State education inspectors look into Academy School 44, ResulTech

Responding to a May 15, 2008 memorandum sent to Albany by Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore, the State Education Department sent “a team of subject area experts in math, Social studies, reading/English language arts, instructional technology and technology” to Buffalo for two-days this week to check up on Academy School 44.

The State Education Department is proposing a “three-fold action plan” to increase student learning at the school. Step one “will include, but not be limited to: observing the teaching and learning process; interviewing school administrators; teachers and non-professionals; and reviewing educational documents.”

Next, curriculum specialists will make specific recommendations for improvements at the school. The third step of the process will take place next school year, when representatives of the team will return to see if their recommendations are being implemented—the aim being to improve student achievement.

The school received harsh criticism from Rumore, who cited teacher surveys that were critical of ResulTech, the Maryland company that has provided technical support at the school since 2006.

Recently, Artvoice published a pair of stories highlighting the fact that although the ResulTech contract was being pushed forward for renewal, the second year of the program had yet to be evaluated.

Sources tell AV that a school board vote on the ResulTech contract extension appears to have been removed from the June 11 meeting agenda—out of respect for the state inspectors who are in town to study, in part, the program’s effectiveness. If approved, the contract will be worth $1.7 million to ResulTech next year, to provide technical support for 300 students at the school. The company has already received $5.4 million for the first two years.

—buck quigley