The Cincinnati Federation of Teachers is mobilizing its ranks to tutor high school seniors who have not passed the state proficiency test required for graduation.
The school district said last month that nearly 450 students will not graduate this year unless they pass the state’s four-section exam of reading, writing, math, and citizenship.
Many of the students in danger of not graduating have taken the test up to seven times, according to the union. The majority have failed only one section: math.
Superintendent J. Michael Brandt and the union have taken a hard line, sending notices to students’ parents or guardians. While the situation is serious, the letter begins, volunteer teacher-tutors are on the way.
“We’ve all taught these students at some point in time,’' said Denise Hewitt, the union’s professional-issues representative. “We feel it’s the total responsibility of educators’’ to help them graduate.
But many community members have offered their help, Ms. Hewitt added. Since word got out about the union’s campaign, members of civic groups and former students in the district have been enlisted as tutors.
The Center for Educational Renewal at the University of Washington has tapped six more education schools to participate in its national effort to wed teacher preparation and school reform.
Four of the sites are in Colorado and will collaborate through the Colorado Partnership for Educational Renewal in Denver. The institutions are: the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Colorado at Denver.
The other two sites selected last month--Maryville University and Harris-Stowe University--are in Missouri, where a St. Louis-based center will coordinate their work.
John I. Goodlad, the well-known educator, author, and founder of the center at the University of Washington, said the new sites were chosen for their outstanding faculty and supportive central administration.
The center, formed in 1985, focuses on developing school-university partnerships, strengthening liberal-arts and professional curricula, and creating a system of rewards and incentives for faculty members.
The six new institutions bring to 25 the number of colleges and universities in the center’s national network. Nearly 100 school districts and 250 partner schools in 14 states are also linked to the project.
--JOANNA RICHARDSON
