Dr. Kelvin Adams was recently on KWMU radio to discuss the situation he is confronted with, his plans, and aspirations for St. Louis Public Schools. Click the link below to listen to the discussion on St. Louis on the Air.
St. Louis on the Air: March 16, 2009-St. Louis Public Schools
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Mayor Slay gave high marks to St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams.
To our online visitors:
In a recent interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mayor Francis Slay had a lot of praise for Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Courtesy of Eddie Roth of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 10, 2009.
Also in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article of January 21, 2009, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district he has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly. Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The parents, teachers, the school principals, the urban community the school district serves, and the teachers' union are optimistic about Dr. Adams' vision for the city's troubled public schools.
The Special Administrative Board has all praises for Dr. Adams for his leadership skills.
Our Perspective: Dr. Adams is reaching out to all stakeholders, which is a smart move. He is building a coalition of stakeholders to help him implement his vision. A St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent to be complimented by the most powerful Republican in the Missouri legislature (Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields) is unheard of. Sen. Shields is a mover and shaker in Jefferson City. He has to give his blessings for any public fundig that comes out of the State Capitol. To have the blessings of Mayor Slay of St. Louis is good for the school district. Support from parents, teachers, principals, the urban community, and the teachers' union is fundamental to Dr. Adams' success. Now that Dr. Adams has built a coalition of stakeholders, he needs to hold this fragile coalition together. He needs to be political savvy! He is playing his cards smart so far.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
In a recent interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mayor Francis Slay had a lot of praise for Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Courtesy of Eddie Roth of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 10, 2009.
Also in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article of January 21, 2009, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district he has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly. Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The parents, teachers, the school principals, the urban community the school district serves, and the teachers' union are optimistic about Dr. Adams' vision for the city's troubled public schools.
The Special Administrative Board has all praises for Dr. Adams for his leadership skills.
Our Perspective: Dr. Adams is reaching out to all stakeholders, which is a smart move. He is building a coalition of stakeholders to help him implement his vision. A St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent to be complimented by the most powerful Republican in the Missouri legislature (Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields) is unheard of. Sen. Shields is a mover and shaker in Jefferson City. He has to give his blessings for any public fundig that comes out of the State Capitol. To have the blessings of Mayor Slay of St. Louis is good for the school district. Support from parents, teachers, principals, the urban community, and the teachers' union is fundamental to Dr. Adams' success. Now that Dr. Adams has built a coalition of stakeholders, he needs to hold this fragile coalition together. He needs to be political savvy! He is playing his cards smart so far.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Senators hear about St. Louis Public Schools, Prop A and the funding formula.
"St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams told senators today that to improve St. Louis schools, he needs “in a word, flexibility,” including more autonomy for principals and the possibility of merit pay as an enticement for science and math teachers.
He also said during a Senate seminar on education that the district needs more money, a common theme for hearings, especially this session.
But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly.
During the same seminar, Don Thalhuber, a former Senate education research analyst, spoke about the effect of Proposition A on the funding formula for education.
Proposition A increased the tax on casino gambling and eliminated loss limits, and all the extra revenue is supposed to go to education. Thalhuber said the money would make problems for the funding formula because the formula is still being phased in.
Also, the funding formula is being questioned in front of the Missouri Supreme Court, and Thalhuber said the extra money could hurt its chances of being ruled constitutional.
Thalhuber suggested legislators fix the language of the proposition." Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2009.
Our Comment: We refer you to the following quote "But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly." Senate President Pro Tem Shields' compliment for Dr. Adams is especially notable because he is one the three most powerful legislators in Jefferson City along with the Governor Nixon and the Speaker of the House, Rep. Ron Richard. No legislation moves forward without the support of Senator Shields and Rep. Ron Richard.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
He also said during a Senate seminar on education that the district needs more money, a common theme for hearings, especially this session.
But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly.
During the same seminar, Don Thalhuber, a former Senate education research analyst, spoke about the effect of Proposition A on the funding formula for education.
Proposition A increased the tax on casino gambling and eliminated loss limits, and all the extra revenue is supposed to go to education. Thalhuber said the money would make problems for the funding formula because the formula is still being phased in.
Also, the funding formula is being questioned in front of the Missouri Supreme Court, and Thalhuber said the extra money could hurt its chances of being ruled constitutional.
Thalhuber suggested legislators fix the language of the proposition." Courtesy of Roseann Moring, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2009.
Our Comment: We refer you to the following quote "But Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields complimented Adams, saying his is the best plan for the district Shields has heard in his 19 years in the General Assembly." Senate President Pro Tem Shields' compliment for Dr. Adams is especially notable because he is one the three most powerful legislators in Jefferson City along with the Governor Nixon and the Speaker of the House, Rep. Ron Richard. No legislation moves forward without the support of Senator Shields and Rep. Ron Richard.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The challenges that the St. Louis City Schools face.
"The challenges that the St. Louis City Schools face, from low test scores to lead paint in aging buildings, are legion. But this is not a time for shrill public voices to cry, "When are you gonna fix this? or legions of educators, administrators and legislators to think, in private, "This is so broke, I really don't know if anyone could ever fix it.
The problems the City schools system has faced have been well documented: Infighting at all levels, safety issues ranging from weapons to antiquated structures, inadequate transportation and low educational achievement.
Most significant, the Missouri State Board of Education in March 2007 took over the City schools, which had lost accreditation. In 2006, there was a 55 percent graduation rate; 19 percent of students dropped out. Cumulative debt by 2006 had reached $25 million. A transitional school board was appointed to run the District for at least six years. Since 2003, the District has had seven superintendents.
Meanwhile, concerned parties both from inside and outside the City schools have been working hard to reverse the fortunes of the troubled District, home to 35,000 students.
Kelvin Adams, Ph.D., knows a little about crises in an educational system. He comes to St. Louis from New Orleans, another city district whose schools are being run by the State. Add in the incomprehensible effects of Hurricane Katrina on a District already hamstrung by budget shortfalls and the crushing poverty endured by students. Although not superintendent, Adams was chief of staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans. He also has some experience here, having served as executive director of human resources for St. Louis Schools in the 2006-07 school year.
Adams does not wish to dwell on the past, or on the legion of long-term issues that he has inherited. As the City schools’ eighth superintendent in five years, he says that everyone must look forward, and take on each “opportunity” individually. A thoughtful man, Adams reflected awhile on each of this reporter’s questions before responding.
“You have to know what the problems really are,” Adams says. “Take them one at a time. The plan would be that, once you solve one problem, it morphs into solving another.”
The chief issue, what led to the State takeover in the first place, was poor student achievement. In 2006, more than 60 percent of 10th graders scored at a level “below basic” in math on state standardized tests.
Some in the District see a comparison between what it faces locally to what Barack Obama has waded into with the profound spectrum of problems facing the country. “Grandfathered” issues characterize the challenges on a national and local level. Anyone who expects dramatic changes to occur immediately is naïve. Obama has said it probably will take more than one term to get a handle on the country’s most pressing issues. Adams and others in the District emphasize that “fixing” the St. Louis schools isn’t going to happen overnight, either.
