The grammar jammers

Incomplete sentence. Telegraphic speech. Misspelling. Subject/verb disagreement. Golly!

A startling cause of Americans’ innumeracy: school

Why Do Americans Stink at Math? (NYT)

America the beautiful

     …It wasn’t the first time that Americans had dreamed up a better way to teach math and then failed to implement it. The same pattern played out in the 1960s, when schools gripped by a post-Sputnik inferiority complex unveiled an ambitious “new math,” only to find, a few years later, that nothing actually changed….
. . .
     The trouble always starts when teachers are told to put innovative ideas into practice without much guidance on how to do it. In the hands of unprepared teachers, the reforms turn to nonsense, perplexing students more than helping them….
. . .
     Today the frustrating descent from good intentions to tears is playing out once again, as states across the country carry out the latest wave of math reforms: the Common Core….
. . .
     …The cognitive-science research suggested a startling cause of Americans’ innumeracy: school.
. . .
     Without the right training, most teachers do not understand math well enough to teach it the way Lampert does. “Remember,” Lampert says, “American teachers are only a subset of Americans.” As graduates of American schools, they are no more likely to display numeracy than the rest of us. “I’m just not a math person,” Lampert says her education students would say with an apologetic shrug….
. . .
     …The very people who embody the problem — teachers — are also the ones charged with solving it….
. . .
     With the Common Core, teachers are once more being asked to unlearn an old approach and learn an entirely new one, essentially on their own. Training is still weak and infrequent, and principals — who are no more skilled at math than their teachers — remain unprepared to offer support. Textbooks, once again, have received only surface adjustments, despite the shiny Common Core labels that decorate their covers. “To have a vendor say their product is Common Core is close to meaningless,” says Phil Daro, an author of the math standards.
     Left to their own devices, teachers are once again trying to incorporate new ideas into old scripts, often botching them in the process….

Agran's corruption: Arnold Forde and Tom Fuentes

Butcher & Forde

• Larry Agran's Corruption, Incompetence Worse Than Previously Known (OC Weekly)
• Great Park squandered millions, execs testify (OC Reg)
• Great Park Boss: Consultants' Power Over Public Officials 'Was Just Wrong' (Voice of OC)

     If you’ve been paying attention to Larry Agran’s slowly unfolding “Orange County Great Park” scandal, you’ll know that among the prime beneficiaries of this boondoggle was the firm of Forde and Mollrich. The “Forde” in question is Arnold Forde, a fellow who figured prominently, along with the late Tom Fuentes, in the severe coarsification of OC politics, starting c. 1970.
     See OC's "win at any cost" political ethic: Butcher-Forde, Tom Fuentes, & James Lacy

* * * 

Young Tom

     “Some of these consultants [Butcher and Forde, Fuentes, et al.] regard a campaign as the equivalent of warfare, in which anything goes, short of overt violations of the law. Deceptions and misrepresentations, especially unleashed at the last minute through computerized mailings, seem to have become, for some, a standard campaign technique.” 

—Orange County Citizens' Direction

Finding Commission report, 1978

     "When Butcher and Forde brought professional management and a fierce competitive drive to Orange County campaigning, they were challenging decades of friendly, folksy clannishness. They have been called amoral and their campaign tactics deceptive. And the accusations have not been hurled exclusively by their candidates’ opponents."

 — "Butcher and Forde, wizards of the computer letter," California Journal, May 1979.

     SEE Great Park Timeline - in 1994, Forde and Mollrich worked for the pro El Toro Airport forces (i.e., big money Orange Countians); later (in the new millennium), the firm supported efforts to block the airport.
     You'll recall that Tom Fuentes, seeing a political opportunity (for his far-right wing of the local GOP), early on decided to support anti-Airport forces (thereby joining "liberal" Agran's anti-airport movement), one reason that the Fat Wallet crowd forced Tom out of the OC Republican chairmanship in 2004.
     Agran and Forde

c. 1982

The July meeting of the Board of Trustees: Wright is Wrong

The hideous spectre of
micromamummmmm....

