Marshall High and other turnaround high schools, in Chicago and nationally, face a thorny dilemma. Higher-performing students are being siphoned off through competition, driving down enrollment and raising tough policy questions about the future of these schools.
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AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
By: Alexander Russo / May 12, 2008
What's it like to be an AUSL resident these days? A little bit like a roller-coaster ride, I'm guessing. The residents signed up for one thing -- a high-quality residency and then placement in teams in low-performing CPS schools -- and then halfway into the year find out that they may get assigned to (or have to stay at) a CPS turnarounds, with all the emphasis on tests and accountability -- and, some would say, bad karma -- that comes with that.
Why so? Well, AUSL needs residents for its turnaround schools -- can't have AUSL turnarounds without AUSL teachers. [They took over Sherman, and then Harvard, and have now
agreed to take on a slew of additional schools (Morton, Howe and Orr, I
think).] Principals who want AUSL grads can't have them since AUSL is shifting partner schools.
According to a spokesperson, "AUSL’s cohort of
specially trained new teachers are an important component of staffing new
turnaround schools. They are complemented by other staff with longer teaching
experience...AUSL’s placement decisions are made
with input from the teachers being placed; but the final decision on placement
lies with AUSL."
What do you think? Should AUSL residents have to teach where AUSL tells them -- even if that's a shifting set of schools -- or should they be able to go where they want as long as it's a low-performing school?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Can anybody give us an update on Orr
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Can anyone tell me how is the NEW ORR ACADEMY shaping up?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
George and others,
Many of us who were liberal arts graduates back in the 1970s experienced a reality not very different from TFAers when we went to work for CPS as non-regular certified subs we needed jobs. The situation now is the same, many of these TFAers are not programed zombies, but they are deeply in debt. For the most part they are afraid to lose their jobs in the current economy and will not speak up.
The fact that some are is a good thing. All things in their own time.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
You're a mean one, Mr. Schmidt! You often intimate you want to restore the type of public education where students are respected, and then given the support, knowledge and freedom they need to find their passion – to find how they fit best in this world.
So why can't you, Mr. Schmidt, SUPPORT and WELCOME all teachers as they try to find their own way in this tumultuous time in the education world? AUSL Teacher above seems disillusioned. I'd like to think s/he was reaching out for help and perhaps a little understanding. Your pompous, condescending retort slapped away her/his outstretched hand unceremoniously. Please stop the name-calling. Stop playing the bad teacher game here in this blog. And certainly stop doing it in the name of teachers who organize events like the one at Malcolm X on 1/10.
The true spirit of the Community Hearing at Malcolm X, AUSL Teacher, is to try to provide a safe harbor for all teachers and community members to voice their concerns, learn from others, and know they are not alone. The spirit of the day is unity. And in unity, with the strength of our growing numbers, we will be able to stand up against privatization and in SUPPORT of improving, truly improving, neighborhood schools.
AUSL Teacher (and others), you are welcome and I believe you will find comfort in the camaraderie of peers and community. Please do come. It will be a good day for you, I am sure. Please come.
And Mr. Schmidt, you should do the right thing. Apologize and extend a welcoming hand to ALL who teach, have taught, or have been taught. It would mean a lot.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Back in the 1970s, there was a thing called "cult deprogramming." Sadly, not everyone got there in time. The most famous example was, of course, Jonestown, but there were dozens of others in any large city (my famous here was Hare Krishna) and if you read American history, they came from a long tradition of messianic BS.
Hopefully some of these anonymous AUSL and TFA bloggers will be hanging around the back of Saturday's sessions at Malcolm X College. It's a first step.
Consider it the beginning of a 12-step program for recovering TFA zombies. Once you've gotten a small dose of humor about what you've been through and what you've witnessed (right down to those casting couches from all those charismatic edupreneurs CPS abounds with), there will be no hard feelings. Public school teaching is a great life, and it can't be replaced by silly corporate hype no matter how many from the privileges of Princeton and the nonsense of KIPP try to force you to work yourself to death in their ashrams.
