VOTE: Send Message to Obama to Replace NCLB

[teacher gal]

To vote, you can go to my blog at http://aplacetorespond.blogspot.com/

My understanding (and you can do further checking) is that Change.org is a website for Obama’s transition team where members of the public can submit proposals for his administration to consider. The top 10 ideas are going to be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits after the Inauguration. The first round of voting to determine the top 3 ideas in each category will end 12/31. Wish I had known about this sooner.

'Tis better to vote than not. A couple more hundred votes and we could be in the running in the education category. And those of you more interested in other issues have an opportunity at Change.org to let your voice be heard on those issues.

[teacher gal]

1. Please help this cause n/t

[YvonneCa]

16. After checking...

...the website, I think it is change.gov...not change.org. Is that right?

http://change.gov/openforquestions.

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. As a teacher, I support you 100%

Unfortunately, I think NCLB is going to be a very low priority for the new administration.

[teacher gal]

4. thank you

Yes. And yet the continued undermining of public education will have enormous consequences for the future of this country.

Thank you for your support...we have to try.

[Wang111]

3. Send a message to Obama to be aware of Bush’s raging racism

Send a message to Obama to be aware of Bush’s raging racism.

“WASHINGTON Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the country is not ‘race-blind’ and ‘we shouldn’t deceive ourselves that we’re race-blind,’ but she said the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president was a key moment in history. ‘I think all Americans were quite taken with the fact that we were able, after the long history we’ve been through, that initial birth defect of slavery, that we’ve elected an African-American,’ Rice said in an interview taped recently on CBS’ Sunday Morning. ‘And that’s enormously heartening for people in the country, but also people worldwide who still have trouble with differences.’ Rice, who left segregated Alabama to eventually become the first African-American woman to be secretary of state, warned that the United States still has problems with race. ‘But I do think we’ve gotten to the place that we don’t see a person and say, ‘That’s a black person, therefore they must be ...’ And that’s an enormous step forward’” ((No author listed). (2008, December 29). U.S. still has problems with race, Rice warns. http://www.baltimoresun.com/. Retrieved December 30, 2008, from http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.briefs292dec29,0,6091459.story).

For example, George W. Bush is not race-blind and still has problems with race.

On balance, George W. Bush is a hate-crime criminal (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-did-you-think-of-that-naacp-anti.html: “George W. Bush had better stop committing hate crimes”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates Jews (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/george-w-bush-dislikes-or-hates-jews-in.html: “George W. Bush dislikes or hates Jews in his heart and mind”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates immigrants (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/george-w-bush-hates-immigrants.html: “George W. Bush hates immigrants”; and http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-did-you-think-of-that-naacp-anti.html: “George W. Bush had better stop committing hate crimes”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates black people (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/andrew-yu-jen-wang-responds-to-stokely.html: “Andrew Yu-Jen Wang responds to Stokely Carmichael’s comment in Wang’s blog”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates Latino people (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-did-you-think-of-that-naacp-anti.html: “George W. Bush had better stop committing hate crimes”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates Arabs and Muslims (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-did-you-think-of-that-naacp-anti.html: “George W. Bush had better stop committing hate crimes”; and http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/11/george-w-bush-is-racist.html: “George W. Bush is a racist”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates Indian people (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/11/george-w-bush-is-racist.html: “George W. Bush is a racist”).

On balance, George W. Bush hates Filipino people (indicated at http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/11/george-w-bush-is-racist.html: “George W. Bush is a racist”).

Bush is like Adolf Hitler: Bush in such an uncontainable manner wants to maintain that his race is superior to all other races.

Bush’s racial prejudices are shocking to the conscience.

Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

“GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG

http://andrewyu-jenwang.blogspot.com/2008/12/us-still-has-problems-with-race-rice.html

[teacher gal]

5. asking for help to keep this up there n/t

[teacher gal]

6. I suppose

I could generate much more interest if I posted about some sex scandal or some juicy gossip but that wouldn't help save public education from its control and hijacking by corporate interests.

America ignores this issue at its peril.

[YvonneCa]

10. Your words: "America ignores this issue at its peril." Very true. n/t

[YvonneCa]

7. Help...

...is on the way! :7

[teacher gal]

8. Hey!

Thank you!