     (Please see Board Meeting Highlights.)
     From the looks of things (i.e., the agenda), this could be another minimalist meeting, but you never know....

     6:00 p.m.: well, I've arrived, and there's no sign of the trustees. I'm lookin' over the room: I count three vividly green union shirts. Not much of a union presence.
     6:02: The room is still pretty empty. Way over on the left, I see IVC's Academic Senate Prez (Kathy Schmeidler) conversing with IVC's VPI, Craig J, that notorious fellow.
     The drive over here was lovely. A thousand years from now, I suspect I'll still remember these monthly late-Spring and Summer nights, driving to silly old board meetings. Such supererogation as this—covering BOT meetings—entails no pressures and few expectations. And, these days, meetings are short and sweet (well, they're short).
     The air is clean and the sun is bright. I love it! Even caught a glimpse of a shimmering Pacific Ocean driving down Santiago Canyon/El Toro Rd. Wowza! As usual, I had great music on the stereo: the Gories, Cat Power, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Band of Horses, Detroit Cobras, the Kills, etc.
     There was swoonage.
     6:06: still no sign of trustees. I suspect that we won't be seeing Nancy (Padberg) anytime soon. Don't know where Jim Wright's been. I wonder if it will be another skeleton crew tonight?
     (You realize, of course, that Nancy P is up for reelection this year—the election is just a few months away. Trustees seem to be hinting that Nancy will be back in the harness soon, but, from what I'm hearing, her recent injury was, well, significant. My mind is abuzz.)
     6:11: Aha! David Lang has arrived.
     6:14: Three (of the seven) trustees have arrived, including Jim Wright.
     It's been a busy afternoon already for the BOT. Earlier, they had a closed session to evaluate the Chancellor (Gary Poertner). Then they had their usual monthly closed session, where they discussed (I think) the fate of IVC's Director or Student Life, Helen Locke.
     6:16: Board Prez TJ Prendergast has arrived. No sign yet of Bill Jay or Marcia Milchiker. I am assuming that Nancy will be a no-show. (She's recovering from an injury.)
    6:17: only four trustees? I guess that's a quorum.

T. Wedel

    6:17: They've started the meeting.
    Anything to report out of closed session? No. (No actions taken.) (I notice that Ray Chandos is in the audience. Perhaps he is here to support Helen Locke, whose fate seemed to be on the closed session agenda. Locke, like Chandos, was a part of the core group of Raghu Mathur supporters back in the day [c. 1997]. Strictly Old Guard.)
    Invocation by Lang: he mentions that jet liner that was shot down. Why not, I guess.

Public comments?
     Dave Anderson: personal invitation here at SC, performances of Godspell. Free to the public. Bring a picnic dinner.
     That's it.

     No resolutions, but two commendations:

P. Weekes

     SC's Tod Burnett comes up to recognize two "very very important people" and their pending retirement. Dean Flanagan and Patti Weekes come up. Yacks about the tutoring center at SC. Gives examples of Patti's accomplishments. "Tremendous passion" for student success. "We're both soulmates," says the Todster. A small token of our appreciation. Applause. Photo op. She says, "I'm going to miss you all so much." Something about the way she says it makes the audience laugh. She's funny, I guess.
     Next: Terry Wedel, Director of College Broadcasting Services, is next. (He's been at SC for six years.) Blah blah blah. The radio station has listeners all over the world. KSBR has received many awards; a top station in its format. "Convergent media" seems to be the buzzword. Congrats! Photo op. He says: "I'm going to miss you too." Notes that it's hard to follow that wag Patti.

