Author Archives: Steve

State Officials Back Newton STEM Effort

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Steve in Curricula and Learning

NewtonSTEM (science, technology, engineering and math), a new organization created by Newton parents to promote interest and opportunities around STEM careers for Newton students, held a kickoff event at the Newton Senior Center on March 7th. State Representative Ruth Balser … Continue reading →

Co-Taught Classrooms Pilot

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Steve in Special Education, Teachers

I was fascinated by the presentation given at the February 14th School Committee meeting on co-taught classrooms for students with special needs who previously received one-on-one aides. An alternative being piloted at Countryside and Mason-Rice involves structuring a classroom with … Continue reading →

Trees in the Contract Negotiation Forest

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Steve in Budget, Teachers

Former Newton mayoral candidate Tom Sheff, commenting on contract negotiations with our teacher union recently stated: “… It’s possible to give a 1-2% payraise if the city gets back in return a 75-25% split on healthcare. It all depends upon … Continue reading →

Creative Proposals to Improve Deliberation Quality

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Steve in Transparency

I would love to see a blog on the Newton Public Schools site where School Committee members could explore issues with each other at anytime without having to wait for the formal bi-monthly meeting. The blog would be viewable by … Continue reading →

Day Expansion, Modulars, and the New Sprinkler Law

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Steve in School facilities

The following Newton TAB Blog thread addressed the expectation that the application of a new state sprinkler law would result in less funds to directly solve the short-term space needs at 6 of our schools.  DAY EXPANSION AND MODULARS LIKELY … Continue reading →

METCO and its Impact on Newton Finances

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Steve in Budget, METCO

There has been much discussion of late regarding whether the elimination of the 40 year old METCO program will save Newton money. I have spent considerable time studying this question, and believe that the challenge of understanding the financial impact … Continue reading →

Planning for School Infrastructure

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Steve in School facilities

One comment made at the recent Board of Aldermen presentation on school space needs by an astute alderman (with apologies, the identity of the speaker escapes me!) is the need to work the intersection between short and long term planning. … Continue reading →

Aquinas as a Magnet School – Good for Academics, Good for Space Crunch

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Steve in Curricula and Learning, School facilities

A K-8 magnet school at Aquinas offers an intriguing double-bonus: 1. It gives us an opportunity to strengthen our academic program with a math/science academy, a Montessori program, or world language immersion (e.g. Framingham’s math charter school, and the highly … Continue reading →

A Data Approach to Curriculum Assessment

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Steve in Curricula and Learning

I am looking forward to watching how Dr. Fleishman applies a data approach to curriculum assessment. Non-data folks have dismissed the proliferation of math tutoring schools to the ultra-competitiveness of Newton students. Others, including me, would like to understand whether … Continue reading →

The Impact of Math Schools?

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Steve in Curricula and Learning

In 2004, a limited NPS survey found that 25% of our students received tutoring or outside math school support. Since then at least three high-profile math schools have opened and are thriving around Newton. We haven’t surveyed our student population … Continue reading →