Legislature will consider teacher report cards
I have been working on a column for the AJC’s Monday education page on an effort this upcoming legislative session to formulate a bill creating teacher report cards in Georgia and just chatted with House Majority Whip Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta, about his interest in the issue.
Along with state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, Lindsey visited Colorado recently to meet with the legislator there led a successful effort to pass a teacher effectiveness bill this year.
We talked about a range of education initiatives that Lindsey would like to see this session, including improving the substance of pre-k, reviewing how much testing we do in our schools, enhancing technical education in high school and saving HOPE.
But we talked mostly about whether Georgia was ready and able to rate teachers given the available data and all the controversies about whether such measures are fair:
His reply to my question on whether this was the time for report cards for teachers:
“If not now, when? We now have a situation where 50 percent of low-income students who enter ninth grade are not graduating. That is atrocious. We cannot allow demographics to control destiny. You have a wide range of people across the spectrum who believe that — from myself in the Republican category to the Secretary of Education to Alisha Morgan and lots of folks in between.
I am a great believer that given our present state of education nationwide, we need to be trying to figure out ways to move forward. Whether that means the present year or 2012 for all these education initiatives, I am about building coalitions and moving legislation. But I feel strongly that we have to move forward now. The status quo in education is not acceptable.”
Lindsey was not surprised when I predicted strong teacher opposition to public report cards, but said that he wants to hear from teachers.
So, here is your first chance to comment on this possible legislation.
– By Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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304 comments Add your comment
Jim Tavegia
December 28th, 2010
5:02 pm
Teacher report cards are another stuipd idea and a poor legislative initiative. There are still way too many students who come to school who are totally unmotivated and resist learning anything or doing any work at home. I think if some parents could actually see how their children acted at school they would be shocked. Maybe not? Try as we might, it is hard to motivate a student to care about a future they see so far off in the distance.
Blaming teachers for poor student performance is where public ed has gone so wrong. No child left behind is the biggest hoax ever place on Public Ed. You can’t blame it all on the kids with too many latch-key children and single parents stressed out. This is a society problem, not a teacher problem.
It is amazing to me that with all the huge problems that face government today at both the state and federal level, that these same people want to do for education what they have done to how our government is managed? I don’t think so.
Please leave the education of our children to the Department of Education. We don’t need another legislative initiative.
Jim
December 28th, 2010
5:04 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen it’s called ACCOUNTABILITY. Teachers and administrators have long gotten by without ACCOUNTABILITY. It may not be fair @Ben for you to have unprepared students, but you have a choice. Each year you can apply to work in a better system.
For parents DISCIPLINE STARTS AT HOME!!!!
The MACE guy is nothing but a clown. I know for a fact teachers are only as good as the local school administrator. A principal who refuses to let his staff and students slack off is most likely going to have a better school. Those who allow the undiscipline roam the halls are doomed to fail.
As a parent I’m being held to account for my sons getting to school on time, completing homework and projects. My sons are graded for what they know and don’t know. Yet teachers and administrators aren’t being held to any standard? Bull…. Bring on the report cards can’t wait to see who isn’t making the grade. Then we can start stripping more money from the system.
Mike Honcho Himself
December 28th, 2010
5:07 pm
Since I have about 15 years left, I will use the contact info and get involved. On the first day of Math I training, I along with about 40 other high school math teachers were told that our concerns over the new curriculum we totally unfounded. The current math curriculum was explained to all of us idiots and we learned that we have been teaching high school math incorrectly for years. It is such strong leadership that has given me so much confidence in our state’s education leaders.
