Hi, In the coming weeks, the Department of Education will propose the phase-out and truncation of schools that havefailed to advance student learning. Under the new school governance law, each proposal will be followed by apublic comment period of 45 days, during which time a public hearing on each proposal will be held. The Panel forEducational Policy will vote on the proposals on January 26, 2010. Below I’ve listed the first four schools whosephase-out and truncation we’re proposing. I’ve included relevant information about each school. Educational ImpactStatements for phase-out proposals will be posted on thepanel’s website as these proposals are announced publicly. I will continue to update you on phase-out proposals as they are rolled out. Thanks,Will Havemann************************Announced 12/02

Truncation of Frederick Douglass Academy III’s middle school grades (09X517)

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While FDA III’s high school has been successful, its middle school has failed to helpstudents make progress.

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Despite the fact that it has a selective admissions policy, FDA III’s middle schoolunderperforms other District 9 middle schools in both ELA and math:

52.1% of FDA III middle school students are proficient in ELA, compared to 52.2%of students district-wide.

68.4% of FDA III middle school students are proficient in math, compared to 71.6%of students district-wide.

ELA proficiency is lower in 2009 than it was two years ago in 2007 (52.1% comparedto 53.6%).

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In both of the last two years, FDA III’s middle school received an “F” on the progresssection of its Progress Report.

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The school received a “B” on its 2006-2007 Progress Report, a “D” on its 2007-2008Progress Report, and a “C” on its 2008-2009 Progress Report.

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In its current configuration, FDA III is not fulfilling its purpose of offering students aseamless educational experience from sixth grade through high school graduation. Only half of FDA III’s 8

graders choose to reenroll for 9

grade. These students compose only 30% of FDA III’s 9

grade class. We propose phasing out the middle school grades to allow theprincipal and school staff to focus on —and build on the success of — the high school.

To be announced 12/03

Phase-out of William H. Maxwell CTE High School (19K660)

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Fewer than half of W.H Maxwell’s students graduate.

In 2008, the graduation rate was 43.2%.

In 2009, the graduation rate was 43.4%.

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Demand for the school is low and declining. In 2008-09, 920 students enrolled inMaxwell. This year, enrollment declined to 863 students.

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Credit accumulation at Maxwell – a key predictor of graduation – is low. It increasedduring the 2008-09 school year, but not sufficiently to reverse the school’s longstandinghistory of failure.

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Average attendance at Maxwell last year was 72.1%.

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The school received an “F” on its 2006-2007 Progress Report, a “D” on its 2007-2008