Nothing pithy, nothing to quote later on.
My time is up, its over, I'm done.
Thanks for the memories.
A new blogger begins Thursday.... maybe.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Post and fill...
Post and Fill rumbles along.
Certainly it would be good to address some serious issues at the local bargaining table next year - I hope you get involved.
Don't forget on your cover letter for any and all postings that you pay attention to the words on the posting: "When applying for positions it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide details of their qualifications for the position." (we hope to have reached an agreement to have "in their covering letter" added to the end of this statement.
Members, you are but one of about 420 teachers employed in SD5 - you actually mean nothing to the folks in HR - your application is but one of many they'll be receiving for that posting. They do NOT know who you are or what your experience or qualifications are for the posting - so tell them explicitly how you are qualified and exactly what your experience is - as it related to the position applied for.
Simply stating that you have taught something somewhere does not count as 'details' - it is nothing but a statement. Details includes the school, the year, the grades..... Remember that that Professor in some university course who told you how to write a covering letter? Well, he/she has never actually applied for a job in SD5, and so they did not give you the correct information!.
Or, to put it another way, never be implicit, always be explicit.
Let me rephrase my thoughts... do you want the job? then sell yourself in that cover letter buy thoroughly providing tons and tons of details about your course work, and your experience as it relates to the position applied for - IN YOUR COVERING LETTER.
The next round of postings should be out July 5th.....
Certainly it would be good to address some serious issues at the local bargaining table next year - I hope you get involved.
Don't forget on your cover letter for any and all postings that you pay attention to the words on the posting: "When applying for positions it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide details of their qualifications for the position." (we hope to have reached an agreement to have "in their covering letter" added to the end of this statement.
Members, you are but one of about 420 teachers employed in SD5 - you actually mean nothing to the folks in HR - your application is but one of many they'll be receiving for that posting. They do NOT know who you are or what your experience or qualifications are for the posting - so tell them explicitly how you are qualified and exactly what your experience is - as it related to the position applied for.
Simply stating that you have taught something somewhere does not count as 'details' - it is nothing but a statement. Details includes the school, the year, the grades..... Remember that that Professor in some university course who told you how to write a covering letter? Well, he/she has never actually applied for a job in SD5, and so they did not give you the correct information!.
Or, to put it another way, never be implicit, always be explicit.
Let me rephrase my thoughts... do you want the job? then sell yourself in that cover letter buy thoroughly providing tons and tons of details about your course work, and your experience as it relates to the position applied for - IN YOUR COVERING LETTER.
The next round of postings should be out July 5th.....
Thursday, June 24, 2010
All-Day Kindergarten
Education minister responds, The Province, Wed Jun 23 2010. Margaret MacDiarmid
In response to Jon Ferry's column, independent, academic research in North America and Europe shows that a high-quality, play-based kindergarten program has long-term benefits: it helps children to succeed in school and in life. Full-day learning is associated with improved literacy and numeracy, smoother transitions to Grade 1 and opportunities to develop strong social skills.
The likelihood that learning difficulties will be identified earlier and acted upon is increased. And investment in the early years is anticipated to result in reduced costs for special education and remediation going forward.
Expanding choices for parents also can be positive for the workforce, while increased opportunities for early childhood education can result in significant savings in other social program areas.
Full-day kindergarten will be available for up to 50 per cent of all children in B.C. starting in September. And everyone will have the opportunity for full-day kindergarten provincewide in 2011.
Enrolling children in kindergarten at age five is optional and this won't change. Given that every child is unique, parents who have concerns are encouraged to discuss their child's needs with their local school. Full-day kindergarten is designed to be developmentally appropriate and provide a balance of active and quiet time. We believe most parents will be pleased with how well their children adjust to a full-day, play-based kindergarten program.
Margaret MacDiarmid, B.C. minister of education
In response to Jon Ferry's column, independent, academic research in North America and Europe shows that a high-quality, play-based kindergarten program has long-term benefits: it helps children to succeed in school and in life. Full-day learning is associated with improved literacy and numeracy, smoother transitions to Grade 1 and opportunities to develop strong social skills.
The likelihood that learning difficulties will be identified earlier and acted upon is increased. And investment in the early years is anticipated to result in reduced costs for special education and remediation going forward.
Expanding choices for parents also can be positive for the workforce, while increased opportunities for early childhood education can result in significant savings in other social program areas.
Full-day kindergarten will be available for up to 50 per cent of all children in B.C. starting in September. And everyone will have the opportunity for full-day kindergarten provincewide in 2011.
Enrolling children in kindergarten at age five is optional and this won't change. Given that every child is unique, parents who have concerns are encouraged to discuss their child's needs with their local school. Full-day kindergarten is designed to be developmentally appropriate and provide a balance of active and quiet time. We believe most parents will be pleased with how well their children adjust to a full-day, play-based kindergarten program.
Margaret MacDiarmid, B.C. minister of education
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Education seems destined for change
(Surrey Now, Tue Jun 22 2010, Keith Baldrey "In The House"
Are big changes to our public education system just around the corner?
Speculation is growing in the wake of the B.C. Liberal government's fight with the Vancouver school board that something new is coming.
Certainly, the B.C. Liberals have spent years talking about the need for change in the K-12 system. Pretty well every throne speech contains language suggesting significant change is on the way.
But aside from the introduction of full-day kindergarten, nothing particularly revolutionary has occurred in the education system. The Liberals made a big fuss unveiling such things as the "learning roundtable" and "teachers' congress" but they don't seem to have had much lasting impact on things. And now a new slogan - "21st century learning" - will soon be introduced, and I wonder whether some serious alterations to the education system will accompany it.
For possible clues on what may be coming, I dusted off this year's throne speech and re-read the section on public education. Certainly, the language in that speech does suggest something is in the works.
"Government will take steps to renew and revitalize education," the speech stated, adding that a "new emphasis will be placed on parental involvement."
The speech also stated that "new forms of schools will be developed to provide greater choice and diversity."
I suppose these promises can be read as so much empty government rhetoric. On the other hand, given the evident frustration over the conduct of the Vancouver school board the language can also be seen as suggesting provocative change.
Part of the backdrop here is the often testy relationship between the B.C. Teachers' Federation and the B.C. Liberal government. Gordon Campbell is married to a long-time former school principal, and anyone who knows a school principal knows the frustrations many of them feel when it comes to dealing with teachers (in terms of the rigid control the BCTF exerts over the workplace).
So he's had years to become familiar on that front. Another important factor to consider here is the recent report by the province's comptroller-general on the Vancouver school board's financial situation.
Political opponents of the government (most notably Vancouver school trustees themselves) have dismissed the report as a meaningless exercise that revealed nothing new. But those who view that report only as it pertains to school trustees may be missing the larger picture.
Comptroller-general Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland portrays the Vancouver school board as operating within a governance model that is largely controlled by the employees who work for it (i.e. teachers and CUPE support staff workers). As a result, flexibility and the ability to change policies are greatly hampered.
While there has been a lot of attention paid to the war of words between Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid and VSB chair Patti Bacchus, a key phrase from the minister has been overlooked.
She has talked about the need for a new "governance model" and how she will develop one soon. A new model is going to have a more profound impact on our system than closing a few schools or squabbling over a school board's budget.
So what, exactly, is the B.C. Liberal government up to?
Is it about to do an end run around the BCTF and CUPE by setting up these "new forms of schools" with direct parental involvement? Is it about to take the first steps toward creating a new parallel education system?
One clue may be what's going on in England, where the new coalition government is embarking on a massive restructuring of the country's education system. There, the Swedish model of so-called "free schools" (where parents and organizations set up their own school with government money) is being implemented.
Will we see "free schools" set up on a trial basis in a few school districts? It can be argued that the B.C. Liberals, given their very low standing in the polls, do not have the political credibility or muscle to carry out big changes on any front.
But they wouldn't be the first government to go down swinging over an issue it considers important enough.
Oh, and have I mentioned the BCTF will soon enter negotiations for a new contract? The teachers' union has said it won't accept a wage freeze like other public sector unions, so a fight is brewing on that front as well.
Perhaps that's the one thing - a contract battle with teachers -- that won't change in education. But it sure seems likely that "21st century learning" means other changes are on the way.
Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.
Are big changes to our public education system just around the corner?
Speculation is growing in the wake of the B.C. Liberal government's fight with the Vancouver school board that something new is coming.
Certainly, the B.C. Liberals have spent years talking about the need for change in the K-12 system. Pretty well every throne speech contains language suggesting significant change is on the way.
But aside from the introduction of full-day kindergarten, nothing particularly revolutionary has occurred in the education system. The Liberals made a big fuss unveiling such things as the "learning roundtable" and "teachers' congress" but they don't seem to have had much lasting impact on things. And now a new slogan - "21st century learning" - will soon be introduced, and I wonder whether some serious alterations to the education system will accompany it.
For possible clues on what may be coming, I dusted off this year's throne speech and re-read the section on public education. Certainly, the language in that speech does suggest something is in the works.
"Government will take steps to renew and revitalize education," the speech stated, adding that a "new emphasis will be placed on parental involvement."
The speech also stated that "new forms of schools will be developed to provide greater choice and diversity."
I suppose these promises can be read as so much empty government rhetoric. On the other hand, given the evident frustration over the conduct of the Vancouver school board the language can also be seen as suggesting provocative change.
Part of the backdrop here is the often testy relationship between the B.C. Teachers' Federation and the B.C. Liberal government. Gordon Campbell is married to a long-time former school principal, and anyone who knows a school principal knows the frustrations many of them feel when it comes to dealing with teachers (in terms of the rigid control the BCTF exerts over the workplace).
So he's had years to become familiar on that front. Another important factor to consider here is the recent report by the province's comptroller-general on the Vancouver school board's financial situation.
Political opponents of the government (most notably Vancouver school trustees themselves) have dismissed the report as a meaningless exercise that revealed nothing new. But those who view that report only as it pertains to school trustees may be missing the larger picture.
Comptroller-general Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland portrays the Vancouver school board as operating within a governance model that is largely controlled by the employees who work for it (i.e. teachers and CUPE support staff workers). As a result, flexibility and the ability to change policies are greatly hampered.
While there has been a lot of attention paid to the war of words between Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid and VSB chair Patti Bacchus, a key phrase from the minister has been overlooked.
She has talked about the need for a new "governance model" and how she will develop one soon. A new model is going to have a more profound impact on our system than closing a few schools or squabbling over a school board's budget.
So what, exactly, is the B.C. Liberal government up to?
Is it about to do an end run around the BCTF and CUPE by setting up these "new forms of schools" with direct parental involvement? Is it about to take the first steps toward creating a new parallel education system?
One clue may be what's going on in England, where the new coalition government is embarking on a massive restructuring of the country's education system. There, the Swedish model of so-called "free schools" (where parents and organizations set up their own school with government money) is being implemented.
Will we see "free schools" set up on a trial basis in a few school districts? It can be argued that the B.C. Liberals, given their very low standing in the polls, do not have the political credibility or muscle to carry out big changes on any front.
But they wouldn't be the first government to go down swinging over an issue it considers important enough.
Oh, and have I mentioned the BCTF will soon enter negotiations for a new contract? The teachers' union has said it won't accept a wage freeze like other public sector unions, so a fight is brewing on that front as well.
Perhaps that's the one thing - a contract battle with teachers -- that won't change in education. But it sure seems likely that "21st century learning" means other changes are on the way.
Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Cuts bringing larger classes; 500 Alberta teachers may lose their jobs.
(Calgary Herald, Fri Jun 18 2010, Sarah McGinnis [excerpts for space])
A six-year push by the province to trim class sizes by funding more than 2,900 extra teachers is about to erode with more than 500 teaching jobs to be slashed across Alberta this fall.
….
"It's the start of a slippery slope back to what we had in the early '90s unless we have a commitment to the class size initiative and really make it work," said Alberta Teachers' Association president Carol Henderson.
