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You know what's really funny about this? It's the fact that city high schools are trying to keep a lid on the dirty little secret about RISE. That is, one comprehensive high school fired three teachers in the past week. At least two others I know are well into dismissal proceedings. The rest are in the process of firing teachers. It's amazing to me that there are some teachers--young teachers--that somehow feel that this process is "empowering" or that great riches can be had by being a good employee, not questioning and doing the lackey work you are supposed to do. By the way, the great majority of those being fired have 20+ years of service in. My question to you is simple: when did they suddenly forget how to teach? I made it a point to stop by the career ladders propaganda exercise at Reizenstein a couple of weeks ago for a few laughs. I could not believe how many people were there presenting--people NOT in the classroom and with no fear of being fired. Your tax dollars at work, dear citizen. Just sit there and do nothing. We're used to it.
I have heard that these were all teachers on EIPs (improvement plans) and that they were dinged on some area of non-compliance or perceived non-compliance.
For the first year or two EIPs were bad to be under, but most people did what they were told they had to do and carried on from there. Now that we need to get rid of 100s of teachers, what better way to start?
This way you can start by getting rid of the more expensive (more time in) teachers, rather than doing it by seniority -- which cuts less money.
Nothing to do with surveys, Questioner. This "process" takes a year to a year and a half from the unsatisfactory rating to actual dismissal. It should be known that students certainly are consulted for their thoughts on teachers, and again, this is done at every school. I have mixed emotions about principals in all of this. While I certainly have a disdain for management and these tactics, I have heard from more than one person that principals have been told that either they focus on and eventually get rid of teachers, or they too will be fired. Still, to watch teachers with this much experience being fired is incredible. You have to ask yourself how it could be. Ask your kids. Ask them about sudden changes in their schedule, or about teachers no longer being on staff, or about administrators continually showing up in classrooms with laptops. In a very real sense, your kids are not being educated. The curriculum makes that clear. This continues to be a corporate PR avenue that will ensure every kid is on the pathway. Every kid. Union? Like John before her, Nina has allowed these firings to take place. In fact, the advice PFT is giving out to younger teachers who are worried about being cut is to just wait...the firings will create openings. I want to hear from any teacher out there who thinks we are "empowered" by all of this or how the "union" works for us.
The Legislative Meeting was broadcast this evening and probably will broadcast again on Friday morning at 10 and again on Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.
Dr. Holley objected to continuing consultant contract to Bevan Consulting Solutions, the newly formed consultancy firm of Paula Bevan who has been contracted by PPS since 2005, nearly five years at incredibly high consultancy fees. Bevins had been training PPS with the Charlotte Danielson Framework previously. Check the records back to 2007 and you will see that Bevins has accumulated over 500, 000 dollars for several days of training each month.
Bevins work was not respected by Rendell's Department of Education but has found favor in the Corbett Administration.
Dr. Holley stated that it is time for PPS to take over this work. She is right. Taxpayers are paying more than double the worth of work that consultants are doing instead of the PPS staff hired (and called Chief of Departments) to do this work.
Thanks, Dr. Holley! You have called attention to a practice that defies common sense.
Anon is not going the distance in the missive posted at 11:38. While it is nice that we have an ode to Dr.Holley, it is unfortunate that no commentary has been made about Paula Bevan and her RISE ideas. Let's cut to the chase, shall we? There is nothing empowering about Bevan or RISE. This is PPS paying a consultant in return for creative ways to fire teachers. That Holley believes that PPS can do it for themselves is very appropos. I am sure she knows how right she truly is. Thanks to Bevan and her sick philosophies, there are many hatchet men within the district, most of whom have never been in the classroom or were there for a short amount of time. These are the folks making pronouncements on teacher effectiveness through RISE. These are the people firing teachers. It's no surprise that Bevan had no friend in Rendell, a pro-teacher governor but has found a willing ear in Corbett, a man who would like nothing better than to disassemble public education. Lastly, my RISE training sessions also featured Mary van Horn of the PFT speaking and getting all starry eyed about Bevan and the RISE process. Isn't it sickening that a "union leader" such as her would embrace the idea of firing teachers? In the end, it's nice to read that Dr.Holley wants to pull the plug on a carpetbagging opportunist like Bevan, but teachers should be wary of her thought that PPS can do such work in-house. She'll have to go further before anyone sees her as an ally. Meanwhile, I'll send a card to van Horn. I'm sure that this will mean she will have to take down her Paula Bevan posters.
