Peter E. Pflaum - Golden Globe -

The Synergy Network

Wiredbrain synergy/ethos Pflaump@wiredbrain.com

Educational Reform - Its' not difficult! IG's and BRIGADES -

Easy and fun, you can raise productivity 50% within a year and 100% in a few years - then the sky the limit.

The best guides I know are Fiske (Edward) Smart Schools Smart Kids and Goodlad (John) High School This is based on District #4 in NYC.. See Wiseman file High Schools II and

Sizers More Effective Schools (If you are for real which I doubt because no one can be

in CHARGE of reform - it has to be an collective effort

A process - continuious improvemnet - see Deming papers on http://gold.doi.com and ftp:/205.245.0.203

All you want to know about school reform but were afraid to ask

The Florida State Dept of Education and US DE have What Works guides that are not bad...

On the first teacher day of the school year, the staff

assemble in the gym. Everyone takes a short opinion instrument

measuring ( from 1 to 5 on a scale from

1. strongly agree - 2. agree 3. no opinion 4. disagree 5.

strongly disagree) their opinion on 20 question like these:

1.

The must be order before freedom?

2. I must plan my activities.

3. I go only by the facts - concrete information.

4.

There must be structure in every organization - that means

someone in charge.

5. New conditions and change bother me.

6. It's its not broke - don't fix it.

7. I am materialist......idealist are out-of-it

8. conservative.....liberal are zoos

9. practical....experiment has no place here

10. tough.....easy going people let things go too far

11. stick to your subject...

12. don't push me...what I do is enough of a challenge, etc. 13.

I only teach my subject....I don't need new subjects and methods

14. I like the school the way it is....

15. Some student learn - other can't or won't....every child

can't learn some subjects.

16.

The rules protect us...the structure doesn't limit us

17.

The authorities should take the responsibility...

18. Not my job man.....I can only do so much

19. Look out for #1......or no one will

20. This is stupid......

When everyone has a score from 20 to 100, and are asked to

line up in order of their scores. Count off groups of 4 to 7, the

ideal size is five. Groups (IG for Instructional Groups or some

other name such as fellowship, order, band, association etc could

be used) are formed depending on any breaks in the numbers.

The

low scores are those that need order and patterns, the higher

numbers those that are more adventure-some. (

The Gregorc and

Keirsey temperament sorter could be used but are more complex and

uncertain.

The Myers-Briggs first dimension is thinking (TJIS) to

feeling (FPEI) but this is not simple and I don't think it works

as well.)

Each (IG) group is now stable for the term or year or for

ever. It gives it self a positive name (Achievement Place,

Success House, etc.) and selects a temporary leader. People can

be put out of groups, or decide to leave, but it becomes their

responsibility to find another (IG) group that will have them or

form a new (IG) group of exiles.

These IG's have a place to meet

and keep supplies. Every subject is broken up into subjects,

weekly assignments, projects, tasks, and other activities. Groups

work on all subjects together.

There maybe all Language Arts or

Science in a IG, or any mixture.

Their activities will focus on

what they know and like.

They (IG's) develop a message and a mission.

They take a

name and a leader. When the students arrive each IG has a table

(like the old college registration process) and the students

(with their parents) apply to several groups.

The groups have an

admission policy and select the students for their programs.

(Like District # 4 in East Harlem ). Groups need to be balanced

by race and achievement in a general sense. Students not selected

will be assigned by a random number process. Groups could be

stable for years like a one-room schoolhouse.

The school building is divided by color codes and other

signs that this area is IG "x", the school-in-school name is

clearly displayed. Outside facilities could also be used -

community centers - churches - business locations. This method

can applied to elementary, middle, high school, community

college, University or any learning organization, class, training

activity or task or association.

The students in each IG are broken up the same way as the

teachers were (different questions, same idea) into Study Groups

(SG's, or BRIGADES) and work with their IG of teachers as their

home-base. SGs of students (called BRIGADES) should be of

different ages, abilities, and interests.

There is little as

possible administration, the rule being everything that can be

delegated to the IG's should be.

The IGs report their results on a regular basis. A

presentation and point system is used.