N. Ga Teacher
December 28th, 2010
5:10 pm
One of my fellow teachers here (the esteemed Catlady, perhaps) mentioned that it can be fulfilling at times to work with lower-level kids. I echo that. Over the years I have had many lower-level groups, and the key to teaching them is to bolster their interest and their self-confidence, not to constantly open the woulds of their insecurities. What I have found is that yes, the reason they are “low-level” has at its basis poverty and single or no parents. Right now, none of my lower-level kids lives with both. These conditions led to low amounts of quality preschool learning time with aprents, few books in the house, abysmal reading skills, and a total lack of academic and social skills held by middle class kids. We in high school cannot change this. (We all tried in our younger years and failed, feeling like Don Quixote.) The trick, which it took 10 years for me to learn, was to use what these kids DO have: they do have some nbasis for pride, they do have some intellect, they DO have some developed skills, and they DO know when you CARE! I have learned NOT to expect them to work like the higher kids, or to write or speak like them, or to EVER do homework (at THEIR homes- are you kidding?). What I HAVE done is to create na atmosphere within the room that we are all in the same boat, that I WILL NOT let them fail- IF THEY TRY!! In the past too many tried and failed, and came to my class without hope. Now, their attitude is good and they are happy with their progress. Yes, there is an unhappy ending. State tests. Few if any can pass them, despite special review sessions, manfated tutoring, and other interventions. Their reading comprehension skills doom them, and, byt the time they are seniors, they are so defeated and spooked by these high-stakes tests that all they are is a nightmare, and you know what they do? They skip these days. We MUST get away from these stupid tests and back to the Professional way of grading from the 60s and 70s: the teacher’s yearlong appraisal.
Reality Check
December 28th, 2010
5:14 pm
We will never be able to “fairly grade” our teachers under the evaluation tools we have in place in Georgia. All teachers are evaluated and either pass or are placed on a professional development plan. Also, principals are charged with evaluating teachers–not all are equipped/trained to objectively evaluate personnel and too often personalities keep evaluations from being fair and unbiased. Maybe we should let the custodians evaluate all staff–it’s been my experience they know everything that goes on in school and are very honest about it when asked!
One example -two fourth grade teachers pass their evaluation, make the same salary, receive the same pay raises. What you don’t see is one teacher working herself and her students from the minute they get to school until the minute they leave (and arrives early every morning to tutor any student that can get there) and the other teacher does the minimum and has “Fun Friday” every week to play and watch videos. Since the purpose of school is to learn, I would want my child with the hard-working teacher.
So many blame the parents for not being involved with their children and that is the problem. I see it differently. I think a bigger problem are the parents who don’t let their children accept responsibility, for anything. They make excuses for them, they do their work for them and interrupt class checking their child out early. They expect the teacher to treat their child as if they are the only one in the class–instead of having 30. These children are the ones who are able to do the work, but lack motivation–and their numbers are growing!
Society has changed and education has to keep up. Until everyone sits down at the table– communities, parents,students, teachers, administrators and those who hold the purse strings–we won’t be able to change anything. We need to spell out what everyone’s role in the education of the child is, what is expected of each one. Maybe then everyone can be on the same page.
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
5:14 pm
If I were employed based on my evaluations and tenure as a teacher…I would still be employed at APS -Jackson Elementary School.
I had superior evaluations every year …until I filed a grievance asking the APS System to explain how public funds were dispersed at Jackson Elementary School.
In less than 6 weeks my duties and responsibilities were considered poor… and Professional Development Plans were issued by the TOP ADMINISTRATOR in APS.
Do you think those PDP’s and Evaluations by this TOP ADMINISTRATOR are of any value?
My evaluations were not considered of value…nor was my tenure.
As with the test scores in APS…Nothing measured…teacher evaluations …student evaluations…nothing is VALID…when your ADMINISTRATION values are
corrupt to the core.
Despite over ten years of outstanding performance at Jackson Elementary and over seventeen years in education service, Mr. Sam was suddenly placed on a performance review plan shortly after he sought to address the troubling problems he witnessed at the school. However, the plan was merely a ruse to pressure him. Mr. Sam’s supervisors never followed through on the plan. As a result of the continual humiliation and pressure placed upon him, Mr. Sam was eventually forced to resign his teaching job.