on pghboe.net follow Our District to pps tube to the videos for meetings. Albright's appearance at Obama is worth tht time, too. The minutes are under Board of Education.
Could it be that it was appropriate to let at least some of these teachers go? Are all of you blogging teachers saying that not one teacher in the PPS deserves scrutiny and possible dismissal? Because in my 20 some years of experience with the PPS (as a parent/volunteer) I have seen more than a few teachers that were either merely inefficient or at worst, harmful to students. I have also seen many many hardworking, dedicated teachers that truly made a difference in my children's lives. 20+ years of experience means nothing if you are incompetent at what you are doing! I am not saying that the RISE evaluations are the best way to go, or that the PPS administration is handling anything very well. But to constantly read that teacher dismissals is one big conspiracy seems a little outlandish. There is dead weight in other places besides administration that needs to be addressed. How do you teachers see that happening?
Look across the country folks-- is it a coincidence that it is all URBAN schools that are working hard to do away with seniority? There are seasoned teachers in the other 400 school districts in PA. Somehow these districts manage- with seniority. Pittsburghers, your schools are being taken over by venture philanthropists who are in it for the cash-- they have money invested and growing in charter schools, cyber schools, etc. These consultants etc are taking you and this board for a ride. Sure there may be some less effective teachers- but in the same 18 month period that the CFO is excited, the technology dept; etc? If this was a movie- you'd be waiting for the pay-off. Other districts arent hiring 7 week-end superintendents. That's why our cast-off had to go to a defunct college. Take a deep breath folks, and ask- does this seem at all normal, by everything you've ever known about public education?
Teachers being fired midyear isn't the only news here. In addition, some of those teachers are NOT being replaced. This means that those classes are being absorbed by other teachers, increasing class sizes and AGAIN changing student schedules. It's immoral.
The PFT is telling young teachers who are worried about being bumped that "the firings may help them."
Is that unbelievable or what?
That's no misprint---the PFT is telling people this.
We need a Jimmy Hoffa style march on the PFT building, today.
I think what's most disturbing about these posts---which I can personally vouch for as being 100% accurate---is that on one hand, you have parents like the one who posted a couple of days ago and on the other, you have people out there who think we're embellishing this.
400 teachers are going to be fired. This is one method to be used.
One of Roosevelt's main techniques was to divide and conquer, and the next administration was directed to "stay the course." Do you ever get the sense we would have been better off today if he had spent his 5 years quietly in his office with the door closed?
I liked the article link which was posted. To a large extent, teachers and their families and friends now only have themselves. National, state and local government has demonizes them. Their school boards have basically destroyed what were once strong unions via divide and conquer tactics. Their own administrations now conduct witch hunts which are eerily reminiscent of despotic regimes that make examples of individuals to keep the group doing as it wishes. Media pays them no mind. And the parents and general public just does not care. This is a good description of Pittsburgh. I'm glad I found this site and thankful that Questioner runs a good ship, but he or she is a minority. Most parents are like the loud mouth we read here recently. They should be made to spend a day with a teacher in a real urban school before they make judgments. Chances are, they would not last an hour.
20 comments:
Gates PR spin at its best!
"American Teachers" pimping themselves out to the highest bidder.
You know what's really funny about this? It's the fact that city high schools are trying to keep a lid on the dirty little secret about RISE. That is, one comprehensive high school fired three teachers in the past week. At least two others I know are well into dismissal proceedings. The rest are in the process of firing teachers.