5= creative, gone the extra mile above and beyond required, 4=

very good to excellent, everything required,

3= sound work, but lacking something, style, form, appearance

counts, grammar, paragraphs, typing etc

2= not very good , try again, this is not the best you can do,

lack of interest and character

1= didn't really try - sloppy - minimum effort.

These scores are multiplied by the difficulty (like in diving) or

the amount of work (estimated hours) required. A activity that

takes 8 hours is worth 4 points x quality index or .5 credit per

hour, from 4, (4x1) to 16 (4x4) depending on quality.

Scores are kept on a Lotus123 spread sheet. I use

activities of all the same size which makes it simpler.

The

reports, science demonstrations, theater or video productions,

journals, portfolios, exhibitions, newsletters and Creative

writing little magazines, et al are scored with points. Grades

are given on the basis of points earned, with or without

traditional tests unless you want them for points again. A 3 hour

subject is about 15 activities (5 points each plus bonus points,

attendance points, etc. for a total of about 113 for an A). I

don't give grades students earn them. It's a lot better that way.

There is no required normal distribution, more that half can get

A, but that is up to you and your IG.

A project may earn points in Social Studies, History,

English, Science and Math.

The study (and action) on bike trails,

the Slave Trade, 16th Century

Theater, Video arts and

information,

The Technology and Social effects of Space travel,

Global Classroom, the Model UN, International Studies, rivers and

lakes, forest and fields, food production and distribution,

banking or business, etc. etc..Networks are critical to the

future classroom and not expensive.

The instructional IGs hold a fair where all the students,

parents and community can see their work.

They recruit new

members by application.

They develop a theme and philosophy for

their IG's and Brigades.

The use of mixed-detachments for special

projects could include members from several IG's.

A student brigade may take all subjects from their home

instructional IG, (if they include all subjects) or the teacher

IGs may exchange science for language instruction with another

IG, i.e. you take my brigade in Science and we will take yours in

Social Studies/English 10 hr a week . Each student must have the

state required subjects by these IG exchanges or using

consultants. A average IG would be five teachers and 80 students.

(16:1) This ratio is important and can be achieved without

additional cost by reductions in administrative overhead and

supervision and use of aides and volunteers.

Since the central idea is self-management by the IGs

themselves, freedom and responsibility, they need resources but

not supervision on a regular basis.

They could do advisement and

special education, attendance and other paperwork with part-time

help. Purchasing could be done on the discount market using a

credit card. IG's should have their own phone, copy center,

computer and office space, as if they were professional CPA's or

lawyers, or engineers.

The central administration is overseen by a policy committee

of IG leaders, parents, community and outside consultants.

The

system is performance based and those IGs that preform are left

alone or helped, those IGs who need and accept help get what help

they need. Those IGs that can't be helped are broken up and

reformed.

There is no doubt test score will incease at least 1.5 years

for each year of time.

There will be fewer in any discipline

problems, absenteeism, vandalism, crime, etc.

The IGs should have

uniforms (teachers and students) - the ratio should be worked

down to 12:1 by reassigning most professional non-classroom staff

to teaching in the classroom and cuts in central office costs.

In-service money is given directly to the IGs, there is no need

for area superintendents, subject matter specialist, discipline

committees, etc. etc. All these activities could be purchased by

the IGs on the open market. Even busing, maintenance services,

library services, media centers etc could be by contract via the

computer network.

Central evaluation maybe needed but open records and

performance means that parents can select IGs that work and avoid

IGs they don't like. This is the best evaluation. IGs will want

to show they preform by doing testing, demonstrations and

promotion. Much of this could be on-line.

There should be a least three levels of teachers, master

teacher, and head teacher. Some programs can be offered by

"consultants" in art, drama, video arts and sciences, foreign

language, sports etc. It is nor hard, its fun, it will work

better (heavens knows what we have been doing is not working very

well) it is less expensive.

There is almost no administration -

everyone - teacher IGs and student Brigades are self governing.

It can start with the current curriculum and move to new subject

organization over time. It is important that the IG's are

connected by networks and computers. Staff and students should

have home computers.