One other suggestion (one I used to give to my student teachers and younger colleagues):
Journal it. But just save the journal for later (there are thousands like it). If and when you are lucky enough to have become a veteran teacher, confident in your classroom, respected by your students, and calm with the diversity of your colleagues (not all of whom will be plaster cast TFA saints and icons), you may read those pages and laugh at the combination of ignorance, arrogance and energy you only are blessed with for a few short years in this life.
We'll publish some of that down the road if you like -- but not anonymously.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I am an AUSL teacher at Orr.I am deeply sorry to say that all the progress is related to the attendance boundary changes and many od students were forced to relocate.I was afraid to work with Union people now I see the big picture.But,I need a job.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear AUSL Teachers: After reading websites, this entire thread, and researching AUSL, I wonder what is the difference between AUSL and TFA? Other than cohorts (I think), it sounds like the same concept.
I wonder how many AUSLers still support its goals? I wonder if the emperor does or does not have clothes?
Please join 10+ teacher/community groups, plus parents, teachers, students truly concerned about the long-term ramifications of privatization on public education.
You are welcome. The Community Hearing is at Malcolm X, parking available, 10 am-1 or 2. Let us know how you feel about AUSL's management, curriculum and culture.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
AUSL IS A LOT OF BS AND LIES!!!!!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
AUSL IS A LOT OF BS AND LIES!!!!!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I met the other person who claimed to be an Operation Manager.
Mr.Little is working for the Office of New Schools.I believe that such information is relatively current.
He may have some duties related to operations or just doing that for all turnarouns.I am not sure.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr. Little is working for AUSL and is the campus manager for Orr High School? Campus managers in the past have been retired principals or retired manager support directors. What is Mr. Little's title? Does Mr. Little still work for CPS?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
"...The kids who have been there for the last couple of years are going to be confused, scared, and lost. They will try to look strong and sound unfazed by this change but inside I know a number of them will feel the loss..." (Excel Orr Teacher yesterday).
Don't forget "angry".
One of the times I was covering a story at Orr (Principal for a Day day featuring our mayor two years ago), the student anger was so great that CPS needed a couple of dozen security people to suppress a fight in the lunchroom. This took place while Mayor Daley and some lady from the U.S. Department of Education were hosting a press conference in the main hall near the entrance.
But CPS need not have worried. Our Lois Lanes and Clark Kents continued taking notes dutifully while the mayor spoke despite the shouts, scuffles, and scramblings less than 100 feet away.
Anger is going to continue to be a major emotion among the students at Orr.
Let's not leave it out as the latest CPS Shake-and-Bake FNG miracle team saddles up for September (and October, and...).
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After having read all of your blogs I am very disappointed to see that few of you spoke about the most important thing happening at Orr - the students. The students are the ones that are going to be affected the most by this change.
The three schools were created back in Fall 2004. For the last four years our students have gotten to know us and we got to know them. I only began working at Excel about 2 years ago but I loved my school, my administrators, my fellow teachers, and large portion of my students. Has anyone taken into account that most of our students are going to be strangers in their own school? Our 2008-2009 seniors grew up in their own small school. My 2007-2008 seniors were relieved that they were graduating before this change happened but they felt sorry for the new seniors.
Did anyone take into account these students need consistency and familiarity. Most of the teachers I worked with cared for the welfare of their students. And now, when they need a caring teacher to help to apply to colleges and accomplish their senior goals we won't be there. With very few of Orr teachers returning our students are getting the shaft once again.
Most of the blogs complained about Mr. Poole and Mr. Little. I have no opinion about their performance. Mr. Poole may lack the experience most principles have. This doesn't mean won't be successful as the new principle at Orr.
Look at Senator Obama! He is only 46 years old and has served as a senate for only three years. He never served as a U.S. Congressman, never served as a governor, or held any federal cabinet post. His government experience is limited to ten years of state post. He is unqualified to be President? He is interviewing for the most important leadership post in the country does he lack experience because he didn't work his way up the normal chain of events? Congressman - Senator - Governor - President.