[YvonneCa]

11. You are most welcome. n/t

[YvonneCa]

9. I'll repost a few of my thoughts on education...

...and NCLB. Here's the first:



People not involved in the field of education may not realize something. DU is a Democratic board, but even here, many people don't realize how 'under attack' teachers have been during the Bush Administration. It was not always this way.

I have no argument with those who say "Let's get rid of bad teachers." Bad teachers have no place in schools. But most teachers are NOT bad teachers. They work hard, love kids, and go above and beyond to teach them and set them on a path to a bright future.

There has been a need to improve education for too long now. There are many reasons to fix our schools...mainly because our country's future DEPENDS on a highly educated, competent workforce.

But only in the past eight years have teachers been so highly stigmatized. Just like Bush has done in other parts of government he wants to get rid of (FEMA, EPA, the UN, ACLU, etc.) He starts by demonizing the department, its relevance and its ability to do the work...and then he REPLACES it. THAT's what he has been doing to education for eight years (and before...remember Republican efforts to abolish the Education Dept.?)

My problem is that so many of you here...presumably Democrats...have bought the line that teachers are the 'bad guys'. How did that happen?

[teacher gal]

13. Consider

the condition of childhood in this nation and the unprecedented and wildly unrealistic demands placed on public schools while so many of our children's most basic and fundamental life needs go unmet.

[YvonneCa]

17. And the many teachers who work with...

...those children every day know and understand those needs well. As teachers, we believe in and have been taught to work to meet the needs of each child, as difficult as that is at times, in a diverse classroom. NCLB not only requires teachers to 'throw away' that mindset to survive...it prescribes punishment for schools and teachers who cling to the goal of real teaching over test-taking.


I hope Obama can fix public schools. He has to include teachers to be successful...but I'm not sure he knows that.

[YvonneCa]

12. I did post a question...

... related to education at change.org, too. I basically asked that teachers (in addition to unions) be given voice about the future of public education. We teachers are being shut out. JMHO.

[teacher gal]

14. Good for you! n/t

[teacher gal]

15. kick

gonna keep tooting this horn a little bit until bedtime.

Again, I thank fellow teacher Yvonne!

[teacher gal]

18. Just checked

at Change.org and this idea is currently in 5th Place in Education and needs 208 more votes to make it into the second round.

It is rather amazing that it isn't in first place.

Come on people!

[YvonneCa]

19. Change.org or ..

...change.gov ? http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/

[teacher gal]

20. Hmm...

Change.org is where the voting is and what I linked to on my blog.

But I see on the URL you provided that people can submit questions.

[teacher gal]

21. Funny...

though Yvonne and I are the only two carrying on this conversation, this post has still managed to get 8 recs. Thank you to whoever gave them! Thank you to those of you who voted. Especially thank you Yvonne.

[YvonneCa]

34. Good morning. And...

...you are welcome. :)

[teacher gal]

22. Kick and goodnight. n/t

[donheld]

23. done

[teacher gal]

24. thanks n/t

[firedupdem]

25. kick!!

My dear mother taught in the Chicago public schools for 35yrs. She's passed on but I'm kicking this for you and her and I will go to the website and vote.

[teacher gal]

26. thank you so much n/t

[Celebration]

27. well, it was a tiny bit of trouble setting up an account

But definitely I voted.

Obama wants this country to be a leader in technology. How can that happen if all we do is teach kids to take multiple choice tests?

NCLB.....dumbest.....idea.......ever.......

All one has to do is be able to remember going through grade school to figure out that this is going to produce a generation of zombies.

[teacher gal]

28. glad you voted-thank you n/t

[Celebration]

39. I emailed it to my two teacher daughters

I'm sure they would agree, though they are not directly impacted.

[teacher gal]

51. I'm glad you did that

Thank you!

[checks-n-balances]

29. K&R - more DUers need to sign up & vote!

As someone said before, this isn't the #1 education issue at change.org - it's only #5! Get your butts in gear & let your votes be heard today!

[teacher gal]

30. Yes. It is incredibly sad.

NCLB and high-stakes testing are literally destroying American public education, as designed, diverting billions into private coffers, under an accountabliity system that is absurdly fraudulent. Alll deceptively cloaked in the language of civil rights. Where is the damn outrage? Please forgive me for being pissed as hell.