Board reports:

     David Lang: no report. Uses his time to stand up to give Patti and Terry a standing O. We all do that. (This kinda warm 'n' fuzzy shit doesn't make up for your betrayal, ol' Davey Boy.)
     Jim Wright: I'll miss Terry and Patti on campus. Congrats. "It's not so bad," he adds, speaking from experience, I suppose. Brags about an ACCA conference: the great Deans(?) program. How to be an effective dean. Creating successful faculty relations, etc. "I was honored to be there; I was on a panel." I visited Nancy Padberg, who is in Emeritus Senior Living in San Juan Cap. I attended "Hello Dolly," a wonderful production.
     TJ Prendergast: congrats to retirees. "I don't know what that word 'retire' means." Laughter (TJ can be funny). Haven't had a chance to visit Nancy, but will do so. Mentions that, owing to the presence of 4 out of 7 trustees, the board does indeed have a quorum. He mentions his status as a "government" teacher.
     Tim Jemal: Terry and Patti, congrats. Very impressive what you've been able to do here.  I also saw Nancy, and she looks great. We are looking forward to seeing her back here on the podium; we miss her dearly. Retreat last week at the "Duck Club": blah blah blah. IVC #1 transfer rate in CA. Foundation laid down some ambitious goals. Will require sustained and significant leadership [well, in that case, we're in trouble, at least at IVC]. Gonna take a monumental effort; you'll want to be a part of that.
     Student trustee Carillo: attended retreat. I do believe that these goals can be met. I will be joining triple CT(?) in San Francisco. I'll try to win the elections. Wish me luck. Hope for speedy recovery for Nancy P. (Garsh, what a self-important kid; yet another "resumé commando"?)

     Chancellor's report (Gary Poertner): Chancellor's opening session is coming soon (Aug 12, a Tuesday). Featured speaker will be state chancellor Bryce Harris, a wonderful speaker. Following that session will be a groundbraking ceremony for the A400 building (at IVC). We'll have a presentation from Student Success Taskforce today.

     IVC VP Craig Justice (gives IVC report cuz Rocky is absent): nothing to add but congrats to Terry and Patti. "When you retire, you never get a day off," said Craig's father, evidently. Laughter.
     SC's Todd Burnett: we're all entering our crunch time, beginning of new school year. Meeting our enrollment targets won't be easy. Want them back up to where they were. "Professional development week." Prez's faculty breakfast, etc. One more week left for "Hello Dolly."
     ...Miscellaneous further reports....

Board requests for reports:
     Approval for requests. Lang comments: he alludes to some desire to make sure these requests are not "onerous" to staff, et al. Poertner says something, but I didn't listen. Motion for approval: unanimous (4 yes votes).

Discussion item 4.1: student success scorecard:

     Denice Inciong, District Dir, Research, Planning &DataMgmt, speaks (with Caroline Durdella and Craig Hayward)
     Discusses "new scorecard" and its "four layers."

     See Student Success Scorecard

     Blah blah blah (and I mean that).
     We're going to be looking at 5-years trends.

     Student/counselor ratio. IVC: 1,004: 1,  SC: 705: 1
     Statewide: 719: 1. (And so IVC isn't doing so hot, I guess.)

     Craig Hayward comes up to go over "metrics." (Planning and Accred guy at IVC.)
     First metric: overall completion rate. Consistent trend at both colleges. We're well above state averages.
     State: 67%
     IVC: 74%
     SC: 74.6%
     Overall persistence rates. State: 70.5%  IVC: 71.7%    SC: 76.2%
     Math remedial progress rate (Caroline comes up):
     Math remedial progress rate: state 30.6%    SC: 40.4%    IVC: 39.1%
     Both SC and IVC perform above state average.
     English remedial progress rate: State: 43.6    IVC: 53.5     SC: 62.4
     ESL remedial progress rate: State 27.1   IVC: 20.1    SC: 19.2
     Overall CTE completion rate: State: 53.9     IVC: 54.3     SC: 53.8
     (Def: Completed at least 8 units within a single CTE discipline.)
     Overall: both colleges perform above state in 6 to 7 "metrics."

     QUESTIONS?

     Jemal: student counseling ratio. He has a couple of questions about IVC, etc.
     IVC is 4th in the state re SPAR(?)[overall completion rate?]; SC is in the top 10. A question about writing 180/280 at IVC. Evidently, changes in these courses skewed the data in some way. Still trying to make sense of it.
     Prendergast: who compiles the data? A: We have a system of reporting, everyone is required to use it, across the state. No further questions.

