Her best line is when she affirms NYSUT's support for parents opting their kids out of taking state exams. NYSUT has officially supported opt-out but not exactly very loudly. Punitive action is still in the regulations if 95% of kids in a district don't take state tests. Magee even refers to King's tenure in New York as "disastrous." We're all still waiting to hear what the UFT leadership thinks. I didn't see any reaction in the weekly update for Chapter Leaders. Will the UFT finally support opt out? I doubt it.
I recall when UFT leader Michael Mulgrew praised former New York State Education Commissioner John King and then asked him to arbitrate what turned out to be the horrific NYC teacher evaluation system King ended up imposing on us.
I recall when UFT leader Michael Mulgrew praised former New York State Education Commissioner John King and then asked him to arbitrate what turned out to be the horrific NYC teacher evaluation system King ended up imposing on us.
Please read what President Magee now says and listen to her radio interview. Bianca Tanis from New York State Allies for Public Education is interviewed too and is worth a listen. She and another guest go into some detail about the future of public education in the Donald Trump era.
Please let us know what you think.
The final Every Student Succeeds Act regulations look a lot like the draft regs U.S. Education Secretary John King -- yeah, that guy -- promulgated earlier this year. When the White House and Congress came up with the ESSA law, which was carried with bipartisan support, we were excited by the opportunity to leave behind the destructive test-and-punish tenets of the old No Child Left Behind era.
But led by King, who had a disastrous tenure as New York State's education chief, the federal DOE drafted regulations that are a misinterpretation of the intent of the law. They are almost a step back.
The law's intent was to promote fair funding, curb high-stakes testing and return more power to the states. But the secretary has always had trouble following legislative intent as he implemented regulations. We saw it here in New York, and we are seeing it again now, as the secretary proposes punitive measures for school districts that do not submit at least 95 percent of their students to the onerous testing process. Far from curbing high-stakes testing, the secretary's interpretation is to double down on this failed policy.
These regs will not do anything to stem the opt-out movement. As you know, NYSUT firmly supports parents' rights to decide whether their children are subjected to the state tests, and we will continue to do so.
Of course, the irony is, King won't be in his job for long. President-elect Trump has nominated billionaire anti-public school activist Betsy DeVos to be his secretary of education. This is taking us from the frying pan into the inferno. The inexperienced DeVos would defund and dismantle public education by pushing charter schools -- a failed experiment in her home state of Michigan -- and private school vouchers, which undermine public schools that serve all kids.
For more on NYSUT's significant concerns, listen to my conversation with statewide radio host Susan Arbetter.
In this time of massive change at the national level, we must continue to communicate on the issues as we defend public education and call out those who attack it. Our progress statewide shows us the way forward.
Please let us know what you think.
Karen's notes: Out of the frying pan and into the inferno
The final Every Student Succeeds Act regulations look a lot like the draft regs U.S. Education Secretary John King -- yeah, that guy -- promulgated earlier this year. When the White House and Congress came up with the ESSA law, which was carried with bipartisan support, we were excited by the opportunity to leave behind the destructive test-and-punish tenets of the old No Child Left Behind era.But led by King, who had a disastrous tenure as New York State's education chief, the federal DOE drafted regulations that are a misinterpretation of the intent of the law. They are almost a step back.
The law's intent was to promote fair funding, curb high-stakes testing and return more power to the states. But the secretary has always had trouble following legislative intent as he implemented regulations. We saw it here in New York, and we are seeing it again now, as the secretary proposes punitive measures for school districts that do not submit at least 95 percent of their students to the onerous testing process. Far from curbing high-stakes testing, the secretary's interpretation is to double down on this failed policy.
These regs will not do anything to stem the opt-out movement. As you know, NYSUT firmly supports parents' rights to decide whether their children are subjected to the state tests, and we will continue to do so.
Of course, the irony is, King won't be in his job for long. President-elect Trump has nominated billionaire anti-public school activist Betsy DeVos to be his secretary of education. This is taking us from the frying pan into the inferno. The inexperienced DeVos would defund and dismantle public education by pushing charter schools -- a failed experiment in her home state of Michigan -- and private school vouchers, which undermine public schools that serve all kids.
For more on NYSUT's significant concerns, listen to my conversation with statewide radio host Susan Arbetter.
In this time of massive change at the national level, we must continue to communicate on the issues as we defend public education and call out those who attack it. Our progress statewide shows us the way forward.
Speaking of evaluations: The clock is ticking in that the DOE/UFT have less than a month to negotiate our new evaluation. Jan 1st is the State deadline for all local school districts to come up with a new evaluation. State law says that only 2 observations are required. (One formal and one informal) If the UFT sells us out by having more than the minimum observations it will be another nail in the coffin for the UFT as many teachers will not be willing to pay dues to a crappy union once the supreme court rules agains mandatory dues payments. I really hope the UFT is reading this blog and takes notice that we teachers are waiting for a sane evaluation system. Tenured teachers DO NOT want or need more than the 2 legally mandated observations.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this is going down to the wire cannot be a good sign.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know what other school districts have done in regard to the new evaluation law? How many observations are being done in NYS school districts where they already negotiated a new evaluation? Any info is appreciated!!!
ReplyDelete16 10:25:00 AM
DeleteJust put the link below into the browser and then go to any of the districts that have completed plans. I went to a few of them. You have to look at Section 4.7 to find the minimum number of observations to be 1 from the principal and one from the outside observer.
I did notice that if the kids mess up the state and local tests, you are still automatically ineffective overall in a couple of the districts I looked at.
I didn't see any plans for where there is a adversarial relationship between mananagement and the teachers. I looked for Yonkers, Buffalo, and some others. They are like NYC, not done yet.
Happy browsing and get back to us with anything 16 10:25:00 AM
Just put the link below into the browser and then go to any of the districts that have completed plans. I went to a few of them. You have to look at Section 4.7 to find the minimum number of observations to be 1 from the principal and one from the outside observer.
I did notice that if the kids mess up the state and local tests, you are still automatically ineffective overall in a couple of the districts I looked at.
I didn't see any plans for where there is an adversarial relationship between management and the teachers. I looked for Yonkers, Buffalo, and some others. They are like NYC, not done yet.
Happy browsing and get back to us with anything you can find.
http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/plans/home-3012d.html
Just noticed that a bunch of Long Island school districts are going with one announced formal observation by principal and one unnanounced observation by outside evaluator for tenured teachers. For untenured is 2 formal and informals. I really hope NYC goes along with the bare minimum observations. One announced observation will eliminate the "gotcha" mentality that causes fear in the hearts of NYC teachers!
ReplyDeleteMount Vernon is doing the minimum of 2 observations. Pelham is doing 3 observations. (Both districts are having the same number of observations for tenured as well as untenured teachers) UFT better do us right!!!
ReplyDeleteDe Blasio's re-election is problematic. I don't see what the UFT has to gain now that the Democratic Party is in shambles.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Mulgrew has a track record of throwing teachers under the bus.
They don't have to come to an agreement. They will just take the state aid loss and we will keep current system. They have lossed money in past for not meeting deadline. I don't see them coming to an agreement.
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