Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.
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300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
By: Alexander Russo / August 14, 2008
CPS is holding an event later today at Gage Park HS to announce that the district is getting more TFA teachers than ever.
From CPS: "A total of 330 Teach For America corps members will teach in Chicago public schools in
the 2008-09 school year. This incoming Chicago
corps represents a 38 percent increase over last year’s incoming class. Additionally,
Chicago recently
was named Teach For America’s seventh corps member training institute site."Those of you interested in TFA might want to check out a post of mine from the other blog earlier this week, based on a conversation I had with TFA national folks about the strengths and limits of their teacher training and support program: How TFA Thinks About Supporting New Teachers.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I think the state and CPS needs to clarify whether it is the total number of alternatively certified teachers during any given year or whether it only includes new teachers that year. It seems to me that should be the total number including teachers from the previous year. Otherwise, the whole system could ultimately be alternatively certified teachers.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I am veteran teacher from Houston seeking a dialogue with current and past Teach for America teachers regarding a pattern of TFA leaders and alumni in leadership positions promoting conservative ideas and profiting from close relationships with reactionary corporations while presumptuously claiming to be the new civil rights movemen
The conservative-TFA nexus began when Union Carbide sponsored Wendy Kopp's initial efforts to create Teach for America. Union Carbide's negligence had caused the worst industrial accident in history, in Bhopal, India. The number of casualties was as large as 100,000. TFA just created a Teach for India and probably none of the young volunteers know about the Carbide/TFA connection.
Ms. Kopp wrote in her book she nearly went to work for the Edison Project, and was all but saved in financial hard times by their managerial assistance. The Edison Project, founded by a Tennessee entrepreneur, was an effort to replace public schools run by elected school boards with for-profit, corporate-run schools. Her husband, Richard Barth, was an Edison executive before taking over at KIPP Foundation.
In 2000, two brilliant TFA alumni, the founders of KIPP Academy, then joined the Bush's at the Republican National Convention in 2000. This was pivotal for Bush, since as Governor he did not have any genuine education achievements. Superintendent Michelle Rhee's prescription for improving D.C. schools: close them rather than improve them—and fire teachers rather than inspire them.
TFA teachers do great work. But better schools are only part of the solution. Stable families are more able to be ambitious for their children than insecure, overworked and struggling ones. Our society has failed our schools by permitting the middle class to shrink. It's not the other way around. Economic inequality and insecurity fosters the achievement gap. It's not the other way around. Blaming teachers, public schools and our unions feeds corporate ideology and their power. Corporate domination of politics, and the weakness of counter-balancing unions, are the obstacles to progress. It's not the the other way around.
Ms. Kopp claims civil rights' mantle, but Martin Luther King took principled positions—against the Vietnam War and for the Poor Peoples March—even when it pissed off powerful people. His last book argued for modifying American capitalism to include some measure of wealth distribution. I would like a dialogue about what I have written here. My e-mail is JesseAlred@yahoo.com. You the TFA teacher have a responsibility. Your work gives TFA leaders credibility. Its not the other way around.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
For all the TFAs... If you don't know how to deal with us city folks... Don't come. It takes a city resident who is a certified teacher to deal with city children. We don't have children born with golden spoons. They are chiildren who are in need.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
TO: Kugler? Who wrote: “Finally, unless CPS is paying to support TFA outside of simply hiring their teachers, it will save them money to hire TFAers if they can displace those already on the step and lane ladder.†True, true, they are a cheap work force for our at risk kids. Unfortunately, the money goes deeper … see the regional TFA funding sources listed at this link …. http://www.teachforamerica.org/about/regions/chicago.htm#regional_suppor...
Some highlights: $100,000 and above = Chicago Public Schools, Illinois State Board of Education; $50,000-99K = The Chicago Public Education Fund; $25K-49,999 = Chicago Charter School Foundation; and George, check this one out -- $10-24,999 = Steans Family Foundation.
So, minimally CPS and ISBE donated $200K to TFA. And about the 270 per year cap … charters are notorious for hiring TFAers. Granted, charter teachers may not be considered “CPS†but they are considered ISBE, and this is a state certification issue. Shouldn't CTU be on this one like white on rice?