Now, I am not trying to compare Mr. Poole to Sen. Obama. What I am saying is that he assuming a position of importance but didn't follow the normal path of other principles. Is that wrong? So, don't judge the man until you have watched him in action once the school year starts. He has a tough enough job ahead of him.
So, if you are going to be working at Orr next year I wish you the best of luck. The kids who have been there for the last couple of years are going to be confused, scared, and lost. They will try to look strong and sound unfazed by this change but inside I know a number of them will feel the loss. Especially when they discover their favorite teacher won't be there. It is up to those of you who are remaining to do the best you can to make it a good place for them. I would seriously recommend you all read Harry Wong's book, "The First Days of School". If you own it re-read it and do some serious internet research on classroom management.
Best of Luck to All of You,
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
With charter schools getting such a bad rap I'm beginning to think most people don't understand them at all. As a charter school employee, I have 8 years of experience NOT in a charter school and choose to work in one because of the many benefits it offers. In fact, 50% of our teachers come from CPS and are tired of their b.s. So get your facts straight about "teaching through the back door". All of our teachers are certified. Just because we are not money hungry and seek tenure (aka lazy) does not make us unqualified. We have the most difficult kids on the S. side and 100% of the kids report liking our school better, feeling safer than their CPS.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Poole does NOT live in Bolingbrook he lives in the city. He is a New Leader Cohort 2008. He was the resident principal at Fenger, however AUSL snatched him up in early spring. He taught in Memphis before joining the New Leader program.
Little currently works for AUSL. He actually was vying for the position of Orr Principal against Mr. Poole. After all was said in done AUSL wanted to keep him in the building with a job of Campus Manager or some derivation of that
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr. Poole lives in Bolingbrook. I wonder if the board has figured this out yet. Maybe they should investigate that.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
To AASTA Teacher-My info is not second hand: I was there when he was an assistant principal under Dr. JoAnn Woods. They were both rediculous examples of administration that Duncan tends to put in place in African American Neighborhood schools.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Question. Will all of the union members from the schools being "reconstituted" (and the other schools that were attacked this year and in the past by Arne Duncan and the school board) be at the Chicago Teachers Union's House of Delegates meeting this Wednesday:
4:00 PM
Plumbers Hall.
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
All union members are eligible to attend as "visitors" if they are not delegates.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Do you have more info than: 1.teacher @ Fenger 2.Alternative type 75cert.
3.Resident Principal @ Fenger
4.Not on the PEL yet
5.Principal in planning @Orr(Principal at Orr effective July 01)
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hahaha
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
He's pretty clean. We could start a rumor.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Still, no information on Mr. Poole??????
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I would like to say thank you to Mr Buchan,Mrs Youngblood and others who spent personal time planning the new small school.
After we finished our job,giving to the Board our newborn baby they took it from us.No more teachers leadership talk,no more friendly interactions.The AASTA was created by teachers but teachers were unable to continue the mission.
According to documents I presented to hearing officers ,AASTA showed progress(% of students who met or exceed state standards)from 2005- 30% gain.At the peak of our success the school was closed.Hard to explain the rationale.Have a good day.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
To the faculty and staff on the Orr Campus, stay strong and good luck to all of you! You're only the first in line to be scapegoats! CPS should be giving all of you medals for your hardwork! But they are cutting off all of your heads! Keep the faith!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Excuse me.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I agree with you in 100%.I understand that some personal issues could cause ..E mouse to speak up about Mr.Little.
I remember that the first meeting with Mr.Little was not a pleasure.
As you remember I told him that he was not authorized to evaluate teachers until his 5 months at AASTA.
I was expecting full the scale retaliation.I was surprised when he asked about the legal ground for my statement.From this point our relationships were professional,my attempts to negotiate several issues were successful.AASTA became more organized place with the amount of a structure.Regardless of our personal feelings we have to say that he was a valuable asset for the school and AUSL as well. By the way how about posting under our real names?