A “FAKE” Reorganization Plan
http://www.youtube.com/user/TopSchoolAtlanta#p/u/1/IwIljqwesMc
Go figure…and the parents “sold out the truth” for the principal’s signature on a private school application.
When are people going to figure out this POLITICAL-FUN HOUSE in our Public Schools.
Grab all the public money you can and run…Beverly Hall …run!
Former Middle School Teacher
December 28th, 2010
5:18 pm
Teachers of core-subjects, who will be the most effected by this idea should make more money. Seriously there will be no way to grade an Art, PE, Foreign Language, ect…. teachers so they will get a free pass. This is one more way to end public education in this state, and we should not be surprised if the State Constitution is amended in several years to do just that.
veteran teacher
December 28th, 2010
5:19 pm
I hope Mr. Lindsey will have well-publicized town hall meetings so teachers can address issues related to this matter and so he can explain the possible benefits and consequences. There is no fair measure due to many factors, most of which are of not within the control of the classroom teacher. ex. previous teacher effectiveness, emotional readiness, student motivation and ability level, curriculum selection, materials selection, adequate material availability, attendance, alertness, effort, parent support, amount of reading done at home before school age and beyond, language/vocabulary level, hunger level, temperature of the classroom, behavior and academic disruptions and needs of other students and this list can go on and on If Mr. Lindsey does not ask the teachers, his action, or lack of it, will prove he does not care and this is yet another political bandwagon because all publicity is good publicity.
Maureen Downey
December 28th, 2010
5:23 pm
@Veteran teacher, There will be hearings at the Legislature, although the problem is that they are during the week and teachers — or anyone else with a day job — can’t get there.
By the way to all, I just chatted with the GAE and Marcus Downs made a good point: Are any other job evaluations made public, even those of other government employees? Can I see an effectiveness rating on my mail carrier or my road crews or my sanitation team?
Should only teachers have their evaluations released under the argument that their jobs are more important, more essential?
Maureen
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
5:34 pm
Just like APS test scores …Evaluations?…Papers?… Consensus? Money? …I don’t remember…Comp time? Minutes?
What do you mean?
Just call Warren Fortson…and John Grant …they will take care of it.
td
December 28th, 2010
5:35 pm
teacher&mom
December 28th, 2010
12:19 pm
@Maureen….in the past when I’ve contacted legislators, I usually get a scripted response. “Thank you for your time and interest. We’ll take what you say into consideration. Have a good day.”
You can try if you want to but I can tell you from my dealings with Ed in the past that he really does not care what anyone thinks that is not a major contributor to his campaign. He is a attorney by trade and an butt head if you want my opinion. Remember I am a conservative and do not like him.
New Orleans Jazz
December 28th, 2010
5:36 pm
Fool You Already Have That
Idiot, teacher evaluations are report cards. Please, no politician left behind. How about some formal means of evaluation for politician. Especially those not performing their duties; office hours; credit card receipts; being accessible to constituents; source of funding from lobbyists. NO POLITICIAN LEFT BEHIND.
Just Wondering...
December 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
Concerned Parent’s 2:33, David’s 4:27, and Jim’s 5:04 all alude to teachers somehow being exempt from yearly evaluation like other jobs and professions. Strangely, I have been evaluated every year, much like I was in the “real world.” Oddly enough, the evaluation contains many similar items as a “real world” evaluation – professional duties and responsiblities, etc. Even more strange is the fact that the evaluation states that too many Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory ratings will result in no step increase (huh, just like the “real world”) and placement on a PDP, Professional Development Plan (although teachers with less than three years can just be let go).
My thoughts? If a bad teacher is still in the building – especially after years of poor evals and parent complaints – that’s an ADMINISTRATIVE problem – a problem of LEADERSHIP – not teaching. If the paperwork is too daunting to get rid of a poor teacher, then fix it. The admin of a building also already know who does well and who doesn’t on the state tests.
