tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post8536992125239783689..comments2024-03-07T15:25:26.971-05:00Comments on ICEUFT Blog: GRIEVANCE DIRECTOR PAINTS ROSY PICTURE ON LETTERS TO THE FILE COMPARED TO THE PAST; DA REPORT PART IIIJeff Kaufmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728874415155394751noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-44884610229239709852009-07-02T14:17:40.215-04:002009-07-02T14:17:40.215-04:00It doesn't help anyone.It doesn't help anyone.James Eternohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578647381229034792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-80629506810044066682009-06-30T23:09:19.155-04:002009-06-30T23:09:19.155-04:00Hey James,
Got a teacher (tenured) whom the AP is...Hey James,<br /><br />Got a teacher (tenured) whom the AP is gunning for. During a pre-ob with her and the AP the teacher (in danger of getting a U based on previous class visits) asked the AP what day and subject she'd be visiting. The AP refused to be pinned down and just said, "I'm too busy, but will be in within the next two weeks". <br /><br />Referring to Chancellor's Reg #80 a teacher who is in danger of getting a U is entitled to a pre-observation where the "content of the lesson" is discussed. We grieved the subsequent U observation (like I had to tell you she got a U in the end) on the grounds she didn't get a proper pre-ob based on Chancellor's reg #80. Our understanding is that to discuss the "content of the lesson" one would have to talk about a particular subject on a particular day.<br /><br />The kicker is, if I am correct, that even if we win that grievance her U observation STAYS IN THE FILE.<br /><br />How can that be a good thing?<br /><br />John Elfrank-Dana<br />UFT Chapter Leader<br />Murry Bergtraum High SchoolJohn Elfrank-Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03945120682305889506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-14840500645959457012009-05-23T17:11:43.252-04:002009-05-23T17:11:43.252-04:00Good piece. I sent it around to my CL and Delegat...Good piece. I sent it around to my CL and DelegateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-64088591381554314672009-05-22T23:54:32.710-04:002009-05-22T23:54:32.710-04:00Jeff, can you give further information and details...Jeff, can you give further information and details as to exactly what happened when you tried to obtain observation reports and ratings?<br /><br />What reasons were given for denying access to observation reports?<br /><br />Did you request ratings for specific people or for an entire school?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-70671007249136135842009-05-22T06:29:16.743-04:002009-05-22T06:29:16.743-04:00I have not been successful in obtaining observatio...I have not been successful in obtaining observation reports but ratings have been available. I strongly suggest you try. The Committee on Open Government provides only advisory opinions. Make the request and if denied appeal.Jeff Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11728874415155394751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-90263346779413623872009-05-21T21:18:15.930-04:002009-05-21T21:18:15.930-04:00Jeff, I'm referring my 2:41 A.M. question to you.
...Jeff, I'm referring my 2:41 A.M. question to you.<br /><br />Are the teacher ratings and files public information?<br /><br />The following legal opinion leads me to think that they are, at least in part:<br /><br />http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/ftext/f14287.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-60312112290711126082009-05-21T21:10:31.325-04:002009-05-21T21:10:31.325-04:00It's Randi's Post Op Ed. UnbelievableIt's Randi's Post Op Ed. UnbelievableAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-48413811579503404172009-05-21T19:55:58.353-04:002009-05-21T19:55:58.353-04:00I just read over at Gotham Schools that she can li...I just read over at Gotham Schools that she can live with a mayor-controlled PEP. She makes me sick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-82830325853417705262009-05-21T17:07:12.543-04:002009-05-21T17:07:12.543-04:00Just saying that almost the full Power Point prese...Just saying that almost the full Power Point presentation is posted over at <A HREF="http://underassault.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-info-on-lifs-just-kidding.html" REL="nofollow">Under Assault</A>.Under Assaulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18222267229529062957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-35701608520707138532009-05-21T16:53:49.722-04:002009-05-21T16:53:49.722-04:00To 12:35 p.m.-