“If the 20th (of January) is when Obama comes in, he’s not going to fix it by the 24th!” Adams exclaims. “It took us awhile to get here. It will take awhile to fix it. I can only take it from where I am, and try to make it move forward. While I’m glad the public is so vocal and engaged, we can’t solve all of these problems. We can’t even try to solve all of them.”
Rick Sullivan, CEO of the State-appointed board, likes what he sees so far in Adams. “He’s hard-working and he gets right to the point,” says Sullivan, who, as former CEO of McBride & Son Companies, one of the region’s top homebuilders, knows a little about building things to last. “We selected a very experienced and qualified superintendent, which is only one part of a comprehensive plan for the schools that required a great deal of community input.
“Our focus has been on student achievement,” Sullivan says. “Meanwhile, stability in the governance and administration both are essential to long-term progress.”
Sullivan and the Transitional Board’s other two members Melanie Adams and Richard Gaines have made, and will have to make, tough choices as the district makes progress. Facilities have deteriorated. Addressing the lead-paint problem could cost upwards of $3 million. Much of the work centers on reconfiguring the schools to best serve the district at large. Some may have to be mothballed, others razed.
“We are undertaking a full review of all facilities to determine their most efficient use over the next 10 years,” Sullivan says. “Among other numerous operational improvements that are under way, we are requiring continuous improvement in every operating area of the district.
We’ve identified programs and strategies that are successful, and are expanding them throughout the district. At the same time, we need to eliminate programs or processes that don’t work at all; that is, don’t lead to improvement in student achievement.”
Neither Adams nor the Board can accept the status quo. Facilities and personnel are both under intense scrutiny. Soon after he arrived, Adams has made unannounced school visits to observe how the City’s teachers teach. He took great pains that this did not become a media event; he had to see for himself without commotion or interference.
Adams will fold what he saw and heard into his ongoing approach. But by no means is he going simply on “feel.” Data will tell the story. And disaggregating data, breaking it down into relevant, manageable chunks, is essential.
“We can only make decisions based on the data,” Adams emphasizes. “I won’t have a chance to talk with every student or every educator. The data accomplishes both, and will support conversation with both parties.”
As Adams points out, everything in education bears on everything else. When student achievement increases, so does enrollment, and then the resources to support the efforts will begin to flow. Then, community trust and involvement will increase as well. Adams says that he is gratified by the support he has received from citizens, City Hall, and local business leaders. Everyone needs to get behind the effort, or it is doomed to fail.
“It’s all linked together,” he notes. One frustration for Adams, among others, is the state of technology in the District. Analyzing data is only as good as the hardware and software that exists to crunch the numbers. But, like lead paint, it won’t be a problem solved this week or next.
Adams says he is confident that support will continue, and says that Board members and the community have been “forthright in what they see my role to be.”
“I don’t see any hidden agendas,” he says, then breaks slowly into a smile. “Of course, if there were any, I wouldn’t see them anyway.” Courtesy of Bill Beggs Jr., in St. Louis Commerce Magazine, St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
The problems the City schools system has faced have been well documented: Infighting at all levels, safety issues ranging from weapons to antiquated structures, inadequate transportation and low educational achievement.
Most significant, the Missouri State Board of Education in March 2007 took over the City schools, which had lost accreditation. In 2006, there was a 55 percent graduation rate; 19 percent of students dropped out. Cumulative debt by 2006 had reached $25 million. A transitional school board was appointed to run the District for at least six years. Since 2003, the District has had seven superintendents.
Meanwhile, concerned parties both from inside and outside the City schools have been working hard to reverse the fortunes of the troubled District, home to 35,000 students.
Kelvin Adams, Ph.D., knows a little about crises in an educational system. He comes to St. Louis from New Orleans, another city district whose schools are being run by the State. Add in the incomprehensible effects of Hurricane Katrina on a District already hamstrung by budget shortfalls and the crushing poverty endured by students. Although not superintendent, Adams was chief of staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans. He also has some experience here, having served as executive director of human resources for St. Louis Schools in the 2006-07 school year.
Adams does not wish to dwell on the past, or on the legion of long-term issues that he has inherited. As the City schools’ eighth superintendent in five years, he says that everyone must look forward, and take on each “opportunity” individually. A thoughtful man, Adams reflected awhile on each of this reporter’s questions before responding.
“You have to know what the problems really are,” Adams says. “Take them one at a time. The plan would be that, once you solve one problem, it morphs into solving another.”
The chief issue, what led to the State takeover in the first place, was poor student achievement. In 2006, more than 60 percent of 10th graders scored at a level “below basic” in math on state standardized tests.
Some in the District see a comparison between what it faces locally to what Barack Obama has waded into with the profound spectrum of problems facing the country. “Grandfathered” issues characterize the challenges on a national and local level. Anyone who expects dramatic changes to occur immediately is naïve. Obama has said it probably will take more than one term to get a handle on the country’s most pressing issues. Adams and others in the District emphasize that “fixing” the St. Louis schools isn’t going to happen overnight, either.
“If the 20th (of January) is when Obama comes in, he’s not going to fix it by the 24th!” Adams exclaims. “It took us awhile to get here. It will take awhile to fix it. I can only take it from where I am, and try to make it move forward. While I’m glad the public is so vocal and engaged, we can’t solve all of these problems. We can’t even try to solve all of them.”
Rick Sullivan, CEO of the State-appointed board, likes what he sees so far in Adams. “He’s hard-working and he gets right to the point,” says Sullivan, who, as former CEO of McBride & Son Companies, one of the region’s top homebuilders, knows a little about building things to last. “We selected a very experienced and qualified superintendent, which is only one part of a comprehensive plan for the schools that required a great deal of community input.
“Our focus has been on student achievement,” Sullivan says. “Meanwhile, stability in the governance and administration both are essential to long-term progress.”
Sullivan and the Transitional Board’s other two members Melanie Adams and Richard Gaines have made, and will have to make, tough choices as the district makes progress. Facilities have deteriorated. Addressing the lead-paint problem could cost upwards of $3 million. Much of the work centers on reconfiguring the schools to best serve the district at large. Some may have to be mothballed, others razed.
“We are undertaking a full review of all facilities to determine their most efficient use over the next 10 years,” Sullivan says. “Among other numerous operational improvements that are under way, we are requiring continuous improvement in every operating area of the district.
We’ve identified programs and strategies that are successful, and are expanding them throughout the district. At the same time, we need to eliminate programs or processes that don’t work at all; that is, don’t lead to improvement in student achievement.”
Neither Adams nor the Board can accept the status quo. Facilities and personnel are both under intense scrutiny. Soon after he arrived, Adams has made unannounced school visits to observe how the City’s teachers teach. He took great pains that this did not become a media event; he had to see for himself without commotion or interference.
