As part of that effort state legislators are tryin to align CT's education policy with the goals of Race to the Top. According to an article in the CT Mirror new legislation under consideration this week in Hartford would:
- Increase high school graduation requirements, including additional credits in mathematics, science and foreign language.
- Create a teacher evaluation system based in part on measurement of student progress. The evaluations also would take into account a range of other factors, including class size and student characteristics such as socioeconomic status and English language proficiency.
- Remove enrollment limits on charter schools.
- Implement a fast-track system for training and licensing school principals similar to the state's long-running alternate route to certification system for teachers.
- Improve the state's data collection system to allow better measurement of student progress and teacher performance.
While I certainly support in principle many of these proposals, I wonder where the money is going to come from to implement them if we don't win a Race to the Top grant? Will we then repeal the legislation or will they simply be delayed year after year like in-school suspension?
Increased graduation requirements is a good thing, but it may means hiring more teachers. Here in Norwalk we're talking about cutting programs not expanding them. It seems that our desire to improve education is bigger than our actual means of doing so.
What do you think? Can Norwalk afford the changes being proposed?
Posts
Its not only doable, its something we must get done. No excuses. There is no wiser investment than investing in our children and our community's future. We can not afford, not to.
ReplyDeleteThe costs vs benefits is a no brainer. And where is all this extra costs anyway? The legislation seeks to address a long needed upgrade. At the other end of the tunnel, well ask any R/D person. Invest today and reap a bountiful harvest tomorrow.
at this point no--we need to get our business in order first! we are a mess as a district! it sounds good in theory.
ReplyDeleteThink your missing the point here 3:29.
ReplyDeleteBut than again your probably an admistrator or union rep facing cold hard realities of early retirement. This isnt about sick days or compensation incentives. This is about accountability, from the student all the way up the ladder. This is about an historic opporuntity to bring serious money to the crumbling school system and the inevitable local economic, not just recovery but actual advance. Its going to be ok. It will get better if we make it better. Need not fear the future. We need to embrace it.
you have it wrong 10:45...i am a parent. sorry to disappoint you.
ReplyDeleteThese changes are inevitable. Education WILL see drastic and necessary reform in the future. Most of these requirements will not need to be completely initiated until 2018. By that time, the savings of having these initiatives in place will more than cover the short term costs. It is the teachers union that is the driving force behind the negative press and rejection of these reforms. They simply don't want to have to be accountable for their performance on the job like the rest of the country is.
ReplyDelete2:50am - I disagree. As a member of the teacher's union, I have no issues being accountable for my performance teaching. I think accountability is very important - but that also goes for administrators, parents, and students alike. Contrary to popular belief, a teacher is not the end-all-be-all in a child's education. While they are absolutely a driving force, the students themselves play a huge role, as do the parents, the school as a whole, and the entire school system. Let's spread the wealth here. Instead of arguing over things like this, and placing blame, why not do something proactive for our students that will make a difference in their lives? We are in the business of creating futures for children. We need to remember that we deal with human beings here, not numbers or robots. Whatever is in their best interest sounds wonderful to me!
ReplyDeleteVery well said, 5:05! I heartily agree. If only the powers that be understood that our students are NOT robots, but rather, uniquely designed entities with individual strengths and differences! If only our schools could lessen their focus on common assessments and support meaningful performance tasks! If only we could assess students fairly while utilizing individual learning styles. In addition, it would be ideal if we could revise the fragmented time frames we weave into our daily schedules for different subjects and specials. With continuity for learning and a focus on student motivation, "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" could actually become more than just a slippery slogan.
ReplyDeleteIt's the teachers that are the problem. I know they are all tied to their union and think they are overworked and underpaid, but they have a job just like the rest of us and should be evaluated the same way. The biggest misconception about the requirement for Race to the Top is that it ties student performance directly to the teacher. It does not necessarily do this -- that is all propaganda from the union. It does not actually require the students to all achieve more, but rather requires them to achieve in very small increments and the teachers to being more open to training and other programs that would be made available to help them with the more challenging students. You may be a teacher, but your union is not being up front with you about how progress under RTTT will be scored. For an example look at our incredible charter school here in Norwalk, Side by Side. Their children ARE "progressing" and the teachers are open and welcoming new programs and assistance to deal with the more unique students. The program does not require them to push test scores through the roof, but rather to take what they have and work with it the best they can so each child shows progress, even minimally. They are doing incredible work at this school.
ReplyDeleteSide by Side? What indicators are you using for incredible. They don't even beat the state average in reading! 2:45 blames teachers but yee of little knowledge. Race to the top is a joke. Creates false accountability and turns people to numbers. There are only 2 states past the first round because the model has been tried and failed. (See Texas and merit pay report) Read the book Made to Stick and see how they rated doctors in the ER. You want the same model in schools. Measure by numbers. Madness for accountability pushed us to not realizing the best doctors took the most critical patients and looked the worst on the "data" charts. Emphasis on numbers reduces children to numbers and people to cheat. (See Wall Street, Enron, Vietnam...etc). Such short sighted vision.
ReplyDeleteHey 8:18 how is that teacher's union job working for you?
ReplyDeleteThere are way too many highly-compensated do-nothing administrators paid by Norwalk property tax dollars.
ReplyDeleteHey 6:04, real compelling rebuttal. Someone who only reads headlines and not details...Read. The job is great thanks for asking.
ReplyDelete