As far as the “new” report card idea goes, it’s not a good one. Parents should already know how their school is doing – we already have loads of information from NCLB reports to tools like the AJC’s School Guide. All this is is another program that will require paperwork and highly paid central office staff and will do little to nothing to improve a student’s day to day educational experience. Without making the tests count for the students, without controlling for variables such as incoming reading levels and transiency, without factoring in what say parents will or won’t have when the report cards come out, the idea will prove to be politically popular (yeah, let’s grade the teachers – turn the table on’em) yet logistially a nightmare.
td
December 28th, 2010
5:44 pm
Maureen Downey
December 28th, 2010
5:23 pm
@Veteran teacher, There will be hearings at the Legislature, although the problem is that they are during the week and teachers — or anyone else with a day job — can’t get there.
And if they are like any Ed Lindsey held hearings I have been too then you will have a chance to make a statement but you will not be allowed to ask any questions and if you open your mouth in support of another speaker then he will get all mad and threaten to clear the room if any other comments are made. BTW: He will probably hold the hearing in one of the smaller rooms so that all the interested parties can not all attend.
Peter Skrmetti
December 28th, 2010
5:47 pm
“Given our present state of education nationwide,” we should have a national school system with national certification for both administrators and teachers, accountability for teachers, parents, and administrators from lead teachers to the Secretary of Education, and yes, national standardized testing. Teachers should have to meet high standards to be hired, they should be well paid, and they should have the support of their administrators.
jw
December 28th, 2010
5:51 pm
I am a teacher and welcome the report card – with this addition. If I am graded for what I do, I expect parents and the individual student to be held to the same set of standards.
I can’t control a student who absolutely will not attempt to complete and assignment in my class. I can’t control the fact his/her behavior has a direct impact to the rest of my class – with a teacher report card, I will demand that student be removed – not going to ruin my reputation because of one bad apple. Bring it on – Mr. Lawmaker, you don’t have a clue the can of worms you open up with this. You are right, it will work – and it will increase dropout rates – because we won’t stand for non-achievers, we will be able to demand the student be held to a set of standards – WAY COOL!
Next, if I’m held to a standard, I want the parent to be held to that standard, too! I won’t have to worry about unruly parents threatening to sue – “get my job” and all that other stuff – Mr. Lawmaker, I will now have a standard in place to have those parents turned in for neglect – I won’t have to worry about students basic needs being met – your new law gives me the teeth to either get those parents to get with the program or else they will get in a bunch of trouble. WAY COOL!
I cherish a teacher report card – that way I guarantee you my class will function like it’s supposed to. I won’t have to worry about unruly students, deadbeat parents – and finally the children that come to school to learn, will get that opportunity. Thanks Mr. Lawmaker for all you do!
Let’s not throw Mr. Lawmaker under the bus – this idea might work – think about it – teachers won’t have to put up with admins saying we have to have the unruly ones in our class anymore – parent conferences will be a breeze – parents who don’t want to co-operate in their child’s education, will be reported – this will be cool! Since we will have a checklist of things we have to do – no teacher will allow folks to mess up their good grade – and shouldn’t – so go ahead and introduce the bill – I’m there!
Then we wake up and realize it’s all a dream ————– Dang it!
Just Wondering...
December 28th, 2010
5:51 pm
Couple other thoughts…
A few years back, there was a study showing something like 22 variables in the sucessful education of a child – it ranged from SES level and mother’s education to the effectiveness of a teacher. More of the variables were NOT school or teacher-related however.
Also a few years back, there was a study about teacher effectiveness that showed the extended reach of a poor or good teacher. Good teachers had an effect that could last into the following year, while a poor teacher’s effect could last 2 or 3 years into the future. While that is an argument for better teachers, it’s also a poor argument for teacher report cards based on test scores – what about the effective teacher that gets an overwhelming number of kids from a poor teacher’s previous year’s class?
