The group was meeting at the Daily Grind. In attendance were Donna (and the kids), Ron, Tim, Cheryl, Betsy (guest), Paul (guest), Gayle and myself. Allison sent her regrets.
Discussed the Journal Connections and the write up in the about Jesse and the Teacher as Researcher article, which had a quote from Ron. Yeah Ron!
New proposal was discussed and some changes in the budget. We agreed the changes would be made and Gayle will submit.
A new title was discussed based on the change in focus. How has the question evolved over time? Accountability would happen in the beginning has turned into something different. Exploring a different kind of accountability, shows what we value -- relationships, professional, making our own changes based on our knowledge.
In an aside conversation a historical piece -- this small group has affected many things on the school reform landscape.
Traveling Journals Update
Keith Harring Journal - Special Needs Students -- Ron -- to Allison
Ron's summary - I thought that I did all this work to make special education better, but I think there are bigger cracks and more cracks now.
Gray Journal - Politics of Education -- Donna --to Donna
Donna wants to keep the politics has ideas and plans on a found journal with articles and response. Coming to terms with what, does it mean to be political?
Black Cover Journal - Reflective Practice -- Michaelann -- to Cheryl
Michaelann summarized about Reflection -- in -- action and Reflection -- on -- action. Stringer's levels of engagement were discussed.
Buddha Journal - Leadership -- Allison -- to Ron
Flower Journal - Relationships -- Gayle
Blue/Map Journal - Culture/Climate -- Gayle -- Mari
Gayle summarized that the culture journal was very appropriate for her with large staff turn over, everyone new, and a new instructional model that was brought to the school. New things happening and many had lost the sense of who "we" are and where are we going. Remember values… Personal commitment and what are the good things you need in a school culture.
Pink Circles Journal - Community -- Jennifer (still has)
I feel... Journal - Emergent Issues -- Cheryl -- to Tim
Cheryl gave the group an overview of two big issues that came out while she had the journal -- big report on teacher report came out -- teachers report on their own practice. Best education schools are the five-year programs.
Reading First Programs -- Reminded Cheryl of her looking for a classroom -- don't have any roots anymore.
Cheryl shared her chart on how education has turned into an industry.
Cheryl also included some Marilyn Cochran-Smith's book of editorials matching up to her reflections.
Dream Journal - Literacy -- Tim -- to Michaelann
Tim shared how he had been pulling things all together all month. In Boston, he went to oldest private membership library. Literacy the property of the elite, computer literacy is a new thing Tim is gaining. The insanity of testing breaks into all socio-economic levels not just in poor urban public schools. The footprints are all over the Literacy work at a large public school district.
November 28th -- We are meeting at Wilson. Three blocks off Westheimer -- 4:30pm.
Homework -- Read Action Research two Chapters -- McNiff & Whitehead
AERA -- Tim will email out the finished proposal to start working on the presentation.