I'm appalled that the issue of introducing Esperanto as a foreign language in schools is receiving more votes and is likely going to keep the issue of NCLB from being one of the top 3 education issues presented to Obama by this effort. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against Esperanto being offered in our schools. But for gosh sakes, we aren't even going to HAVE any public schools to offer foreign languages in if the trajectory in which this nation is headed continues.

Rant, rant, rant.

Please people...vote and spread the word.

[teacher gal]

31. kick n/t

[YvonneCa]

36. NCLB consequence #1...

...caused a CYA mentality in some states, counties and districts. If the only test given was for NCLB...once a year...I'd cheer. But, in my county, tests are given three times a year...in reading, math and writing...to be sure state standards are met...in addition to NCLB. We start the school year...we test. We get to Christmas...we test. We return in the spring...we do test prep and test NCLB. After NCLB, at the end of the year...we test again. That's what I mean. And anyone who has taught knows you don't just test one day...you have all the hassle because kids are absent/makeups, etc. And then ther's the focus on scoring.

Teacher energy needs to be on the kids and teaching. JMHO.

[YvonneCa]

37. NCLB consequence #2...

...it limits the curriculum. Math, reading and writing' are important...but when that's all that is tested (in the beginning), administrators only focus on what is tested. Other subjects disapppear. It affects what precious classroom time can be spent on.

NCLB has many unintended consequences. When Bush pushed NCLB, he didn't listen to even educators who told him what the effect would be. This is the main reason that , I believe, teachers MUST be involved in Obama's plan going forward. Not that they (we) know EVERYTHING or are always right...but because we can anticipate consequences that might be unintended.

That was the GWB pattern...just like the Iraq war, when people told GWB and his people what would happen and they failed to listen. It has been and it was a pattern that he repeated with the education community.

[YvonneCa]

38. NCLB consequence #3 (why teachers complain)...

...is the reality in classrooms and how it unfairly punishes the very teachers who have devoted lives to children in 'underperforming' schools. Example: Let's say there are four second grade teachers. Every one of them produces an average of 1 to 3 years growth in their class of students. But they are very different as teachers...one complains about *certain* students placed in their class every year, another teaches 'GATE' students (and they get averaged into the total class improvement), another regularly takes kids the others don't want because of a belief that you work with students as they come to you, etc.

Thanks to the current focus on 'data' and 'results' (which does have a place) at the end of the year, these four teachers get a number (data) showing average growth of their class. IMO, data is important, but it is ONE measure of each teacher. Remember, ALL these teachers added value. ALL these teachers are good teachers. But administrators...under great pressure as 'at-will' employees...see this data. Some (really bad ones) make the data public by handing it out at staff meetings. This pits one teacher against another when we should all be working toward the same goal.

Data is a tool...but only ONE tool. Anyone who has taken a class in statistics will tell you you can twist data to make a case for anything.

That's what has changed under NCLB...successful teachers who help their students grow are NOT rewarded, they are punished because sometimes even 3-4 years growth is still below standard.

[teacher gal]

40. another consequence

High-stakes testing is increasing the dropout rates, as shown by numerous studies, including one at Rice University. NCLB does not respect individual student diversity.

Last kick for a while. Gotta do some housecleaning!

[YvonneCa]

44. That is definitely true. I always thought those dropping...

...out were the students who couldn't meet standards (because they were giving up). I heard an education discussion (I think on C-Span) where the point was made that many HIGH ACHIEVING students were also dropping out, due to boredom and the fact that their needs are being ignored with NCLB. I've seem that with 5th and 6th graders...they have no reason to stay in a place where they aren't learning. And these kids WANT to learn.

I wish I remembered who said that.

[teacher gal]

50. Yvonne,

Be sure to check out my response to your 'favorite solutions'. How refreshing it is to even imagine the possibilites that exist for public edcuation if we could return control of it to parents, teachers, an informed (rather than misinformed) citizenry!

[YvonneCa]

41. Consequence # 4 and the end of Public Schools...

...due to teaching to the test practices....and the effect on my classroom environment (not to mention the stress for me personally) is why I retired last June. It was like being placed in a straight jacket in regard to curriculum and instruction, while being judged more punitively and harshly than ever about the test scores of my students.



