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----- Original Message ----- Mayor Fenty, Chairman Gray, Council Member Cheh, Please support the request for an immediate investigation by the Office of the Inspector General. excel sheet 1 - names in alpha order Erich Martel ############### ----- Original Message ----- DC OIG, Erich Martel ##### ----- Original Message ----- From: Erich Martel To: Rhee, Michelle (OOC) ; Henderson, Kaya (OOC) Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:32 AM Subject: Protected Disclosure: Wilson HS Senior Trip
Chancellor Michelle Rhee Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson (cc: WTU President George Parker)
DC Public Schools (via email)
Protected Disclosure: Wilson HS Senior Class Trip, April 12-15, 2010 Dear Ms. Rhee & Ms. Henderson, With all of the pressure on teachers and staff to improve student achievement on all metrics and increase graduation numbers, how can the following be permitted to take place? How can this be approved by a principal? How can this approved by an instructional superintendent?
As I am writing this report, approximately 88 senior students and 7 Wilson HS staff (former [?] Dean of Students, Asst Dean of Students, Business Manager, 9th Coordinator, After-School Coordinator, one teacher) under the leadership of one Assistant Principal) are on a senior class trip in the Bahamas. According to my DCSTARS records (senior home-room and one AP US History student) and reports given to me by 15 Wilson HS teachers, I am reporting to you the following attendance, potential end of course failures and potential unlikelihood of graduation of those approximately 88 students (the attached excel document lists the names in sheet one in alphabetical order and in sheet two in descending order of “number of unexcused absences”). One unexcused absence equals one class period in the Wilson HS modified AB block schedule.
1. At least eight (8) of those students have over 200 unexcused absences since the start of this school year; 2. At least an additional twelve (12) of those students have over 100 unexcused absences; 3. At least nine (9) students are listed by one or more teachers as potentially failing their classes and, therefore, not graduating in June 2010. Wilson HS teachers were not consulted by the school administration as to the academic or attendance status of these students (which administrators could quickly ascertain through their DCSTARS administrative level data access). Instead, on March 18th, Wilson teachers received an email with the subject heading, “field trip.” The senior class trip is not a “field trip,” since it is not an educational activity related to or supporting a subject-based instructional activity. It is a vacation – during school time. I and the vast majority of Wilson HS teachers are outraged by this arbitrary administrative action that undermines our efforts to teach our students and hold them accountable at a time when we are being held accountable for student learning and achievement. In addition, I bring the following to your attention: 1. In her reply to my questioning why one of my AP US History students who is failing and is unlikely to be able to graduate, the assistant principal wrote:
2. The trip is taking place three weeks before the AP exams. Many of these students are enrolled in one or more AP classes. All of the AP teachers are trying to complete course material and conduct reviews prior to the exams. We lost many days due to the snow storms. Teachers are conducting reviews on their own time before and after school. I met with students every week-day during the Spring Break. 3. Taking students with many unexcused absences and failures and the likelihood of failure out of class sets a negative and anti-academic standard that rewards class cutting, absenteeism and failure. 4. At a time when the central DCPS office has sent an extra team of security under the supervision of Mr. Jenkins, how can a local school administration excuse key members of its student management support staff to be absent on a trip? Some teachers have reported that the improvement in hallway conduct and noise of the past week has returned to the previous chaos, since many of those responsible are away from the building. 5. Did these staff members use administrative leave or personal leave? I think that the Wilson H.S. community deserves an explanation. I know that some parents are confused about the timing of this trip. Teachers who have led student trips have suggested that there had to be a minimum number of students on this trip in order for staff to travel at a discounted rate. I look forward to your responses. Attached please find an excel spreadsheet with the data given to me by 15 Wilson HS teachers and the email exchange between Asst Principal Charlette Butler and me.
Sincerely, Erich Martel Building Representative Wilson HS |
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