MR. Ed
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
"limited to 270 new candidates per year". That's pretty clear. It's 270 "per" year, every year.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
The way I read it is that this is a total number not a number to be added to each year. If they already have over 300 then they should not be able to add anymore.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Game On
To all the new people starting at Harper tomorrow
good luck.300 is a lucky number Just ask the Spartans
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Thanks for that information. That clarifies things even more.
So, if TFA says they plan to double the 230 in 5 years, they must be adding around 45 teachers a year... well under the state limit.
Though, the ISBE site also says for provisional alternative certifications:
[i]Temporary Provisional Vocational Certificate:May be issued only when employing district certifies its inability to hire an individual with either a regular certificate or a provisional vocational certificate and regional superintendent approves. Valid through the June 30 immediately following the issue date; renewable annually based on evidence of 3 semester hours of college credit.[/i]
So apparently CPS is "certifying" that they can't find any qualified regularly certificated teachers to fill these positions.
Finally, unless CPS is paying to support TFA outside of simply hiring their teachers, it will save them money to hire TFAers if they can displace those already on the step and lane ladder. According to last year's report cards, the "average" cps teacher made $66,043 in 2007 (probably with pension pickup). Compare that to the first year teacher in 07/08 making $44,963. Add 20% in benefits typically paid by employers, and you've got an "average" cps teacher costing the district $79,251 versus a first year teacher costing the district $53,955.
If there are 330 TFA teachers costing around $55k versus displaced average teachers costing around $80k, the district saves $8,250,000 every year on salary and benefits.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
TO Kugler: Hope this information clears it up ...
FROM THE TFA Website outlining CHICAGO’s certification provisions:
“Corps members begin their first year of teaching on a provisional alternative certificate. Upon successful completion of the first-year requirements, university coursework, and a performance-based portfolio, corps members teaching in Chicago receive their Initial Alternative Certificate, which is valid for four years.†https://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/placement_regions/chicago/certific...
Now, look at ISBE’s cert site at link below. The first vertical category “Alternative Certification†is the one “limited to 270 new candidates per year†(see 3rd row). TFA must be included in this group because it is the only one of the three alternative certs that an Initial ALTERNATIVE Certificate (second row from bottom).
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/certification/pdf/alternative_comparison.pdf
Now, back to TFA website –
“The Teach For America • Chicago corps is currently 230 strong, in 88 elementary, middle, and high schools across Chicago and Gary. Together, the Chicago corps impacts over 20,000 students. Ninety percent of Chicago corps members are placed in schools with other corps members or alumni. Over the next five years, the size of the Chicago corps is expected to double — further increasing our impact in Chicago. For the first time in the region’s history, corps members are being placed in early childhood education classrooms across the city. In the 2008-09 school year, the Chicago corps will continue to increase its impact in Gary schools.†https://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/placement_regions/chicago/chicago.htm
Finally, TFAers apparently do not save CPS any money, except for the fact that most do not stay in teaching and therefore never progress along the salary schedule and also perhaps in charters which normally underpay all teachers, TFA and fully certified alike:
“Corps members receive the same salaries and health benefits as other beginning teachers, and they are paid directly by the school districts for which they work.†… “In addition to benefits such as loan forbearance and interest payment on qualified student loans, corps members receive an education award of $4,725 at the end of each year of service.*†… “We offer need-based transitional grants and no-interest loans. Packages range from $1,000 to $6,000.†…
http://www.teachamerica.org/corps/financial_arrangements.htm
Based on the above, it seems clear that: (1) CPS is outside the ISBE law on the limits to Alternative Certifications hires; (2) that TFA is already making good on their plans to continue to expand in Chicago; (3) TFAers receive the same compensation as certified teachers plus a $4,725 award to be applied to educational loans; and (4) elite TFAers from elite schools get the best financial deal. In short, looks like union and higher ed teacher certification program busting to me …
Mr. Ed
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Principals can place (hire) TFA's in teaching position numbers.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
[i][b]"If the limit is 270 alternatively certified teachers, then how can there be 300 + TFAs and since there are other types of alternative certifications, how many are there total?"[/b][/i]
The Arne quote says more than 300 TFA teachers will be teaching in CPS in 2008-09. That must be total teachers, including the ones who graduated in prior years. It still seems unlikely that the state is only issuing 270 alternative certificates each year though.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
[b]"If a principal has a friend or distant family member with a degree in drama who is out of work, how fast can a principal assign that friend or family member to a position in their school?"[/b]
The only way a principal could hire that person quickly is as a long term sub. And I've heard (not sure) that the state is not issuing sub certificates to people without ed backgrounds anymore.