It's amazing to me that there are some teachers--young teachers--that somehow feel that this process is "empowering" or that great riches can be had by being a good employee, not questioning and doing the lackey work you are supposed to do.
By the way, the great majority of those being fired have 20+ years of service in.
My question to you is simple: when did they suddenly forget how to teach?
I made it a point to stop by the career ladders propaganda exercise at Reizenstein a couple of weeks ago for a few laughs.
I could not believe how many people were there presenting--people NOT in the classroom and with no fear of being fired.
Your tax dollars at work, dear citizen.
Just sit there and do nothing. We're used to it.
Could firings be related to the student surveys done a few weeks ago? Are the results in?
About the film- has anyone seen it yet, because I think it should be viewed before jumping to conclusions.
I have heard that these were all teachers on EIPs (improvement plans) and that they were dinged on some area of non-compliance or perceived non-compliance.
For the first year or two EIPs were bad to be under, but most people did what they were told they had to do and carried on from there. Now that we need to get rid of 100s of teachers, what better way to start?
This way you can start by getting rid of the more expensive (more time in) teachers, rather than doing it by seniority -- which cuts less money.
Where is the union when you need them?
Nothing to do with surveys, Questioner. This "process" takes a year to a year and a half from the unsatisfactory rating to actual dismissal. It should be known that students certainly are consulted for their thoughts on teachers, and again, this is done at every school.
I have mixed emotions about principals in all of this. While I certainly have a disdain for management and these tactics, I have heard from more than one person that principals have been told that either they focus on and eventually get rid of teachers, or they too will be fired. Still, to watch teachers with this much experience being fired is incredible. You have to ask yourself how it could be.
Ask your kids. Ask them about sudden changes in their schedule, or about teachers no longer being on staff, or about administrators continually showing up in classrooms with laptops.
In a very real sense, your kids are not being educated. The curriculum makes that clear. This continues to be a corporate PR avenue that will ensure every kid is on the pathway. Every kid.
Union? Like John before her, Nina has allowed these firings to take place. In fact, the advice PFT is giving out to younger teachers who are worried about being cut is to just wait...the firings will create openings.
I want to hear from any teacher out there who thinks we are "empowered" by all of this or how the "union" works for us.
The Legislative Meeting was broadcast this evening and probably will broadcast again on Friday morning at 10 and again on Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.
Dr. Holley objected to continuing consultant contract to Bevan Consulting Solutions, the newly formed consultancy firm of Paula Bevan who has been contracted by PPS since 2005, nearly five years at incredibly high consultancy fees. Bevins had been training PPS with the Charlotte Danielson Framework previously. Check the records back to 2007 and you will see that Bevins has accumulated over 500, 000 dollars for several days of training each month.
Bevins work was not respected by Rendell's Department of Education but has found favor in the Corbett Administration.
Dr. Holley stated that it is time for PPS to take over this work. She is right. Taxpayers are paying more than double the worth of work that consultants are doing instead of the PPS staff hired (and called Chief of Departments) to do this work.
Thanks, Dr. Holley! You have called attention to a practice that defies common sense.
Anon is not going the distance in the missive posted at 11:38. While it is nice that we have an ode to Dr.Holley, it is unfortunate that no commentary has been made about Paula Bevan and her RISE ideas. Let's cut to the chase, shall we? There is nothing empowering about Bevan or RISE. This is PPS paying a consultant in return for creative ways to fire teachers.
That Holley believes that PPS can do it for themselves is very appropos. I am sure she knows how right she truly is. Thanks to Bevan and her sick philosophies, there are many hatchet men within the district, most of whom have never been in the classroom or were there for a short amount of time.
These are the folks making pronouncements on teacher effectiveness through RISE. These are the people firing teachers.
It's no surprise that Bevan had no friend in Rendell, a pro-teacher governor but has found a willing ear in Corbett, a man who would like nothing better than to disassemble public education.