The faculty and staff at AASTA could be proud of each other in spite of minor disagreements.I will mis all of you.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Not trying to be funny but is the EGO answer a fact? If so, who's EGO and why?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Well Bee, I did my research and the Bowen Staff was literally fighting to get him back. That information with what I have seen and experienced first hand is enough for me. I am sure if you dig down deep enough you will find a ton of skeletons in everybody's closet.
I am just giving you a point of view from a previous employee and not second hand knowledge like you are doing. If you scroll up and read what Chris (another teacher at AASTA) wrote about Mr. Little you can start to draw a realistic point of view.
Now once again I ask for everyone here to stop looking in the past and try to focus on the future of Orr (Mr. Poole). Is there anyone willing to do some real research (not gossip) and come up with some facts about our new leader?
I am really looking forward to some solid information so I can make a very critical career decision.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Please forgive any spelling errors; I think I need a new key board!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
People let's get a grip. First, there are too many people in this school system that have ties to the Daley machine.2, Secondly, there are too many young inexperienced administrators being put in charge of these schools.Third, You cnanot treat students as if they are products on an assembly line. Fourth, Instead of griping so much about Marilyn Stewart,every teacher should flood the union meetings and let his/her voice be heard. There are some things that we have forgotten to demand like respect from our adminsitrators,parents, and of course, the students.
Fifth We should be asking Mayor Daley and Arne Duncan where are they getting the money to open up new schools (Ren2010)when they can hardly finance the schools already in place. We should also ask what qualifications Arne Duncan brings to allow him to over see the school system( Parents involvement with UC perhaps?) because he has not taught one day in any body's school. Sixth, Since we teachers are failing the students before us,why don'twe have Arne and Mayor Daley and all those wonderful folks at 125 south Clark come down and do one week in the so called turn arouond schools.
Seventh, I think that those of you who shout aout praise for Mr. Little should do a little more investigation. There were some things that occured while he was at Bowen that I don't think he would want any one to know about. Eight, Someone on this blog previously stated " Stop all Charter Schools. I agree-theyare nothing but a device to break the unions. The teaching profession is an honorable one; if people really want to teach they should not enter through the back door like they do in Charter schools (alternative certification). You don't see surgeons getting their medical liscenses while practicing on patients before getting the appropriate training. Charter chools should not be excempt from the standards that regular schools must operate in and they should not expect public funds.
Now let me be your union presisdent (just kidding but sick of the mess just the same).
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear AASTA Teacher, the answer to your question is EGO!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Once again A Non E Mouse your sources must have gotten it wrong. All you have to do is open your eyes and stop letting you personal feelings show through your words. I was selected by AUSL to become a teacher next year and I also went through the interviewing process.
I would ask Mr. Little from time to time what was going on (due to the lack of professionalism that was being displayed by the other administrators) and he would always answer by saying "don't worry about it". I have also witnessed him telling other people this as well. It seemed to me as though he was just trying to cover up the mess and confusion that was displayed by The New Orr Administration.
What you had was a veteran principal (who I must say "knew what he was doing") and a novice principal disagreeing on things. Now, at this point I have no idea of what exactly was said nor would I even ask but I will say Mr. Little must be very valuable if AUSL still wants to keep him.
My question to Mr. Poole would be why you would not want a person of Mr. Little caliber. He took AASTA (which was out of control and in a devastating situation) and made something out of it in his short time there.
We received new books for the students, created new classrooms (which was originally storage spaces), simplified the teachers schedule, purchased new computers, and the list goes on and on. Once again I must say he did all of this in 5 months.
The culture and climate of the school sky rocketed up. Teachers and students knew that they were going to be accountable for things that didn't contribute to our new found educational climate.
You are sitting there bashing a person who came over to Orr and has done a fabulous job (not to mention his last school had a petition to bring him back as a Principal). He was the hardest working principal I had ever worked with.