The next way would be for the principal to get their relative/friend into an alternative certification program (like TFA). Alternative Certs do have competition so there's no guarantee they'd want the friend/relative.
So it'd be very difficult to quickly hire someone who does not yet have some type of certificate unless they're willing to work for sub pay.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
the 270 limit on ISBE? If it is a state law then it would be illegal and the state's attroney should take the case.
i need the link or location of the wording.
kugler
.
...that our union is both conspiring and colluding with CPS to circumvent and violate the labor agreement with Chicago teachers.
[b]Stewart Sellout![/b]
CTU should be filing grievances and lawsuits. Oh sorry too busy removing those that want these actions.
Got to get tough and first take back the union form the complicit union cronies. Then begin to bring back dignity and strength to union teachers in Chicago.
No Bargaining!
No Mercy!
[b]Only Victory for Labor![/b]
[url=http://www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/music/audio/mp3/solidarity.mp3 new=true]Solidarity Forever[/url]
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Connect the dots ... the Wells 4, 300+ TFA hires, Dallas firing. Different threads, same issue. And Rodentface, last time I checked 330 is greater than 270 -- doesn't matter how you slice it.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
You know the answer to your own question. As soon as the finish the paper work at 125 S. Clark.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
The ISBE certification comparison chart states that alternative certification is 'Limited to 270 new candidate [sic] per year'.
So, first, it's 270 -new- candidates. It is also not clear how that limit applies and to what it applies. The entire state? Teachers from specific alternative certification programs? CPS? All non-CPS districts? Are graduates the same as candidates? Who knows. The chart tells us very little about what that limit means.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
If the limit is 270 alternatively certified teachers, then how can there be 300 + TFAs and since there are other types of alternative certifications, how many are there total? I would think a displaced certified, tenured teacher could file a complaint with the State and with the Labor Board. It would probably take awhile but the teacher should eventually win. Our union should be taking this to court for us.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
All right, getting a little warmer, but no clear answer yet. Maybe this question can spark some interesting related responses. [u]If a principal has a friend or distant family member with a degree in drama who is out of work, how fast can a principal assign that friend or family member to a position in their school?[/u]
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I'm sorry, Been Around - I didn't know that I couldn't comment on the post ahead of mine. I also didn't know that I had to answer your question, but here is the quick and dirty. A principal can hire anyone s/he wishes as long as they have a certificate. As posted above, it doesn't matter what kind of certificate. I do think it is a disgrace that tenured teachers have been forced out of the system while others without any experience are welcome. It seems to me that any tenured teacher who has a superior or excellent efficiency rating should be hired [u]before[/u] any alternatively certified teacher.
With 300 TFA's coming to Chicago, they must be in violation of state law, but who will take the Board to court to prevent that?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
[b]Do TFA teachers get placed in positions by principals before they get their initial certificates?[/b]
IIRC, yes. they take night classes to get their certification. But I could be mistaken.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Been Around,
Every CPS teacher needs to have certification to be assigned a position. The type of certification is another story.
Check out the ISBE table that compares the types of alternative or resident certificates ([url=http://www.isbe.state.il.us/certification/pdf/alternative_comparison.pdf new=true]Comparison Chart[/url]).
Alternative certification (TFA) gets a provisional alternative certificate after their summer. Note the "limited to 270 new candidates per year".
TFA's not the only alternative certification, right? Are these "300+" teachers NEW TFA graduates or is that a total for all TFA grads teaching in CPS? Are we exceeding the 270 limit set by the state for alternative certification?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Thanks Karen, but do you know the answer to the question above? If you don't, please call someone you know who does know the answer then post it. Do TFA teachers get placed in positions by principals before they get their initial certificates?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
To John et. al.