     Next: Consent calendar items: anything to pull? Jemal: 5.7 and 5.9. Wright: 5.11. No other pulls. They vote to accept: unanimous (4 votes).

5.7 - A400 development project (at IVC, Hum and Social Science Bldg.)(Design-build contract, our first.)  Jemal: tell us rational for increase in dollar amount. Brandye D: yes, our first d-b project. We're learning some lessons. Items that were outside the original request/proposal. We need to define early in the process what is required of the contractor. Being our 1st experience, "there are some holes in it." We were not clear about aesthetic desires: adding brick, office doors, etc. Upgrading the roof would bring us to 30 year warranty (not just 20). At the end of the day, we'll have a better "value" (if this is approved). You'll see our per-square-foot price is wonderful. This really is a best value approach. --No other requests to speak. Motion to approve. Vote: unanimous.

5.9 - Institutional Memberships. Jemal: yes, really important. But let's make sure we're not paying "multiple dues" if we don't have to. It's not clear from this document if that's the case. Todd Burnett comments. We try to coordinate with the district, but we could do this "more precisely." Jemal is satisfied. Lang: some memberships can only occur "per college," so there will be some "natural overlap." They vote: unanimous approval.

Nurses rule

5.11 - Academic Calendar. Jim Wright: I have some concerns, in the spring 2016. We start after MLK B-day. Grad on May 24. How does this affect the vets, nurses? I still worry about that. Burnett: blah blah blah. IVC's VP Justice speaks. He explains. Final exam days count as days of instruction. With regard to nursing issues, SC prevailed. SC Academic Senate: yes, those were key concerns. We've minimized impacts on those two programs. They can work with this. They advocated this approach. Wright: wouldn't starting a week earlier solve the problems? IVC Ac. Senate Prez: 1st, this went through extensive conversation with all parties. We followed the district policies with the relevant constituencies. Very collaborative. IVC has somewhat diff concerns. This was a compromise calendar. We had real problems with early start dates. We had interest in offering short courses in January. This is the minimal amount of time to try these projects. This is the compromise. [Here we have a case of micromanagement. Groups are trying to tell Wright that all of his worries were very carefully considered; you're making us rethink what was already thought out very carefully, responsibly. Wright just isn't getting it.] Wright continues to be "concerned." SC's Werle is asked to speak: nursing needs to start earlier. Adjustments are being made; as result, some folks will work two weeks longer than the rest. TJ Prendergast: this is the third year of "making this shift (a new calendar)" He asks if things are working out. Schmeidler (of IVC): yes, we've had some issues, last two years. This "version" addressed those issues. IVC still had interest in a possible January session. Etc. No further requests to speak. They vote: unanimous.

5.11 - approved
6.2 - approved
6.3 - approved (air unit replacement)
6.4 - approved (lighting retrofit, IVC)
6.5 - approved (realignment, two schools at IVC)
6.6 - approved ("Fine arts" at IVC to "School of Arts")
6.7 - approved (board policy review - for discussion)
6.8 - approved (paying Padberg for missed meeting)
6.9 - approved (this time for Wright's absence last time) - Wright abstains, that counts as a "yes." "Thanks for playing," says TJ.

"Concerned"

6.10 - approved (parking fees for Admin Classified). Wright: concerned, fee increased four-fold. Lang: my only concern, is under negotiation in contracts. Could create a disparity between groups. Must it be approved tonight? TJ loses track of what's been moved. So, must this be approved tonight? Burnett: the parking situation is "ongoing." We've been below average on parking fees for a long time. We've worked two years to get to this point. Students very involved in this, most supportive. Faculty are exempt because these fees are negotiated. My personal view: students shouldn't pay more than admins and managers. B: "It's not a lot of money": moving from $20 to $80. But, no, does not have to be decided tonight. But if we table, won't apply to Fall 2015. Student trustee: let's have additional report. I'm against students paying more than staff. I'd like a more thorough report. [Micromanagement again?] Motion on table is to approve. (Jemal: if not accepted this evening, then put off until January? Burnett: no, will be put off for a year.) At both colleges, correct inclusive process was involved. The students have passed on this. Three yes, one no. Wright voted against it. They think about what the vote means: first, they decide that the motion fails; but no, they decide that the item PASSES. So the fee hike is in. Whew.
6.11 - no discussion. Passes unanimously.
6.12 - Academic Personnel Actions. Unanimous.
6.13 - Classified Personnal Actions. Unanimous.