Teachers unions are being demonized...just like the UAW was. One reason it always seems unions are blocking any reform is that the reforms being proposed under Bush are not really transformational...they're the same old tired complaints: Get rid of tenure, cut benefits (they all want this because pensions and health care is getting expensive), and try to give the teachers more paperwork to do to prove they are trying to change, vouchers (because they want to privatize public education which would eventually get rid of it).


I have come to believe that ...if teachers aren't included and/or valued in the process of school change...we are seeing the end of public education. I hope I am wrong.

[teacher gal]

32. Come on people, please help this cause. n/t

[teacher gal]

33. a little persistence can't hurt n/t

[teacher gal]

35. right?

[YvonneCa]

45. Persistence is KEY.. :) n/t

[teacher gal]

52. Well, here's a little more persistence... n/t

[YvonneCa]

42. Hope and change. A few of my favorite solutions...

...for discussion:

...with the underlying prerequisite that teachers MUST be involved in designing a program in order for it to be successful:

1. Ungraded schools at the elementary level. As some have said here, mastery of concepts should be required to move on. It's WAY more complicated than that...but clearly passing kids from grade to grade does not work.

2. Integrate curriculum. Learning makes more sense to kids when connections to other knowledge can be made. We have lost that in the era of NCLB. And we can still keep standards to meet...just not in isolation.

3. Create multiple pathways/goals for graduation...all of them rigorous. Have it kick in at about age 10 or so...be flexible until age 12 (to be sure the child has made a good personal choice)...and then be the student's committed choice after that. Some kids may choose science/math, others may go into writing/journalism, others to a third choice. It's important to design these pathways well...for areas students will need to work in in the future. When they finish, they are job-ready or college ready...but THEY have some buy-in to their future goal (not just their teacher or their parents).

4. For teachers, stop demeaning them and start treating them professionally. Create career paths for them. Very few exist now, because teaching used to be a 'traditional woman's job.'

5. Find ways to involve parents in their child's education...ie. Student Led Conferences, Curriculum Fair, technology, etc. The list is endless.

[teacher gal]

46. Great ideas for change Yvonne

A new vision for education that might interest you and other readers can be found at this URL, where ideas are developing: http://definegreat.ning.com/forum/topics/educating-for-human-greatness

It is a work in progress:

A Clear Purpose for Education

Develop great human beings to be contributors (not burdens) to society by focusing on 7 Dimensions of Human Greatness:

1. Identity – Help students learn who they are – as individuals with unlimited potential, develop their unique talents and gifts to realize self-worth and develop a strong desire to be contributors to family, school and community.

2. Inquiry – Stimulate curiosity; awaken a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and humankind. Help students develop the power to ask important questions.

3. Interaction – Promote courtesy, caring, communication and cooperation.

4. Initiative – Foster self-directed learning, will power and self-evaluation.

5. Imagination – Nurture creativity in all of its many forms.

6. Intuition – Help students learn how to feel and recognize truth with their hearts as well as with their minds – develop spirituality and humility.

7. Integrity – Develop honesty, character, morality and responsibility for self.

SURPRISE: When reading, writing, math and other disciplines are taught as tools rather than goals, students' learning produces more depth and breadth, they retain more of what they learn and are able to apply it to solve other problems.

This “higher vision” allows teachers to perform as professionals who involve parents and inspire students to accomplish amazing things.

[YvonneCa]

64. That is beautiful. And it's where my district...

...former district...was heading before NCLB. That IS the answer to saving public schools. Thank you for the link. :)

[checks-n-balances]

47. I can't R again, but I can keep K'ing!

Thanks for your ideas - I too am well aware that this is, first and foremost, a privatization scheme that unfairly pits "subgroups" against one another and once again demonizes teachers for the benefit of grandstanding politicians, etc...among other things.

In the last 4 years, 2 teachers on our faculty have had strokes. One died and another is permanently disabled. And 3 others are out on long-term (stress-related) disability. And that's just part of what's happening in my local situation.

I can't figure out why in the world NCLB was ever supported by Dems - especially Ted Kennedy - unless he doesn't realize what's happened to it. Perhaps it began as a genuinely good idea until the gop twisted it to their advantage.

[teacher gal]

48. Thank you so much

for supportng this thread!

[YvonneCa]

72. I don't think Dems (like Kennedy) do know...

...the impact on teachers. I believe if they did...they'd fix it. Maybe I'm naive. These days, I just think teachers MUST be a part of fixing our public schools...they know what is broken. So now is the time to voice our ideas.