Schools of ed need to do a better job weeding the crop, and then preparing them for “market” so to speak. Admin needs to do a better job hiring and supporting teachers. Teachers need to the best job they can professionally. Politicians need to leave this alone.
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Atlanta Public Schools had no problem getting rid of me…
Escorted out by three police officers…in January, 2002.
No evaluation needed…APS never finished the Grievance Process…and an entire Northside neighborhood silenced…with one threat to all those that would question the move…
A private school application needs the principal’s signature and evaluation.
I am sure this principal is still handing out the “I owe you” gifts in COMP TIME and BONUS PAY TO the STAFF…and no telling what else in favors for teacher of your choice to the PARENTS THAT HAVE THE CONNECTS in the neighborhood…
Just keep talking …you’ll figure out where the REAL EVALUATION of a TEACHER is made…
and I’ll give you a hint….it ain’t at the school house.
http://www.TopPublicSchoolCorruptionAtlanta.com
retirred-happy
December 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Repeat after me….Inform PARENTS of the expectations for school success. Parents cannot drop off their children for 18 years and not participate in their educational development. Education is a life-long process; stop relying on the media to provide quick stop-gap information about school systems. Parents must possess the ability to assist their children with homework, if not pay a tutor, return to school themselves to upgrade their skills!!! Stop pointing fingers at the teacher and yes not teachers meet the invisible definition of excellent teacher! Many are called, few are chosen
and some are excellent!
Ed Johnson
December 28th, 2010
5:56 pm
@Ed Lindsey and @Alishia Thomas Morgan:
Why do you wish to visit upon Georgia greater harm by legalizing and institutionalizing the “Fundamental Attribution Error,” to wit:
http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/FundamentalAttributionError.htm
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
5:56 pm
Police Escort Teacher out of Jackson Elementary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TopSchoolAtlanta#p/u/17/hIBcd9dOsBc
Reich protects the integrity of the classroom at Warren T. Jackson Elementary School by removing two teachers midyear…replacing a seasoned First Grade teacher with over 13 years of superior classroom experience…with a 1st year teacher with no prior experience. HOW?… YOU ASK… Without any parents questioning Reich’s motives? Reich held private meetings with the parents in Mr. Sam’s classroom assuring them they would be ” taken care of ” when their applications for private schools were filled out in the Spring of 2002. She demanded full cooperation with her decision as Principal of Jackson. Reich reiterated that PRIVATE SCHOOL applications would need recommendations AND signature from the principal. THE POWER WAS IN HER PEN. This silenced the majority of parents. Sworn testimony in this case revealed parents were sorry…but were forced by Reich to do what was best for their families.
td
December 28th, 2010
6:00 pm
We have an appointed Board of Education and an elected Superintendent to set policy and practices for our school system. The legislatures responsibility is to oversee the money and set high level goals. Why is the legislature trying to overreach its boundaries and set day the day to day workings of the school system? This sounds like something the liberals would do and is not a conservative principle. Oh wait, Ed Lindsey is not a conservative. His constituents need to remind him of these binding principles or tell him to get the heck out of the republican party.
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
I know …let’s hold a contest and see who can design the best teacher evaluation tool…
Make it a NATIONAL CONTEST…MAYBE A NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON CONTEST…or Pay for PERFORMANCE…
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
6:16 pm
This entire process of spending the TAX money collected for yet another evaluation…is a LAUGHABLE… sick JOKE.
These politicians are making you think they will be able to fix this…and making fools out of all of those involved…while they are shaking hands and sharing favors behind closed doors…all the time they are creating more jobs for their buddies
The “criminal charges” would need to start in some of the finest homes of affluent folk on the Northside of Atlanta.
These political ponies are attempting to make fools out of good honest people…The public needs to see through there schemes of “making a job” for a new in-law and refuse to take the rotten bait.
