Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.
Right Now On Notebook
By:
By:
By:
By:
Current Issue
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
By: Alexander Russo / May 06, 2008
Just over two years ago, there were rumblings on this blog that CPS was bringing in -- horrors! -- an outsider to serve as an AIO on the South Side. Not from CPS. And -- shhh! -- Latino.Â
His name was Jose Torres (New Talent At AIO). His appointment was controversial to some (The Best And Worst). He worked closely with the Chicago New Teacher Center (AIO Hearts Chicago New Teacher Center). He replaced a lot of principals. He loved him some Schedule E (Schedule E).
Now he's apparently leaving CPS, for Elgin (New district supt. chosen The Courier News
, Elgin's U-46 school board chooses Chicago administrator as new ... Chicago Tribune).
What to make of Jose Torres' short tenure as a CPS AIO? First off, it's no big surprise he'd be tempted to leave. But not because he's an outsider or a Latino running schools in an African-American neighborhood. Rather because it remains unclear if the AIO system really works (All About The AIO), even with as much support and flexibility as CPS could provide. It seems like it's more of an enforcement and implementation position rather than a leadership position, and that's too bad.Â
Got any experiences dealing with Torres, or thoughts about the AIO system? Now's your chance.
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
Dr. Torres has brought passion and caring to the schools. He put children and families. first. He understood community and met with the community. He may not have been liked by al but he cared for the kids. He put the kids first. He walked in to the schools and was greeted with respect by the principals, staff and children, and yes the children knew him. As with many in CPS if you put children first you do not last long. Dr. Torres is another one of those casualties. I congratulate Elgin on getting a passionate caring individual who will put children first and the rest of it second. He has taken a community that is known for it's low test scores, poor education, poor performing schools and made a difference. I applaud Dr. Torres for taking on a challenge and making a difference. He truly does care about the right things - children first.
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
Good riddance to Jose,
He could not cut the mustard. Everywhere he goes, he is either fired, asked to resign or leaves under suspicious circumstances. It seems he is well know as the kiss ass up kick butt down type of manager. Unfortunately, the taxpayers foot the bill. Elgin watch out!
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
And I feel sorry for the teachers!
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
I would like to congratulate Dr. Torres for escaping from one of the worst areas in the city. The catalyst needs to do a story on what really happened in many of the schools since the departure of Dr. Murray. From what I see, teacher turnover rates are increasingly high and test scores are still low. It is a real shame that this level of inconsistency is allowed in the Englewood area. Dr. Murray was a no-nonsense administator who had a straight forward approach to education. The principals in the area may not have liked his approach, but he had their respect. There is a new group of administrators who are out of control in area 14 and were a problem for Torres. What will happen now that he is leaving? Will ineffective administrators get a "pass"? I really feel sorry for the children who are still being left behind.
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
There should be more AIO's going somewhere!
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
What a scoop. Will you now make a Elgin District blog?
The picture is priceless.
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
I am glad he is going--that is out in the open. Shows that learning English does help (other media story). No comment about what happend with him in CA and why he had to leave--does Elgin know? Also, he came in from really 'know' where..ok Broad--big deal. (The other Broad HS AIO from viva las vegas had to be removed. I think they removed a principal as well. Sorry Broad- Chi town aint your town.)
Then the CPS red carpet was rolled out for him and he was given plenty of time to plan to be an AIO--which other AIOs have had to work their way up. Then he was tutored by an AIO who never followed the rules and used her down and dirty connections to get things done. He greated his principals as a two-faced administrator. Does CPS get any money back from him for the free training that he leaves with? Should not he have had a contract to protect the tax payers interests?
I bet he got a good one from Elgin--well they will expect much more from him than CPS. Parents and the Elgin Board will too. He will be working much harder there. Good.
As for Dr. Murray--he was a great principal and not all great principals translate to AIOs.
Unfortunately, he did not and do not blame principals for this--if you do, you do not know the facts. This is why many great CPS principals refuse to become AIOs --no matter how much CPS begs--the money and the sellout aint worth it.
As for the worth of AIOs, they waste more school time and money and instructional improvement than their worth.
I am citywide and go to many schools. teachers do not even know who the AIO is and teacher leaders spend most of their time filling out paperwork that the AIO requires. I go to AMP schools too, teachers are much happier there. Some are more equal than others.
What To Make Of Jose Torres' Departure?
I think there is a lot of irony here. They got rid of Dr. Murray because he was deemed to harsh, but the exact things he was implementing and working on Dr. Torres ended up doing. The principals that Murray wanted removed and was blasted for even suggesting, Torres removed. The Principals moved to oust Murray simply because they didn't like his personality; they wanted someone to tickle their ears and make them feel good, and Torres provided that...at first. Once he was in, he laid down the hammer, in some cases much harder than Dr. Murray.
I think that the Area system is a bunch of garbage, and I think he saw that too. The coordinators have 20+ schools to visit and monitor on their own, and frankly it isn't enough. The Area system has not yielded enough results to even continue. When they let go of all of the Area Tech Coordinators, I knew it was the beginning of the end. You let go one of the most important positions, especially with IMPACT, First Class, and other initiatives rolling thru? What was CPS thinking?
Anyway, I wish him the best, and I feel for the next person that takes over that job.