The Alberta Commission on Learning report released in 2003 established class size targets ranging from 17 students for kindergarten to Grade 3 classes to 27 for high school classes.
The government has spent $1.2 billion over the past six years, bankrolling the hiring of more than 2,900 teachers to meet the recommendations.
And the program was working. Alberta school boards met the majority of class size targets this year.
But most still struggle to get kindergarten to Grade 3 classes down. And with current education funding woes, it is feared they never will.
....
The ATA estimates there are more than 500 teaching jobs on the chopping block provincewide -- including 192 full-time teachers at the Calgary Board of Education.
....
The Calgary Catholic School District went class by class, school by school to cut 85.5 teaching positions.
…..
With teachers and support staff jobs being lost, and the government pushing for increased inclusion of special needs students into regular classrooms, NDP MLA Rachel Notley said the public has a right to be concerned about the state of education.
"It's all coming together to create maximum chaos," said Notley.
"The platitudes from the minister are not enough to allay the concerns of engaged parents. We've got a real problem looming."
A six-year push by the province to trim class sizes by funding more than 2,900 extra teachers is about to erode with more than 500 teaching jobs to be slashed across Alberta this fall.
….
"It's the start of a slippery slope back to what we had in the early '90s unless we have a commitment to the class size initiative and really make it work," said Alberta Teachers' Association president Carol Henderson.
The Alberta Commission on Learning report released in 2003 established class size targets ranging from 17 students for kindergarten to Grade 3 classes to 27 for high school classes.
The government has spent $1.2 billion over the past six years, bankrolling the hiring of more than 2,900 teachers to meet the recommendations.
And the program was working. Alberta school boards met the majority of class size targets this year.
But most still struggle to get kindergarten to Grade 3 classes down. And with current education funding woes, it is feared they never will.
....
The ATA estimates there are more than 500 teaching jobs on the chopping block provincewide -- including 192 full-time teachers at the Calgary Board of Education.
....
The Calgary Catholic School District went class by class, school by school to cut 85.5 teaching positions.
…..
With teachers and support staff jobs being lost, and the government pushing for increased inclusion of special needs students into regular classrooms, NDP MLA Rachel Notley said the public has a right to be concerned about the state of education.
"It's all coming together to create maximum chaos," said Notley.
"The platitudes from the minister are not enough to allay the concerns of engaged parents. We've got a real problem looming."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
SD5 Budget 'changes' to find nearly 1 million in savings...
Leasing MVES will bring in $60,000
Cutting... (rounded)
$109,000 from equipment replacement
$365,000 out of the 'reserve fund'. Better hope the Ministry doesn't announce some new program next year....
$20,000 from Trustee travel/meeting/meetings
$10,000 from District Management travel and meetings
$28,000 from photocopying/faxing/printing budgets....
$46,500 gone from Teacher Staff Development (as in none left)
$49,000 drop (District Principal retires at Christmas) in Senior Admin.
$280,000 drop in CUPE positions/hours/days
$43,000 drop in teaching position at FLC
BUT, they "added"...
$30,000 to legal to deal with Bill 33 issues...
$23,000 to support opening the shops at ESS
$24,000 software for enrolment/boundary tracking
$54,000 into Achievement Contract stuff (including a management controlled pot of 'Staff Development' money ...)
$6,000 to support the BCTF 'Living With Balance' program piloted this year....
Cutting... (rounded)
$109,000 from equipment replacement
$365,000 out of the 'reserve fund'. Better hope the Ministry doesn't announce some new program next year....
$20,000 from Trustee travel/meeting/meetings
$10,000 from District Management travel and meetings
$28,000 from photocopying/faxing/printing budgets....
$46,500 gone from Teacher Staff Development (as in none left)
$49,000 drop (District Principal retires at Christmas) in Senior Admin.
$280,000 drop in CUPE positions/hours/days
$43,000 drop in teaching position at FLC
BUT, they "added"...
$30,000 to legal to deal with Bill 33 issues...
$23,000 to support opening the shops at ESS
$24,000 software for enrolment/boundary tracking
$54,000 into Achievement Contract stuff (including a management controlled pot of 'Staff Development' money ...)
$6,000 to support the BCTF 'Living With Balance' program piloted this year....
Jobs in Haida Gwaii
There are a few postings for work up in Haida Gwaii, check out the site for more information:
Monday, June 14, 2010
Teaching Opportunity
Temporary Full-Time Special Education Specialist/Learning Assistance Teacher
GEORGE M. DAWSON SECONDARY SCHOOL
Haida Gwaii, in Northern British Columbia, is an archipelago of more than 150 islands. The islands have gained a reputation for outstanding natural beauty and a remarkable First Nations culture. Haida Gwaii can provide something of interest to everyone: history, archeology, fishing, boating, hiking, cycling and more.
Located 80 km west of Prince Rupert, School District No. 50 (Haida Gwaii) is comprised of six (6) schools serving approximately 680 students. Please visit our website for additional details: www.sd50.bc.ca.
The Board of Education of School District No. 50 (Haida Gwaii) is seeking a temporary full-time (1.0 FTE) Special Education Specialist/Learning Assistance Teacher effective September 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 at George M. Dawson Secondary School.
Requirements:
A university teaching major, or its equivalent, directly related to the teaching position;
Successful teaching experience related to the teaching position, as well as junior secondary courses and/or applied skills, i.e. foods, wood shop, math;
The ability to write clear and effective reports;
The ability to use technology effectively and efficiently;
Knowledge and skills in the identification procedures and program planning for students with special needs including autism, other developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioural disorders;
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, instruct and evaluate learning activities;
Have the ability to conduct level B testing and interpret the results of other testing to develop appropriate educational strategies;
Collaboratively assess the level of support required and interpret each learner’s disability and its implications and have the ability to develop, implement and evaluate IEPs in consultation with teachers, parents and district and community;
Proven interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, teachers, special education assistants, parents and administrators;
Working knowledge of and experience in Aboriginal education;
Applicants must be eligible for BC College of Teachers certification.
Human Resources
School District 50 (Haida Gwaii)
Box 69
Queen Charlotte BC V0T 1S0
Teaching jobs in BC, 2010-2011
As of June 4, 2010, (46 locals reporting), the current estimate is that BC will be down 575 – 600 FTE teaching positions province-wide for 2010–11.
Friday, May 21, 2010
BC Government, Carbon Offsets, and School Districts
(Excerpts from the debate on education in the Legislative Assembly, School district carbon offsets go to private corporations . May 17, 2010)
R. Fleming: I wanted to ask the minister if she's had discussions with her colleagues about how the Pacific Carbon Trust might be modified so that instead of money flowing from public sector organizations like schools, hospitals and other entities — the 130 PSOs that there are — to the private sector, whether the Pacific Carbon Trust might be modified over time in the coming years to actually invest public sector moneys, pooled moneys from the SUCH [public] sector into greening the infrastructure of schools, for example. Has she had those kinds of discussions?
Hon. M. MacDiarmid: …starting this year they do have to purchase offsets, and it's at a cost of $25 per tonne of emissions. The estimate this year is that it will be about 235,000 tonnes, and that will mean that they will be spending about $5.9 million on offsets.
R. Fleming: …wouldn't it be a better idea to allow school districts, along with health authorities and other public sector organizations, to apply and receive money to retrofit their own buildings, to actually reduce their carbon footprints and their emission levels
I mean, the whole point of this exercise should be to green schools, but here we have, under the current system, the prospect of 60 school districts, most of which are in deficit right now, most of which are looking at losing teaching and learning resources and face a three-year funding horizon that is very challenging and difficult for them.... They're not in a very good position to set aside money for minor capital improvements and to replace things like fossil fuel–based heating systems that they may use, which they should do if we care about the environment. That is the goal here.
In fact, as the minister is aware, the carbon offsets are actually.... Pacific Carbon Trust gets $25 a tonne from school districts for these offsets. I don't know how much they then buy them for in the private sector, but they're literally transferring money to things like Lafarge cement fuel-switching projects or greenhouse growers in the Fraser Valley where they're putting up energy curtains.
There are a number of spas. I don't know if the minister is aware of all of them, but Westin Whistler Resort and Spa will be receiving money from school districts, from classroom resources, from trustees that are figuring out budgets and paying this money, which is then transferred over into the private sector. The Marriott in Whistler is another one. Sun Peaks Lodge, Coast Hillcrest. Hotels have done very well by this system. It's literally money coming from schools going in to green hotels rather than to green school buildings.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Mandate of the BCCT 'Fact Finder'
The fact finder will consider and make recommendations regarding the B.C. College of Teachers in fulfilling its mandate under the Teaching Profession Act. The fact finder will consider:
a) Whether the College of Teachers is fulfilling its mandate under Section 4 of the Teaching Profession Act: “It is the object of the college to establish, having regard to the public interest, standards for the education, professional responsibility and competence of certificate holders and applicants for certificates of qualification and, consistent with that object, to encourage the professional interest of certificate holders in those matters.”
b) The college’s role and performance respecting teacher pre-service and in-service training and regulation of member competence.
c) The college’s role and performance of its duties in comparison with other self-regulating professions.
d) The college’s teacher certification practices in comparison with those of other jurisdictions.
e) The effectiveness of the college in carrying out its mandate with regard to complaints concerning teacher conduct or competence, including investigation, disciplinary action and public reporting.
f) The effectiveness of the council of the college in carrying out its mandate to govern and administer the affairs of the college.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Worthwhile newsletter to read...
The newsletter of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association (VESTA) is usually well worth reading. The current month - May 2010 edition is spectacular. It has articles on the public's feelings toward the funding of public education in BC, it has a great article on the role of a Staff Rep., VESTA's audited financial statements (their budget is 1.2 million dollars, and they are proposing a 0.04% increase in dues (as in dues will go from 0.80% of salary up to 0.84% of salary) which will result in a mean annual dues amount of just under $600/year, and finally a grievance update from their local.
Here is the website: www.vesta.ca Go to it, then on the left hand menu, select 'news archive' then from the list that appears on the right hand side, choose "May 2010" (in red).
Here is the website: www.vesta.ca Go to it, then on the left hand menu, select 'news archive' then from the list that appears on the right hand side, choose "May 2010" (in red).
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Job opportunity!
Continuing Full-Time Learning Assistance Teacher at SK’AADGAA NAAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Human Resources
School District 50 (Haida Gwaii)
Box 69
Queen Charlotte, BC
V0T 1S0
E-mail ssansome@sd50.bc.ca
fax: 250-559-8849
Haida Gwaii, in Northern British Columbia, is an archipelago of more than 150 islands. The islands have gained a reputation for outstanding natural beauty and a remarkable First Nations culture. Haida Gwaii can provide something of interest to everyone: history, archeology, fishing, boating, hiking, cycling and more.
Located 80 km west of Prince Rupert, School District No. 50 (Haida Gwaii) is comprised of six (6) schools serving approximately 680 students. Please visit our website for additional details: www.sd50.bc.ca.
The Board of Education of School District No. 50 (Haida Gwaii) is seeking a continuing full-time (1.0 FTE) Learning Assistance Teacher effective September 1, 2010 at Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary School.
A university teaching major, or its equivalent, directly related to the teaching position;
Successful teaching experience;
The ability to write clear and effective reports;
The ability to use technology effectively and efficiently;
Knowledge and skills in the identification procedures and program planning for students with special needs including autism, other developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioural disorders;
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, instruct and evaluate learning activities;
Have the ability to interpret the results of testing to develop appropriate educational strategies;
Collaboratively assess the level of support required and interpret each learner’s disability and its implications and have the ability to develop, implement and evaluate IEPs in consultation with teachers, parents and district and community;
Proven interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, teachers, special education assistants, parents and administrators;
Working knowledge of and experience in Aboriginal education;
Applicants must be eligible for BC College of Teachers certification.
Human Resources
School District 50 (Haida Gwaii)
Box 69
Queen Charlotte, BC
V0T 1S0
E-mail ssansome@sd50.bc.ca
fax: 250-559-8849
New York "Agreement"
Agreement Will Alter Evaluations Of Teachers, The New York Times, Tue May 11 2010. Jennifer Medina (excerpts for space)
The State Education Department and New York's teachers' unions have reached a deal to overhaul teacher evaluations and tie them to student test scores, .....
The agreement, ..... would scrap the current system whereby teachers were rated simply satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Instead, annual evaluations would place teachers in one of four categories -- highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective. While the deal would not have any immediate effect on teacher pay, it could make it easier for schools to fire teachers deemed subpar.
"We believe that if done correctly this will change the landscape dramatically," said David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner. "This is not a gotcha system. This is about creating professional development that can really improve education."
Teachers would be measured on a 100-point scale, with 20 percent points based on how much students improve on the standardized state exams. Another 20 percent would be based on local tests, which would have to be developed by each school system. After two years, 25 percent would be based on the state exams and 15 percent would come from the local tests.
The remainder of the evaluation will come from observations from principals and other teachers, and other measures. If teachers are rated ineffective for two consecutive years, they would face firing through an expedited hearing process that must conclude within 60 days. Currently hearings can drag on for several months.
......
Testing data would be used for only a fraction of the teachers in the state, because many teachers instruct in subjects or grades that do not have an annual exam. Mr. Steiner and Ms. Tisch have criticized the state exams, saying they may have become too easy and predictable in the last several years. But Mr. Steiner said that they were "not useless," and that the department was taking steps to improve them, including changes this year that broadened the material covered by the tests.
.....
New York City began evaluating teachers based on test scores three years ago. But in 2008, the Legislature banned the use of student test scores in teacher evaluations, a move that was backed by the union.
....
The State Education Department and New York's teachers' unions have reached a deal to overhaul teacher evaluations and tie them to student test scores, .....
The agreement, ..... would scrap the current system whereby teachers were rated simply satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Instead, annual evaluations would place teachers in one of four categories -- highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective. While the deal would not have any immediate effect on teacher pay, it could make it easier for schools to fire teachers deemed subpar.
"We believe that if done correctly this will change the landscape dramatically," said David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner. "This is not a gotcha system. This is about creating professional development that can really improve education."
Teachers would be measured on a 100-point scale, with 20 percent points based on how much students improve on the standardized state exams. Another 20 percent would be based on local tests, which would have to be developed by each school system. After two years, 25 percent would be based on the state exams and 15 percent would come from the local tests.
The remainder of the evaluation will come from observations from principals and other teachers, and other measures. If teachers are rated ineffective for two consecutive years, they would face firing through an expedited hearing process that must conclude within 60 days. Currently hearings can drag on for several months.
......
Testing data would be used for only a fraction of the teachers in the state, because many teachers instruct in subjects or grades that do not have an annual exam. Mr. Steiner and Ms. Tisch have criticized the state exams, saying they may have become too easy and predictable in the last several years. But Mr. Steiner said that they were "not useless," and that the department was taking steps to improve them, including changes this year that broadened the material covered by the tests.
.....
New York City began evaluating teachers based on test scores three years ago. But in 2008, the Legislature banned the use of student test scores in teacher evaluations, a move that was backed by the union.
....
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Those two 'dancing' teachers in Winnipeg...
Lap-dancing teachers won't be returning to Winnipeg school; Trustees announce resolution to controversy over pep-rally YouTube sensation, The Globe And Mail, Tue Apr 20 2010. Sarah Boesveld [excerpts for space]
A minute and a half of fully-clothed lap dancing at a high school pep rally has sealed the fate of two Winnipeg teachers. …. Ms. Fitchner offered her resignation two months after the dance, … Mr. Ahmed's contract ended April 16 and will not be renewed, the board said.
Both teachers had been suspended without pay since March 3 and March 2, respectively.
…..teachers could be inspired to pay close attention to the professional code of conduct presented at the beginning of each school year. …. First, the teachers were suspended with pay, then suspended without.
Ms. Fitchner asked for access to sick-leave benefits when she was first suspended and then filed grievances with the division for not providing access to them.
The grievances, ….., were resolved on the basis that she remain without pay until April 5, after which time she'd get sick leave benefits under the collective agreement.
Her resignation will kick in fully at the end of the school year, June 30, 2010, the board said. If she runs out of benefits and is fit enough to return to work before that time, she'll be placed on unpaid administrative leave.
……
"A minute and a half of inappropriate dancing decided the fate of a big career change."
…..
The offending dance, which involved simulations of oral sex and much gyrating of pelvises, took place at the pep rally on Feb. 17. Students recorded it on a cellphone camera and it quickly spread around via e-mail and Facebook. The next day, a parent complained to the school and the day after that, the teachers were asked to stay home with pay.
……
Monday, April 19, 2010
Florida Governor Bucks G.O.P. on Teacher Pay Bill, The New York Times, Fri Apr 16 2010. Trip Gabriel and Damien Cave; Gary Fineout
[excerpts for space] MIAMI -- Gov. Charlie Crist … deluged with 120,000 messages. Passions have not run so high in Florida, the governor said, since the controversy over ending the life of Terry Schiavo in 2005.
This time, the point of contention was eliminating tenure for Florida public school teachers and tying their pay and job security to how well their students were learning.
On Thursday, Mr. Crist picked a side, vetoing a bill passed last week by the Florida Legislature….Mr. Crist …. cited "the incredible outpouring of opposition by teachers, parents, students, superintendents, school boards and legislators."
The bill was supported by the Florida Department of Education and statewide business groups, …. saying that teachers should be held more accountable.
But the governor, announcing his veto in the Capitol in Tallahassee, said the changes envisioned would put "teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs and teaching certificates, without a clear understanding of how gains will be measured."
….. Reformers have tried to draft policies that allow student-achievement data to be used to reward good teachers and identify poor ones.
When Florida proposed strict accountability measures, teachers, parents and administrators pushed back. They argued that the proposed system -- basing renewal of teacher contracts and at least half their raises on how well students did on standardized tests -- would hold them responsible for factors in students' lives beyond their control.
"I am not a puppet master; I can't pull strings and make them perform," said Amy Horr, a second-grade teacher in the Miami-Dade School District who attended a rally on Monday. "I can't even make them come to school."
…..
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Teacher firings and Test Boycotts
Excerpts from some International newspapers!
Thousands of teachers take part in sickout, The Miami Herald, Tue Apr 13 2010. Patricia Mazzei, Hannah Sampson, and Kathleen McGrory.
…..more than 6,300 of Miami-Dade's 21,260 public-school teachers took a personal or sick day Monday to protest controversial legislation that would overhaul their pay.
……more than 1,000 teachers gathered at Tropical Park in Westchester to drive the point home.
That Monday's protest took place in the diverse, largely low-income Miami- Dade school district -- the state's largest -- was enough to catch the attention of Gov. Charlie Crist, who has until Friday to sign or veto the bill.
``I ran to be the people's governor and it's very helpful to hear from the people,'' Crist told The Miami Herald on Monday. ``It's enormously helpful.''
The message he's hearing from most people: Veto the bill.
Between March 1 and Monday, Gov. Crist's office had logged 15,694 calls, 1, 869 letters and more than 18,000 individual e-mails opposing the bill. That's compared to 264 calls, 11 letters and 80 e-mails in support. He's gotten an additional 33,000 calls that staffers haven't yet been able to categorize.
…..Monday's coordinated absences were a grassroots effort. The idea bubbled up among teachers Friday afternoon -- and grew over the weekend via text messages and on social networking sites like Facebook.
…..``No determination has yet been made on disciplinary actions although we have an expectation that employees will follow the terms of their contract and state statute regarding the obligations of their position,'' said John Schuster, spokesman for the school district.
The United Teachers of Dade did not support Monday's absences. Instead, union leaders urged teachers to protest outside of school -- as did officials for the Broward Teachers Union.
Under Florida law, teachers are not allowed to strike.
…..
Union blasts city schools overhaul plan; Teachers' hours, pay, and seniority affected,
The Boston Globe, Tue Apr 13 2010. James Vaznis
The Boston Teachers Union started galvanizing opposition yesterday to parts of Superintendent Carol R. Johnson's plan to overhaul 12 underperforming schools, after she called for teachers to work dozens of additional hours without extra pay.
The proposal is part of an initial negotiating package Johnson sent to union officials over the weekend, under a new state law that gives superintendents greater leverage to make dramatic changes at state-designated underperforming schools over the objections of unions.
…. said that her plan reflects economic realities.
``One of the challenges everyone is aware of is that we have a very difficult fiscal situation,'' she said. ``If we had all the resources in the world, we would want to compensate them'' for the additional time.
Under the law enacted in January, school superintendents still must negotiate changes with their respective unions, but only under a 30-day timeline, much shorter than traditional bargaining. If negotiations on a proposal fail, the union has the right to appeal in an arbitration-like process. If that breaks down, a state education commissioner could ultimately decide the dispute.
…
Johnson held a press conference, saying she would force teachers at about half those city schools to reapply for their jobs,…..Among Johnson's proposals, which are considered drafts because negotiations are just beginning: not paying teachers for additional time when extending the school day by up to an hour; requiring 50 hours of additional teacher training without pay; nullifying layoff and seniority provisions; and tying annual pay raises to job performance.
Another proposal seeks to increase class sizes for programs that teach fluency in English, beyond limits set in the teachers' contract.
…..
Teaching unions want boycott on controversial Sats, The Western Morning News (Plymouth, UK), Mon Apr 12 2010. Olivier Vergnault
Hundreds of pupils in the Westcountry could be banned from sitting Sats exams if a boycott of the controversial test by two leading teachers unions is successful.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) are currently balloting their leadership group members over the boycott of the national curriculum tests.
The two unions hope to see the end of Sats, which they say are flawed and lead to the publication of performance tables which destroy the careers of school leaders. If successful, the NUT's Executive would call its 22,000 South West members to action on April 21.
As part of the boycott, teachers refuse to follow any and all of the test opening, checking and administrative procedures for English and mathematics Sats, refuse to carry out the tests and refuse to ensure that all eligible and able pupils take the test.
NUT officials said the science sample tests, which will take place in a limited number of schools, was not to be included in this action.
The schools department has confirmed the results of the science tests would only be used for national sampling, not for school accountability.
The results would not be provided to Ofsted or local authorities.
Andy Woolley, regional secretary for the NUT in the South West, said pupils would benefit more from extra lessons than from taking part in the decried Sats.
He said: "This is not a strike action and other work in schools will continue as normal, and children will benefit from being taught instead of tested.
…..
"We want schools' accountability not to be narrowed by using Sat test scores as a proxy for school achievement.
….
"There should also be a national sampling test system,…., to provide information about national standards in English, mathematics and science so that trends in performance can be monitored over time."
…..
'We want to see the end of time-wasting rehearsal for high- stakes testing'
Thursday, April 8, 2010
School board budget news from around the Province...
From: No school closures, but 190 jobs on the line as Vancouver district wrestles with budget shortfall, Vancouver Sun, Thu Apr 8 2010. Janet Steffenhagen
“…district officials are proposing a wide range of spending cuts for 2010-11 that include the elimination of 113 teaching positions in areas such as special education, band and strings, ESL and school libraries. …”
“…Overall, 190 full-time positions would be lost, representing a 3.4-per-cent staff cut. “
From: School district cash crunch means 57 job cuts, Kamloops This Week, Wed Apr 7 2010. Melissa Lampman
“Starting at $5.4-million in the red, the Kamloops-Thompson board of education has succeeded in balancing next year's $123-million budget … secretary treasurer Kelvin Stretch said the district will need to chop 57.5 full-time teaching positions to make ends meet. “
“..Proposed in the budget is a reduction of 30 teaching staff, five principals and vice-principals, 21.6 support staff and one exempt staff.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
News from Kamloops
29.9 FTE teaching positions to be cut this spring. (30+ FTE positions lost last year and 24 FTE positions the year before.)
The KTTA is uncertain what this will mean. Layoffs will be balanced with attrition - most members will probably still securing employment at the end of the day.
The KTTA is uncertain what this will mean. Layoffs will be balanced with attrition - most members will probably still securing employment at the end of the day.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
BCCT Breaking News!
The college has called a press conference for 10am this morning, details are in the press release below. The council has not had time to consider the input from the public meeting, and without due consideration is asking for government intervention and is calling for a delay in elections.
BC College of Teachers Council broken: Council members call for independent investigator
A majority of British Columbia College of Teachers Councillors will today call on the BC government to appoint an independent investigator to examine self-regulation for teachers in BC and suspend upcoming Council elections.
“The council is dysfunctional. Even the President-elect of the BCTF agrees,” stated Council Chair Richard Walker. “This was the second meeting where the business of the College was held up by a determined effort by the BCTF to delay and thwart any discussions around the issue of governance. Clearly, there is something wrong when those who are supposed to be regulated are preventing the regulatory body from doing its work.”
According to Walker, the BCTF exerts its influence over the College by endorsing candidates for election to the Council and by promoting policies that influence deliberations at the Council table. “A majority of Council members has decided that only an independent investigator can bring resolution to the impasse.
Council vice-chair Norm Nichols agrees with Walker. “The last two public meetings have totally undermined public confidence that the BC College of Teachers is working in the public interest. No other regulatory body in the province is subjected to such overt attempts to influence its work.”
Tim Dunford is a 7-year veteran of the College Council, a lawyer, and one of two non-teachers on the College Council. “I was hopeful that a majority of Council would be able to achieve significant reform and that the College could take its place alongside the other self-regulating professions in the province. Concerted efforts by some College Councillors at the January meeting brought the College into public disrepute. The April meeting was much more restrained in tone, but clearly designed to delay any discussion about governance. We hope that an independent investigator will examine the College’s situation and suggest solutions for problems that the Council is unable to resolve.”
With council elections looming, and a significant change of the council composition expected, it would be impossible for the investigator to make a sound recommendation without access to those who have been working on these issues for some time.
A press conference will be held in the BC College of Teachers lobby at 2025 West Broadway in Vancouver at 10am on Tuesday, April 6.
BC College of Teachers Council broken: Council members call for independent investigator
A majority of British Columbia College of Teachers Councillors will today call on the BC government to appoint an independent investigator to examine self-regulation for teachers in BC and suspend upcoming Council elections.
“The council is dysfunctional. Even the President-elect of the BCTF agrees,” stated Council Chair Richard Walker. “This was the second meeting where the business of the College was held up by a determined effort by the BCTF to delay and thwart any discussions around the issue of governance. Clearly, there is something wrong when those who are supposed to be regulated are preventing the regulatory body from doing its work.”
According to Walker, the BCTF exerts its influence over the College by endorsing candidates for election to the Council and by promoting policies that influence deliberations at the Council table. “A majority of Council members has decided that only an independent investigator can bring resolution to the impasse.
Council vice-chair Norm Nichols agrees with Walker. “The last two public meetings have totally undermined public confidence that the BC College of Teachers is working in the public interest. No other regulatory body in the province is subjected to such overt attempts to influence its work.”
Tim Dunford is a 7-year veteran of the College Council, a lawyer, and one of two non-teachers on the College Council. “I was hopeful that a majority of Council would be able to achieve significant reform and that the College could take its place alongside the other self-regulating professions in the province. Concerted efforts by some College Councillors at the January meeting brought the College into public disrepute. The April meeting was much more restrained in tone, but clearly designed to delay any discussion about governance. We hope that an independent investigator will examine the College’s situation and suggest solutions for problems that the Council is unable to resolve.”
With council elections looming, and a significant change of the council composition expected, it would be impossible for the investigator to make a sound recommendation without access to those who have been working on these issues for some time.
A press conference will be held in the BC College of Teachers lobby at 2025 West Broadway in Vancouver at 10am on Tuesday, April 6.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Teacher tenure?
Senate OKs bill to abolish teacher tenure. MCT Regional News, Wed Mar 24 2010. Mike Salinero, Tampa Tribune, Fla. (excerpts for space! Emphasis mine)
Mar. 24--TALLAHASSEE -- Republicans .... [passed] a bill in the state Senate that would tie teacher pay and continued employment to student learning gains.
On a 21-17 vote, the Senate approved the bill which would do away with multiyear contracts teacher unions now negotiate with their county school boards. Teachers would get annual contracts with their evaluations based heavily on learning gains by students.
Teachers who do not show learning gains in four out of five years will lose their certification.
....
"How can we expect teachers to be responsible if their students skip school or arrive ill-prepared ...?" Dockery [ Republican Senator who opposed the bill] "The idea that teachers are solely responsible for a child's performance goes against everything we know about what makes children successful."
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Thrasher, said it endeavors to make sure every student, rich or poor, has the "benefit of an effective teacher."
"Our bill and the language in it ends the practice of giving contracts to ineffective teachers because we are going to base future teacher assessments on success in the classroom," said Thrasher, a St. Augustine Republican.
Thrasher's bill does away with years of service as a consideration in setting teachers' pay levels. .....
Democrats characterized the legislation as a draconian attack on teachers that would demoralize the profession and hurt teacher recruitment. They said the great majority of teachers are dedicated and work for pay below the national average because of their commitment to students.
"This seeks to weed out bad teachers by assuming all teachers are bad," said Sen. Dan Gelber, a Democrat from Miami Beach. "It takes a sledge hammer to the teaching profession."
....
Mar. 24--TALLAHASSEE -- Republicans .... [passed] a bill in the state Senate that would tie teacher pay and continued employment to student learning gains.
On a 21-17 vote, the Senate approved the bill which would do away with multiyear contracts teacher unions now negotiate with their county school boards. Teachers would get annual contracts with their evaluations based heavily on learning gains by students.
Teachers who do not show learning gains in four out of five years will lose their certification.
....
"How can we expect teachers to be responsible if their students skip school or arrive ill-prepared ...?" Dockery [ Republican Senator who opposed the bill] "The idea that teachers are solely responsible for a child's performance goes against everything we know about what makes children successful."
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Thrasher, said it endeavors to make sure every student, rich or poor, has the "benefit of an effective teacher."
"Our bill and the language in it ends the practice of giving contracts to ineffective teachers because we are going to base future teacher assessments on success in the classroom," said Thrasher, a St. Augustine Republican.
Thrasher's bill does away with years of service as a consideration in setting teachers' pay levels. .....
Democrats characterized the legislation as a draconian attack on teachers that would demoralize the profession and hurt teacher recruitment. They said the great majority of teachers are dedicated and work for pay below the national average because of their commitment to students.
"This seeks to weed out bad teachers by assuming all teachers are bad," said Sen. Dan Gelber, a Democrat from Miami Beach. "It takes a sledge hammer to the teaching profession."
....
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
School Board Meeting ....
Fernie had its annual turn at hosting a board meeting last night, and as usual attendance was less than capacity. From my seat in the public gallery, there were two of us, myself and a parent from Fernie.
What news came out of this meeting? Well, the preliminary 'numbers' for next year show that expenses could be nearly $1,000,000 (as in 'one million dollars') more than revenue. We all know that means "cutbacks". What we don't know is "from where". As usual, Mr. Norum is doing an excellent job of containing costs and preventing deficits and some of the other ("evil") accounting tricks that have happened in other districts.
Student enrollment in SD5 is down 9 student FTE from January, and down 85 from September 09. International students = 68 and they are not included in my figures.
The meeting was mostly taken up with discussion around whether or not to fund all-day K at Highlands Elementary School (HES) - which currently has not been allocated any of the 200 'seats' being funded by the Government for the 2010-2011 school year. The discussion revolved around fairness 'to all', and even included disagreement over the cost to the district of the additional teaching and support time (would it be $54,000, or $120,000+...) - agreement could not be found on a 'figure' to use. No mention was made of the fact that at HES you have the Chairperson of the Provincial Primary Teachers' Association, one of the people involved in the creation of the all-day K implementation plan, one of the people who is in the lead of various other primary program planning.... Certainly there seemed to be wide-spread agreement that all-day K is good for many (most) children!
In the end, the trustees defeated the motion, so as of this morning, HES will need to wait one more year....
To end on a really positive note, the Superintendent was extremely complementary toward teachers and CUPE, proudly praising many folks who have contributed so much to education - it was fantastic to see (but not surprising, as he does this regularly). During the "Trustee Bouquets" session, they too praised teachers and CUPE, as well as our students who participated in the BC Winter Games and so on.
What news came out of this meeting? Well, the preliminary 'numbers' for next year show that expenses could be nearly $1,000,000 (as in 'one million dollars') more than revenue. We all know that means "cutbacks". What we don't know is "from where". As usual, Mr. Norum is doing an excellent job of containing costs and preventing deficits and some of the other ("evil") accounting tricks that have happened in other districts.
Student enrollment in SD5 is down 9 student FTE from January, and down 85 from September 09. International students = 68 and they are not included in my figures.
The meeting was mostly taken up with discussion around whether or not to fund all-day K at Highlands Elementary School (HES) - which currently has not been allocated any of the 200 'seats' being funded by the Government for the 2010-2011 school year. The discussion revolved around fairness 'to all', and even included disagreement over the cost to the district of the additional teaching and support time (would it be $54,000, or $120,000+...) - agreement could not be found on a 'figure' to use. No mention was made of the fact that at HES you have the Chairperson of the Provincial Primary Teachers' Association, one of the people involved in the creation of the all-day K implementation plan, one of the people who is in the lead of various other primary program planning.... Certainly there seemed to be wide-spread agreement that all-day K is good for many (most) children!
In the end, the trustees defeated the motion, so as of this morning, HES will need to wait one more year....
To end on a really positive note, the Superintendent was extremely complementary toward teachers and CUPE, proudly praising many folks who have contributed so much to education - it was fantastic to see (but not surprising, as he does this regularly). During the "Trustee Bouquets" session, they too praised teachers and CUPE, as well as our students who participated in the BC Winter Games and so on.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Latest on that Rhode Island school mass firing....
Deal possible over proposed R.I. teacher firings: Compromise would save jobs, overhaul struggling school, The Washington Post, Thu Mar 4 2010. Nick Anderson (excerpts for space)
A Rhode Island school superintendent and union leaders, who have been at odds over a decision to fire every teacher at a struggling high school, signaled Wednesday that a compromise that would preserve jobs and overhaul the school may be possible.
......Superintendent Frances Gallo said in a statement. She said she welcomes union input in developing "a dynamic plan to dramatically improve student achievement" at Central Falls High School.
Gallo's statement followed an overture Tuesday from the Central Falls Teachers' Union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The instructors have offered support for a longer school day, as well as more rigorous evaluations and training, among other steps.
That appeared to pave the way for reopening negotiations on the proposed dismissals.
.....
Experts say there is little evidence to determine whether firing teachers en masse will improve a troubled school, despite President Obama's support for Rhode Island officials who appeared on the verge of taking that drastic step earlier.
.....
Despite Wednesday's developments, experts say the effectiveness of Obama's school turnaround strategy remains an open question.
"There just is very little evidence in terms of what works in quickly turning around a persistently low-performing school," said Grover "Russ" Whitehurst, a Brookings Institution scholar who oversaw education research under President George W. Bush.
Whitehurst said the federal Institute of Education Sciences pursued that question under his tenure but failed to find enough examples for solid answers. ......
"We could find no evidence that any one particular approach worked better than any other," Jennings [Jack Jennings is president of the Center on Education Policy] said. Obama's statement on the Rhode Island school, he said, shows that the president wants to crack down on academic failure, "but there's no assurance that kids are going to be any better off."
Removing all or most of a school's faculty, experts say, raises the obvious issue of finding effective replacements. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday that schools elsewhere have been rejuvenated after changing staff. His aides cited cases in Chicago, Colorado and Los Angeles.
......
Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, criticized the requirement that a principal be replaced in order for a school to qualify for federal funds; he said anecdotal evidence of success is not enough to justify it.
A Rhode Island school superintendent and union leaders, who have been at odds over a decision to fire every teacher at a struggling high school, signaled Wednesday that a compromise that would preserve jobs and overhaul the school may be possible.
......Superintendent Frances Gallo said in a statement. She said she welcomes union input in developing "a dynamic plan to dramatically improve student achievement" at Central Falls High School.
Gallo's statement followed an overture Tuesday from the Central Falls Teachers' Union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The instructors have offered support for a longer school day, as well as more rigorous evaluations and training, among other steps.
That appeared to pave the way for reopening negotiations on the proposed dismissals.
.....
Experts say there is little evidence to determine whether firing teachers en masse will improve a troubled school, despite President Obama's support for Rhode Island officials who appeared on the verge of taking that drastic step earlier.
.....
Despite Wednesday's developments, experts say the effectiveness of Obama's school turnaround strategy remains an open question.
"There just is very little evidence in terms of what works in quickly turning around a persistently low-performing school," said Grover "Russ" Whitehurst, a Brookings Institution scholar who oversaw education research under President George W. Bush.
Whitehurst said the federal Institute of Education Sciences pursued that question under his tenure but failed to find enough examples for solid answers. ......
"We could find no evidence that any one particular approach worked better than any other," Jennings [Jack Jennings is president of the Center on Education Policy] said. Obama's statement on the Rhode Island school, he said, shows that the president wants to crack down on academic failure, "but there's no assurance that kids are going to be any better off."
Removing all or most of a school's faculty, experts say, raises the obvious issue of finding effective replacements. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday that schools elsewhere have been rejuvenated after changing staff. His aides cited cases in Chicago, Colorado and Los Angeles.
......
Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, criticized the requirement that a principal be replaced in order for a school to qualify for federal funds; he said anecdotal evidence of success is not enough to justify it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
News Story Teasers....
THRONE SPEECH TURNS A BLIND EYE
Ignoring the painful reality of school closures, oversized classes, dwindling support for students with special needs, and boards of education struggling to manage, the throne speech contained vague statements with no detail or mention of any monetary commitment. The list includes:
- a new Master Teacher program
- public/private partnerships to provide preschools for three- and four-year olds
- greater parent involvement in shaping the education to a child's needs and passions
- new forms of schooling for greater choice and diversity
- voluntary Kindergarten for this September and full day for all by September 2011
- greater focus on resources for students and less on administrative costs
- neighbourhood learning centres to meet the needs of families seven days a week.
The BCTF contacted the deputy minister of education following these announcements to get further details and was told that the ministry knew nothing about them and had not been involved in their development.
*****
BRACING FOR THE BUDGET
The provincial budget is to be announced [today]. Teachers and parents need and expect an increase in education funding to deal with overcrowded classrooms, reduced student services, depleted district resources, and overdue school maintenance.
This developing funding crisis was not caused by boards of education but by a government downloading costs that are not taken into account in the funding formula, such as:
- loss of annual facilities grant
- teacher salary and benefit increases that were provincially negotiated
- new carbon tax and carbon-offset charges
- increased MSP and WCB premiums
- new costs for implementing full-day Kindergarten
- additional costs of provincially legislated class-size limits.
The Association of School Board Officials (formerly secretary-treasurers) has said that the education system desperately needs an immediate injection of $300 million in 2010-11 to offset a funding shortfall.
*****
12,000 CLASSES EXCEEDING THE CLASS-COMPOSITION LIMITS
The government's own legislation sets the limit at three students with an Individual Education Plan per class. In 2010 there are close to 12,000 class-composition violations. That is up from 11,000 in 2009 and 10,000 in 2008. The data presented by the minister of education also shows 3,229 class-size violations with more than 30 students for the 2009-10 school year. That is down a mere 100 classes from 2008-09, but still higher than in 2007-08 when there were 3,179 violations. It has been more than four years since BC's teachers went on strike to improve classroom conditions, and in that time no progress has been made and government has refused to fund its own legislation.
The full report can be found in Overview of class size and composition in British Columbia Public Schools for 2005-10, at the Ministry of Education website http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/district_data_summary.php.
*****
FRASER INSTITUTE TURNS TO BLACK
In an unexpected move, CanWest announced that the Vancouver Sun and The Province would not be publishing the annual Fraser Institute ratings of BC's elementary schools this year. Various reasons have been given for this decision, including financial woes, Olympic coverage, and dwindling parental interest and support.
*****
ALBERTA TEACHERS TO GET 5.99% INCREASE
In a decision handed down [in February], an arbitrator ruled that teachers working in the province's public, separate, and francophone schools, should receive an increase in salaries and allowances amounting to 5.99% in the 2009-10 school year. The increase is consistent with the average growth in the earnings of Albertans from 2008 to 2009 as reported by Statistics Canada. The arbitration decision upholds the Alberta Teachers' Association's (ATA) position concerning the application of a formula linking teacher salary increases with annual changes in Alberta average weekly earnings. The formula is embedded in the Memorandum of Agreement between the province and the ATA and the resulting five-year collective agreements that came into effect in the 2007-08 school year in all 62 public, separate, and francophone school districts across the province.
*****
LET'S TEST EVERYONE
Michael Smith of Tennessee, writing in the latest issue of Kappan, proposes that everyone- students, teachers, parents, and citizens-take national tests. Such a test, he says, could be computer-adaptive, based on standards that span preschool to the PhD. Using mathematics as an example, everyone could have a personal national mathematics score. With this in hand, students could compare their scores to their teachers and parents; workers could compare their scores to other workers and supervisors and to every other citizen in the United States. Ultimately, of course, such results could be used for employment decisions and continued screening throughout a person's career.
Go to http://pdkintl.org/ for the full story, Kappan, February 2010.
Ignoring the painful reality of school closures, oversized classes, dwindling support for students with special needs, and boards of education struggling to manage, the throne speech contained vague statements with no detail or mention of any monetary commitment. The list includes:
- a new Master Teacher program
- public/private partnerships to provide preschools for three- and four-year olds
- greater parent involvement in shaping the education to a child's needs and passions
- new forms of schooling for greater choice and diversity
- voluntary Kindergarten for this September and full day for all by September 2011
- greater focus on resources for students and less on administrative costs
- neighbourhood learning centres to meet the needs of families seven days a week.
The BCTF contacted the deputy minister of education following these announcements to get further details and was told that the ministry knew nothing about them and had not been involved in their development.
*****
BRACING FOR THE BUDGET
The provincial budget is to be announced [today]. Teachers and parents need and expect an increase in education funding to deal with overcrowded classrooms, reduced student services, depleted district resources, and overdue school maintenance.
This developing funding crisis was not caused by boards of education but by a government downloading costs that are not taken into account in the funding formula, such as:
- loss of annual facilities grant
- teacher salary and benefit increases that were provincially negotiated
- new carbon tax and carbon-offset charges
- increased MSP and WCB premiums
- new costs for implementing full-day Kindergarten
- additional costs of provincially legislated class-size limits.
The Association of School Board Officials (formerly secretary-treasurers) has said that the education system desperately needs an immediate injection of $300 million in 2010-11 to offset a funding shortfall.
*****
12,000 CLASSES EXCEEDING THE CLASS-COMPOSITION LIMITS
The government's own legislation sets the limit at three students with an Individual Education Plan per class. In 2010 there are close to 12,000 class-composition violations. That is up from 11,000 in 2009 and 10,000 in 2008. The data presented by the minister of education also shows 3,229 class-size violations with more than 30 students for the 2009-10 school year. That is down a mere 100 classes from 2008-09, but still higher than in 2007-08 when there were 3,179 violations. It has been more than four years since BC's teachers went on strike to improve classroom conditions, and in that time no progress has been made and government has refused to fund its own legislation.
The full report can be found in Overview of class size and composition in British Columbia Public Schools for 2005-10, at the Ministry of Education website http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/district_data_summary.php.
*****
FRASER INSTITUTE TURNS TO BLACK
In an unexpected move, CanWest announced that the Vancouver Sun and The Province would not be publishing the annual Fraser Institute ratings of BC's elementary schools this year. Various reasons have been given for this decision, including financial woes, Olympic coverage, and dwindling parental interest and support.
*****
ALBERTA TEACHERS TO GET 5.99% INCREASE
In a decision handed down [in February], an arbitrator ruled that teachers working in the province's public, separate, and francophone schools, should receive an increase in salaries and allowances amounting to 5.99% in the 2009-10 school year. The increase is consistent with the average growth in the earnings of Albertans from 2008 to 2009 as reported by Statistics Canada. The arbitration decision upholds the Alberta Teachers' Association's (ATA) position concerning the application of a formula linking teacher salary increases with annual changes in Alberta average weekly earnings. The formula is embedded in the Memorandum of Agreement between the province and the ATA and the resulting five-year collective agreements that came into effect in the 2007-08 school year in all 62 public, separate, and francophone school districts across the province.
*****
LET'S TEST EVERYONE
Michael Smith of Tennessee, writing in the latest issue of Kappan, proposes that everyone- students, teachers, parents, and citizens-take national tests. Such a test, he says, could be computer-adaptive, based on standards that span preschool to the PhD. Using mathematics as an example, everyone could have a personal national mathematics score. With this in hand, students could compare their scores to their teachers and parents; workers could compare their scores to other workers and supervisors and to every other citizen in the United States. Ultimately, of course, such results could be used for employment decisions and continued screening throughout a person's career.
Go to http://pdkintl.org/ for the full story, Kappan, February 2010.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Teachers tied to test scores.... more and more.....
(Excerpts from) Boston gets an F in teacher appraisals; Report criticizes evaluation system, termination rules, The Boston Globe, Tue Feb 23 2010, James Vaznis (emphasis mine)
A new state law that bolsters a superintendent's ability to fire teachers at underperforming schools could be undermined in Boston because administrators routinely neglect a basic task: evaluating teachers. ...... according to a report commissioned by the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education that was provided to the Globe yesterday.
Under the law, superintendents can terminate teachers at a failing school only for ``good cause,'' elevating the importance of job evaluations to provide evidence for dismissal or as a way for teachers to challenge their firings.
The findings could also affect the debate in Boston on merit pay for outstanding teachers. Without regular evaluations, Boston leaders could face accusations of favoritism when determining which teachers should be rewarded.
.......
Increasing the scrutiny of the nation's teachers is a key component of President Obama's education overhaul agenda, which would link teacher performance to students' standardized test scores. Massachusetts education officials have promised the Obama administration that they would develop more data-driven teacher reviews.
Last night, the Boston Teachers Union panned the report as ``antiteacher.'' ....... ``The overall premise of much of the draft report is faulty, essentially: Teachers need to be `fixed' and the `fixing' needs to be done to them, not with them,'' wrote Richard Stutman, the union's president. ``And principals, though flawed and often inexperienced, need to have full flexibility to do what they need to do.''
In an interview, Stutman said the teacher-quality group that conducted the report had analyzed other urban cities, such as Seattle and Hartford, drawing similar conclusions. He said the National Council on Teacher Quality is on a crusade against teachers.
......
A new state law that bolsters a superintendent's ability to fire teachers at underperforming schools could be undermined in Boston because administrators routinely neglect a basic task: evaluating teachers. ...... according to a report commissioned by the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education that was provided to the Globe yesterday.