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
6:18 pm
Maureen …living inside the bubble will not help this problem…
First watch what they do with APS…
Dr. Craig Spinks /Augusta
December 28th, 2010
6:27 pm
Husband of Teacher,
We teachers are treated unprofessionally because we acquiesce in others’ treating us unprofessionally.
In many schools and systems, we allow ourselves to be the victims of the “divide and conquer” syndrome. We have allowed unscrupulous administrators and politicos to treat many of us like chattel. We have forgotten and/or chosen to ignore that these self-serving folks have conquered us by dividing us. Working together at the team-, school-, system- and state-levels, we teachers can demand professional treatment. Working with conscientious administrators and elected officials, we can use our professional status, judgments and energies to better educate our kids.
But our first step in the educational improvement process must be to work together as teachers!
Bill Bratton
December 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
I read alot of people complaining on here about teachers receiving report cards but not alot of suggestions on how to do it. I do agree that teachers would be concerned on how it would be applied to teachers who teach different levels of students (remedial, esol, special needs, gifted, or mixtures of theses in one class) and it be fair. I also support the notation that the teachers of Georgia need to be taken more serious in wanting to be involved in decisions that affect them and their classroom teaching. Teachers are asked to spent more time jumping through hoops for classroom evaluations, presentations and testing preparations that it takes away from the true teaching of students. It takes more than just a teacher to educate a child. It involves parents, teachers, administrators, specialist, communities they live in, legislators, governors and the list goes on and on. I taught for 30 years in public schools before retiring and was President of the local teacher organization of PAGE for 10 years and currently an serving on the PAGE Foundation Board of Trustees. I would be willing to give my time to discuss with other teachers and Rep. Lindsey on teacher evaluation.
catlady
December 28th, 2010
6:42 pm
Ms. Downey, perhaps teachers don’t seem to be dying to “advise” the legislature, not because we had rather p***, b****, whine, and moan, but because we have seen what happens when we try–either there is deliberate distortion (Sonny’s infamous survey), there is “pretend consideration,” or we are ignored. Kind of like most everything I have seen in the last 10+ years, including RTTT, SACS accreditation studies, textbook adoption, you name it. Things great and small, if our input is requested, it is pro forma to get “buy in” from the “stakeholders.”
Let a broad spectrum of teachers come up with it, WITHOUT input from administrators, legislators, the DOE, etc. Won’t happen. The AMA and ABA have ways to evaluate themselves; the legislators don’t use them as their whipping boys (except for personal injury lawyers LOL) and try to impose a published “evaluation” on them. To give teachers that power–who would they blame for the mess that public education has become? Themselves, for dumb*** policies and less funding?
Sick of Hypocrites
December 28th, 2010
6:45 pm
I am taking issue with Alisha Thomas Morgan joining the bandwagon. Her husband would have received a grade of “F” for his educational efforts. For example, he resigned right before testing in a Cobb County school a few years ago. Also, the charter school where he was principal was closed due to mismanagement. So now they both are proponents of teacher quality? Puh-leeze!
Dr. Craig Spinks /Augusta
December 28th, 2010
6:45 pm
By the way, before we publish teacher report cards, let’s improve the validity, reliability and rigor of the student, school and system report cards we have now. What do “A”s and “B”s on students’ report cards, an AYP-designation on their school’s report card, and an AYP-designation on their system’s report card mean if the Iowa Test of Basic Skills scores of the honor roll kids, their school and their school system fall well below national norms???
Parentally Involved
December 28th, 2010
6:48 pm
I totally agree with LATE TO THE PARTY! Some of these parents are out of their minds! You cant get them to come to the school for nothing but these are the same parents you see at the rec football and basketball games, going to the clubs, at the hair salon and nail shop taking care of themselves instead of coming to see about their disrespectful children.
justbrowsing
December 28th, 2010
6:56 pm
I am offended that they would even consider something of this nature . It just seems so bizarre. I am not moved by the notion that other states are doing this, it’s moronic there and would be moronic here.
