AFT, KC chapter submit plan for struggling school districts

(From American Federation of Teachers Missouri)

Jefferson City, MO—Each Missouri public school within an unaccredited district would receive interventions and supports, such as wraparound services and early childhood education, based on its individual needs as determined by a committee of educators, administrators, parents and community members, under a groundbreaking plan submitted to state officials today by AFT Missouri and the Kansas City Federation of Teachers.

As a necessary solution to the disastrous school transfer policy that will create a domino effect of bankrupting public schools, the Missouri Plan for School Improvement calls on the State Board of Education to enter into contracts with struggling school districts. According to documents submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by the Missouri School Boards’ Association, the State Board of Education can use the current classifications to establish a contract with low-performing schools that specifically states performance expectations, a timeline for improvement, professional development activities and intervention strategies, for example.

“Our plan could be and should be the basis of such a contract. It preserves local control and solvency of struggling school districts while focusing resources to where they are most needed,” said AFT Missouri President John Hamilton.

The Missouri Plan for School Improvement is a comprehensive plan based on proven strategies and realistic approaches that will improve struggling public schools and student achievement. It also includes elements of several previously submitted plans to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Also, input and support was provided by the Missouri Association of School Administrators, the Missouri NEA and the Missouri School Boards’ Association.

“While there is no question progress has been made in Kansas City public schools, this plan puts us on the road to significant and sustainable student achievement,” said Andrea Flinders, president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers.