The MMABSE BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION

 Continuing the Focus on Closing the Achievement Gap

On March 24, 2005, the Executive Board approved several initiatives designed to address the achievement gap between Black and White students in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district.  In January 2006, MMABSE appeared before the MPS Board of School Directors’ Innovative/School Reform Committee. The purpose was to discuss the MMABSE Closing the Gap Summit document and Report to the Citizens of Milwaukee publication. During the presentation, the Alliance requested an opportunity to return to the board committee with a final draft of a blueprint for action that would include specific recommendations for the MPS administration. On March 25, 2006, at the General Membership Meeting, members discussed the blueprint and provided additional recommendations to the original draft. At the April 2006 MMABSE Executive Board meeting, members finalized the document which appears below. It is this final version that will be presented to the MPS Board of School Directors’ Innovative/School Reform Committee.

Educational Excellence: Maintaining High Standards and Outcomes

  1. Create advanced middle level courses in English, science and mathematics in all MPS and membership 6 through 8 schools that have a direct link to the preparation and experience of all 4th and 5th grade students
  2. Expand higher level courses to K-5 students and create a link to all curriculums for transitional purposes from K-5 to       K-8 or middle school 6-8 grades
  3. Create and place students in internships in science and mathematics to motivate high school students to pursue these subjects as careers; create summer programs with emphasis on calculus and geometry and make available for all students but with heavy recruitment for students of color; students selected would have been successful in 9th grade algebra
  4. Require two years in the same foreign language, three years of mathematics and science, and four years of English in all high schools
  5. Require pre-algebra in seventh grade, reinstate the algebra requirement for all ninth grade students, and mandate that algebra be completed by the end of ninth grade
  6. Provide middle level students the opportunity to pursue careers in science through video conferencing in planetary science in schools that have the technology available
  7. Ensure that a school’s Educational Plan focus on the achievement gap in one or more areas
  8. Ensure that the MPS Characteristics of a High Performing Urban Classroom document is used district wide and monitored at all grade levels
  9. Develop curriculum guides in all schools for basic core subjects to insure students in all schools acquire the basic content
  10. Review the MPS K-8 model’s impact on learning and assessments
  11. Review the curriculum used at all schools so students are better prepared for the next school level

Collaboration: A Commitment to Working as a Team

  1.   Meet with the business community to advocate for and secure employment positions for minority high school graduates and adults;  provide the following opportunities:
  2. Drivers education for juniors and seniors
  3. Computer mastery in all schoolsJob training and preparation for all juniors and seniors
  4. Co-op job opportunities in all MPS high schools
  5. Job shadowing opportunities for all high school students
  6. Support the Milwaukee Teacher Education Council (MTEC) in recruiting and maintaining African American and other minority teachers
  7. Review the district’s comprehensive high school plan for large and small high schools including an examination of offerings and effectiveness
  8. Set up Business Foundations that award teachers who close the achievement gap; summer internships for the teachers
  9. Set up Business Foundations that award summer internships to high school students for academic achievement and/or improvement in math and science
  10. Clarify the Board’s position on “choice”