Facts and Figures

The US Department of Education published a document (America's Educational Progress, 2008) outlining where each state and of course, our beloved city of DC is going in terms of academic achievement.

I went straight to DC data and found out that our chart, even though we are not YET where we should be, is going upwards. The SY 2007-08 data are not yet factored in. With all the Rhee Administration’s media publicity about our academic gains, I'm expecting a nice spike on next publication.

Despite the encouraging data, I was flabbergasted by this chart:

Last year, roughly 30% of our elementary teachers did not meet NCLB criteria for Highly Qualified Teachers and on the same note, a whopping 50% of our secondary teachers were not supposed to be in classrooms!

This made me ponder:

If some teachers can’t make NCLB criteria how can we expect them to make students meet NCLB AYP requirements?

It is mind boggling how this much teachers made it to the classrooms…

On Lying Leaders

I was on my routinary happy-go-lucky, blog-hopping mode when I stumbled a statement on dcedublog by newly appointed Acting Deputy Chancellor for Special Education Richard Nyankori:

"Sometimes it is willful on the part of some staff not to make it to meetings..."

Please note on the word WILLFUL while I take a mental note of the word BUL*SH*T.

Definitely someone is lying.

If ever anyone of you meet any of our central office leaders especially Nyankori, please recommend to them to visit schools. Like actually PHYSICALLY visit schools and OBSERVE. Maybe then, they can have an intelligent, well-informed, and first-hand data to back up their skewed statements.

And please pass my mental note to him as well.

(Thewashingtonteacher post on this one is a recommended MUST read.)

I'm So Green with Envy

DCPS website posted an update about "Seven DC Public Schools Earn Over $1 Million in Performance Bonuses." This is one of the programs that keeps me believing that DCPS and WTU can ACTUALLY create programs and work TOGETHER.

In part it says:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the faculty and staff at seven District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) received over $1 million in performance bonuses for posting dramatic gains in student achievement.
…

TEAM Award Winners

The following schools met the TEAM award criteria for the 2007/2008 school year: Aiton Elementary, Mammie D. Lee School, Raymond Elementary, Sharpe Health, Winston Education Center, and Thomas Elementary.
…

Teachers who work at these schools received TEAM awards of $8,000, with assistant principals receiving $9,000 awards and principals receiving $10,000 awards. All other instructional support personnel, including librarians, counselors and social service workers received awards of $4,000 each. Paraprofessionals, support staff and custodians each received $2,000 awards.

Congratulations to the recipients! You make me proud as a member of DCPS educator community.

Believe It or Not

Last Saturday, DCPS held a professional development for ALL Math developers/teachers in the system. I repeat: ALL.

There were only 25 teachers who took advantage of the PD.

What went wrong:

a. Teachers didn't get a memo about the PD details?
b. DCPS PD is notorious for being boring and it s*cks?
c. No $30.00/hour Administrative Premium?
d. It's freakin' Saturday?
e. Who cares these days?

FINALLY! Education on Presidential Debate

Finally, Senators McCain and Obama talked about education. DC was mentioned-- not as a good model system though.

I like Sen. McCain's stand on revising NCLB, teacher rewards and accountability, and the voucher system. A BIG BOO when he undervalues the importance of teaching licensure examination.

I like Sen. Obama's stand on stronger headstart program, more pay for Math & Science teachers, and parental involvement (PARENTS turn off the TV!). A BIG BOO on his stand on voucher system.

FINALLY, they're talking about the PINK ELEPHANT in the room.

Bogus Special Education Advocacy

PLEASE NOTE: This entry does not pertain in any way to the office of the person-in-charge of B/J Monitor, US District Court for the DC. However, the comments/ad pertaining to its effort to collect information directly from teachers inspired this blog entry. This is in reference particularly to 'For Profit' SPED Advocacy groups in the system.

Two anonymous (maybe the same person) readers posted a message/ad on my comment section. I read the same message on other popular DC blogs. I DELETED them on my comment section. In part it says:

If anyone thinks he has evidence of recurring practices or issues that they consider relevant and requiring to the attention of those charged with oversight over the decree's implementation, they can report the matter, including any supporting evidence, to the court appointed monitor, Ms. xxxxx, Esq. (Blackman/Jones Monitor, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia). They can be sent anonymously with no return address to:

xxxxx
Atlanta, GA 30316
xxxxx
xxxxx@aol.com

AND/OR To the plaintiffs' counsel, xxxxx:
xxxxx, Esq.
xxxxx
xxxxx, NW Washington, DC 20005
Phone: xxxxx

I'm for SPED advocacy. I believe that the students who need the highest level of reform in this system are the students with special needs.