Adams will fold what he saw and heard into his ongoing approach. But by no means is he going simply on “feel.” Data will tell the story. And disaggregating data, breaking it down into relevant, manageable chunks, is essential.
“We can only make decisions based on the data,” Adams emphasizes. “I won’t have a chance to talk with every student or every educator. The data accomplishes both, and will support conversation with both parties.”
As Adams points out, everything in education bears on everything else. When student achievement increases, so does enrollment, and then the resources to support the efforts will begin to flow. Then, community trust and involvement will increase as well. Adams says that he is gratified by the support he has received from citizens, City Hall, and local business leaders. Everyone needs to get behind the effort, or it is doomed to fail.
“It’s all linked together,” he notes. One frustration for Adams, among others, is the state of technology in the District. Analyzing data is only as good as the hardware and software that exists to crunch the numbers. But, like lead paint, it won’t be a problem solved this week or next.
Adams says he is confident that support will continue, and says that Board members and the community have been “forthright in what they see my role to be.”
“I don’t see any hidden agendas,” he says, then breaks slowly into a smile. “Of course, if there were any, I wouldn’t see them anyway.” Courtesy of Bill Beggs Jr., in St. Louis Commerce Magazine, St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Clyde C. Miller PTO Invites Community to Welcome New Superintendent
"ST. LOUIS, MO, January 6, 2009 – On behalf of all parents in the St. Louis Public School District, the Clyde C. Miller Career Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization would like to officially welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams as the district’s new Superintendent by hosting a reception January 14th, 2009 from 6:00p.m. – 7:30p.m. at the Career Academy High School, Commons Room, 1000 N. Grand.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Adams,” said J Morris, President of the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization. “He is a strong leader and an asset to our children and schools. As parents we would like to give him a proper welcome into the community.”
Parking will be available in the school’s parking lot located at the corner of Josephine Baker and Cook. Welcoming remarks will be provided by the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization with student hosts from the school escorting attendees and serving refreshments.
In addition, parents, representing schools from across the district, will serve as presenters on behalf of the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Adams will conclude the evening by highlighting his academic vision and visiting with attendees in a receiving line.
Dr. Adams joined the St. Louis Public School as the new Superintendent in November 2008. With more than 30 years in education, his experiences made him a top candidate for the position. Since taking office he has spearheaded efforts to restore St. Louis Public Schools back to original glory.
“There are numerous opportunities for us as a district,” said Dr. Adams, “If we pull together as a community we can help each child learn and succeed.”
Since stepping into his new role, Dr. Adams has implemented changes to improve each student’s educational opportunities through curriculum, community outreach, volunteerism, and much more." Courtesy of St. Louis Public Schools Home Page
Come One Come All to Welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams. We urge parents, teachers, the clergy, business leaders, and the greater urban community to attend and welcome the Chief of City Schools. We will see you at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Adams,” said J Morris, President of the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization. “He is a strong leader and an asset to our children and schools. As parents we would like to give him a proper welcome into the community.”
Parking will be available in the school’s parking lot located at the corner of Josephine Baker and Cook. Welcoming remarks will be provided by the Clyde C. Miller Parent Teacher Organization with student hosts from the school escorting attendees and serving refreshments.
In addition, parents, representing schools from across the district, will serve as presenters on behalf of the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Adams will conclude the evening by highlighting his academic vision and visiting with attendees in a receiving line.
Dr. Adams joined the St. Louis Public School as the new Superintendent in November 2008. With more than 30 years in education, his experiences made him a top candidate for the position. Since taking office he has spearheaded efforts to restore St. Louis Public Schools back to original glory.
“There are numerous opportunities for us as a district,” said Dr. Adams, “If we pull together as a community we can help each child learn and succeed.”
Since stepping into his new role, Dr. Adams has implemented changes to improve each student’s educational opportunities through curriculum, community outreach, volunteerism, and much more." Courtesy of St. Louis Public Schools Home Page
Come One Come All to Welcome Dr. Kelvin Adams. We urge parents, teachers, the clergy, business leaders, and the greater urban community to attend and welcome the Chief of City Schools. We will see you at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Winter Break Academic Stimulus Packet
Dr. Kelvin Adams, the Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, sent "Academic Stimulus Packets" home with grades 1-8 students for the them to have fun and continue learning over the 2008 Winter Break.
The academic stimulus packets, the first of its kind we've seen in St. Louis Public Schools,
consist of challenging questions in different curriculum areas. The students will turn in the completed stimulus packets to their school teachers. More...
Dr. Adams has certainly come up with an innovative way of engaging these children and keeping them out of trouble, especially during the festive December holidays.
The St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent has certainly hit the ground running. It is refreshing to say the least.
We ask the stakeholders to ensure that he continues to run his school district without outside constraints. His job is to raise academic standards and student achievement and to regain accreditation. Please let us keep politics and special interest out of the superitendent's office.
We also ask the Governor-elect, who will definitely read our blog, to support and fund St. Louis Public Schools as he promised us in the 2008 elections.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
The academic stimulus packets, the first of its kind we've seen in St. Louis Public Schools,
consist of challenging questions in different curriculum areas. The students will turn in the completed stimulus packets to their school teachers. More...
Dr. Adams has certainly come up with an innovative way of engaging these children and keeping them out of trouble, especially during the festive December holidays.
The St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent has certainly hit the ground running. It is refreshing to say the least.
We ask the stakeholders to ensure that he continues to run his school district without outside constraints. His job is to raise academic standards and student achievement and to regain accreditation. Please let us keep politics and special interest out of the superitendent's office.
We also ask the Governor-elect, who will definitely read our blog, to support and fund St. Louis Public Schools as he promised us in the 2008 elections.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Advice for President-elect Obama-Maxine Clark in St. Louis Business Journal.
"With the election behind us, we can move beyond party platforms, poll results, and campaign promises to the hard work of securing our country’s future. A top priority must be education. If we are to fix our financial crisis and continue to compete in a world market, our schools must do a better job of preparing students, especially those in low-income communities.
If I could advise President-elect Obama on his education policy over the next four years, I would offer the following strategies:
Foster local solutions
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the challenges facing our education system. The federal government has an important leadership role in setting the agenda, but decisions on implementation must occur at the local level.
Look to the accomplishments of our new superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams, during his time with the New Orleans Recovery School District. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he helped hire hundreds of new teachers, implemented a managed-instruction curriculum, and worked with dozens of new public charter schools.
Recruit and train talented teachers
To improve our nation’s educational outcomes, we must energize the teaching profession and recruit a wide range of qualified people who hold high expectations for our children. Teach For America and other programs such as the New Teacher Project and Troops to Teachers are increasing the pool of talented teachers and bringing new energy to classrooms. One recent study by the Urban Institute showed that Teach For America teachers have a positive impact on student achievement relative to other teachers.
Channel the energy of young people
During his campaign, President-elect Obama tapped into our nation’s appetite for change. Now he is in a position to foster this change by supporting the potential for leadership in America’s youth." Read the entire article in St. Louis Business Journal.
