DATE: Wednesday, May 14, 1997               TAG: 9705140508

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   59 lines

NORFOLK SCHOOL WORKERS WAIT TO READ QUALITY PLAN COME SEPTEMBER, SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO SET GOALS, MEET THEM AND IMPROVE - OR ELSE.

Teachers, principals and school employees have heard plenty about the district's Quality Schools Initiative, a plan to improve student academic performance that begins in September.

They know each school will set goals and must show some improvement over a three-year period or jobs, from the superintendent to teachers, could be on the line.

They know that teachers are expected to receive more training and resources for this level of accountability.

But many school staffers want a hard copy of the plan now. Yet, school officials say the bulk of the written plan won't be done until mid-July.

``We're almost at the end of the school year and I don't know exactly what we're supposed to be doing,'' said one employee who asked not to be identified. ``I still don't know what this plan will look like.''

John Medas, director of the Education Association of Norfolk, said school officials have attended seminars to explain the initiative's progress and many EAN members have left satisfied.

But, he said, some employees are still antsy.

``The problem is, it hasn't been put into a concrete form yet,'' Medas said.

``I think school people like to see something in written form.''

Thomas Lockamy Jr., assistant superintendent for academic affairs and accountability, is handling the initiative. He said the program is on schedule but a plan of such detail takes time to put together.

Work continues:

By May 15, surveys will go out to all teachers, and fifth-, eighth-, and 11th-graders and their parents. School officials want to gauge perceptions of the schools' performance, the rigor of the curriculum and school climate.

The input will feed into the schools' and district's overall goals.

The initiative's timeline isn't final. The plan will be piloted next year - measures will be in place but they won't ``count'' - but dates for pre-assessment tests and teacher training haven't been set yet.

Drafts of the schools' goals, which will include standardized test scores, attendance rates, advanced placement class results and scores, and promotion rates, should be completed by May 15. They will be available for public review and feedback by mid-June. The goals should be finalized by July 11.

Decisions have yet to be made on how special education students will be measured in the initiative. Currently, some students are exempt from state and local testing programs.

School officials are also looking at revising promotion standards, grading practices, and homework policies and procedures, moves that have been controversial. Any changes will be completed by July 11.

The superintendent has said he wants to develop an incentive program to reward schools that excel through the initiative. The rewards have yet to be determined.

Lockamy has said the initiative will allow room for tinkering.

``We're right on target. We're meeting our timelines and we're going to be ready,'' Lockamy said. ``We're looking forward to the whole year of piloting the program.''

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