Parentally Involved
December 28th, 2010
6:58 pm
@justbrowsing I’m sorry to say some of these teachers were just lucky enough to pass the test and get in the classroom but half of them should not be there
to Dr. NO
December 28th, 2010
7:18 pm
You are a sad, sad person. You are part of the problem. Offer up some suggestions instead of slinging insults. Not all teachers are “old women and egg- headed”. There are many that really do care for our students. I would LOVE to see you in a classroom trying to teach through all the red tape, maintain discipline and deal with spiteful, mean parents like you. I would bet you would last no more than 30 minutes.
Political Mongrel
December 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
@ A Ticked Off Teacher: this idiocy started when process became more important than results. Idiot administrators think that education can be reduced to adherence to a checklist of “characteristics of good teaching”. Good administrators look at what students accomplish and how involved they are, not whether someone uses a graphic organizer or not, differentiated instruction or not, or provides detailed lesson plans on a %(##!&^## template or not. Adherence to a procedure set in stone is the lazy administrator’s best friend and teacher’s and students enemy.
Parentally Involved
December 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
Dr. No find something else productive to do!! I never said that all teachers were bad if you look at the comment I said some you must be one of the ones who need a report card daily!!!
Double Zero Eight
December 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
This will be a debacle if enacted. There is no magic formula,
and subjectivity will play a big part in the evaluation. This
will likely expand the D.O.E. when government should
be downsizing.
Dekalbite@concerned parent
December 28th, 2010
7:34 pm
“it seems in all professions we have evaluations and decisions regarding compensation and continuation of employment may be made on these criteria. I cannot understand why teachers should be exempt from this. ”
Out of almost 15,800 employees in DeKalb County Schools, approximately 4,050 employees out of 7,031 teachers teach grades 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 and the content areas of science, math, Language Arts and Social Studies. So TOTAL responsibility for AYP (test scores) rests on 4,050 employees out of 15,859 total employees. And these teachers make less than our Kitchen and HVAC Mechanics (these jobs require a high school diploma or a GED and 5 years experience plus they get overtime).
The other 12,000 teachers, admin and support personnel who are not judged on test scores set the stage for student performance (e.g. teachers are given scripted lessons, paperwork, often teach in moldy and substandard conditions, heating and cooling do not work, etc.) yet they are not judged on student performance.
This is a enormous problem that needs to be addressed before our content area teachers are graded on student performance. What physics, chemistry, biology, or math major want to continue teaching in such a negative situation. All of the responsibility, no support, and all the pressure. Doesn’t the U.S. need engineers and science majors? In China 80% of all college students major in engineering, math, and science. In the U.S. 20% of all college students major in engineering, math and science. We are having a terrible time keeping highly qualified teachers in the classroom teaching our students. They either leave teaching for more money or go into – yes – you guessed it – they join the ranks of those 12,000 teachers, administrators or support personnel who are not considered responsible for students’ scores.
Content area teachers (math, science, social studies, and language arts) – the ones that actually teach our students content – are considered the “bottom of the barrel” in the teaching world. It’s a bizarre world. Nothing like private industry.
These figures are available for anyone, but no one seems to care. Maddening for anyone who cares about students learning to read, write, do math, understand science, and become a literate voter.
Dekalbite@concerned parent
December 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
Maybe I should had added that these are 2009 figures. We have less teachers now since teacher positions were cut.
Alisha Morgan
December 28th, 2010
7:40 pm
@Maureen you are right. Most legislators will respond to e-mails and calls (or their preferred communication), especially from people who live in our districts. It is absolutely true that Rep. Lindsay, I, and many others genuinely want to hear from teachers, principals, parents and all stakeholders in this process. I think good discussion will clear up what we are trying to accomplish and certainly allow us to hear from those who live this every day in our education system. I can be reached at alisha@alishamorgan.com.