Courtesy of Maxine Clark, in St. Louis Business Journal, Friday, November 21, 2008.
Our Perspective: We predict that Dr. Adams will use the same strategy that he used for the Recovery School District in New Orleans to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Loluis School District. He has already hit the ground running. The stakeholders need to support him. There is no turning back the clock at this crucial moment.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
If I could advise President-elect Obama on his education policy over the next four years, I would offer the following strategies:
Foster local solutions
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the challenges facing our education system. The federal government has an important leadership role in setting the agenda, but decisions on implementation must occur at the local level.
Look to the accomplishments of our new superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams, during his time with the New Orleans Recovery School District. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he helped hire hundreds of new teachers, implemented a managed-instruction curriculum, and worked with dozens of new public charter schools.
Recruit and train talented teachers
To improve our nation’s educational outcomes, we must energize the teaching profession and recruit a wide range of qualified people who hold high expectations for our children. Teach For America and other programs such as the New Teacher Project and Troops to Teachers are increasing the pool of talented teachers and bringing new energy to classrooms. One recent study by the Urban Institute showed that Teach For America teachers have a positive impact on student achievement relative to other teachers.
Channel the energy of young people
During his campaign, President-elect Obama tapped into our nation’s appetite for change. Now he is in a position to foster this change by supporting the potential for leadership in America’s youth." Read the entire article in St. Louis Business Journal.
Courtesy of Maxine Clark, in St. Louis Business Journal, Friday, November 21, 2008.
Our Perspective: We predict that Dr. Adams will use the same strategy that he used for the Recovery School District in New Orleans to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Loluis School District. He has already hit the ground running. The stakeholders need to support him. There is no turning back the clock at this crucial moment.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Happy New Year
To: Dr. Kelvin Adams, School District Administrators, Principals, Teachers, and Support Staff:
The organizers of this online journal would like to conclude 2008 with the following message:
We wish Dr. Kelvin Adams, his school district administrators, principals, teachers, and support staff a happy, prosperous, and productive 2009.
We stand with you in your glowing quest to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Louis Public Schools. The organizers of this online journal intend to stand with you through thick and thin.
Our overarching goal is to support you and share with the public, the inestimable contributions you all make to our children.
We thank all our online visitors and wish them a Happy New Year as well.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
The organizers of this online journal would like to conclude 2008 with the following message:
We wish Dr. Kelvin Adams, his school district administrators, principals, teachers, and support staff a happy, prosperous, and productive 2009.
We stand with you in your glowing quest to raise student achievement and regain accreditation for St. Louis Public Schools. The organizers of this online journal intend to stand with you through thick and thin.
Our overarching goal is to support you and share with the public, the inestimable contributions you all make to our children.
We thank all our online visitors and wish them a Happy New Year as well.
Supporters of Dr. Kelvin Adams and St. Louis Public Schools.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Dr. Kelvin Adams Visits Classrooms
"Classroom visits stir action by new schools chief"
"St. Louis — He arrives unannounced, checks in with the principal and then slips into a random classroom to keenly observe the way children are being taught in the St. Louis Public Schools.
Kelvin Adams hopes the time he has allotted to evaluating teacher performance isn't construed as an example of a new district superintendent playing gotcha.
"I'm not trying to show anyone up," said Adams. "I just want to see what the kids see everyday.
"Adams gives mixed reviews to what he has seen in the 25 schools he has visited through two months on the job.
He rates teachers highly for structuring classrooms to promote orderly learning.
In Adams' estimation, the disconnect in the classes he has observed occurs in the actual process of conveying lessons to students.
"We can do a lot better," he said.
When classes resume in January, Adams will push teachers in that direction by assigning administrative staff from the district's downtown headquarters to act as scholastic monitors in every elementary and middle school in the district.
The monitoring program is one of several initiatives, some still in the discussion stage, advocated by Adams as he quietly puts his imprint on the 26,000 students in the city's school system.
Working closely with building principals, the monitors will use test-based data to help pinpoint the deficiencies and strengths of individual students.
Benchmark tests that measure student progress, along with past scores on the Missouri Assessment Program standardized tests, will provide principals and monitors with data that generally have been available but underused in the city.
The idea, based on education research, is designed to move the data from district administrative offices to classroom teachers.
"It's just not enough for it be on a computer," Adams said.
Aggressive, data-based intervention with low-performing students, Adams believes, is essential to the district reclaiming the state accreditation it lost 18 months ago.
"We have a lot of challenges to do things differently," said Adams. "And one of those is how to deliver instruction to students more effectively.
" Teachers will learn more about how to use the data through mandatory training sessions, he said.
Adams is a reform-minded administrator whom the Special Administrative Board brought in from New Orleans. He said the initiative in the elementary grades is the first step in the long process of reversing years of subpar performance in St. Louis.
At a meeting Monday, Adams asked that the board make a decision on several other items on his reform agenda after the first of the year.
The proposals include coordinating after-school programs with the district's academic objectives and setting aside available space in two schools with low enrollment to educate third- through fifth-graders who are discipline problems at their current schools.
Adams said in an interview last week that he plans to spend part of the winter break consulting with high school principals.
Responding to the district's 22 percent dropout rate last year, Adams hopes to turn much of the focus next school year to the social and academic support necessary to move ninth-graders into the 10th grade.
Studies show that student success in the ninth grade is the linchpin for graduation.
"I'm not sure what it will look like, but the devil is in the details," Adams said of the changes in store for first-year high school students.
He promised: "There will be a plan to address it." Courtesy of Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12/23/2008.
Our Perspective: We applaud and support the superintendent's visits to classrooms. It shows all stakeholders, including principals and teachers, that he is a "hands-on" person. He takes time from amidst his busy schedule to visit where teaching and learning takes place-the classroom. Dr. Adams has hit the ground running. That is why this blog has been sharing his leadership qualities for the stakeholders to know him upfront. Please stay tuned for more.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
"St. Louis — He arrives unannounced, checks in with the principal and then slips into a random classroom to keenly observe the way children are being taught in the St. Louis Public Schools.
Kelvin Adams hopes the time he has allotted to evaluating teacher performance isn't construed as an example of a new district superintendent playing gotcha.
"I'm not trying to show anyone up," said Adams. "I just want to see what the kids see everyday.
"Adams gives mixed reviews to what he has seen in the 25 schools he has visited through two months on the job.
He rates teachers highly for structuring classrooms to promote orderly learning.
In Adams' estimation, the disconnect in the classes he has observed occurs in the actual process of conveying lessons to students.
"We can do a lot better," he said.
When classes resume in January, Adams will push teachers in that direction by assigning administrative staff from the district's downtown headquarters to act as scholastic monitors in every elementary and middle school in the district.
The monitoring program is one of several initiatives, some still in the discussion stage, advocated by Adams as he quietly puts his imprint on the 26,000 students in the city's school system.
Working closely with building principals, the monitors will use test-based data to help pinpoint the deficiencies and strengths of individual students.
