City Council: All Norfolk schools need to be investigated

Members of the Norfolk City Council, and the NPS school board members need to investigate Oakwood Elementary school for testing violations, and unfair treatment of the staff. Students there didn't take part of the 09 SOL test. The administor MADEthe teacher to change legal document so that the special education student in 3rd and 5th grade would not take the history/science part of the test. Were the students in school during the time of testing. YES!! They were sent to "other" areas of the building. WOW what a thing for them "The administor" to do. The staff there is great, they love their jobs, but HATE the tretment they get. What happened to freedom of speech? Well at that school, they don't have that right. They just do as they are told, if not they (soem staff) would be reprimanded (Negitive). There is so much underhanded thing going on in that building, no one cares. The NPSschool board member needs to address All the transfers that has happened in the past three years. year 1 17 (staff) 2nd year 13, 3rd/4th year the number continue to raise. This administor have staff leave in the middle of the year do to the unfair treatment (4 staff members) I know how they can s

According to the pilot, "A secretary at Lafayette-Winona Middle School was put on leave Friday after Norfolk school officials learned she had been charged with several drug and gun felonies."

What will it take for someone CLEAN HOUSE AT THIS SCHOOL?

I heard a rumor that a Justice Department complaint has been filed against the whole district, does anyone know if this is true??

Another way Norfolk teachers are cheating on these tests are proctors who aren't supposed to help the kids are and glancing down at the child's answers and whispering to them "remember what you learned in class". This is hinting to the student his answer is wrong. Are school board officials aware of this?

This whole mess doesn't surprise me in the least. I taught at a NPS school. Despite pressure, I failed three of my students. They failed to do all homework, most class work, would not conform to the rules that the rest of the students abided by, and rarely participated in a positive way in class. I counseled, met with parent (if she showed up for scheduled meetings), had group meetings with parent and other teachers, and offered free after school tutoring (that was not used). At report card time, I refused to pass these students, despite urgings from other teachers and the principal. Needless to say, I wasn't asked back.

This year should be called the "Year of Reckoning". The School board needs to be removed w/ their "61"policy and now the new deal of upping the test grades to 45% without parents knowing anything about it, 2 days before the interim closes. This testing fiasco just goes to show what NPS is willing to do in their efforts to be "World Class" when over half of the graduating seniors can barely spell their names and can't add 2 and 2 without a calculator (yes, I teach in NPS). Jones is leaving, so others will take the fall, get moved around and get raises (even though we are in a budget crisis and students are deprived of books and other basic resources). Parents and students MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD. Get out to these meetings after talking to a few teachers who aren't afraid to TELL THE TRUTH. The board never listens to us--we are mere indentured servants, but parents and citizens STAND UP and don't let your tax dollars go toward Waste, Fraud and Abuse while your children are being dumbed down for a test and others sit downtown in nice offices making 5 to 6 figure salaries. If you think that this is ALL that goes down in public schools, find a teacher who is really willing to reveal the

Many of the comments posted here indicate my fellow citizens are beginning to understand. Wonder what our State Senators and Delegates think of this situation? Hear any comments from them? No, of course not...they'll all allied with the teacher's lobby and the white collar welfare gravy train. Only real solution for such a bureaucratic mess is to establish a competitive system of private and home schools. Have the state offer tax credits and/or scholarships for students/parents to use toward private school tuition or home school expenses and you will see parents/students vote with their feet. This will force the public schools to compete for students. The public schools will have to become competitive or die.

Anyone who thinks Norfolk is the only local school district with testing irregularities, should think again. The drive to increase SOL, VGLA scores by any means necessary is quite widespread.

Ok. I think the trial by the media is not going to help Norfolk Public Schools at all; however these things need to come out. People are sick of their unethical practices. If NPS had a “real HR department” NPS would not be in this. HR should be a place for employees to go and receive assistance. During my tenure at NPS I have saw many good employees shafted because they are not a part of the NPS culture. If someone took a survey on the number of employees fired or forced out because they do not fit or fall into the NPS way people would really be surprised. The public would also be surprised the cover-ups in the central administration building when an employee has been wronged or doing wrong. Talk about the creation of positions for the “good old boys” and for friends. Positions you never see advertised, but are appointed at the school board level. I blame Jones because he allows those people he puts in place to disregard the rules and regulations set forth. If someone started to call people on the carpet and start holding people accountable things would be different. Stop with all those unnecessary meeting too have a meeting and deal with the issue. In the end NPS is left t

Dr Whibley who represents Ward 2 on Norfolk City Council was a member and Chair of the Norfolk School Board 1998-2006.