For the record, I did not go through a "traditional" preparation program. I subbed for a year while taking the five required education courses - three of them offered through the Board + Secondary Methods and Student teaching during summer school through the Consortium. I was able to "hit the ground running" because I had an amazing mentor while subbing. When I got to my first assignment, my content based courses got me through and I had the Michelle Rhee "you've got to believe" mentality, but it was backed up! In addition, I was blessed to have two parents working in the system who gave me the advice I needed on the day-to-day details of classroom management. It never hurt that I'm 5'9" and I have a big voice!
What John says rings true. One must have [u][b]respect[/b][/u] for the profession and those who are practitioners. We welcome people who want to do what we do. Teaching is like family practice docs - We get to know entire families, so we know our students (one of the standards of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards) on a holistic level, but we can't do that with a two years and out mind-set. Teaching is a committment, not a stop gap for dilletantes. Teaching in high-poverty areas is never rewarded as it should be. So come to the classroom, assist the teacher, but bring yur respect, too. Come willing to learn and by graciousness, you will be taught!
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
To John and By To: John
I agree with both of you, but what I do not agree with is these types of teaching programs taking jobs away from tenured or certified teachers before they get their vaild intial certificates. Correct me if I am wrong, but a principal can place a teacher "in training" in a position number that could have gone to a tenured or probationary certified teacher. I am certain this type of placement applies to alternative certification programs. If this question was addressed on this blog earlier, I apologize. If not, does anyone know the answer.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
To: To: John
Thanks for the great comments.
I agree with what you’re saying. Quality is always more important than quantity. And I have no problem with non-traditionally certified teachers. The program that you described sounds like a great certification program and I wish that all future teachers had the opportunity to receive the same great training.
My concern is that too often, people who are changing careers to become teachers are lead to believe that with minimal preparation, that they are prepared for what takes place in a classroom. People with the best of intentions are being setup for failure and frustration by people outside of education who have their own agenda. I don’t question the good intentions of people that go through the TFA Program. I have seen some great potential teachers leave the profession because they went through a summer program and then were placed in some of our more challenging schools unprepared for what hit them. I think with a traditional certificate program before they started teaching, they would have had a better chance at success.
My problem is with these outside “experts†who believe that anyone with minimal training can become a superior teacher.
If their program is so good, why don’t they do it to their own children in their own schools. If this was such a great idea, why is it not being replicated out in the suburbs? I don’t hear of the TFA Program being used by New Trier. My problem is not so much of the TFA teachers, as much as the people behind the program who are subtly sending a message that second best is good enough for CPS students. Or as my MD analogy implied, minimal teacher training is good enough.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
"So in my opinion, if you want to teach, follow the traditional route"
John, I agree with the essence of your analogy. I think it's insane to think that one summer's worth of courses and 6 weeks of summer school teaching equals adequate preparation for teaching anywhere, let alone in underperforming schools where we're needed most.
But, there are some non-traditional programs (not alternative certification, but non-traditional) that offer 12 or 18 month heavy-duty courseloads and significant student teaching (sometimes more than in the traditional ed schools). Since even the traditional model, education coursework and student teaching only amounts to 2 years (20 months). A 12-month intensive program is 2/3 the time of a full time traditional program. An 18-month program is equal to a full time traditional program.
So in the MD analogy, if a good university like Johns Hopkins, attracting the best and brightest students, could provide an intensive 4 year program in medicine and a third-rate state school provides the standard 6 year program, I'd feel as comfortable, if not more comfortable, choosing the doctor who finished the 4 year program over the doctor who finished the 6 year program in a school that accepted anyone who applied.
It's the same in education. The quality of the education, I think, means more than the quantity. And good schools & programs attract people who are critical thinkers and who are committed to being life long learners. Less good schools & programs, while attracting some of those critical thinkers and life long learners, often also attracts those who can't think their way out of a paper bag, go into education for a nice starting salary, and ultimately fail.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Would you trust your major surgery, or any surgery, to an MD whose training consisted of a few summer work shops and the mantra “you have to believe�
That is what is being foisted on too many of our children in the name of reform.
I applaud anyone who wants to join our profession and make a difference in the life of a child. I encourage anyone who wants to be a part of the process and help develop the skills and knowledge of our students.