Benchmark tests that measure student progress, along with past scores on the Missouri Assessment Program standardized tests, will provide principals and monitors with data that generally have been available but underused in the city.
The idea, based on education research, is designed to move the data from district administrative offices to classroom teachers.
"It's just not enough for it be on a computer," Adams said.
Aggressive, data-based intervention with low-performing students, Adams believes, is essential to the district reclaiming the state accreditation it lost 18 months ago.
"We have a lot of challenges to do things differently," said Adams. "And one of those is how to deliver instruction to students more effectively.
" Teachers will learn more about how to use the data through mandatory training sessions, he said.
Adams is a reform-minded administrator whom the Special Administrative Board brought in from New Orleans. He said the initiative in the elementary grades is the first step in the long process of reversing years of subpar performance in St. Louis.
At a meeting Monday, Adams asked that the board make a decision on several other items on his reform agenda after the first of the year.
The proposals include coordinating after-school programs with the district's academic objectives and setting aside available space in two schools with low enrollment to educate third- through fifth-graders who are discipline problems at their current schools.
Adams said in an interview last week that he plans to spend part of the winter break consulting with high school principals.
Responding to the district's 22 percent dropout rate last year, Adams hopes to turn much of the focus next school year to the social and academic support necessary to move ninth-graders into the 10th grade.
Studies show that student success in the ninth grade is the linchpin for graduation.
"I'm not sure what it will look like, but the devil is in the details," Adams said of the changes in store for first-year high school students.
He promised: "There will be a plan to address it." Courtesy of Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12/23/2008.
Our Perspective: We applaud and support the superintendent's visits to classrooms. It shows all stakeholders, including principals and teachers, that he is a "hands-on" person. He takes time from amidst his busy schedule to visit where teaching and learning takes place-the classroom. Dr. Adams has hit the ground running. That is why this blog has been sharing his leadership qualities for the stakeholders to know him upfront. Please stay tuned for more.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Dr. Kelvin Adams Meets the Parent Assembly of St. Louis
The Parent Assembly of St. Louis Public Schools will meet on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at Metro High School, 6:30-9:00 pm. The presenter will be Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools.
Come One Come All. Please show your support for the Superintendent of schools. Be an active stakeholder in the education of your children.
Source: Parent Assembly of St. Louis Public Schools Electronic Newsletter.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Come One Come All. Please show your support for the Superintendent of schools. Be an active stakeholder in the education of your children.
Source: Parent Assembly of St. Louis Public Schools Electronic Newsletter.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
lmplementation of the St. Louis Public Schools Comprehensive Long Range Plan.
"Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools announced the implementation of the Comprehensive Long Range Plan. It focuses on 12 most critical and urgent objectives to get every child to perform at or above grade level in reading and math within the next five years and to regain full accreditation.
Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of Schools, said that it’s his job to put the strategies into action.“The district had already started implementing the plan in many areas prior to my arrival,” Adams said. “For instance, we have hired attendance monitors at the high schools to improve attendance, increased our Advanced Placement course offerings, hired additional English as Second Language teachers and dedicated more resources to our Parents as Teachers program.”
The superintendent noted that he is working side-by-side with the SAB to ensure that the plan moves forward successfully.“The Special Administrative Board has already formed an accountability committee to review our implementation efforts,” Adams said. “This committee consists of representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Missouri School Boards Association, the Cooperating School Districts and St. Louis Public Schools.” The Comprehensive Long Range Plan also has the strong support of Rick Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the SAB, and Melanie Adams, SAB Vice President." Source: www.slps.org
Our Perspective: Now that the superintendent and his teachers and support staff have the enormous task of implementing "The Comprehensive Long Range Plan", all the stakeholders of St. Louis Public Schools (elected leaders, parents, business owners, teachers' union, the clergy, and the non-profit) should extend their full support and help to the school district. We strongly believe Dr. Adams is assembling a strong team to improve the academic standards and regain accreditation.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of Schools, said that it’s his job to put the strategies into action.“The district had already started implementing the plan in many areas prior to my arrival,” Adams said. “For instance, we have hired attendance monitors at the high schools to improve attendance, increased our Advanced Placement course offerings, hired additional English as Second Language teachers and dedicated more resources to our Parents as Teachers program.”
The superintendent noted that he is working side-by-side with the SAB to ensure that the plan moves forward successfully.“The Special Administrative Board has already formed an accountability committee to review our implementation efforts,” Adams said. “This committee consists of representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Missouri School Boards Association, the Cooperating School Districts and St. Louis Public Schools.” The Comprehensive Long Range Plan also has the strong support of Rick Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the SAB, and Melanie Adams, SAB Vice President." Source: www.slps.org
Our Perspective: Now that the superintendent and his teachers and support staff have the enormous task of implementing "The Comprehensive Long Range Plan", all the stakeholders of St. Louis Public Schools (elected leaders, parents, business owners, teachers' union, the clergy, and the non-profit) should extend their full support and help to the school district. We strongly believe Dr. Adams is assembling a strong team to improve the academic standards and regain accreditation.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
We need to curb the skyrocketing high school dropout rate and increase graduation rate.
To all St. Louis Public Schools Stakeholders:
"Nearly a fourth of the high school students in St. Louis Public Schools dropped out last school year, according to data to be released by the state today. At 22 percent, it is the single largest spike in city school dropout rates in the last five years, and an 88 percent increase from the prior year. It's a very disappointing piece of information," said St. Louis district CEO Rick Sullivan. Sullivan added that the district has taken several steps this year to address the problem, and he has seen some results already." Courtesy of David Hunn and Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 9, 2009.
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education calculates dropout rate as the number of high school students, grades 9-12, who stopped going to school in one year and had not re-enrolled by the following fall. Dropout rate is widely considered a key measure of the academic success of a school district.
Our perspective: There has to be a conserted effort by all the stakeholders of St. Louis Public Schools to define the priorities and formulate action plans for sustainable solution to the dropout rate. One of the stakeholders who has a proven track record in reducing dropout rates and raising graduation rates is Dr. Kelvin Adams. He reduced dropout rate and increased graduation rate in the Recovery School District in New Orleans. "He steered the completion of the development of the high school redesign and with a new managed instructional program, increased graduation from 39% to 67% in one year."
The elected leaders, parents, teachers, the clergy, the business community, and all other citizens of St. Louis City must support and work with the superintendent, teachers, and support staff of St. Louis Public Schools to reduce the dropout rate. Our students must stay in school, graduate, and enroll in college. It is a moral obligation. It is important for the economic and social fabric of St. Louis.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
"Nearly a fourth of the high school students in St. Louis Public Schools dropped out last school year, according to data to be released by the state today. At 22 percent, it is the single largest spike in city school dropout rates in the last five years, and an 88 percent increase from the prior year. It's a very disappointing piece of information," said St. Louis district CEO Rick Sullivan. Sullivan added that the district has taken several steps this year to address the problem, and he has seen some results already." Courtesy of David Hunn and Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 9, 2009.