HOWEVER, I believe that reporting any irregularities to "FOR-PROFIT organizations" that claim to represent students with special needs is DISSERVICE to our students.

I have sat in numerous occasions when students were represented by advocates and there were 90-100% probablity that the advocate/representative BARELY knew the kids they were representing. And higher chances that they don't regularly meet with the kid/parents.

Most, if not all advocates, are basing their arguments on the papers that were generated without PROPER and AUTHENTIC research/documentation (e.g. class observation, interview with the kid, etc.).

I found their approach more of "to intimidate" than to collaborate. WHY NOT? It's MORE PROFITABLE that way. They ONLY get paid everytime they win a case against our system.

I HIGHLY recommend that you report the irregularities/disservice to our students with special needs to your respective SPED Coordinators and/or Principals. If you did not get a response from them within 48 hours (depending on the gravity of the issue), REPORT IT to the Central Office/OSE and cc Michelle Rhee.

One of the major shifts of IDEIA 2004 is that the burden of proof of disservice lies on parents/guardians/advocates. DON'T OFFER any information to ADVOCATES. IT'S THEIR JOB to collect the information. THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO.

If you are required to provide documentation, give it through your SPED COORD/PRINCIPAL.

Some of you may disagree with me, BUT PLEASE-- follow the chain of communication in your schools when it comes to SPED concerns. I acknowledge that sometimes it moves slowly BUT BELIEVE ME, THIS IS A BETTER option than ANARCHY.

If you MUST, report the disservice to the parents of the child and have them with you (or their letter) when you raise the concern with your school administrators.

DON'T FALL FOR BOGUS ADVOCACY GROUPS.

Seven Reasons Why I Like Tenureship

On October 11, 2008 9:50 PM
ms. mindless said...

gen x, obviously, we disagree about the tenure issue. i have been out there looking for a clear and well-reasoned argument for tenure. maybe you can help me? (i am not trying to be sarcastic or funny) people are generally so heated and almost crazy sounding when talking about these issues. what is your logical rationale for tenure? i want to know why you think that tenureship should exist. hope you're having a great weekend!

Ms. Mindless, I’m happy to know you’re looking for "logical rationale" why tenure should exist despite the fact that you have already formulated your own opinion.

It only shows how scholarly and open-minded you are. And I’m flattered that you think of me as one of the educators who can probably offer you a rationalization for tenure.

I'm not sure you will consider them "well-reasoned" but in my humble words, here are my seven reasons:

First and foremost reason: I CAN’T rationalize why tenure should not exist.

Second, Rhee is using it as a NEGATIVE reinforcer. If she is being truthful with her intention to get rid of non-performing teachers, WHY is she abolishing tenure for everybody? There are teachers in the district who are giving more than what are required of them. DON’T these teachers deserve to move beyond probationary status? Why can’t Rhee explore the possibilities of using tenure BOTH as positive and negative reinforcers?

Third, I’m concern of its rippling effect. It’s obvious that the MAIN issue why the contract is not moving forward is the tenure issue. SO FAR, it has brought NOTHING but divisiveness. I’m with her when she said that DCPS students can’t wait any longer. But she wants change too fast, too furious that it seems she’s neglecting the fact that CHANGE is a process and NOT an event. NO ONE CAN FORCE IT. If this malady continues, it will impact the morale of some teachers…then their performance…then students…then…

Fourth, Rhee laid out a plan that lacks details. Words spread “TENURE WILL BE ABOLISHED” without sensible details as to how and why. Then people started engaging in raucous conversation and YET Rhee and GP opted to be quiet or say one-liner statements like “we need to get rid of non-performing teachers” and “this has become a bread and butter issue…” Honestly, did any of these two leaders speak to us, teachers, to clarify this frenzy? Like a real CONVERSATION like a professional to a professional?

Fifth, I believe that tenure and high student achievement can co-exist. They are NOT exclusive ideas. Show me any empirical research or data that says otherwise.

Sixth, there are still other options that have not yet explored (see some of them at my previous comment here). Why implement the extreme if you haven’t tried other options? 90-day process works. I did it twice and kicked a 20+vet teacher OUT of the classroom and OUT of the system. And the other one was in so much pressure that she left the system after merely 4 days in the plan.

And seventh and personal reason, I EARNED my tenure. I earned my Exceeds Expectation from 3 different principals year after year since my first year of teaching. AND I’m not going to let the contract or a chancellor, or a union president steal it away from me just because it/s/he wants to get rid of non-performing veteran teacher. AT LEAST without a good fight. No good teachers-- whether tenured or not-- deserve to be punished or deprived of something JUST BECAUSE of a few dinosaurs. LEADERS, please don't misplace/misuse the principle of accountability.