Under the law, superintendents can terminate teachers at a failing school only for ``good cause,'' elevating the importance of job evaluations to provide evidence for dismissal or as a way for teachers to challenge their firings.
The findings could also affect the debate in Boston on merit pay for outstanding teachers. Without regular evaluations, Boston leaders could face accusations of favoritism when determining which teachers should be rewarded.
.......
Increasing the scrutiny of the nation's teachers is a key component of President Obama's education overhaul agenda, which would link teacher performance to students' standardized test scores. Massachusetts education officials have promised the Obama administration that they would develop more data-driven teacher reviews.
Last night, the Boston Teachers Union panned the report as ``antiteacher.'' ....... ``The overall premise of much of the draft report is faulty, essentially: Teachers need to be `fixed' and the `fixing' needs to be done to them, not with them,'' wrote Richard Stutman, the union's president. ``And principals, though flawed and often inexperienced, need to have full flexibility to do what they need to do.''
In an interview, Stutman said the teacher-quality group that conducted the report had analyzed other urban cities, such as Seattle and Hartford, drawing similar conclusions. He said the National Council on Teacher Quality is on a crusade against teachers.
......
Langley School District in deficit!
Back in the fall it came to light that the Langley SD had amassed an 8.3 million dollar deficit.
Here is an update!
(submitted)
The new Langley deficit is $14.2 million and growing!! The Board chair announced she would be recommending they create a ‘needs based budget’ to submit along with their ‘balanced budget’.
"Instead of living within their budget this year, they overspent by 5.3 million more dollars, so a balanced budget will be out of the question. "
Here is an update!
(submitted)
The new Langley deficit is $14.2 million and growing!! The Board chair announced she would be recommending they create a ‘needs based budget’ to submit along with their ‘balanced budget’.
"Instead of living within their budget this year, they overspent by 5.3 million more dollars, so a balanced budget will be out of the question. "
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Standardized tests and job security
All teachers, principals fired at poor-performing R.I. high school
A Rhode Island school board has voted to clean house at Central Falls High School by firing the entire staff of 93, including all teachers, guidance counselors, p.e. instructors and the principal, The Providence Journal reports.
The move makes Rhode Island one of the first states to meet a federal mandate to identify and overhaul poor performing schools.
Central Falls High School was singled out because of very low test scores and a graduation rate of 48%, the newspaper says. Five other schools have been put on notice.
The 5-2 decision by the Central Falls School Board touched off an uproar in Rhode Island's smallest and poorest city as organized labor showed up to support the teachers while state and local education officials stood their ground, the newspaper says.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan also weighed in, saying he "applauded" the officials for "showing courage and doing the right thing for kids."
The Journal says the 93 people fired included 74 classroom teachers, plus reading specialists, guidance counselors, p.e. teachers, the school psychologist, the principal and three assistant principals. Their names were all read aloud in the school auditorium.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Current list of school districts announcing deficits for next year....
Which means program cuts, school closures, and STAFFING CUTS! ($ amounts in brackets if known)
Burnaby (8 million), Boundary, Kamloops (closures), Lake Cowichan, Maple Ridge (closures), Nanaimo-Ladysmith (lay-offs), Fraser-Cascade (150,000), Port Alberni (closures), Coast Mountain, Cariboo-Chilcotin (3 million), Kootenay Lake (closures), Rossland/Trail, Peace River South, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Vancouver Island North, New Westminister, Abbotsford (8 million)....
This is not likely a complete list..... not a good time to be a teacher - or a student.
(list subject to errors and changes)
Burnaby (8 million), Boundary, Kamloops (closures), Lake Cowichan, Maple Ridge (closures), Nanaimo-Ladysmith (lay-offs), Fraser-Cascade (150,000), Port Alberni (closures), Coast Mountain, Cariboo-Chilcotin (3 million), Kootenay Lake (closures), Rossland/Trail, Peace River South, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Vancouver Island North, New Westminister, Abbotsford (8 million)....
This is not likely a complete list..... not a good time to be a teacher - or a student.
(list subject to errors and changes)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Gordon Campbell on merit pay
(with thanks to Kip Wood in Nanaimo) Recall that Gordon Campbell talked about merit pay when he was interviewed for Teacher Magazine in 2001 before he was elected. Here's what he said:
"Our goal should be to encourage innovation and excellence among teachers because the quality of our teachers has a direct effect on student success. Generally I like the idea of merit pay, it would be dishonest for me to say I don’t. I don’t know how it works in the public education system right now. It’s not something I’m rushing around saying 'I’ve figured out how to handle merit pay.'”
Here's the link to the April 2001 Special Election Edition that included David Chudnovsky's interview with Campbell:
http://www.bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Publications/Teacher_newsmag/archive/2000-2001/2001-04-SE/index.pdf
From the Dallas Morning News:
(the same state where much of the testing paraphanalia is produced.)
Study: Texas' teacher merit pay program hasn't boosted student performance.
Nov. 4--AUSTIN -- For the $300 million spent on merit pay for teachers over the last three years, Texas was hoping for a big boost in student achievement. But it didn't happen with the now-defunct program, according to experts hired by the state.
The Texas Educator Excellence Grant, or TEEG, plan did not produce the academic improvements that proponents -- including Gov. Rick Perry -- hoped for when the program was launched with much fanfare in 2006, a new report from the National Center on Performance Incentives said. "There is no systematic evidence that TEEG had an impact on student achievement gains," said researchers for Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri.
The researchers examined reading scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for more than 140,000 students at schools participating in the program.
The TEEG plan, which provided incentive pay for teachers at about 1,000 campuses a year in lower-income neighbourhoods, was discontinued by the Legislature after the 2008-09 school year because of design problems.
Until the national center report, however, there had been no analysis of whether the merit pay plan was working to improve student achievement -- as shown by TAKS scores.
The researchers also found little impact on another aim of the program: reducing teacher turnover. Researchers note that in the first year of the program, teachers who received larger-than-average bonuses were less likely to leave their school. But most teachers received payments that were far less than what the state recommended.
"We're not surprised by the findings," said Richard Kouri of the Texas State Teachers Association. "We predicted the program would be a flop, and that's what it turned out to be."
Although lawmakers discontinued TEEG, they provided nearly $200 million a year for another merit pay plan that began last year -- the District Awards for Teacher Excellence, or DATE. Several North Texas districts, including Dallas, are participating in what is one of the largest merit pay plans in the nation.
But teacher groups remain skeptical of the new plan, particularly its heavy reliance on student test scores -- also a key feature of the TEEG plan. "The problem is that these tests aren't designed for this purpose," said Jennifer Canaday of the Association of Texas Professional Educators. "You can't take a snapshot of students' performance on one day and extrapolate from that whether their teacher is highly effective over the entire school year."
"Our goal should be to encourage innovation and excellence among teachers because the quality of our teachers has a direct effect on student success. Generally I like the idea of merit pay, it would be dishonest for me to say I don’t. I don’t know how it works in the public education system right now. It’s not something I’m rushing around saying 'I’ve figured out how to handle merit pay.'”
Here's the link to the April 2001 Special Election Edition that included David Chudnovsky's interview with Campbell:
http://www.bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Publications/Teacher_newsmag/archive/2000-2001/2001-04-SE/index.pdf
From the Dallas Morning News:
(the same state where much of the testing paraphanalia is produced.)
Study: Texas' teacher merit pay program hasn't boosted student performance.
Nov. 4--AUSTIN -- For the $300 million spent on merit pay for teachers over the last three years, Texas was hoping for a big boost in student achievement. But it didn't happen with the now-defunct program, according to experts hired by the state.
The Texas Educator Excellence Grant, or TEEG, plan did not produce the academic improvements that proponents -- including Gov. Rick Perry -- hoped for when the program was launched with much fanfare in 2006, a new report from the National Center on Performance Incentives said. "There is no systematic evidence that TEEG had an impact on student achievement gains," said researchers for Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri.
The researchers examined reading scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for more than 140,000 students at schools participating in the program.
The TEEG plan, which provided incentive pay for teachers at about 1,000 campuses a year in lower-income neighbourhoods, was discontinued by the Legislature after the 2008-09 school year because of design problems.
Until the national center report, however, there had been no analysis of whether the merit pay plan was working to improve student achievement -- as shown by TAKS scores.
The researchers also found little impact on another aim of the program: reducing teacher turnover. Researchers note that in the first year of the program, teachers who received larger-than-average bonuses were less likely to leave their school. But most teachers received payments that were far less than what the state recommended.
"We're not surprised by the findings," said Richard Kouri of the Texas State Teachers Association. "We predicted the program would be a flop, and that's what it turned out to be."
Although lawmakers discontinued TEEG, they provided nearly $200 million a year for another merit pay plan that began last year -- the District Awards for Teacher Excellence, or DATE. Several North Texas districts, including Dallas, are participating in what is one of the largest merit pay plans in the nation.
But teacher groups remain skeptical of the new plan, particularly its heavy reliance on student test scores -- also a key feature of the TEEG plan. "The problem is that these tests aren't designed for this purpose," said Jennifer Canaday of the Association of Texas Professional Educators. "You can't take a snapshot of students' performance on one day and extrapolate from that whether their teacher is highly effective over the entire school year."
Mention of education in the throne speech...
In this year’s Speech from the Throne there is quite a bit of attention given to education (Compared to past years). However, most of the statements are vague and make no mention of any monetary commitment.
There are some items that we will need to pay close attention to:
· “New partnerships with the private sector and parents will enable the establishment of neighbourhood preschools for four year olds and three year olds within communities over the next five years.”
· “New emphasis will be placed on parental involvement and on tailoring our education system to each child’s individual needs, interests and passions.”
· “New forms of schooling will be developed to provide greater choice and diversity, centered on students’ special interests and talents.”
· “Smarter approaches will allow more resources to be focused on students’ learning needs while less is spent on administrative costs.”
· “A new Master Teacher program will be developed.”
In addition to private preschools, there is also a reference to public-private partnerships around “education support services.”
There are some items that we will need to pay close attention to:
· “New partnerships with the private sector and parents will enable the establishment of neighbourhood preschools for four year olds and three year olds within communities over the next five years.”
· “New emphasis will be placed on parental involvement and on tailoring our education system to each child’s individual needs, interests and passions.”
· “New forms of schooling will be developed to provide greater choice and diversity, centered on students’ special interests and talents.”
· “Smarter approaches will allow more resources to be focused on students’ learning needs while less is spent on administrative costs.”
· “A new Master Teacher program will be developed.”
In addition to private preschools, there is also a reference to public-private partnerships around “education support services.”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Educator-driven blog that is well worthwhile
This is out of Golden, and it is run by a colleague. This blog has lots of links to sites that cntain things you can use in your classroom.
http://www.gsstech.blogspot.com/
http://www.gsstech.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Alberta wage increase this year!
Wage ruling costs school boards $30 million; Arbitrator hands teachers 5.99% salary increase
Calgary Herald, Thu Feb 4 2010, Section: City & Region, Byline: Sarah McGinnis [excerpts for space]
..... an arbitrator ruled Alberta teachers are owed more under a five-year agreement with the province.
.... it's unclear when the province will reimburse districts for the $23-million expense.
"I don't have the $23 million in my budget this year," Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock said Wednesday. "We went back to school boards in August to ask for some help from them. This is something I am going to have to go to Treasury Board with."
Alberta's 43,000 teachers and the province have been battling over salaries for almost a year.
According to the agreement, annual wage increases for teachers were to be tied to Alberta's average weekly earnings index. But in the spring of 2009, Statistics Canada revised how it calculates the index -- moving the figure from 4.82 to 5.99 per cent.
The difference translates into an additional $23 million in salaries this fiscal year -- or $30 million more over the 2009-10 school year.
...... the extra wages, which are retroactive to Sept. 1.