But first, show respect to the profession. The courses we take for certification at first appear to be a waste of time and irrelevant. But the longer that you teach, the more you look back at your notes and texts and find the information that helps you develop your skills and become a superior teacher. Being fully and traditionally certified is just as relevant as an MD going through the years of vigorous training that they must follow. There are no short cuts in brain surgery and there are no short cuts in teaching.
I have worked in a school that had a number alternatively certified teachers. Some did well, but too many struggled. Not because they were bad people or bad teachers, but because they were not prepared for the brain surgery that we call teaching.
So in my opinion, if you want to teach, follow the traditional route and be the best prepared that you can be for the rigours of our profession.
I believe that this is the bottom line opposition that many CPS Teachers have towards many of thee quick fix reform programs. Too often, these reforms are based on cutting personnel cost, not on improving education.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Dear Karen why the hatred blogger,
KL does not hate TFAs. Have you read the entire blog? You make the statement “we are doing a horrible job teaching childrenâ€. We are doing the best we can with what we have. No teacher can make parents read to their children every night. We are not in the homes of our students. KL points out that TFAs have a place in CPS but they are not the answer. Replacing veteran teachers with TFAs is not the answer to education. KL suggests going to the Charlie Rose website and listening to the interviews with these “education reformersâ€: Wendy Kopp, Michelle Rhee, Paul Vallas, Joel Klein. None of them addresses the underlying issues: poverty and/or lack of enrichment from birth to age five and even longer. Filling that gap takes more then teachers, it takes a society. TFAs only put a band-aid on a hemorrhage. CPS touts TFAs with these big announcements. You ask in your blog, why would you be against a plan to help? If it would help, there would be no issue. The CPS plan is to say, “see, we found a solutionâ€. When in reality, it is a temporary fix. AmeriCorp is a better program. Having young people go into classrooms as a helper or an assistant. It is much more realistic. Michelle Rhee’s response when ask what makes a good teacher was “you have to believeâ€. The Tinkerbell philosophy to education! Why the hatred blogger you need to read the whole blog and do all your research before claiming KL is spreading hatred. She wants what all educators want: address the issues of poverty and enrichment for all students!
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I'm not opposed to change or reform either. I am against the way CPS and the TFCs appear to be doing it. Instead of reforming the system, they seem to be trying to destroy it (closing schools, firing teachers that have been rated Superior/Excellent, etc). Firing many teachers for no reason except that the principal wants to show who is control. It appears that the TFC program is taking time away from the students which is not a good sign. I will reserve judgement until I see what happens this year but so far I think it is another idea like NCLB that will do more harm than good.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Please don't misunderstand me - there was a time (in the not so distant past) that poor children in this city were not condemned to generational educational dysfunction. I am the product of a predominantly segregated elementary school (5 white families, 1 Latino family in a school that had 4 30+ classrooms for each grade). A principal with a vision brought an innovative curriculum to the school that was considered the "worst" in the neighborhood. This woman had the parents of our school believing there were sending their kids to a private school. Teachers felt valued and respected and worked hard to push us to where they knew we could go. What most of them had in common was that they were veterans with solid pedagogical and content backgrounds.
My lament is that reform has to be much more than good intentions. On paper, TFA sounds wonderful as does NCLB, but the reality is something completely different. I believe in the collaborative process and I work very hard to reflect on how the curriculum that my colleagues and I prepare for our students first, "does no harm". I enjoy learning from younger teachers who have new and innovative ways of presenting challenging topics, but I also expect them to listen to me when experience tells me an activity may simply be a time-waster.
My issues with reform are that I will always reject the privatization of public schools. Wendy Kopp of TFA is married to one of the founders of the Kipp charter schools. All I say is that if the reform process that they are peddling works, then why are they resistant to paying teachers union wages and benefits? Why is it that those who have the calling to educate must do so at a grave financial burden to themselves and their families? I support increased standards for schools of education, alternative programs and teachers, but I also must vigorously defend publicy funded public education. It is quite simply the corenrstone of our democracy.
We have merit pay at CPS. It's called National Board Certification. I am an NBCT and I encourage teachers to go through the process because the rigorous nature of the program will inform one's practice.