I'm really sorry to hear about your teacher colleagues. That saddens me more than I could ever explain. And I hate to say this, but my retirement last June was for the same reason...I was on the verge of a stroke myself. I had to choose between a job I have loved and my health and family. I feel lucky to have made the right choice before it was too late. Here's the clincher: When I told HR that what they had done to get me to retire was wrong...one very nice honest person in that department told me they were doing the same thing to 5 or 6 other people as well. It was POLICY.

[ColbertWatcher]

43. Just 10!? I always try to wish for more wishes when asked what I wish for from a genie!

How about top suggestions for each cabinet position!?

That would be my suggestion.

[teacher gal]

49. Sign in and vote for change!

Go to my blog, take 5 minutes, p-l-e-a-s-e, sign in and vote.

http://aplacetorespond.blogspot.com/

[maryf]

53. Obama's transition site is www.change.gov still K&R

I made the same mistake earlier today! Still think change.org is a great resource site, and the action is a no brainer!!

[teacher gal]

54. Yes,

I guess I didn't clarify well and I'm learning! The Change.org site which you can access through my blog (see original post) is where you can vote though, as stated in my original post.

Thank you for the K&R!

[maryf]

56. Thank you for helping educate

on the horrible nature of NCLB, the road to brainlessness; the military recruiting codicil is enough for all to take a good hard look at it...we teachers have to stick together, we work for the hope of the future!!

[teacher gal]

55. another kick

now about that housecleaning I need to get done...

[LWolf]

57. I voted for that one awhile back,

and I'm happy to give it a :kick:

[teacher gal]

58. Hello there

and thanks for the kick. You are always a step ahead of me..haha!

[LWolf]

59. No.

A step ahead here? Maybe. If I am, it's usually because I'm avoiding tasks with more substance, lol.

You're probably a step ahead of me everywhere else; I'm barely keeping up, out in the real world.

I dreamed of work last night. My class and I, in the classroom. Trying to accomplish some learning task. Math, which I haven't taught in 4 years now. First the phone kept ringing, pulling kids out of class. Then other students kept running into the room with requests from different classes. Then all my team partners showed up and were standing in the corner by my desk, watching me. I finally turned to them, to ask them, in exasperation, what they wanted. Before I could, though, I noticed all the cupcakes on the counter by the sink, and remembered that I had to hurry up and get done. It was the last day of school, and we were supposed to party before we went home.

Then I realized that school was out, everyone else was gone, and my colleagues were there to ask me why I hadn't dismissed my kids yet.

I was dismayed, because the school year was over and we hadn't finished some important math thing.

Kind of tells you where I'm at these days, lol. ;)

[teacher gal]

60. evening kick...

what the heck, might get something going here

[teacher gal]

61. Do it...vote!

A lot of votes added today. We're still trailing, though not as badly as this morning.

PLEASE help with this effort.

[teacher gal]

62. Pretty please? n/t

[teacher gal]

63. ok, with sugar on it n/t

[YvonneCa]

65. teachergal, you are a ....

...persistent person. :7 Thanks!

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. Forget about replacing it! Throw it out and lose the key!

:grr:

[teacher gal]

67. Yes, but this is a step closer

to what should be done to nclb...I like to picture bonfires and dancing in the streets. It also serves to send a message and increase the volume of the voice of resistance.

[proud2BlibKansan]

68. In talking to our area congress reps (all Dems) I have learned they hate it too

and want it gone. The problem is no one wants to say this out loud as it looks like they don't want their schools held accountable.

So I think we need to insist they throw it out. If enough of us do this, I believe the support we need in Congress is there.

[teacher gal]

69. In the case of nclb, I like that word...

'insist'

DEMAND!

[all.of.me]

70. kick - needs 33 more votes! nt

[teacher gal]

71. Yes, thank you!

So much. This morning the nclb proposal was about 300 votes behind the issue of introducing Esperanto (for crying out loud) into schools as a foreign language. Don't misunderstand me - I have absolutely nothing against that. But good grief, nclb is an enormous attack on democracy itself and is literally destroying public education. We won't even HAVE public schools in the future to introduce foreign languages into!

[maryf]

73. Kick for the kids!!! nt