Many teachers say they are made to feel ignored and alienated by
administrators. They say they are doing the best they can given the
difficult building conditions and everyday challenges of an urban school.
But according to state statistics, their best may not be good enough. In
most cases, classroom management is lacking and academic rigor is scarce.
Administrators say teachers must be willing to change both their
teaching practices and their attitudes, or the school is never going to
recover.
Woonsocket Middle School figures are in bold. (State figures are
in parentheses.)
Workforce
• 162 administrators, teachers and aides
• Staff includes:
5 guidance counselors
27 special ed teachers
30 teaching assistants
3 English as Second Language teachers
1 psychologist
3 music teachers
1 attendance officer
1 conflict resolution officer
• 33% (23% at high-poverty schools) of classes are not
taught by a highly qualified teacher
Methods and materials
• School has:
10 academic departments and uses team teaching at all levels
• 56% (47%) of teachers say they examine students' work to
guide instruction
• 50% (44%) of teachers say instructional materials relate
to students' interests
• 14:1 (12:1, middle schools) is the student/teacher ratio
SOURCES: Information Works! School Year 2003-2004; Rhode Island
Kids Count; SALT Survey 2004; U.S. Census
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