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education calculates dropout rate as the number of high school students, grades 9-12, who stopped going to school in one year and had not re-enrolled by the following fall. Dropout rate is widely considered a key measure of the academic success of a school district.
Our perspective: There has to be a conserted effort by all the stakeholders of St. Louis Public Schools to define the priorities and formulate action plans for sustainable solution to the dropout rate. One of the stakeholders who has a proven track record in reducing dropout rates and raising graduation rates is Dr. Kelvin Adams. He reduced dropout rate and increased graduation rate in the Recovery School District in New Orleans. "He steered the completion of the development of the high school redesign and with a new managed instructional program, increased graduation from 39% to 67% in one year."
The elected leaders, parents, teachers, the clergy, the business community, and all other citizens of St. Louis City must support and work with the superintendent, teachers, and support staff of St. Louis Public Schools to reduce the dropout rate. Our students must stay in school, graduate, and enroll in college. It is a moral obligation. It is important for the economic and social fabric of St. Louis.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
"There is still much work to do," said St. Louis Superintendent Kelvin Adams in a statement-St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 18, 2008.
All Stakeholders:
St. Louis Public Schools is governed by an appointed school board since the state revoked its accreditation in 2007. The city schools did show some improvement in accreditation. In 2007, the district met only two performance standards, the lowest achievement level in the state. In 2008, St. Louis Public Schools attained four accreditation points, which is an improvement over the previous year.
Missouri's 14 benchmarks emphasize student performance on state standardized testing while also figuring attendance, dropout and graduation rates, ACT scores, college placement and other criteria into the equation. Districts meeting between six and eight standards are considered to be provisionally accredited.
Read more about SLPS accreditation report and performance using the following links:
MSIP Review AQ Report (MSIP Third Cycle Information). This is a downladable report in Microsoft Word.
Frequency Distribution Report (MSIP Third Cycle Information)
St. Louis Public Schools is governed by an appointed school board since the state revoked its accreditation in 2007. The city schools did show some improvement in accreditation. In 2007, the district met only two performance standards, the lowest achievement level in the state. In 2008, St. Louis Public Schools attained four accreditation points, which is an improvement over the previous year.
Missouri's 14 benchmarks emphasize student performance on state standardized testing while also figuring attendance, dropout and graduation rates, ACT scores, college placement and other criteria into the equation. Districts meeting between six and eight standards are considered to be provisionally accredited.
Read more about SLPS accreditation report and performance using the following links:
MSIP Review AQ Report (MSIP Third Cycle Information). This is a downladable report in Microsoft Word.
Frequency Distribution Report (MSIP Third Cycle Information)
2007-08 St. Louis School District Accountability Report Card. We'll provide the 2008-2009 Accountability Report Card as soon as it is made available by DESE.
We leave you with a quote from St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent:
"While the St. Louis Public School District is pleased to see improvement in our Annual Performance Report, there is still much work to do," said St. Louis Superintendent Kelvin Adams in a statement. Courtesy of Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/18/2008.
We solicit support from the citizens of St. Louis City for our school district and its superintendent and school administrators and teachers in their quest to regain accrediatation and give our children first class education.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Monday, December 1, 2008
New SLPS Superintendent Talks About Plans
"In late September, Kelvin Adams was named the new superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. He arrived in St. Louis about a week ago. Adams is now the eighth superintendent to lead the city school district since 2003. He visited to tell us his plans for the future of the district." MyFox St. Louis News, Friday, 07 Nov 2008.
Click the following link to watch a video as Dr. Kelvin Adams shares some of his his plans with MyFox St. Louis News.
New SLPS Superintendent Talks About Plans (double click the play button of the video).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers, and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Click the following link to watch a video as Dr. Kelvin Adams shares some of his his plans with MyFox St. Louis News.
New SLPS Superintendent Talks About Plans (double click the play button of the video).
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers, and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dr. Kelvin Adams brings a much needed track record of Achievement to St. Louis Public Schools.
To all Stakeholders of St. Louis Public Schools:
What roles did Dr. Kelvin Adams play in the Recovery School District in New Orleans? What is the Relevance of his Achievement in New Orleans to St. Louis Public Schools? Dr. Adams:
- Was the Chief of Staff for a school with 12,500 students in 33 schools with over 2,000 employees and an annual operating and capital budget of $300 million. Dr. Adams’ executive experience and expertise to rebuild a school district devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are very invaluable to St. Louis Public Schools. We couldn’t have hired a superintendent with better qualifications than him to steer our school district in a different direction.
- Was the executive coordinator of day-to-day operations for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Worked directly for the superintendent to develop and implement the district’s educational and operational vision and strategies for improving student achievement. This has been an illusive goal which Dr. Adams can handle because of his track record. Low student achievement is one of the reasons our school district lost accreditation.
- Acted on behalf of the superintendent during his absence and provided direct executive oversight to several departments, including: Finance, Legal, Academics, Human Resources, Facilities, Student Management, Accountability and Communication. Dr. Adams has a wide-ranging experience to efficiently coordinate and streamline the operations of the many components of the St. Louis Public Schools, which has been a chronic problem for many years.
- Successfully opened 33 Recovery School District direct-operated schools and 26 charter schools in New Orleans. This is an impressive track record which convinces us that Dr. Adams will make substantial achievements in St. Louis Public Schools over time.
- Developed a long-term strategic plan, which serves as a blueprint for building a superior school system for New Orleans. This is a much needed experience and expertise that Dr. Adams brings to St. Louis Public Schools.
- Created and managed an instructional model for all grades and distributed first quarter 2009 curriculum for all subjects to teachers. This is a skill very much in need in St. Louis Public Schools.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive classroom modernization initiative for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, a desperately needed expertise that he brings to St. Louis Public Schools.
- Steered the completion of the development of the high school redesign and with a new managed instructional program, which increased graduation from 39% to 67% in one year. This is a blessing for St. Louis Public Schools, where graduation rate is at an all time low. The low graduation rate is one of the reasons why we lost accreditation.
- Assisted in implementing the JPAMS Student Information System. This is a valuable expertise because we believe he would maximize the potential use of the SLPS Student Information System.
- Helped to rebuild the IEP system by completing over 1,700 IEPs during Academic Year 2007-2008, an expertise very much required to turn St. Louis Public Schools around.
- Also assisted in developing a network of transition and alternative schools, as well as infusing curriculum with Response to Intervention strategies for the 2008-2009 school year.
From the foregoing, Dr. Adams is a man of many talents. He has the proven leadership qualities, management skills, experience, and stamina which will be very much invaluable to raise student achievement, bring about fiscal responsibility, streamline the operations of this huge school district, and put it back on track to reclaim its accreditation.
The parents and taxpayers of St. Louis City will need to give Dr. Adams all the necessary help and support he needs to fulfill the enormous responsibility we've given him. We all know that he has inherited a lot of problems, which will take time to solve. We need to be patient. We can't afford not to support Dr. Adams if we want our children to have high quality education. We want to remind you that we hired Dr. Adams from New Orleans, where he was a rising star on track to become the next Superintendent for the Recovery School District.