Now why don't you look at Mr. Poole resume and tell me what has he done so far? Go over and talk to the Fenger teachers and ask questions. As a matter of fact, ask Mr. Poole questions and see what responses you get. I am a veteran teacher and I know the difference between somebody selling me a dream and a person who "has been there done that".
I really just want what is best for our kids. If you see Mr. Little in the building and see how the kids respond and respect him you would really understand.
At this point, all I have gotten from Mr. Poole is disorganization and speeches. You must understand the interviewing process for Orr was held at Orr by Mr. Poole's team not AUSL. So, lets start digging into the person who is going to lead Orr into the future and not was seems to already be a disappointing past.
When you ask Mr. Poole any question of substance he just looks at you with blank face. I have gone to several of his speeches about the New Orr and all I hear is talk about the band, choir, and football team. I am just trying to figure out at this point who is focusing on the educational needs of our students. I decided to stay because I could see great things in Mr. Little and as I stated before AASTA moved more in the 5 months he was here than an any school I have ever worked at.
Now, if Mr. Little is not staying at Orr it is time for me to start rethinking my commitment.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
AUSL is already a mess, only surviving because they can control the marketing silliness they conjure up. Their standard media event is like that media event with the Gates Foundation, Mayor Daley, the alderpeople, and Arne's entourage at Sherman last January. In order to continue promoting their nonsense, they have to keep everyone away from their schools except when they can absolutely control message -- much like the Bush White House.
At the Gates/Daley media event, they had the media bottled up in the "library" of the north building (Sherman has two buildings) and wouldn't let reporters even enter the south building. Why? The south building houses the upper grade students and is still partly out of control, the place where you're likely to hear the "F___" word fired often in anger and find fresh graffiti in the washroom. The Sherman "miracle" couldn't even sustain itself long enough for the Tribune's nonsense last Labor Day weekend. By the time the Tribune did the miracle story at Sherman as "news", their "miracle" teacher had bailed out for an administrative job in Waukeegan ("burnt out" was supposedly why).
And by halfway through this year, AUSL was unravelling at the "top" with problems in its "high school" out here on Austin Ave. (my family and I live in the Portage Park community). AUSL is an almost neighbor. AUSL is also no longer a good neighbor in that huge facility (the old Wright College, at 3400 N. Austin) Mayor Daley gave to Martin Koldyke to protect AUSL from the hard core ghetto,where there was plenty of vacant school space.
Amazingly, as the warm weather continues, AUSL is presenting the quiet community in which its headquarters exists with more and more problems, while schools that have to take the AUSL rejects are doing better on security because they have veteran teachers and administrators with a realistic understanding of the real world of Chicago today. AUSL is a creation of Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand "free market" fanatics and of a touching faith in the management theories of Jack Welch ("Fire at least one out of every five of them after you rank and sort them somehow...").
The whole thing is nuts, but in a controlled totalitarian environment, nuts can build careers and last a long time. Every time he get stumped at a media event, for example, Arne Duncan can nod to Andy Shaw and get five minutes of puff ball "Tell us how great you are and how evil your critics are..." questions.