I would think someone with such an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of public education in Norfolk would have some input or opinion on the subject.

Goodwynn finally allowed herself to be interviewed on WAVY tv and she is still denying allegations of cheating on test or lying. She makes herself out to be a victim. The problem is that she got caught and now she is having to face the public for her wrongdoings. In her interview with WAVY TV she comes across as trying to gain the public's sympathy as if she is being targeted for being unethical. She uses a soft-spoken voice, according to the interview, as if that is going to make people think that she could not possibly be corrupt as the allegations are pointing toward. In her interview she says she has received an outpouring of support and love from people. I dont know where these people are coming from who are showing her love and support because every post I read about what she has done, people are angry and sick and tired of people like her getting into positions of authority. When one teacher refused to be coerced to cheat on the test, she abused her power by having the teacher fired and removed from his job. Now the tables have turned and this principal expects the community to believe that she is not guilty of what she has been accused of. I myself am sick of people get

I agree. There is so much dirt on everyone. If they fire Goodwyn, she will spill the beans. I mentioned that her momma was on the board so she is tight with the new board and city council. She and Hester are buddies. The way they are going to keep this thing quiet and spare Goodwyn is to do an investigation of ALL the schools. That will take forever and they will wear us down til we forget about it. It's a stall tactic that they practice so that no one gets fired. There are so many of them with dirt on their hands that they would have to fire the entire system in order to clean house and they wouldn't dare do that. So you can only imagine that nothing will change, no one is fired. Super is on his way out and Lassiter is retiring, so they will take the fall for it since they are at the top. Principal should take personal responsibility for this as well, but you will NEVER see a fired principal at NPS even if she committed moral turpitude or MURDER!

ps

YES. I would definitely want my children and grandchildren taught in my school.

I have taught and administered the SOLs since their inception (I am a "he").

You asked, "Are our kids being taught knowledge with which they can use to have a successful future, or are they being taught how to pass a test?"

Honestly, the answer is BOTH. While the primary objective is the knowledge, the "testmanship" will also be a valuable skill for them to have in the future.

Judge for yourself. PLEASE REVIEW AND TRY SOME OF THE 2006 TESTS at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/2006/released_tests2006.shtml

You will see that they require much more than just regurgitating rote, isolated facts.

I do NOT "teach to the tests," and I am absolutely convinced they are fair, rigorous, and comprehensive tests. Until something better comes along, I support the entire SOL program.

I hope this perspective helped you.

ps Did you pass the tests?

The next NORFOLK SCHOOL BOARD MEETING is March 17 at 7:00 pm.

It is time to hold these people accountable for their DECEPTION and TICKERY.

I will be there...... will you?????????

Everything from monumental waste of budget money unrelated to preparing children for life, to subpar personnel creating an environment of corruption. Cut the budgets, increase minimum requirements for teachers, take control of money away from educators and put in the hands of "real trained managers" not the spend it before we lose it types. I'm tellin ya things like this only scratch the surface of problems becuase we have always turned a blinf eye and given benefit of doubt in the name of the word "Education".

is that both principal and executive director both go or no one goes.
I also remember about 12 years ago that Cathy Lassiter then principal of Rosemont Middle was in the news for allegations of cheating
on the SOL test. I knew she would be let go but the next year she was promoted to an administrative position downtown with the school system and she is still here.......I recall that many people wondered "Who does she know in high places?". What is the connection (probably the same connection that she still has???????)?

Council’s willingness to pass the buck has become a ritual. NPS, HRT, SPSA - it’s time to step up to the plate and accept responsibility instead of acting ignorant. As far back as August, 2009, the Pilot published an article describing the Vice Mayor as “ . . . worried that the accreditation results could feed a perception that frightens people away from Norfolk and its schools. Mr. Burfoot was quoted as saying “If you're trying to attract businesses and commerce to your city, you have to be aware of that perception. We have to be aware of how people make their decision." Mr. Riddick confirmed the division is"obviously" slipping. He further states "It will certainly shine a dim light on our school district." Truly priceless however, was Mr. Jones’ reference to predicting full state accreditation for all of Norfolk's schools next year. "If they don't, I'll kiss a pig," he said. "On the lips."

Pucker up, fellas.