We leave you with the following thought-provoking quotes:
"The Recovery School District of New Orleans Superintendent Vallas and State of Louisina Superintendent Paul Pastorek said "New Orleans will lose a veteran administrator who earned the trust of many educators working in the schools." Vallas often said he hoped Adams would succeed him. Adams' leaving "is going to set me back a little," Vallas said. "Obviously, we want to bring someone in who we really can groom to be superintendent." Pastorek called Adams "a special guy" who is "not easily replaceable." by Jim Salter, The Associated Press.
“We can document Dr. Adams’ hands-on role in improving student achievement, as well as his commitment to students,” said Rick Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Administrtive Board of St. Louis Public Schools. “He has an unblemished record, works hard, and is well respected for his work in New Orleans.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Dr. Adams is quoted by the St. Louis press to have said "I am absolutely focused on one thing—student achievement."
Please extend your full and unswerving support to Dr. Adams and St. Louis Public Schools for our children.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers, and Students of St. Louis Public Schools. Our slogan is "Support Destination Accreditation." Please pass this blog to others.
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Please feel free to send us articles that we can publish to the blog. Our e-mail is supportsuptkelvinadams@gmail.com.
FYI: We've already shared this blog with some stakeholders including elected local and state officials, those in the business community, the clergy etc. We intend to substantially expand our audience from January 2008. We'll use this powerful medium of communication to advance the causes of St. Louis Public Schools. Please pass this blog to others.
Parents and Citizens of St. Louis City who Support the Superintendent, Teachers, and Students of St. Louis Public Schools.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Missouri Commissioner of Education Welcomes New SLPS Superintendent
All St. Louis Public Schools Stakeholders:
The volunteer blogger is republishing this past article from DESE to highlight the support that Dr. Adams has at the state level.
"Commissioner of Education D. Kent King today welcomed Kelvin Adams who has been selected as the new superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools.
The appointment of Dr. Adams was announced last night by Rick Sullivan, chair of the Special Administrative Board that has governed the St. Louis school district since last summer, as a result of the district’s loss of accreditation.
Adams was employed by the St. Louis Public Schools during the 2006-07 school year but is currently working as chief of staff of the Recovery School District in News Orleans.
“We are eager to work with Dr. Adams, school personnel and other leaders in the St. Louis community to help the school district restore public confidence and boost academic performance. I know Dr. Adams recognizes the challenges he will face,” King said.
“It is critically important for the St. Louis Public Schools and the Special Administrative Board to create an effective leadership team that can focus on a concise agenda for improvement. The appointment of Dr. Adams is an important step in that process,” King said." Courtesy of DESE Home Page
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
The volunteer blogger is republishing this past article from DESE to highlight the support that Dr. Adams has at the state level.
"Commissioner of Education D. Kent King today welcomed Kelvin Adams who has been selected as the new superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools.
The appointment of Dr. Adams was announced last night by Rick Sullivan, chair of the Special Administrative Board that has governed the St. Louis school district since last summer, as a result of the district’s loss of accreditation.
Adams was employed by the St. Louis Public Schools during the 2006-07 school year but is currently working as chief of staff of the Recovery School District in News Orleans.
“We are eager to work with Dr. Adams, school personnel and other leaders in the St. Louis community to help the school district restore public confidence and boost academic performance. I know Dr. Adams recognizes the challenges he will face,” King said.
“It is critically important for the St. Louis Public Schools and the Special Administrative Board to create an effective leadership team that can focus on a concise agenda for improvement. The appointment of Dr. Adams is an important step in that process,” King said." Courtesy of DESE Home Page
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kelvin Adams takes helm of 25,000-student district today
Kelvin Adams arrived here a week ago Sunday, the better to get the lay of the land before reporting for work as the 36th superintendent to head the St. Louis Public Schools.
Today, he begins navigating the terrain—sometimes rocky and always unpredictable—that has seen eight of those leaders come and go since 2003.
Adams' arrival from New Orleans, where he served as chief of staff in the Recovery School District restoring that city's education system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, signals a noteworthy move by the Special Administrative Board to put its imprint on the district it has governed for the past 17 months.
Adams plans to tread cautiously between now and the winter break, evaluating the curriculum and filling three key posts in his administration, most notably that of chief academic officer.
From that point forward, he indicated the St. Louis schools could start to look significantly different. Parents, students and teachers seeking a hint to the direction Adams may take the city schools, need glance no further than New Orleans where, among other reforms, the recovery district tacked an extra 75 minutes onto the school day this year.
"You have to look at extended time to give students an opportunity to achieve," Adams said in an interview Saturday, squeezed around the movers bearing his belongs from Louisiana.
That could mean a longer school day, an academic year that stretches well into summer or even Saturday classes. At this juncture, said Adams, everything is on the table.
Whatever time St. Louis students spend in class will occur in schools supervised by principals granted unprecedented autonomy over what transpires in each building.
The trade-off for shifting responsibility for learning from a central office to the leaders of individual schools will be accountability.
The premise is simple: Principals who elevate student achievement will survive; principals overseeing schools where learning slips or stagnates will not.
The principals will be held to no less a standard than the academic performance benchmarks built into the terms of Adams' three-year, $225,000 annual contract.
"We will give them the support," Adams said. "But once you provide that support, how can they not be held accountable?"
As Adams takes over a 25,000-student district barely hanging onto its status as the largest school system in Missouri, another question hangs in the balance.
Exactly how many principals will be needed in St. Louis come the start of next school year?
Last week, the administrative board awarded a $625,609 contract to a facilities management firm that will determine which of the district's schools could be shuttered when classes end in June.
The evaluation by MGT of America Inc. will focus on the physical condition of the buildings, educational suitability, technological readiness and other factors. MGT will also hold a series of community forums to gather public input. The firm will report its findings to the administrative board — which has estimated that 14 to 22 schools need to be closed.
Just seven years ago, 42,000 students attended city schools. In response to the drastic drop in enrollment, the district has already shuttered 25 buildings since 2003.
"Everyone needs to be open-minded enough to let (MGT) do its work. But I think everyone also needs to understands that more schools need to be closed," said Adams. "The question needs to be: How many more schools? And I think, right now, it's premature to say we're going to close 20 schools. At this point they're just making an educated guess."
After the decision on closings is made, Adams said, he may ask the administrative board to consider breaking some of the remaining properties into "schools within schools."
A version of the "small school movement," such a plan could assign designated sections of a school building to specific grades or specialized "learning communities" (such as students concentrating on health careers).
Adams said he would not rule out St. Louis following the lead of New York City and New Orleans by perhaps integrating a charter school into a building where traditional public education is taking place.
The post-Katrina conditions in New Orleans, he pointed out, made shared charter and traditional schools a necessity. "It works," he said. "But I don't know if can work permanently."
Adams was the director of human resources during a short stint with the St. Louis schools in 2006-07. He said he is returning to the district without preconceived notions.