Lastly, my RISE training sessions also featured Mary van Horn of the PFT speaking and getting all starry eyed about Bevan and the RISE process. Isn't it sickening that a "union leader" such as her would embrace the idea of firing teachers?
In the end, it's nice to read that Dr.Holley wants to pull the plug on a carpetbagging opportunist like Bevan, but teachers should be wary of her thought that PPS can do such work in-house. She'll have to go further before anyone sees her as an ally.
Meanwhile, I'll send a card to van Horn. I'm sure that this will mean she will have to take down her Paula Bevan posters.
Shealey absent again from the meeting.
I can't find videos or transcripts for Board meetings since 11/11. Are they posted anywhere?
on pghboe.net follow Our District to pps tube to the videos for meetings. Albright's appearance at Obama is worth tht time, too. The minutes are under Board of Education.
Could it be that it was appropriate to let at least some of these teachers go? Are all of you blogging teachers saying that not one teacher in the PPS deserves scrutiny and possible dismissal? Because in my 20 some years of experience with the PPS (as a parent/volunteer) I have seen more than a few teachers that were either merely inefficient or at worst, harmful to students. I have also seen many many hardworking, dedicated teachers that truly made a difference in my children's lives. 20+ years of experience means nothing if you are incompetent at what you are doing! I am not saying that the RISE evaluations are the best way to go, or that the PPS administration is handling anything very well. But to constantly read that teacher dismissals is one big conspiracy seems a little outlandish. There is dead weight in other places besides administration that needs to be addressed. How do you teachers see that happening?
Anon at 4:17, thanks. That's exactly what I would have expected from a parent.
Look across the country folks-- is it a coincidence that it is all URBAN schools that are working hard to do away with seniority? There are seasoned teachers in the other 400 school districts in PA. Somehow these districts manage- with seniority. Pittsburghers, your schools are being taken over by venture philanthropists who are in it for the cash-- they have money invested and growing in charter schools, cyber schools, etc. These consultants etc are taking you and this board for a ride. Sure there may be some less effective teachers- but in the same 18 month period that the CFO is excited, the technology dept; etc? If this was a movie- you'd be waiting for the pay-off. Other districts arent hiring 7 week-end superintendents. That's why our cast-off had to go to a defunct college. Take a deep breath folks, and ask- does this seem at all normal, by everything you've ever known about public education?
I think this thread is appropriate to post this link:
http://m.examiner.com/k-12-in-topeka/in-what-other-profession
Teachers being fired midyear isn't the only news here. In addition, some of those teachers are NOT being replaced. This means that those classes are being absorbed by other teachers, increasing class sizes and AGAIN changing student schedules. It's immoral.
The PFT is telling young teachers who are worried about being bumped that "the firings may help them."
Is that unbelievable or what?
That's no misprint---the PFT is telling people this.
We need a Jimmy Hoffa style march on the PFT building, today.
I think what's most disturbing about these posts---which I can personally vouch for as being 100% accurate---is that on one hand, you have parents like the one who posted a couple of days ago and on the other, you have people out there who think we're embellishing this.
400 teachers are going to be fired. This is one method to be used.
One of Roosevelt's main techniques was to divide and conquer, and the next administration was directed to "stay the course." Do you ever get the sense we would have been better off today if he had spent his 5 years quietly in his office with the door closed?
I liked the article link which was posted. To a large extent, teachers and their families and friends now only have themselves.
National, state and local government has demonizes them.
Their school boards have basically destroyed what were once strong unions via divide and conquer tactics.
Their own administrations now conduct witch hunts which are eerily reminiscent of despotic regimes that make examples of individuals to keep the group doing as it wishes.
Media pays them no mind.
And the parents and general public just does not care.
This is a good description of Pittsburgh.
I'm glad I found this site and thankful that Questioner runs a good ship, but he or she is a minority. Most parents are like the loud mouth we read here recently.
They should be made to spend a day with a teacher in a real urban school before they make judgments. Chances are, they would not last an hour.
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