Did I miss something, or wasn't that AUSL tall guy savior principal from Sherman trying desperately to get back to Oak Park River Forest (as principal!) before Oak Park told him they didn't want any more of his insubstantial hype and hoopla? It was OK for three Page One stories in the Chicago Tribune last September (his BS, now available forever on Google as the "facts"), but somehow the Tribune's Lois Lanes and Clark Kents missed the fact that the guy with the Talking Points and the thousand dollar suits and the Scott McClellan smiles was trying to bail out during those same months his "superteacher" was putting in her resume for Waukeegan.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
My sources must have been wrong... But I was told from an insider that Mr. Little was promising positions to people without taking resumes. I don't know if that was the entire reason of his departure, but it might have caused some problems.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
In 1997, seven high schools were "reconstituted" because of "low" TAP scores. At that time, 188 full-time teachers and principals were forced out of their jobs at those schools. Two years later, the Board of Education successfully fended off a legal challenge to the termination of those teachers and was given a green light by the federal court to fire 137 tenured teachers, most of whom had been dropped from the "reconstituted" high schools. The seven high schools that were reconstituted in July and August 1997 were DuSable, Englewood, Harper, King, Orr, Phillips, and Robeson. Since July 1997, one of the reconstituted high schools (King) has been closed as a general high school and has been converted into a selective enrollment "college prep" high school. In 2000, five high schools were placed on "intervention" because of "low" TAP scores. The high schools that went through intervention in the 2000-2001 school year were Bowen, Collins, DuSable, Orr and South Shore. In a voice vote without discussion on August 22, 2001, the board approved Board report #01-0822-PO1 ("Amended Policy on School Intervention"). The thrust of intervention is that firing bad teachers and principals will improve "failing" schools. Both the new policy and the original policy emphasize the responsibility of the "appointed principal" to oversee intervention to evaluate all teachers and to terminate, reassign or otherwise discipline teachers for the failures at these schools. Arne Duncan claims that the new intervention can attract the best and brightest teachers. During his remarks on August 22, 2001, Duncan repeatedly stated that the new school board intervention plan would attract what he is sometimes calling "world class" teachers to help revitalize the schools that are supposedly failing. According to Duncan the new intervention plan would enable Chicago to bring in teachers with national certification, advanced degrees, and credentials from prestigious schools to assit their colleagues at Bowen, Collins, DuSable, South Shore and Orr!!!!!!!!!! P.S.- THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!!!!!!!!!!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I really don't understand how Mr. Little could or would let a security member (or any adult for that matter) stike a student. Now, what I will say is that he was the first principal I have ever had that had an idea of how to deal with inner city students. He had no nonsesene approach and always left his door open for any staff members to ask questions.
If you were an experienced teacher you would know Mr. Little had been in the classroom because he really understood how difficult the job was. We saw more progress as a school in the short time he was there than we had seen the entire time AASTA had been open.
Things were actually getting done around the school. It was being cleaned up and starting to look like a real learning institution. I really hope he is staying because if he could move us that quick in a couple of months I would love to see what he could do in a year.
After talking to the BEST High School Staff Members they also echoed how great a leader Mr. Little was. There principal retired and they had a petition out to have Mr. Little return as their principal. Members of the LSC said that the AIO wanted him to stay with AUSL because they really needed his help. So before you go out and bad talk somebody because you might didn't like how he did things on a personal level. Remeber we are professional and as far as that is concerned I will follow Mr. Little anywhere.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
hey, retired P --
that's cool. where'd you get that info?
is it available to everyone?
show us the link.
thanks!
-- alexander
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Terrance A. Little: 2007-2008- Principal of AASTA, 2004-2007- Assistant Principal/Lead Teacher at BEST High School, 2003-2004- Principal Intern/7th Grade Teacher at Northwest Middle School, 2002-2003- career Specialist at Carver Military/Farragut Career Academy, 2001-2002- Business Education/Computer Teacher at Tilden Career Academy High School, 2000-2001- Principal Intern/Math Teacher at Yazoo City High School.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hello.I do not know if AIO played role.It is very hard to agree that A Non a Mouse is right.Many teachers/staff liked Mr Little because he was the first Principal who was able to establish some amount of organization and structure at AASTA.
I am not aware about his past.As a Union Delegate I had a chance to negotiate with him.He was knowledgeable regarding existing rules and policies -it was the nice part of our conversation.He never jumped on me because of my attempts to protect teachers.
Also,I have no idea who Mr Poole is.For students at AASTA the most important things are structure and follow-up.
Any amount of disorganization will have a sure negative impact on whole school.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr. Terrance Little --- former principal of AASTA-Orr.... never originally had "teaching" experience but worked as a school accountant...
While many teachers at Aasta-Orr disliked Mr. Little, AUSL and the new principal decided to keep him around as a Dean...