All formal observations need a pre...To 12:35 p.m.-<br /><br />All formal observations need a pre and post observation conference. What constitutes a pre conference is more complicated. if the teacher is in danger of getting a U rating, then there has to be an individual pre observation conference and if there wasn't one, the observation should be grieved. <br /><br />If a satisfactory teacher did not request an individual pre-conference in writing, then what constitutes a pre-conference is not so cut and dry.<br /><br />For an informal observation, no pre conference is needed but a post observation conference is required before the informal observation can go in the file. <br /><br />We just had this last part confirmed at a recent Chancellors' level grievance.James Eternohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578647381229034792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-46279472730434519932009-05-21T16:44:44.244-04:002009-05-21T16:44:44.244-04:002:41 a.m. Please address that question to Jeff. ...2:41 a.m. Please address that question to Jeff. He would know better than anyone.James Eternohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578647381229034792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-21885018796655137842009-05-21T05:35:48.821-04:002009-05-21T05:35:48.821-04:00Care to comment, Howard?Care to comment, Howard?Letter 'R Usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-70315708100787603182009-05-21T02:41:36.069-04:002009-05-21T02:41:36.069-04:00James, are the teacher files and ratings public in...James, are the teacher files and ratings public information?<br /><br />http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/ftext/f14287.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-33130857731152935792009-05-20T20:29:57.116-04:002009-05-20T20:29:57.116-04:00Anon. 12:35 -
Yes, DRs and union execs frequently ...Anon. 12:35 -<br />Yes, DRs and union execs frequently contradict each other. Sometimes the DR doesn't know enough or is going on what's been done traditionally. It is troublesome and makes you feel you're in quicksand.<br /><br />I go with this rule: if you see a clear violation of contract, then you can feel comfortable grieving. <br /><br />In the case of pre-obs and post-obs, the contract specifically calls for both: "The second model, known as Formal Observations (Component B), is the traditional classroom observation by a principal or supervisor which includes pre- and post- observation conferences and written feedback/comments." <br /><br />The question is, though, if they don't OFFER one of these to you, and you neglected to ASK for it, are they obligated to give it to you? Certainly if they refused to give it to you, they're in violation. But if they say to your request: Sure, let's meet, I don't see a violation, and therefore I don't see how you can get a U observation reversed using obstinacy or neglect as a factor.<br /><br />Maybe when the DR said if there was just a post-obs. conference, then the letter stands, they were thinking along the lines above: that if you didn't bother to ask for a pre-obs (which you had the right to do), then tough luck for you when it comes down as a U.<br /><br />The point is, if something is not spelled out, an arbitration Step III needs to happen to resolve the issue for you and everyone else after you. So as long as there is a real violation, grieve and force a Step III so a refinement can be made and precedent set. If a rule has already been established, you'll find out one way or other during the grievance process. <br /><br />You'll always be denied at Step I and II -- that's the way the UFT negotiated it, it seems. At the very least they did not see these pro forma denials coming. It's also true that some people have had to badger the union to take their grievance to Step III, because there are not a lot of slots and an effort will be made to "encourage" you to walk away, even if your grievance has a lot of merit. <br /> <br />I think too you have to balance your pushing a grievance through all the steps against what effect doing this fight might have on the relationship you have with your principal.JWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-89928814135823382262009-05-20T18:45:07.850-04:002009-05-20T18:45:07.850-04:00What effect does removing "untimely" letters have....What effect does removing "untimely" letters have. I still cannot seem to get a clear answer on this after numerous requests. The answer is not clear.<br />Can the removal of untimely letters have a protective effect?<br />Subs are getting letters about performance issues in schools that placed them on their "do not call list" dating back to 2004. What can be done to stop them from sending these untimely reports? They are racking them up to use against subs for possible "disciplinary action". It's horrible!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921757.post-64048755221889228122009-05-20T12:35:53.365-04:002009-05-20T12:35:53.365-04:00Thank you, James, for an excellent analysis of Sol...Thank you, James, for an excellent analysis of Solomon's presentation. The members at my school DO NOT FEEL protected from unfair letters in the file. The untenured teachers have been bombarded this year with file letters and there is not much that can be done, despite Solomon's assurance to the contrary. At the presentation, I understood him to say that a U observation could be grieved if there was not a pre- and a post-conference and he confirmed this to me when I went up to him afterwards. Well, I asked my DR this same question, and surprise, the answer was "if there is just a post-observation conference, then the letter stands". It's hard to trust any of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com