Reports:

7.1 - "student trustee member election." Student trustee, a pompous fellow, comments.
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5 - no comments.

Reports from admin. and governance groups:

7:33 - Blah, blah, blah.

—I'm outa here.

Unconcerned

Teddy's World

That's "Teddy's Hill" just to the left of young Theodore.
Teddy's oak is to the right, out of view.

Great song; in this lovely version, the guitar solo is to die for.
(I think the guitarist was Jerry Mathews.)

An ATEP by any other name would be—whatever

     As you know, ATEP, on 68 or so acres out in Tustin, has long been troubled. The district  doesn't have much to show for its 10+ years of effort and expense, developing the dang thing, whatever the hell it is supposed to be.
     It wasn't always called "ATEP." I recall the programs envisioned for the Tustin facility way back when. For a while, there was talk of offering training in "homeland security" and culinary arts.
     Today, I visited the ATEP website (here). The site sports a menu, including these items:

• ATEP Today
• Future Plans
• Site Development and Planning
• Development Partner Opportunities

     I clicked on “ATEP Today.” There, we’re told:

     The Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP) in Tustin opened an initial 1-1/2 acre campus in Fall 2007 to immediately begin serving students and the community while the 68 acre development planning is under way. Irvine Valley College currently oversees the day to day operations of the ATEP site while the ATEP Development Team at South Orange County Community College District oversees development of site planning and partnerships for the expansion to 68 acres.

     Gosh, this blurb seems to be about ATEP tomorrow as much as it is about ATEP today.
     Next, I clicked on “Future plans” (does one ever plan things that are not of the future?). Here, we’re told that “South Orange County Community College District is developing the Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP) on 66 acres….”
     —OK. But just what IS ATEP, anyway?
     The name gives us a pretty good idea: it’s about “advanced technology.” Students are to be educated or trained relative to that. There's a need, we're told.
     I wish it were so simple.
     Over the years, the district seems to have considered the possibility of giving over (part of) the facility to such organizations as the “Young Americans,” who eventually (2010) opened The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts in beauteous Corona, CA. So district decision-makers’ fidelity to the idea of “advanced technology” education has always been somewhat loosey-goosey. I mean, learning to be a hoofer isn't about advanced technology, is it?
     The page goes on to elaborate. In bold face, we’re told that:

ATEP will focus on advanced technology, career technical, and workforce development training programs to support high demand industries….

     This description is somewhat equivocal. Yes, ATEP will "focus on advanced technology," but it will comprise "workforce development training programs to support high demand industries" as well. Hell, that could describe virtually anything in the CTE realm, as long as it is in "high demand."
     The rest of the “future plans” page is divided into two sections: (1) Saddleback College plans and (2) Irvine Valley College plans. Makes sense.
     The IVC section is utterly unsurprising. IVC is developing programs “in these areas”:

High-Tech Manufacturing and Product Design
Engineering and Design
Business and Professional Services, including Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment
Energy, Environment and Utilities
Information Services, Design and Networking
Digital Media, Game Design and Simulation

     This list generally concerns, not just the broad area of CTE (Career Technical Education), but CTE that is, well, advanced and technical—you know, like designing cars and widgets and shit.

