Friday, April 14, 2000
Schools want critic's input
State reviewer invited to Covington
BY Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The state official whose report criticized Covington schools will meet with the Board of Education next week to share information on what she found and how the district can improve.
Board members said Thursday they hope community relations director Robyn Oatley can shed light on what students' test scores indicate and what a pending scholastic audit will do.
The board voted in March to invite Ms. Oatley to its April 20 meeting.
Ms. Oatley said she received an e-mail from Superintendent James Kemp on Wednesday asking her to attend.
Board member Joe Meyer said he expects Ms. Oatley to provide background on Covington's student achievement results as well as an overview of what other schools in the state are doing.
“I hope she can explain to the board what the accountability system is all about. What goes into it and how it can best be used by the board, parents and the schools,” Mr. Meyer said.
Ms. Oatley's report, written Feb. 7 after short visits to Covington schools, identified several areas that need improvement.
Her findings fault the district for creating a system of “haves and have nots” perpetuated by years of inconsistent leadership and a tendency to put more focus on advanced learners while leaving slower learners behind.
Ms. Oatley found examples of positive teaching at Sixth District and Ninth District elementaries and suggested staff at other schools shadow these teachers. The district should take advantage of Ms. Oatley's report and the coming scholastic audit to make changes that will provide a better education for students, said Jim Vogt, board member.
“I hope she can pinpoint even more where our strengths are and how we can find ways to build on those and pinpoint weak spots and what we can do specifically to correct those,” Mr. Vogt said.
Ms. Oatley's report also mentioned concerns about the way the district sets expectations.
“It's critical that we have high expectations for all students,” Mr. Vogt said. “If she can pinpoint ways we can actualize that more than we are doing now that would be wonderful.”
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