"We may not see a lot of changes before Christmas," he said, leaving plenty of room for speculation on the shape of the district, in the classroom and at its downtown headquarters, in the new year. Courtesy of Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
Today, he begins navigating the terrain—sometimes rocky and always unpredictable—that has seen eight of those leaders come and go since 2003.
Adams' arrival from New Orleans, where he served as chief of staff in the Recovery School District restoring that city's education system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, signals a noteworthy move by the Special Administrative Board to put its imprint on the district it has governed for the past 17 months.
Adams plans to tread cautiously between now and the winter break, evaluating the curriculum and filling three key posts in his administration, most notably that of chief academic officer.
From that point forward, he indicated the St. Louis schools could start to look significantly different. Parents, students and teachers seeking a hint to the direction Adams may take the city schools, need glance no further than New Orleans where, among other reforms, the recovery district tacked an extra 75 minutes onto the school day this year.
"You have to look at extended time to give students an opportunity to achieve," Adams said in an interview Saturday, squeezed around the movers bearing his belongs from Louisiana.
That could mean a longer school day, an academic year that stretches well into summer or even Saturday classes. At this juncture, said Adams, everything is on the table.
Whatever time St. Louis students spend in class will occur in schools supervised by principals granted unprecedented autonomy over what transpires in each building.
The trade-off for shifting responsibility for learning from a central office to the leaders of individual schools will be accountability.
The premise is simple: Principals who elevate student achievement will survive; principals overseeing schools where learning slips or stagnates will not.
The principals will be held to no less a standard than the academic performance benchmarks built into the terms of Adams' three-year, $225,000 annual contract.
"We will give them the support," Adams said. "But once you provide that support, how can they not be held accountable?"
As Adams takes over a 25,000-student district barely hanging onto its status as the largest school system in Missouri, another question hangs in the balance.
Exactly how many principals will be needed in St. Louis come the start of next school year?
Last week, the administrative board awarded a $625,609 contract to a facilities management firm that will determine which of the district's schools could be shuttered when classes end in June.
The evaluation by MGT of America Inc. will focus on the physical condition of the buildings, educational suitability, technological readiness and other factors. MGT will also hold a series of community forums to gather public input. The firm will report its findings to the administrative board — which has estimated that 14 to 22 schools need to be closed.
Just seven years ago, 42,000 students attended city schools. In response to the drastic drop in enrollment, the district has already shuttered 25 buildings since 2003.
"Everyone needs to be open-minded enough to let (MGT) do its work. But I think everyone also needs to understands that more schools need to be closed," said Adams. "The question needs to be: How many more schools? And I think, right now, it's premature to say we're going to close 20 schools. At this point they're just making an educated guess."
After the decision on closings is made, Adams said, he may ask the administrative board to consider breaking some of the remaining properties into "schools within schools."
A version of the "small school movement," such a plan could assign designated sections of a school building to specific grades or specialized "learning communities" (such as students concentrating on health careers).
Adams said he would not rule out St. Louis following the lead of New York City and New Orleans by perhaps integrating a charter school into a building where traditional public education is taking place.
The post-Katrina conditions in New Orleans, he pointed out, made shared charter and traditional schools a necessity. "It works," he said. "But I don't know if can work permanently."
Adams was the director of human resources during a short stint with the St. Louis schools in 2006-07. He said he is returning to the district without preconceived notions.
"We may not see a lot of changes before Christmas," he said, leaving plenty of room for speculation on the shape of the district, in the classroom and at its downtown headquarters, in the new year. Courtesy of Steve Giegerich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Warm Welcome to Dr. Kelvin Adams
We extend warm and heartfelt welcome to the incoming Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, Dr. Kelvin Adams. He'll report for duty on October 20, 2008.
We ask all St. Louis Public Schools parents to welcome Dr. Adams, remain involved in our children's education, and give the school chief unswerving support while he tries to tackle the many problems facing the school district.
Dr. Adams will come and work as hard as he did for the Recovery School District (RSD) of New Orleans. He has been praised much by the Louisiana Superintendent of Schools, the RSD Superintendent, and the teachers.
Please post your feedback comments on this blog. Show your support.
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
We ask all St. Louis Public Schools parents to welcome Dr. Adams, remain involved in our children's education, and give the school chief unswerving support while he tries to tackle the many problems facing the school district.
Dr. Adams will come and work as hard as he did for the Recovery School District (RSD) of New Orleans. He has been praised much by the Louisiana Superintendent of Schools, the RSD Superintendent, and the teachers.
Please post your feedback comments on this blog. Show your support.
SLPS Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Some Facts about Dr. Kelvin Adams
Dr. Kelvin Adams, the incoming St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent:
1. Received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in Administration from the University of New Orleans in 2005, M.A. in Elementary Education from Xavier University in 1991 and a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northeast Louisiana State University in 1978.
2. Is currently second in charge of the Recovery School District (RSD) in New Orleans (12,500 students vs. 28,000 for St. Louis). He'll assume his duties as Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools on October 20, 2008.
3. Has held several roles since 1978, including teacher, middle school and high school principal, executive director, area superintendent and associate dean. Since 2007, he has held the position of Chief of Staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, Louisiana.
4. Was the only candidate of the final three to have any St. Louis connection or experience. He worked for St. Louis Public Schools as Interim Director of Human Resources in 2006-07.
5. Was slated to be successor of the Recovery School District superintendent, Dr. Vallas. Dr. Vallas strongly expressed confidence in Dr. Adams administrative and leadership skills.
6. Is well liked by the admistrators, staff, and teachers of the RSD as widely reported in the mass media.
7. Was the only candidate to be supported by the St. Louis teachers' union.
Many in New Orleans have expressed regret that the RSD is losing a young promising school administrator. That speaks to the aptitude, leadership style, and special qualities of Dr. Adams.
The Recovery School District of New Orleans Superintendent Vallas and State of Louisina Superintendent Paul Pastorek said "New Orleans will lose a veteran administrator who earned the trust of many educators working in the schools." Vallas often said he hoped Adams would succeed him. Adams' leaving "is going to set me back a little," Vallas said. "Obviously, we want to bring someone in who we really can groom to be superintendent." Pastorek called Adams "a special guy" who is "not easily replaceable."
“We can document Dr. Adams’ hands-on role in improving student achievement, as well as his commitment to students,” said Rick Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Administrtive Board of St. Louis Public Schools. “He has an unblemished record, works hard, and is well respected for his work in New Orleans.”
Dr. Adams is quoted by the St. Louis press to have said "I am absolutely focused on one thing—student achievement." That is the kind of message we want to hear as St. Louis Public Schools parents and we are delighted to have Dr. Adams as the next Superintendent. He will be a valuable asset to our school district. He has our full and unswerving support.
Welcome Dr. Adams to the beautiful Gateway City and St. Louis Public Schools. We want you to feel at home.
St. Louis Public Schools Parents Movement to Support Dr. Kelvin Adams.
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