......This figure doesn't include higher teacher salaries for the remainder of this school year.
Nor does it include contracts for the CBE's non-teaching staff, which are also tied to the average weekly earnings index.
...... [Calgary] Board chairwoman Marge Belcourt said the arbitrator's decision will leave very little to cover future financial surprises, especially after the province clawed back $40 million from school boards earlier this year.
......arbitrator Andrew Sims ruled teachers were entitled to more.
"This is not a situation where the agreed upon index has ceased to exist, or has changed in a way where it purports to report on something different," Sims said in his 36-page ruling.
"I have no discretion to alter what the parties, by contract, have agreed upon," Sims added.
.......
Calgary Herald, Thu Feb 4 2010, Section: City & Region, Byline: Sarah McGinnis [excerpts for space]
..... an arbitrator ruled Alberta teachers are owed more under a five-year agreement with the province.
.... it's unclear when the province will reimburse districts for the $23-million expense.
"I don't have the $23 million in my budget this year," Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock said Wednesday. "We went back to school boards in August to ask for some help from them. This is something I am going to have to go to Treasury Board with."
Alberta's 43,000 teachers and the province have been battling over salaries for almost a year.
According to the agreement, annual wage increases for teachers were to be tied to Alberta's average weekly earnings index. But in the spring of 2009, Statistics Canada revised how it calculates the index -- moving the figure from 4.82 to 5.99 per cent.
The difference translates into an additional $23 million in salaries this fiscal year -- or $30 million more over the 2009-10 school year.
...... the extra wages, which are retroactive to Sept. 1.
......This figure doesn't include higher teacher salaries for the remainder of this school year.
Nor does it include contracts for the CBE's non-teaching staff, which are also tied to the average weekly earnings index.
...... [Calgary] Board chairwoman Marge Belcourt said the arbitrator's decision will leave very little to cover future financial surprises, especially after the province clawed back $40 million from school boards earlier this year.
......arbitrator Andrew Sims ruled teachers were entitled to more.
"This is not a situation where the agreed upon index has ceased to exist, or has changed in a way where it purports to report on something different," Sims said in his 36-page ruling.
"I have no discretion to alter what the parties, by contract, have agreed upon," Sims added.
.......
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ministry of Education class size reports are out.
(with thanks to the BCTF for the source of this article)
Administrative overview: 17% of classes have 4 ort more chldren with Special needs in them (12,000 classes). Last year there were "only" 11,000 classes with 4 or more, and the year before? 10,000 classes. You can make your own judgment over these numbers.
Click here for the report.
Administrative overview: 17% of classes have 4 ort more chldren with Special needs in them (12,000 classes). Last year there were "only" 11,000 classes with 4 or more, and the year before? 10,000 classes. You can make your own judgment over these numbers.
Click here for the report.
2009-10 CLASS SIZE REPORT (excerpts)
VICTORIA – The fifth annual report on class size and composition.... When the first class size report was released in 2005-06, there were 9,253 classes with more than 30 students. Today, that number has decreased by more than 65 per cent to 3,229.
.... For the fourth consecutive year, more than 95 per cent of classes in school districts throughout B.C. have 30 or fewer students and 99 per cent of classes have 32 or fewer students.
Other findings from the 2009-10 class size report include:
· There are 67,473 classes in B.C. public schools this year.
· As a result of 3,350 fewer students this year, there are 884 fewer classes.
· B.C. now has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios ever – 16.7 students per teacher.
· There are 541,917 FTE students in provincial public schools.
· 18 school districts had reductions in their average Grade 8-12 class size over last year.
· There are no Kindergarten classes with more than 22 students and no classes from grades 1-3 with more than 24 students.
· There are 62 more education assistants this year, bringing the total to 8,877 – up by 1,221 or almost 16 per cent since 2005-06.
· There are 16,630 classes with assigned education assistants – an increase of 279 over last year.
· 17 per cent, or 11,959 classes have four or more students entitled to an Individual Education Program.
..... The act also requires the school principal to confirm the learning situation is appropriate for all students.
....
The class size report is available online: click here
New website - finally on line!
Check it out at www.elkvalley.net/fdta - Remember that a website is never truly finished - they're always a work in progress.
Let us know what you think.
Let us know what you think.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES (excerpts)
CLASS-SIZE AND COMPOSITION WIN
Arbitrator James Dorsey has ruled that teachers of classes included in the 2006-08 class-size composition grievances should be compensated through the provision of release time to 20 teachers whose classes were found to be in breach of the legislation governing class size and composition.
Violations of process, as well as limits, were identified in his ruling, and underfunding was dismissed as an excuse for not following process or meeting the limits.
The BCTF will now proceed with preparations for resolution of the remaining 2006-08 grievances and going forward with those for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
*****
THE FSA SEASON
An agreement has been reached between the BCTF and the employer (BCPSEA) on the distribution of FSA materials by teachers to parents. The agreement states that teachers and locals can send home three pamphlets informing parents of BCTF concerns and positions on the FSA and provincial testing.
To view the pamphlets, go to the BCTF home page and the first news item has the links: www.bctf.ca
*****
FEWER STUDENTS WRITE THE FSAS
Participation rates for the FSA dropped in 2008-09.
To view the latest FSA statistics, go to the ministry website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/welcome.htm
*****
EMERGING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE COLLEGE
Recent meetings between the BCTF and the BC College of Teachers (BCCT) have highlighted some developing issues that are of increasing concern.
Topping the list is a move to change the college constitution, processes, and procedures, and pressure government to change the Teaching Profession Act in order to secure what it views as further independence by precluding the BCTF from endorsing candidates and restricting communication between college councillors and members on college issues.
Despite having a surplus of close to $2 million, the college is considering a proposal for a significant fee increase for additional staff and the purchase of a new building.
*****
YET ANOTHER DOWNLOAD
The provincial government has yet again thrown a wrench into school board budgets with another funding cut. This time it is to money used for covering the real cost of teacher salaries in a district. The "salary differential" as it is known, provides for the fact that districts have different teacher salary costs depending on how many younger (cheaper) and older (more expensive) teachers are employed. The impact of the salary differential is that a board can hire a teacher without basing their decision primarily on the cost of the teacher.
*****
A LIVING WAGE FOR FAMILIES
Closely related to the prevalence of poverty is the persistence of the provincial government in holding the minimum wage at $8 per hour. Although a relatively small group of employees are affected, a much larger group is earning less than $10 an hour. How can anyone be expected to support themselves, much less a family on such paltry earnings?
Access to a bare-bones existence has been calculated to require close to $17 an hour in metropolitan areas such as Victoria and Vancouver. There are only minor variations for other areas of the province.
The frustration of working harder only to fall further behind is one many Canadians can relate to. Recent research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that most families are taking home a smaller share of the economic pie despite working longer hours, getting more education, and contributing to what was, until recently, a growing economy.
http://livingwageforfamilies.ca
Arbitrator James Dorsey has ruled that teachers of classes included in the 2006-08 class-size composition grievances should be compensated through the provision of release time to 20 teachers whose classes were found to be in breach of the legislation governing class size and composition.
Violations of process, as well as limits, were identified in his ruling, and underfunding was dismissed as an excuse for not following process or meeting the limits.
The BCTF will now proceed with preparations for resolution of the remaining 2006-08 grievances and going forward with those for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
*****
THE FSA SEASON
An agreement has been reached between the BCTF and the employer (BCPSEA) on the distribution of FSA materials by teachers to parents. The agreement states that teachers and locals can send home three pamphlets informing parents of BCTF concerns and positions on the FSA and provincial testing.
To view the pamphlets, go to the BCTF home page and the first news item has the links: www.bctf.ca
*****
FEWER STUDENTS WRITE THE FSAS
Participation rates for the FSA dropped in 2008-09.
To view the latest FSA statistics, go to the ministry website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/welcome.htm
*****
EMERGING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE COLLEGE
Recent meetings between the BCTF and the BC College of Teachers (BCCT) have highlighted some developing issues that are of increasing concern.
Topping the list is a move to change the college constitution, processes, and procedures, and pressure government to change the Teaching Profession Act in order to secure what it views as further independence by precluding the BCTF from endorsing candidates and restricting communication between college councillors and members on college issues.
Despite having a surplus of close to $2 million, the college is considering a proposal for a significant fee increase for additional staff and the purchase of a new building.
*****
YET ANOTHER DOWNLOAD
The provincial government has yet again thrown a wrench into school board budgets with another funding cut. This time it is to money used for covering the real cost of teacher salaries in a district. The "salary differential" as it is known, provides for the fact that districts have different teacher salary costs depending on how many younger (cheaper) and older (more expensive) teachers are employed. The impact of the salary differential is that a board can hire a teacher without basing their decision primarily on the cost of the teacher.
*****
A LIVING WAGE FOR FAMILIES
Closely related to the prevalence of poverty is the persistence of the provincial government in holding the minimum wage at $8 per hour. Although a relatively small group of employees are affected, a much larger group is earning less than $10 an hour. How can anyone be expected to support themselves, much less a family on such paltry earnings?
Access to a bare-bones existence has been calculated to require close to $17 an hour in metropolitan areas such as Victoria and Vancouver. There are only minor variations for other areas of the province.
The frustration of working harder only to fall further behind is one many Canadians can relate to. Recent research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that most families are taking home a smaller share of the economic pie despite working longer hours, getting more education, and contributing to what was, until recently, a growing economy.
http://livingwageforfamilies.ca
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Australian teachers to boycott school tests in protest (English News Service, Tue Jan 19 2010)
Australian public school teachers voted on Tuesday to boycott national literacy and numeracy tests unless the government changes its plans to publish the results online.
Australian Education Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to back away from the government's plans and has not ruled out taking action against the union under industrial relations laws if it bans the tests.
At the Australian Education Union's annual federal conference, delegates voted not to cooperate with implementing the next round of NAPLAN tests in May.
The Australian federal government wants to publish the results on its My Schools website live from next week in order to rank the performance of schools around the country.
The union's federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said the boycott aims to protect disadvantaged students and schools from the "damaging effects" of the rankings.
"Schools in disadvantaged areas will be publicly branded as failing schools."
"That unfair branding has a damaging impact on students, teachers and parents and makes the job of addressing disadvantage much harder." he said.
However, Gillard denied the website will create a league table and said the government will not change its mind.
"I want to make very clear my determination, these transparency measures will go ahead," she said.
"Banning national testing would be bad for students, bad for parents and bad for the future of education in this country."
Australian Education Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to back away from the government's plans and has not ruled out taking action against the union under industrial relations laws if it bans the tests.
At the Australian Education Union's annual federal conference, delegates voted not to cooperate with implementing the next round of NAPLAN tests in May.
The Australian federal government wants to publish the results on its My Schools website live from next week in order to rank the performance of schools around the country.
The union's federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said the boycott aims to protect disadvantaged students and schools from the "damaging effects" of the rankings.
"Schools in disadvantaged areas will be publicly branded as failing schools."
"That unfair branding has a damaging impact on students, teachers and parents and makes the job of addressing disadvantage much harder." he said.
However, Gillard denied the website will create a league table and said the government will not change its mind.
"I want to make very clear my determination, these transparency measures will go ahead," she said.
"Banning national testing would be bad for students, bad for parents and bad for the future of education in this country."
Monday, January 18, 2010
Staffing stats.... we need more supervision !
From the ministry of education (March 2009 Students Statistics, 2004/5 - 2008/9: District 005)...
