
Norwood man charged after traffic death
Pesticide found in garbage truck
Rose's ex-bookie accused of roughing up Springboro officer
Teller shot, wounded in West Carrollton bank robbery
Trenton school upgrades begin
TRISTATE DIGEST
United Way goal for N.Ky.: $3.5M
Ways to lessen airport noise being studied