     Oddly, the SC section concerns exactly one to-be-developed project (or “center”), here called the “Center for Innovation in Healthcare Education” (CIHE). It is explained thus:

     Saddleback College currently runs an award-winning Registered Nursing Program and other highly rated health career programs in Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs), Paramedic and EMT Training, Drug and Alcohol, Mental Health, Medical Assisting, Healthcare Information Technology and others. Saddleback College plans to develop a regional simulated health care facility providing an innovative, risk-free educational environment to address multiple safety and training needs of allied health workers. Program areas will include:

• Professional Healthcare Provider skills
• Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
• Advanced Patient Simulations
• Multi-disciplinary Training
• Healthcare Team Leadership Development
• 300-seat Healthcare Education Conference Center

…Industry projections estimate that the largest employment gains in Orange County will occur in healthcare industries … Saddleback College and SOCCCD were recently awarded a $2.75m Department of Labor grant to develop programs for the Center for Innovation in Healthcare Education….

     Two points: (1) the CIHE would seem to be, nothing really new, but an extension of SC’s already-existing and much ballyhooed cluster of "health career programs," and (2) the education/training envisioned for CIHE comprises a set of CTE areas not naturally associated with the concept or phrase “advanced technology.”
     That's what happens when your plans and definitions (i.e., your thoughts) are equivocal and bullshitty. IVC seems to be focussing on "advanced technology." SC seems to be focussing on training needed for "high demand" industries, whether or not they have anything to do with "advanced technology." Essentially, they're just extending their existing plans and projects onto a new site, up there in Tustin.
     The philosopher in me cringes. Things oughta make sense!
     Let's dump the "ATEP" moniker and just call this thing "Training Park." But we'd better take care to plant a couple of trees. —You know, it's a park.

The agenda for Monday's board meeting: "two campuses" at ATEP?

From IVC: then and now (Pinterest)*

     As is his custom, five days before the meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chancellor Gary Poertner has provided a link to the agenda (Monday, July 21).
     I've had a brief look at it.
     A DtB reader noticed this closed session item:

     This would seem to concern Helen Locke—until a few months ago anyway, she was IVC's Director of Student Life.

     Saddleback College Pres. Tod Burnett’s report includes:

     Check out that second paragraph. Preparing for riots and protests, eh? Re cops in general (not our cops in particular): we've got to keep an eye on 'em. Their record hasn't been so good lately, especially in OC.

     IVC Pres. Glenn Roquemore’s report includes:

     My school (Humanities) will be located in the new and improved A400 that will be constructed at the site. My colleagues and I are looking forward to the change.
     So the actual tear-down took just one day? Sheesh. Maybe it was made of papier-mâché.
     A400 was one among the original four buildings of the campus, when it opened as Saddleback College "north" in 1979. The campus became an autonomous college, IVC, in 1985.
     Also included in Roquemore's report:

     "College of the Future." That's the name,  I guess,  for what they're finally building out at ATEP.  According to this blurb, there will be "two new campuses in Tustin at ATEP." Two campuses?
     You'll recall that a lengthy pissing contest between SC's Burnett and IVC's Roquemore over control over ATEP yielded the Solomonic decision by Chance. Poertner to build two equal buildings at the site, one per college. Sheesh.
     Finally:

     So Davit goes from being a lowly "director" to a VP—just like that. No hiring committee, no interviews, no nothin'.

     This month’s “discussion” item is:

4.1 Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College: Student Success Scorecard for Community Colleges. A presentation on performance indicators for Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College.

     D&P show.

     Included among consent calendar items is this:

5.7 SOCCCD: Irvine Valley College A400 Design Build Project, Change Order No. 2, Swinerton Builders. Approve and authorize staff to execute the corresponding contract change order which will result in an increase of $300,000 for a revised contract total of $9,150,000.

Some details:

     This is a list of add-ons and their cost, I think.

     Among the “general” action items is this:

6.5 Irvine Valley College: School of Humanities and Languages and the School of Library Services Realignment. Approve the realignment in an effort to increase efficiencies and yield two balanced schools to be named as the School of Humanities and the School of Languages and Learning Resources, effective July 22, 2014. The Dean of Liberal Arts will continue to oversee both schools.

*Saddleback College also has a Pinterest page: here. Below is one of its photos:

Evidently, this depicts the college's new program in "Kinky Kinesiology"
(Just kidding: Saddleback "fashion")