Topic [04-05] [08-09]
# students [6064] [5543]
FTE [5814.1] [5398.8]
non-resident students [5] [58]
FTE [4.5] [57.9]
Spec Ed. [654] [578]
Educators (#) [330] [329]
Educators (FTE) [302.8] [305.5]
P/VP/District admin (#) [30] [34]
P/VP/District admin (FTE) [29.5] [33.1]
Humm, the number of children we teach is down 7% since 2004/5, the number of educators, is up nearly 1%, and the number of principals/ vice-principals and district admin is up 12% (comparing FTEs).... gee the growth seems to be in the area of supervision and accountability paper shuffling, not teaching!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Teachers awarded up to nine extra paid days off; Four districts ignored ministry rules on class sizes and special-needs kids, arbitrator rules
(Vancouver Sun, Tue Jan 12 2010, Janet Steffenhagen)
School districts that were found to have violated B.C. law about class size and composition in 2006-07 and 2007-08 have been ordered to compensate teachers by giving them paid days off.
In a ruling released Monday, arbitrator James Dorsey said teachers deserve compensation because they carried the burden when districts ignored the rules in creating classes with more than 30 students and/or more than three pupils with special needs.
He ordered Vancouver, Saanich, Qualicum and Coast Mountains to grant release time, or pay in lieu, ranging from one day to nine days, to 21 teachers.
Although the ruling deals with only a small number of complaints, the B.C. Teachers' Federation said it is significant because it will be used to settle thousands of similar grievances filed against other districts that the union says have flouted class size and composition rules since they were introduced in 2006 as Bill 33.
"This is a win for teachers, classrooms and learning conditions in schools," BCTF vice-president Susan Lambert said in an interview. "What Dorsey is saying is that boards will be held accountable for the legislative limits in Bill 33."
Dorsey also signalled that tight budgets can't be used as an excuse to skirt the rules.
The B.C. Public School Employers' Association, which represents boards of education in labour matters, said the decision provides guidance about redress and will be discussed next week when the parties meet to consider the remaining grievances.
The association also noted in a statement to members that it wasn't a full win for the BCTF because Dorsey didn't back the union's request for compensation for its locals.
Dorsey's ruling followed 54 days of hearings on a few dozen cases that were considered representative of the larger issue in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Since then, the union has filed blanket grievances for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Lambert said the time and money required to resolve the grievances show the dysfunction of Bill 33. She predicted hundreds of other teachers will also be given compensation as remaining disputes are settled.
In his 74-page decision, Dorsey said teachers have a right to expect to be assigned to a class that meets class size and composition standards.
When the rules are not followed, "the burden of the breach is primarily borne by the teacher(s) of the class, not the principal, superintendent, trustees or even individual students," he says.
If there isn't enough money to meet Bill 33 standards, the government should retract them and "explain to parents and teachers why the standards are no longer desirable or achievable," the ruling states.
The BCTF has been protesting classes that are too large and contain too many unsupported special-needs children since 2002, when the government stripped the union of its ability to negotiate caps at the bargaining table.
That resulted in an increase in class size and composition complaints, which helped fuel a 10-day teacher strike in 2005. To ease the problem, the Liberals introduced Bill 33, which set a limit of 30 students in Grades 4-12 but allowed classes to exceed that maximum if the superintendent and principal agreed it would not hurt learning conditions.
Teacher approval is required for larger classes for Grades 4-7 but not for secondary school.
School districts that were found to have violated B.C. law about class size and composition in 2006-07 and 2007-08 have been ordered to compensate teachers by giving them paid days off.
In a ruling released Monday, arbitrator James Dorsey said teachers deserve compensation because they carried the burden when districts ignored the rules in creating classes with more than 30 students and/or more than three pupils with special needs.
He ordered Vancouver, Saanich, Qualicum and Coast Mountains to grant release time, or pay in lieu, ranging from one day to nine days, to 21 teachers.
Although the ruling deals with only a small number of complaints, the B.C. Teachers' Federation said it is significant because it will be used to settle thousands of similar grievances filed against other districts that the union says have flouted class size and composition rules since they were introduced in 2006 as Bill 33.
"This is a win for teachers, classrooms and learning conditions in schools," BCTF vice-president Susan Lambert said in an interview. "What Dorsey is saying is that boards will be held accountable for the legislative limits in Bill 33."
Dorsey also signalled that tight budgets can't be used as an excuse to skirt the rules.
The B.C. Public School Employers' Association, which represents boards of education in labour matters, said the decision provides guidance about redress and will be discussed next week when the parties meet to consider the remaining grievances.
The association also noted in a statement to members that it wasn't a full win for the BCTF because Dorsey didn't back the union's request for compensation for its locals.
Dorsey's ruling followed 54 days of hearings on a few dozen cases that were considered representative of the larger issue in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Since then, the union has filed blanket grievances for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Lambert said the time and money required to resolve the grievances show the dysfunction of Bill 33. She predicted hundreds of other teachers will also be given compensation as remaining disputes are settled.
In his 74-page decision, Dorsey said teachers have a right to expect to be assigned to a class that meets class size and composition standards.
When the rules are not followed, "the burden of the breach is primarily borne by the teacher(s) of the class, not the principal, superintendent, trustees or even individual students," he says.
If there isn't enough money to meet Bill 33 standards, the government should retract them and "explain to parents and teachers why the standards are no longer desirable or achievable," the ruling states.
The BCTF has been protesting classes that are too large and contain too many unsupported special-needs children since 2002, when the government stripped the union of its ability to negotiate caps at the bargaining table.
That resulted in an increase in class size and composition complaints, which helped fuel a 10-day teacher strike in 2005. To ease the problem, the Liberals introduced Bill 33, which set a limit of 30 students in Grades 4-12 but allowed classes to exceed that maximum if the superintendent and principal agreed it would not hurt learning conditions.
Teacher approval is required for larger classes for Grades 4-7 but not for secondary school.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
School Districts with money woes.....
I thought I'd do a quick list of School Districts that have been in the news because of current or pending money shortfalls (including declining enrollment), but the list got too long. See the newsletter for details....
Burnaby, Boundary (SD20), Kamloops, Lake Cowichan, Maple Ridge, Langley, Nanaimo, Fraser-Cascade, Port Alberni, Terrace/Smithers, Cariboo-Chilcotin, Rossland/Trail, Peace River South......
and there are more!
and everyone is talking about the costs associated with all-day Kindergarten.....
Burnaby, Boundary (SD20), Kamloops, Lake Cowichan, Maple Ridge, Langley, Nanaimo, Fraser-Cascade, Port Alberni, Terrace/Smithers, Cariboo-Chilcotin, Rossland/Trail, Peace River South......
and there are more!
and everyone is talking about the costs associated with all-day Kindergarten.....
Monday, January 4, 2010
Deal lets teachers send anti-test pamphlets home with students; Compromise over controversial FSA exams avoids arbitration
from the Vancouver Sun, Tue Dec 22 2009 (Westcoast News), Janet Steffenhagen
A campaign against standardized tests in B.C. public schools is expected to intensify in January as a result of a deal between the B.C. Teachers' Federation and school employers that allows teachers to send three union pamphlets home with students and hand them to parents on school grounds.
The agreement marks a surprising compromise between two parties that have been feuding for years over what union materials teachers are allowed to distribute. That battle heats up around this time of the year in the lead-up to the annual Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), which tests Grade 4 and 7 students in reading, writing and math.
Those tests are scheduled for Jan. 18 to Feb. 26.
"Common sense prevailed," BCTF vice-president Susan Lambert said of the deal with the B.C. Public School Employers' Association. The deal lasts for one year and effectively ends eight union grievances against districts that had tried recently to stop teachers from disseminating BCTF materials because of alleged inaccuracies.
"I think the process of going to fruitless arbitration and losing . . . over and over again was too costly for them," she added.
The employers' association, which represents boards of education in labour matters, described the agreement as a practical solution to eliminate conflict in districts and end the grievances. "It's an attempt to formalize what the rules are," said chief executive officer Hugh Finlayson, noting there have been many years of litigation over the issue.
Approved for distribution are pamphlets titled What Parents Need to Know, What Parents Need to Know: Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) and Testing? You Bet. Teachers will now decide if they want to distribute them or send them home with students in the required sealed envelopes.
The pamphlets argue that standardized tests force teachers to narrow instruction and "teach to the test," cause anxiety for students and do little to improve achievement. But the main reason the union objects to the FSA is because the results are used by the Fraser Institute every year to rank elementary schools.
The Education Ministry insists the tests are not optional. But the BCTF campaign has drawn down participation rates in recent years -- especially in Vancouver, where one in three students did not write the FSA last year.
The BCTF plans to extend its anti-FSA message in early 2010 with newspaper and radio advertisements in Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin for the first time in order to reach ethnic groups that are believed to be more supportive of standardized tests.
Arbitrators have ruled that teachers have a right to engage in political discussions with parents on educational issues. Lambert said they also have a responsibility to inform parents of their professional concerns about testing.
The BCTF is calling for a two-year moratorium on the FSA and provincial exams to allow stakeholders to discuss better ways of assessment and accountability.
A campaign against standardized tests in B.C. public schools is expected to intensify in January as a result of a deal between the B.C. Teachers' Federation and school employers that allows teachers to send three union pamphlets home with students and hand them to parents on school grounds.
The agreement marks a surprising compromise between two parties that have been feuding for years over what union materials teachers are allowed to distribute. That battle heats up around this time of the year in the lead-up to the annual Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), which tests Grade 4 and 7 students in reading, writing and math.
Those tests are scheduled for Jan. 18 to Feb. 26.
"Common sense prevailed," BCTF vice-president Susan Lambert said of the deal with the B.C. Public School Employers' Association. The deal lasts for one year and effectively ends eight union grievances against districts that had tried recently to stop teachers from disseminating BCTF materials because of alleged inaccuracies.
"I think the process of going to fruitless arbitration and losing . . . over and over again was too costly for them," she added.
The employers' association, which represents boards of education in labour matters, described the agreement as a practical solution to eliminate conflict in districts and end the grievances. "It's an attempt to formalize what the rules are," said chief executive officer Hugh Finlayson, noting there have been many years of litigation over the issue.
Approved for distribution are pamphlets titled What Parents Need to Know, What Parents Need to Know: Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) and Testing? You Bet. Teachers will now decide if they want to distribute them or send them home with students in the required sealed envelopes.
The pamphlets argue that standardized tests force teachers to narrow instruction and "teach to the test," cause anxiety for students and do little to improve achievement. But the main reason the union objects to the FSA is because the results are used by the Fraser Institute every year to rank elementary schools.
The Education Ministry insists the tests are not optional. But the BCTF campaign has drawn down participation rates in recent years -- especially in Vancouver, where one in three students did not write the FSA last year.
The BCTF plans to extend its anti-FSA message in early 2010 with newspaper and radio advertisements in Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin for the first time in order to reach ethnic groups that are believed to be more supportive of standardized tests.
Arbitrators have ruled that teachers have a right to engage in political discussions with parents on educational issues. Lambert said they also have a responsibility to inform parents of their professional concerns about testing.
The BCTF is calling for a two-year moratorium on the FSA and provincial exams to allow stakeholders to discuss better ways of assessment and accountability.
Government cancels literacy grant for schools
from the Vancouver Sun, Fri Dec 18 2009, Janet Steffenhagen.
B.C. schools have lost another government grant.
Vancouver district officials say they were told last week the Education Ministry has cancelled the literacy innovation grant, which contributed $204,000 to Vancouver schools and $5 million to schools provincewide.
"These funds have provided direct staffing support to some of our most vulnerable schools to support the district's focus on literacy," Vancouver's management team said in a report to school trustees. Just last spring, the ministry told managers the grant was safe, the report says. The grant is one of several cancelled this fall.
B.C. schools have lost another government grant.
Vancouver district officials say they were told last week the Education Ministry has cancelled the literacy innovation grant, which contributed $204,000 to Vancouver schools and $5 million to schools provincewide.
"These funds have provided direct staffing support to some of our most vulnerable schools to support the district's focus on literacy," Vancouver's management team said in a report to school trustees. Just last spring, the ministry told managers the grant was safe, the report says. The grant is one of several cancelled this fall.
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