WORCESTER—An update on the Worcester Public Schools’ alternative education program included glowing reviews from two students who have benefitted from it, and then a flurry of questions from new School Committee member Maureen Binienda about its effectiveness.
Superintendent Rachel Monárrez, Annie Azarloza, Thomas Toney and Dr. Shannon Conley presented the slide show on alternative education. Azarloza is the district’s chief academic support officer. Toney is administrative director for positive youth development. Conley is the schools’ recently hired director of alternative education.
The presentation drew from an audit of alternative education’s Gerald Creamer Center (GCC) on Granite Street and the Challenge & Reach Academy (C&R) on Harlow Street by the Boston-based Rennie Center for education research and policy. The GCC serves approximately 200 students in grades 11 and 12; the C&R Academy about 15 students in grades 7-12.
A primary continuing goal of the program is, “What do we do for those students who have a high level of need?” the superintendent said.
The audit showed “very robust strengths in personal and school culture, a staff that is passionate about its work and intimate learning environments,” Conley said.
A number of challenges remain in bringing the program forward. Among these are an improved referral process, the need to address inconsistencies at the middle-school level and “a negative program stigma.”
The findings show that “we are at an inflection point,” with recommendations and priorities requiring attention, Conley said.
Mention was also made of the Turn It Around program to curtail substance abuse. A decline in attendance in this program is an indicator of positive outcomes being realized, the school committee was told.
Next steps for alternative education involve “a guidebook, equity in a least-restrictive environment, partnerships and establishing the vision of a learner.”
A female scholar testified that she was “extremely grateful for GCC” and the advice and guidance she received there, which put her on a track to attend Quinsigamond Community College, the University of Tampa, and to become an RN. She is pursuing her Master’s degree. A male scholar said attending the Gerald Creamer Center opened opportunities for him. The support he was given in a “small and personal building” helped him overcome having to stay back in eighth grade and feeling overwhelmed at North High, he said.
Monárrez summed up the presentation by stressing that an emphasis will be put on “preventive and early intervention, and inclusionary learning opportunities.”
She said upon first arriving in Worcester she met a student who was at the C&R Academy. “I will never forget the student mumbling that he attended C&R, because he wasn’t proud of that. That is not OK,” she said. She commended her team for its efforts.
Binienda raised several concerns, asking: “Is there adequate staffing? Why was there a move to two-hour classes at GCC when students struggle with 45-minute classes?”
Two-hour classes pose a problem in that they make it difficult for students with other classes they have to think about, she said.
She also asked: “Can we receive a count on the number of students included, in the next report? Why no vocational programs?” Transportation for evening classes at GCC is an issue for some students, she said. Regarding Turn It Around, Binienda questioned if the numbers are down due to a long waiting list, and students not being sent there.
Monárrez and Conley divvied up their responses to address most of Binienda’s questions.
“In my experience as a teacher of English language development,” said Monarrez, “I taught two-hour courses with my children and it benefitted them. I’m not quite sure why we would think a child who attended an alternative setting could not benefit from a two-hour setting. Children are capable of what we put in front of them and they will rise to the occasion.”
Susan Mailman asked the superintendent about the cost of the program and was told it was “close to $12 million.” She inquired about “budgeting for 2024-25.”
Dianna Biancheria asked about the availability of world language and gym classes for night students at GCC, which prompted a discussion about how many years of physical education are needed to graduate, followed by a motion by Biancheria to ensure that there is funding for a gym.
Alejandro Guardiola issued a recap of the Feb. 26 meeting of the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Success, which he chairs. A highlight of this meeting was confirmation from Jason Homer of Dr. Colleen Kelly’s observation that there has been “a fantastic revitalization of our relationship with the Worcester Public Library.” Homer is the library’s executive director.
Guardiola also touched on items related to Early College Worcester and driver’s education. The TLS’s meeting also included a discussion of Doherty High’s biomedical science program, which starts in the fall of 2025.
Chairperson Molly McCullough recapped the Standing Committee on Finance, Operations and Governance’s March 4 meeting, which featured a discussion of possible employment for students age 16 and up in summer custodial work and a request for pre-K and kindergarten Open House Day in June to be added to the school calendar.
McCullough noted that the Haas Foundation has paused a grant of $350,000 amid questions raised about the foundation’s background. “This is truly unfortunate,” Biancheria said at the March 4 meeting about the potential loss of those monies. But Brian Allen, deputy superintendent of finance and operations, responded that “we received some funding from the Fidelity Foundation.”
Thursday’s meeting also included recognition of Barry Maloney and Laxmi Bisssoondial from Worcester State University for WSU having hosted and sponsored the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast for 30 years. Praise for their efforts was led by Dorothy Hargrove, whose brother Gordon was instrumental in initiating the event.
Doherty High freshman Christopher Lefebrve was saluted for being selected for the 16th annual National All-America youth football game for 13 and 14-year-olds, pitting East vs. West squads. He was the only player from Worcester to earn the honor from all of those picked across the country.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
