tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post7119398982317043139..comments2024-03-22T02:15:56.280-07:00Comments on Jersey Jazzman: Layoffs, SmayoffsDukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535645107179796099noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-32743019416722251782011-09-29T10:26:44.333-07:002011-09-29T10:26:44.333-07:00The reformy movement vultures don't believe in...The reformy movement vultures don't believe in contracts for worker bees, they aren't good for poor kids. From teachers, parents and kids they want only alignment and obedience. <br /><br />Those of us in TN, lucky winners of Race to the Top bribe money, are undergoing a new teacher evaluation (I call it the realignment and obedience training) program designed by the Miliken Foundation (Junk-bond king Michael & bro Lowell had a come to god moment to "save schools" after Michael was released from federal prison for financial fraud in 1994 but I digress.)<br /><br />The new teacher eval program is designed to do 2 things 1) standardize teaching practices by deeming a checklist of behaviors acceptable by assuring all "certified" evaluator scores align with (e.g., are reliable) national raters scores; and 2) only 15% of all evaluated teachers will be rated as acceptable for tenure and/or raises as the "solid" teaching video examples rated 3 on a 5 pt likert scale. <br />This eval program is known as TAP and in TN is called TEAM, renamed for our state. <br /><br />DON't agree to ANY outsourced evaluation system or be seduced by the potential for more money as the TAP program is rigged.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12813056667733621829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-28325976540439697662011-09-24T11:51:14.027-07:002011-09-24T11:51:14.027-07:00Just a thought about word choice, and this applies...Just a thought about word choice, and this applies more to the NJEA (who need to hire PR pros, imo) and AARP in their SS ads: a large part of succeeding in public debate is controlling the lexicon; words matter.<br /><br />Pensions, SS, benefits, tenure, etc. are not "promises." They are CONTRACTS. <br /><br />Promises are assurances given by one party to another, may or may not be legally binding, and don't necessarily require anything on the part of the recipient.<br /><br />Contracts, however, are negotiated agreements, legally binding, in which both parties compromise, give back, make assurances, and provide something to the other.<br /><br />These are important distinctions that impact public perception and understanding. We shouldn't--and can't let them--characterize contracts as "promises." Just sayin' ;-)...Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-9015110420785364372011-09-24T09:45:58.078-07:002011-09-24T09:45:58.078-07:00You are on to something. It is all about complianc...You are on to something. It is all about compliance and control. We do not want critical thinking in kids, and we don't want it in teachers. <br /><br />Everyone just take your soma and do as you're told...Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16535645107179796099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-66846513790881214692011-09-24T09:22:55.775-07:002011-09-24T09:22:55.775-07:00Agree. Something I thought about when reading tha...Agree. Something I thought about when reading that Briggs "was laid off under an antiquated and harmful policy known as "last in, first out," or "LIFO" for short. It requires that when layoffs occur, the last teachers hired are the first fired - regardless of their effectiveness as teachers" is that this statement assumes that the older teachers are not as effective as her. If the principal is any good, ALL the teachers should be effective, great teachers meaning ANY layoff is a loss for kids. Why the assumption that only the young ones are good? <br /><br />It is about the money, no question there. But also, I think you could add it's about compliance and control. Younger, untenured teachers are less likely to speak up about political issues or unhealthy reforms being forced upon schools. <br /><br />Schools should have a healthy mix of veteran and newer teachers. The problem is layoffs. I don't care how dismal the economy gets, education cuts should be off-limits.KatieOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01072560661013528732noreply@blogger.com