Saturday, May 30, 2015

Pittsburgh Promise and African- American males

Anonymous wrote:

"Questioner, will you kindly start a new post to discuss the Pittsburgh Promise and the current issue in the news regarding AA males. I would love to hear what teachers have to say. "

Monday, May 25, 2015

Grant money

Anonymous wrote:

"new post: PPS grant monies 

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/05/24/Pittsburgh-schools-to-get-less-than-78-million-in-announced-grants/stories/201505170001 

Wow! Look at all the money wasted. Judy Johnston and Paula Bevan got $1,800/day. This article is very eye opening. When grant money dries up, do they expect our tax dollars to pick up the slack? "

Saturday, May 23, 2015

PPS teacher refuses to give PSSA

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/05/23/Pittsburgh-teacher-stands-alone-by-refusing-to-give-tests/stories/201505250003

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Change at U Prep?

Anonymous wrote:

"New topic: 

I heard Derrick Hardy is leaving UPrep? "

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Job requirements reduced to accommodate a specific candidate?

Anonymous wrote:

"

New Post 

The Chief of Police position is now posted. Should the Chief have to have a college degree making them educated for a job in charge of an entire department? The PPS changed the position from needing an college educated chief to no longer needing a college education. Why? "

Monday, May 18, 2015

Perry HS- High faculty turnover, other issues

Anonymous wrote:

"

*New post please 

Once again I am left to wonder how Perry has managed to fly under the radar. I think it's appalling and worthy of further investigation that 60% of the current teaching staff has applied for a transfer! In fact, the ENTIRE MATH DEPARTMENT at Perry applied for a single position at CAPA! What's going on? Until this year, Perry High School had the HIGHEST TEACHER RETENTION RATE OF ANY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CITY! Teachers who were in the classrooms there STAYED due to commitment to the kids. In one year, Principal Chakey managed to crush that statistic into dust under his heavy steel-toed boots. Teachers have had to reevaluate their priorities--staying for the kids, to whom many had committed a lifetime of service, or save their own sanity after having to teach in an atmosphere of intimidation and fear. It's time for someone to look into the number of classes currently not being taught by highly qualified teachers in that building. So many substitutes have been banned that an inordinate number of classes (left without teachers due to the extraordinary number of those out on leave) are now being covered by other teachers in the building on a period by period basis. This means that there is no consistency, no ongoing learning, and no expectation of growth. Have we marginalized our North Side youth to such an extent that they no longer matter? Perry has the highest rate of chronic absences in the city. Where is the outcry? Our black youngsters are being left to fend for themselves in a building led by a man who, when at Oliver, had so many suspensions that if you were a black male, you had a 98% chance of being suspended. Finally, the number of students attending Perry has dropped by almost 50%. How long can the district afford to keep Perry open at that rate? Is that the goal? To close the only neighborhood high school for our North Side kids? Wake up North Side parents--before it's too late! "

Sunday, May 17, 2015

"Hear our teachers"

Anonymous wrote:

"https://vimeo.com/107637092 


Hear Our Teachers 2 Minute Trailer 
from Ethan Gabriel 
Why waste money on profiteers with no classroom experience when the experts are already on salary? Hear the dangers of corporate / government control. Hear the solutions from those in the know. HEAR OUR TEACHERS. "

Compensation disparities

Anonymous wrote:

"Compensation Disparities 
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/8353996-74/teachers-allegheny-pennsylvania#axzz3aOwu8d00 
(new topic) 
While on the surface I'm sure people will say that "of course" suburban districts have more highly paid educators, and that this is why they have high rankings. But perhaps these high ratings by U.S. News and World Report and Pittsburgh Business Times could be the result of the large number of seasoned teachers. 
One of the biggest complaints that families had previously was the high turn over of teachers in the rougher schools- and conversely the stability in thehigher scoring schools. This has been lost since 2006-- and now we try for a team of rookies (as some suburban schools sometimes refer to new teachers). New teachrs do invigorate a school, especially when combined with experienced teachers. "

Request for more African American teachers, classes

Anonymous wrote:

"New Post:Students Call For Action 
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/05/16/Black-students-teachers-call-for-more-diversity-in-classes-hiring/stories/201505160082 

Lets get behind these kids and make an impact! "

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Call to action for today

Anonymous wrote:

"New Post: 
Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

As part of the Campaign for Fair Education Funding, Education Voters PA has organized a Call to Action for Public Education on Thursday, May 14th. The goal of this Call to Action is for you to call your legislators and the Governor to make sure they make the development of a fair and predictable Basic Education Funding formula a priority in this legislative session. I encourage you to participate in the Call to Action. 

Below are the names of our legislators and contact numbers to make it a bit easier for you to make the call. Please spread the word to your email lists and ask them to do the same. This is really important for all of us to do. We can make a difference! 

PA House Representative - The Honorable Ed Gainey 412-665-5502 
PA Senate Representative - The Honorable Jay Costa 412-241-6690 
Governor Wolf Liaison office - 717-787-5825 

Thanks in advance for your support. "

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Student caught attempting to bring a loaded gun to Clayton

Anonymous wrote:

"New Post 

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/17-year-old-student-accused-bringing-loaded-handgu/nmCSZ/ 

How do they keep stories like this from bring front page news in every local media outlet. A student brought a loaded gun in his backpack. "

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

PPS a big spender on programs promoting different expectations for some student groups

Anonymous wrote:

"+new post+ 

When I saw this link I didn't want to open it because I was afraid I would find Pittsburgh Public on the list. THEY WERE ON THE TOP OF THE LIST! What are we doing to our chidren?!!! 

http://eagnews.org/school-districts-spending-millions-on-white-privilege-training-for-employees/ 
"

Roosevelt leaving Antioch

Anonymous posted:

"PG article: "Former Pittsburgh superintendent Roosevelt to leave Antioch College" 

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/05/06/Former-Pittsburgh-superintendent-Roosevelt-to-leave-Antioch-College/stories/201505060146"

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Performance-based pay for principals

Anonymous wrote:

"Performance based pay for principals: 

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/05/02/Performance-based-pay-awarded-to-49-city-principals/stories/201504300027 

This money is coming from district funds, not from federal grant money. First of all, the teachers are doing the work with the students to raise scores. Secondly, raising students' "scores" should be part of the entire staffs' job. Why do they need extra pay to do what is part of their job description? They all should be doing it as part of their profession. Does PPS have to offer incentives to get the job done? Taxpayers are footing this bill now. "