TFA is not in the business of providing the nation with highly qualified teachers. It is in the business of developing policy wonks. That's fine, but if TFAs are not ready to hit the ground running, then despite all their good intentions, in many cases, they cause more harm than good.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Perhaps I should have phrased my statement better.
I know how hard people work. I know the monumental task peaople choose to take when they dedicate themselves to teaching in high poverty urban areas. I realize not many other societies have figured it out (some would argue Cuba).
I didn't mean to imply teachers in Chicago are not working hard. However, I believe 100% that every child could learn. I belive intellectual capacity is not dictated by race, ethnicity, gender, geography, or socio-economic status.
I wholeheartedly believe there is a solution though. I don't know what it is yet, but I know a solution to every problem exists.
So, yes, I do think we are doing a bad job. It doesn't mean I don't think people are working hard and dedicating their lives to find a solution. My original comment to Karen was, Why do we all dimiss some possible answers without giving it a chance to work? TFA might not be a part of the solution, but I applaud efforts from individuals and groups that make an attempt. I don't understand why people don't try to embrace some solutions.
I give you credit for the hard work you do. I am amazed every day by the efforts I see people exert in CPS. I am a fan of good teachers and administrators. I just don't understand how people feel everything is OK. Would you be OK if half your children graduated from high school?
Maricat, I understand your example. I, though, choose to take things personally. I have trouble when I see kids, who are just as intelligent as my kids, drop out of school. I want to find an answer. I want to figure out what I can do to help. I refuse to beilieve it is what it is.
Why is it so hard to admit we are doing a bad job? By the way, I include myself in the mix too. I am talking about the system.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
To: 104
Hurray!!!!! My mom took it to heart when one of her clients (she was a social worker in the suburbs) killed his entire family. She also took it to heart when she couldn't get the administrators to listen when she tried to say a driver's ed instructor was abusing the female students. It took a serious incident that brought the police to the school before they did. No one blamed her for these incidents. When students were arrested for drugs and alcohol (outside of school hours and not on school grounds), they didn't publish the name of the school like they do with CPS. I don't know any teacher who doesn't do the best that they can for the students--most if not all go over and above what is expected of them as teachers.
You are also right about ours being the only society who believes in an education for all students (especially through high school). Every other country that I know of only educates students through approximately 6th grade and then they have to pass a test to stay in school. Many of my students with disabilities who came from south america had never been in school before because their countries did not provide for these students. In Japan, if you don't pass the exam (about 6th grade), you are out of school and put in job training unless your parents can afford private tutors. Are these countries judged for the students who leave or are kicked out of school as a result of these tests? I was talking to a parent Wed. whose child was asked to leave a Catholic School because they said they were not equiped to deal with his behavioral problems. The public schools in Chicago must educate all students and I think we should get credit for the great job we do do while still trying to make it better.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
To the above poster who wrote
“You have to admit we are doing a horrible job of education poor childrenâ€
my answer is says who? What society has ever attempted to educate everyone?
Define poor in a global society, or please tell me why our poor have such a
problem being fat?
Propaganda comes in all sizes and shapes. Perhaps, just perhaps, our so called
Poor kids are tired of being lumped together. Are the educators of Hinsdale, for
example, doing a horrible job of educating wealthy kids become some of them
only get a 22 on the ACT? Or every time one of those kids disappear intro rehab
for a 28 day drying out are those teachers a failure? Those of us who teach poor
kids know the baggage poverty brings and the size of our challenges, but not
one of us is doing a horrible job we are the best .
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I don't understand responses like yours.
You have to admit, we are doing a horrible job educating poor children. No one knows the answers yet. Why would you be against a plan to help. I love teachers. I love experienced teachers in Chicago.
Why doesn't everyone support and embrace any attempt to help our kids.
People who dismiss reform efforts confuse me. I don't think it is true of you, but don't you think it is understandable for someone to read your comments and think you are a big part of the problem?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Anyone who saw Wendy Kopp on Charile Rose this summer is clear as to the agenda of TFA - It is not to provide quality teachers to poor urban and rural schools across this nation. It is to give the most privileged an opportunity to work in schools and become the "leaders" of the educational reform movement. Their big success story is Michelle Rhee whose New Teachers blah blah organization recently folded while she is now Chancellor of the DC School System.
[i]"Teach for America simply shifts the responsibility for teacher preparation away from the individual TFAers and TFA itself to certified, experienced teachers already in the building. As a teaching Department Chair (without additional pay or reduced workload) of a department with 40% TFAers, I devoted as much time teaching TFAers as I did my own students who deserved my attention more. It’s a lose-lose situation and, once again, it’s the “at-risk†students who pay,[/i]
Thank you so much for telling the truth. I would like to talk with you at length. Please feel free to email me at mrslewischem@yahoo.com
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
The other blog at Ed Week did not take off, so I'm reprinting that post here.
"Teach for America simply shifts the responsibility for teacher preparation away from the individual TFAers and TFA itself to certified, experienced teachers already in the building. As a teaching Department Chair (without additional pay or reduced workload) of a department with 40% TFAers, I devoted as much time teaching TFAers as I did my own students who deserved my attention more. It’s a lose-lose situation and, once again, it’s the “at-risk†students who pay, whiling away their time, waiting for these teachers to “get goodâ€. And wait the majority of students will, because the majority of TFAers quit within two years, only to be replaced by new TFAers the next year. Teach for America’s mantra, “One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education†reminds me of a tavern sign – “free beer tomorrowâ€. While you’re there, it’s never tomorrow."
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I attended the meeting at King. There were about 10 people there, and 6 CPS staffers including a Spanish language translator and a sign language interpreter. Unfortunately, very few questions by the audience were answered . It was as if the people presenting the budget had no idea what was really in it. There were a lot of "we'll get back to you on that" replies. The narrative against the pension was so annoying (I guess they heard that at Lane, too) however they acted as if they didn't understand why we were upset. We couldn't even get a straight answer when asked how much reserve the bond agency required CPS to have. (somewhere between 5-7%)
The biggest fiasco of the evening is when they admitted that the charter schools do not have to report to CPS as to how they spend the funds, a whopping $205 million of our tax dollars, they receive. Where are the forensic accountants when we need them and how on earth can we get real answers?
A cursory glance through the hand out (I haven't booted up the CD yet) is so general that it is virtually meaningless.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
"But how in the world can some people refer to High School
aged people as children..." (Sunday).
"Did anybody go to the public budget meetings? Anything nice in that $6 billion for us?..." (Reg Ed, Sunday).
Two quick things:
1. CPS used to have a style rule that children in the elementary schools were referred to as "pupils" and that high schoolers were referred to as "students." This rule, which most of the old timers knew and followed, went way way way back, to the days when most CPS learners (how's that?) never got beyond sixth or seventh grade. (Remember: Public high school for all is only a reality in the USA in the post-World War II era. In most parts of Chicago prior to 1950, the "dropout rate" was 90 percent or more, if you compared the population of pupils in sixth grade with the cohort who finished 12th).
2. We went on vacation after the Lane Tech budget hearing (August 12) so I still haven't heard what happened at King HS (August 13) or CVS (August 14).
Ted Dallas was the only union official present at the Lane Tech hearing. I counted 38 people in the room, including CPS officials and staff.
The characterization of the information provided by CPS by Rodentface is more charitable than the ones I used (in my testimony on the 12th) and will use (in reports to come). The characterization of my remarks is appreciated.
At this point in history, because corporate Chicago has wiped out most of the independent groups that used to analyze the budget (the last to be de-funded on orders from Mayor Daley's corporate buddies were Neighborhood Capital Budget Group and the Cross City Campaign, both of which were destroyed in February 2007), the CPS budget is as dishonest as Enron's materials were six months before their stock tanked. Since there is no media or independent oversight at this point (in the third largest city in the USA!) outside of a handful of us, that should be frightening to everybody, not just those of us who are regular critics.
Left out of the media reports I've found since I got back late yesterday is any mention of the irregularities in the CPS budget, as just one component of the frightening dishonesty of the budgeting now taking place in Daleyland (CPS, City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, etc.).
Question of the month: How much have property taxes for the "average" homeowner in Chicago increased since Mayor Daley appointed Arne Duncan as CEO in July 2001? Establish any base line you want and then do the math. How much has "transparency" improved since July 1, 2001?
Is the entire budget available in the libraries yet? At the aldermen's offices? On the CPS website (especially for those who do not have the most powerful computers)?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I went to the budget hearing at Lane this past week. There really was very little information available. It actually reminded me of the CTU budget in that way - heavy on insipid generalizations and distortions, light on context, facts, or details of any kind.
The most egregious offense, in my opinion, was the overt bashing of teacher pensions that were described as unreasonably costly, along with a graph, skewed for dramatic effect, illustrating those increasing costs. Little historical context of why those costs are difficult for CPS (lack of state funding, massive reserves), and no long term view whatsoever about future trends, funding, or solutions. I full expect CPS will have eliminated my pension entirely by the time I retire in 30 years. That's one of several major motivations for why I'm becoming more and more active in trying to fix the state of our Union.
The most important and useful commentary was provided by George Schmidt of Substance News and Rod Estvan of Access Living. V.P. Ted Dallas was there, but no other Union representative was present.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I heard Dallas was the only one who was there from the union. A rep from my school was also sent to Clinton to hear about the "new" evaluation process CPS wants to implement and they claim they are working with CTU to get this approved. CPS knows the union is a mess now and is taking advantage of that. We all know Marilyn will most likely accept anything for a kickback so it looks like once again she will let the teachers go sailing down the river.............
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Did anybody go to the public budget meetings? Anything nice in that $6 billion for us?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Everyone
Alexander you are correct this a blog about education.
But how in the world can some people refer to High School
aged people as children. I know we in the high schools are only
about 10% of the system and I am aware of how some of my
grammar school friends are actually national treasures. So
forgive me if I slight anyone.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Re:Goodbye TFA's post......
I actually heard about that story from a friend (teacher) who knows someone who teachers in an upper grade there. If I am correct the school is Jordan where that incident with the male TFA occurred. I also heard they had a new principal last year (he was a first year principal) who completely brought down the entire school and all of the wonderful work/progress the previous principal had done over the past 10 plus years. I have heard nothing but horror stories about that principal and how the school is completely out of control now. It's sad to see a principal retire only to have a newbie come in and destroy all of the hard work put in over the years. Again, from what I have heard the teachers are miserable with the new guy and he doesn't have the childrens' best interest at hand which is the most unfortunate part of it all. How can CPS allow these things to occur without taking any disciplinary action against the principal? Does CPS truly care about these students? Or do they view it as a business? It seems that the people who care the most about the children are the teachers.
As for the person who posted about teachers ranting about themselves he/she obviously has not read enough of the blogs. I feel that for the most part the majority of people who post here (not including people who post to defend Marilyn etc.) are genuinely concerned about the children. No one in their right mind would agree to get paid pennies only to endure abuse (from administration, parents, students that don't belong in your class etc.) on a daily basis. We (teachers) are teaching our future. That being said, I feel it is most appropriate to express how one feels and what they deserve. I am happy to have a place like this so that I can ensure myself I am not going insane. There are others out there who feel the same way. Cheers!
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
I agree that Arnie Duncan and Michael Phlepps look alike. I enjoyed having someone else notice the resemblance also.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
for the record, this blog is not specifically a teachers blog. it's a blog about chicago schools, which includes teachers, kids, parents, and nonprofit folks. that said, i'm glad so many teachers have found a home here and read and write their thoughts.
-- alexander
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
A principal can not tell you how to teach IF you have a proven track record of success. All teachers should keep data to prove that their methodology works in case CPS buys another pre-packaged insane reading program such as mastery learning, continuous progress, Distar, Wilson, language only, phonics only and the new kid on the feeding trough-differenciated instruction. Teachers need to take a stand-we know how to teach reading and can prove it.
If you do not now how to teach reading then these programs become your nirvana and a child's nightmare.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Is it me, or does Arne Duncan look like Michael Phelps?
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Blog
Well after all it is a teachers blog.I suggest you check My Space
to keep up with the kids. Also please do not refer to my Teen Age
students as children unless you intend to call them Uncle after puberty.
300 Plus TFA Teachers For CPS
Last time I checked, please write about what you think is best for the students. I mentioned early intervention and a dialogue about poverty, household chaos, mental illness etc......... Please share. I would love some real education solutions.