Pitching ‘Way Forward’ to parents, new Morris superintendent pledges equal success for all students

A new credo for students in the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
A new credo for students in the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
0
Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast discusses his vision for the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast discusses his vision for the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

By Kevin Coughlin

Minority students will enjoy the same academic success projected for other pupils in the Morris School District, new Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast assured parents on Monday, during a 90-minute talk describing his educational blueprint called The Way Forward.

“If we do everything properly, you should see each student ascend at approximately the same rate,” Pendergrast said, inviting parents to challenge him for data to measure the district’s progress.

School board members, front, and parents listen to the new superintendent speak at Morristown High. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
School board members, front, and parents listen to the new superintendent speak at Morristown High. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The superintendent was responding to a question from Charles Lamb, a Morris Plains resident who runs the Morristown campus of the County College of Morris.

Lamb is African American, and he expressed concerns that the district could meet Pendergrast’s ambitious academic targets without corresponding gains by black students and other minorities.

While making no promises for students who move here from other towns, Pendergrast expressed confidence that all who start within the district will succeed in roughly the same proportions.

By blending proven teaching methods with smart use of technology, Pendergrast aims to:

  • Prepare each student entering Kindergarten next year to meet or exceed all standards in core subjects by the end of 3rd grade; he said this gives pupils a “95-percent chance of being college-ready” by 12th grade.
  • Ensure that at least 60 percent of students entering 6th grade this year are enrolled in Honors English in 10th grade.
  • Ensure that all students in 6th grade now will pass Algebra before 10th grade.
  • Ensure that at least 55 percent of current high school freshmen pass at least one Advanced Placement test before graduating in 2019.

Pendergrast’s plan reflects concepts from the book Blended, Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools, by staff of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation.

An overarching goal for the district, as outlined online by Pendergrast, is to produce intellectually and emotionally healthy citizens equipped to compete in the global workplace. Responsible behavior online and in the schoolyard is part of the equation. Schools will strive to be safe, nurturing environments, according to this plan.

“Each student will belong,” said Pendergrast, who came to the district in June from the West Morris Mendham Regional High School District, where he was superintendent.

TEACHERS AND TECH

The Morris School District serves about 5,700 pupils from Morristown, Morris Township and (for high school only) Morris Plains.  It’s a diverse district: Minorities comprise more than 40 percent of students at the Morristown High School, and more than a quarter of MHS students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

Pendergrast has been recognized by the White House for his advocacy of technology in the classroom. But he emphasized his 15 years as a history teacher during Monday night’s talk at Morristown High.

Nothing beats a teacher for inspiring and motivating young minds, he said.

At the same time, he foresees an “educational revolution” as technology spawns powerful new learning tools.

'The Way Forward' maps goals for the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
‘The Way Forward’ maps goals for the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

As an analogy, Pendergrast cited his family physician and his Fitbit electronic health tracker. Both contribute to his health in unique and vital ways, he said.

Pendergrast vowed to hire the best teachers from colleges and other districts; already, he has poached an administrator from his former district. Erica Hartman is the new supervisor of technology integration.

When pressed by a parent on how he will pay for top talent, Pendergrast answered that all school districts wrestle with spending caps and budget problems. Money is not necessarily what lures teachers.

“You encourage great teachers by having a great vision,” he said. “You have great support for them, you provide the very best professional development, and that’s how you get them.”

FROM PRE-K TO PARCC

Other initiatives include a pre-Kindergarten program for 16 children at the Hillcrest School, a testbed that could seed more pre-K classes across the district; and a year-long study of best-practices in language programs. At least half of the Class of 2023 will be bi-lingual, Pendergrast estimates.

“We have to re-imagine our language programs” to remain relevant, the superintendent said.

School board President Leonard Posey, left, and Supt. Mackey Pendergrast.
School board President Leonard Posey, left, and Supt. Mackey Pendergrast.

Oversight of curriculum for the lower and upper grades has been merged. Kelly Harte is the director.

Students in grades K-9 will be taking short I-Ready tests for the first time this year, to gauge their reading and math abilities.

Asked about the controversial PARCC standardized tests that were introduced statewide last year, Pendergrast acknowledged the process was “painful for all of us, trust me.”

But he predicted PARCC will yield data far superior to the paper-and-pencil tests that preceded it.

“Eventually, it will serve us well,” Pendergrast said.

Sharon Bertram, a former teacher and mother of two high schoolers, liked what she heard.

“What Mackey mentioned tonight is where we need to be moving as a district,” she said. “It’s where all districts need to be going. But we’re heading there first.”

MORE ABOUT ‘THE WAY FORWARD’

 

A new credo for students in the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
A new credo for students in the Morris School District. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY