Teachers' dim future: budget cuts, cramped classes

[n2doc]

Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 14, 2010


When Jay LaViolette tells people he's a public school teacher, the reactions range from disinterest to sympathy.

In his fourth year teaching in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley Middle School, he is far from the highest paid among his friends and, on top of that, he lacks job security.

It is a tough job that's getting harder, he said.

He's right, the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning said in a state report released Monday.

In fact, the state is facing the gloomiest outlook for the teaching profession in a very long time, said Margaret Gaston, president of the Santa Cruz center.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/13/MNUF1GQ1CL.DTL

[Crazy Dave]

1. Add layoffs, less pay and reduced pensions

Some states and/or counties will be hit harder than others. I can't remember where but a small town school had to be shut down and the children all had to be bused 30 miles away to the next town that barely has enough resources for their own students.

[alp227]

2. Teachers' dim future: budget cuts, cramped classes

When Jay LaViolette tells people he's a public school teacher, the reactions range from disinterest to sympathy.

In his fourth year teaching in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley Middle School, he is far from the highest paid among his friends and, on top of that, he lacks job security.

It is a tough job that's getting harder, he said.

He's right, the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning said in a state report released Monday.

In fact, the state is facing the gloomiest outlook for the teaching profession in a very long time, said Margaret Gaston, president of the Santa Cruz center.

Budget cuts have boosted class sizes by up to 10 children. Teacher aides, counselors, nurses and other classroom support positions have been eliminated. Job security is a problem, with 14,000 teachers laid off last year, according to the study by SRI International.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/13/MNUF1GQ1CL.DTL

One funny comment in the section: "Who needs an education when when Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glen (sic) Beck provide us all the information we need to make informed decisions?" (rimshot)

[Drale]

3. My mom is a first grade teacher and she only has 14 kids in her room

all because the parent got involved and forced the district to add another class. It's amazing what can happen when parents care.