Supposedly he never listened to teachers' complaints at the school and allowed the security guards to hit students, etc.
Last I knew he was still on. But if he was fired, good riddance.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
first off, can someone explain who mr. little is and give some background?
second, the method of gathering information that george describes a couple of comments above is what this blog already does -- you see it, you write it, we all share what we know.
that's how we've explored things like the marilyn stewart mess, the craziness at ravenswood and washington, and several other breaking events.
thanks!
-- alexander
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I spoke to Mr. Little yesterday and we discussed AUSL and he made no mention of being fired. As a matter of fact, he indicated that he is preparing for the next AUSL school. So someone is lying on the blog again.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Chris, was the AIO involved?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
"...The complete lack of organizational skills that exists within AUSL will destroy both the students and community trust level
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad...." (Tired of Orr, earlier today).
For the next four weeks, we'll be adding to our roster of people who can help us report -- month by month -- the mess that will begin unfolding on July 1 as "Turnaround" begins at Orr, Harper and the four elementary schools. This job will require weekly input, and some ability to call out (cell phone) when the turmoil reaches the point where Pulaski is lined with police vehicles, as will happen.
Why?
The arrogance of the AUSL miracle workers and their political sponsor (Mayor Daley) is about the meet the rubber and road of reality at Orr, Harper, Copernicus, Fulton, Howe, and Morton. The difference between this year and the last couple of iterations of this nonsensical fairy tale (Dodge; Sherman; Harvard) is that just about everyone now has a camera phone and other instant communications -- and we are ready to cover these stories like fresh paint on a wall in Spring.
Please stay in contact. This time, even without organized help from CTU's sellout administration, it will be easily possible to document, month after month, the sheer idiocy of that corporate "model" that AUSL has pushed from the beginning, praxis at ground level.
There will be four layers of sourcing:
1. Students.
2. Former teachers and other former staff.
3. Current staff.
4. Informed outside observers.
Thanks for staying in touch.
It is long overdue that we documented, feature length if necessary, just how ridiculous this entire (and enormously expensive) teacher bashing charade is, and how AUSL and the multi-million dollar corporate largess behind it functions.
A group of FNGs cannot run Orr or Harper unless they are allowed to eliminate 90 percent of the current students and replace them with sheep. They should also be held to holding on to the students they have, and to a full deployment of all of the special education students that have been served by the staff the Board voted to fire because of this Arne Duncan and corporate Chicago fantasy spasm.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hard to believe.According to unofficial sources Mr.L departure was related to disagreement with the new principal(currently Principal "in planning).
It is very bad for the whole campus .AUSL really needs people experienced working with the existing population.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Chris, WHAT HAPPENED TO MR. LITTLE!!!!!!!!!!
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to several well placed sources-Mr.Little was let go last week. It's too bad they need his help to turnaround the toxic enviroment. The complete lack of organizational skills that exists within AUSL will destroy both the students and community trust level
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad....
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I may not know much about AUSL, but it hurts to see teachers bashing noe another on this thread. If a teacher is "truly awful", (a) what does that mean? (b) who is there to mentor, help or remediate said teacher? We should help each other - no one "hit's the ground running" and is an amazing teacher immediately. I know some of you may think you are, but it takes at least 3 years to hit one's stride.
This sniping is beyond counter-productive. Those of you who think a corporate-based education model is best should hope that your "principal" always thinks the best of you. If this model is so fantastic, then why isn't it used at places like New Trier? The Latin School???
While I agree that teaching may not be the field for everyone, there are some people whose talents will be lost because they were never properly mentored and instructed. Others will take their experience in CPS and traipse to the suburbs where they will garner huge wage increases and teach kids who do not "need" them. Either way, in a profession that is primarily solitary, we need each other to make the lives of our students that much better.
Stop the nastiness. No one is a perfect teacher. The school closings are based on the faulty assumption that all children - no matter their issues should perform on high stakes tests uniformly. Children are not widgets - let's get real.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Where is Mr Little?
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Who?