NOW, CAN ANYONE TELL ME why do we have to abolish tenure aside from the cliche "get rid of non-performing teachers?"

*****
Btw, ms. mindless—yes, I’m enjoying our long weekend. I just actually got home from clubbing. *wink* Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Of Visions and Visionaries

On October 9, 2008 4:49 PM
Anonymous said...

well then if that is your definition of visionary then wouldn't we all be visionaries? we know where we want the system to go and if you read most posts everyone knows how to do it but that does make us fit to do the job...just my thoughts.

thanks for your thoughts.

my thoughts:

let's be honest-- NOT ALL of us has the vision.

SOME are just here 'doing time' until their retirement.

SOME are just here using DCPS resources for free 'masteral degree'.

SOME are just here for 'economic' reasons.

KNOWING where to go doesn't make one a visionary. UNDERSTANDING where and how to go there makes one a visionary. that entails foreseeing the possible strengths/weaknesses and threats/opportunities along the way.

rhee , even before the fall of the proposed contract has already a PLAN B. NOW, that is being a visionary.

parker on the other hand put all his money on the contract and never had a 2nd plan. definitely he has a vision BUT in my opinion— in this case, he failed to be a visionary.

The DC Education Blog: Jay Matthews on merit pay

The DC Education Blog: Jay Matthews on merit pay

AMEN.

Don't get me wrong, I also like money but some of teachers are buying into the contract NOT for what it is really intended to accomplish but literally because of MONEY.

Horrible Day, Horrible Teacher

And when I thought I'm going to have a great group of teachers to work with this school year... A JERK came along.

Let me call the teacher, for lack of better names-- JERK.

Jerk was eating while "teaching".

Jerk was merely pretending to be "teaching".

Jerk is a new teacher who knew everything.

Jerk thinks he's doing the system a favor.

Jerk. Jerk. Jerk.

Rhee on Q&A Cafe with Carol Joint

Below is the entire taped Q&A Cafe of Rhee with Carol Joynt last Wednesday, October 1.

I have sat on several general meetings with the chancellor. In one of the informal ones, she was asked what are her weaknesses and strengths.

One of the strenghts she mentioned is being able to articulate thoughts/things intelligibly and intelligently even though she has little knowledge about a topic.

Well, in this interview she showed her eloquence and intelligence PLUS a LOT, a way lot of knowledge about education system.

In my book she is a visionary.

One of the ONLY three things I'm doubtful about her vision is abolishing tenureship. Let me correct that: I'm not doubtful. I know she's undervaluing tenureship.

Now, grab a cup of coffee or tea because this is going to be a long and winding 'entertainment'. ENJOY your Sunday!

Btw, this is also posted here.

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5

No Winners, Just Dreamers and Whiners

Before you watch the clip: What is GP/Rhee's finish line on the new contract?

After you watched the clip: Who won? Who lost?

On National Issues

A friend of mine emailed this pic. AMUSING and SADENNING at the same time. The purchasing power of our money is getting weaker and weaker. I hope will get out of this SOON!

Is George W. Bush the new face of American dollar ?

Disclaimer: I don't know the original source of the pic, if anyone has any info, let me know so I can properly acknowledge the artist.

Of Teachers and Horse Blinders

I can't believe that SOME teachers are seeing one end of this contract negotiation and completely, foolishly blinded on the other end.

ENOUGH with who did what and did nothing. The Union (as a group or in part/individual members) or GP is not the sole responsible for the failure of this contract negotiation.

It's a basic principle that when you go to a contract "NEGOTIATION"-- ALL parties, YES INCLUDING RHEE, should be ready to actually negotiate.

RHEE did not really negotiated. She merely put on the table WHAT SHE WANTS and leave no room for the other members to negotiate for. It's an old case of take it or nothing.

It reminds me a form government. It's called DICTATORIALSHIP.

The Heat is On

I was browsing and read this article from washingtonpost.com: Teachers' Chief Is in the Hot Seat by Bill Turque.

You can tell that the relationship between WTU President George Parker and Chancellor Michelle Rhee is entering a new level. If sweet-nothing exchanges between them did not attract the union members, try this approach:

Asked whether Rhee is a visionary, Parker paused.

"I think she's young. And she's not had experience in running a large urban school district," he said. "Accordingly, she is going to make mistakes." Most significant among them, Parker said, was sowing fear among teachers.

Hmmm... Real or surreal?