Teacher for Life
December 28th, 2010
7:40 pm
I have no problem with the Teacher Report Card. First Amendment Rights! I will publish a parent/student report card with names for all my classes including pre-test scores, reading , Math and recordings of parents cursing me out when I call their homes.
Nannie, Nannie, boo boo; you won’t stop me. I’m calling that guy in Great Britain now!
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Tar-Baby ain’t sayin’ nuthin’, en Brer Fox he lay low.
“`How duz yo’ sym’tums seem ter segashuate?’ sez Brer Rabbit, sezee.
“Brer Fox, he wink his eye slow, en lay low, en de Tar-Baby, she ain’t sayin’ nuthin’.
“‘How you come on, den? Is you deaf?’ sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. ‘Kaze if you is, I kin holler louder,’ sezee.
“Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low.
“‘You er stuck up, dat’s w’at you is,’ says Brer Rabbit, sezee, ‘en I;m gwine ter kyore you, dat’s w’at I’m a gwine ter do,’ sezee.
“Brer Fox, he sorter chuckle in his stummick, he did, but Tar-Baby ain’t sayin’ nothin’.
“‘I’m gwine ter larn you how ter talk ter ’spectubble folks ef hit’s de las’ ack,’ sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. ‘Ef you don’t take off dat hat en tell me howdy, I’m gwine ter bus’ you wide open,’ sezee.
“Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low.
LAY LOW…and watch
IF this is the TOP what do you expect from the BOTTOM
http://www.TopPublicSchoolCorruptionAtlanta.com
I think it is corrupt from the inside out…back and front…up and down…
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
7:56 pm
Wipe your feet before you enter in here…this mess is about lip level now!
Nick P.
December 28th, 2010
8:00 pm
I have said it once and and I will say it hundred more times, teachers will agree to merit pay and teacher report cards when something of equivalence is created to measure parental responsibility and accountability, people think teachers are miracle makers, but reality states without caring parents at home ensuring their child’s involvement, practice and building good habits it is a meaningless rehetorical garbage
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
8:00 pm
Why call the legislator…that’s kind of like calling the APS school detective to investigate the criminal actions in Atlanta Public Schools.
This mess is all over the place.
They are laughing at you behind closed doors.
and taking their profits to the bank.
TopSchool
December 28th, 2010
8:02 pm
I agree rhetorical garbage…
oveR and ouT.
I am meeting with Ralph Long tomorrow.
We rescheduled…
justbrowsing
December 28th, 2010
8:03 pm
@parentally involved- i agree and the evaluative system can be strengthened- but fairly. I feel that it does not provide people the dignity and respect they deserve- as professionals. Unless evaluative measures for all others who are working in state government are not done this way- why project teachers in that fashion? It is just too much. They cannot be doing this for less than 10% of the teaching force (ineffective teachers)- this is economically driven, and can be abused in the wrong administrator’s hands.
Ed Johnson
December 28th, 2010
8:05 pm
“I think good discussion will clear up what we are trying to accomplish….”
@Alisha Morgan, if you will, please state here, on this blog, what you are trying to accomplish.
Thanks!
teacher&mom
December 28th, 2010
8:06 pm
Rep. Morgan,
Are you working with John Barge and the State Board of Education on this proposed legislation? What is your response to the following (@td) comment?
“We have an appointed Board of Education and an elected Superintendent to set policy and practices for our school system. The legislatures responsibility is to oversee the money and set high level goals. Why is the legislature trying to overreach its boundaries and set day the day to day workings of the school system?”
teacher&mom
December 28th, 2010
8:14 pm
Rep. Morgan,
I posted several questions for Rep. Lindsey @ 3:59 PM. He seems to have disappeared from the blog. Perhaps you can answer the questions to help clear up what you are trying to accomplish. I’m eagerly awaiting your response because I would love to understand the motivation behind this legislation, the research that supports this legislation, and the “nitty-gritty” details regarding your plan.