Outrage in Florida. Duncan has no comment. Will drastically effect teachers.

[madfloridian]

In Bridging Differences blog today Diane Ravitch is blunt. She calls the new Senate bill on merit pay an outrage. She is right.

Outrage in Florida

The assault on public education and the teaching profession is now in full swing, as states scramble to qualify for the billions of federal funds in President Obama's Race to the Top program. The latest outrage just occurred in Florida, where state legislators passed an extraordinarily stupid piece of legislation. This law abolishes teacher tenure and ties teacher pay to student test scores. In addition, the state will no longer consider either education or experience as factors in teachers' compensation. What teachers earn will depend on their students' test scores.

The economists who floated this bad idea, perhaps as a theoretical exercise, should step up to the plate and take responsibility for what they have wrought. This path devalues education, devalues whatever cannot be measured, and undermines teachers' morale.

Ravitch says several Florida teachers contacted her about this bill. She posts what one of them said.

I teach at a Title I school so I already have a low level of parent involvement as well as a high ratio of transience. My students do not have a great deal of stability in their lives. My students may go home to an empty house (if they have a house at all) and may not have much to eat for dinner. They may not get a good night's sleep because they are worried about gang activity (yes, we have active gangs in my small city), or they can't get to sleep until they know mom is home from her second job at night, or they are caring for younger siblings, cousins, neighbors, etc. There is no one at home to help them with their homework, or if there is, they cannot help because they don't speak English or they are illiterate themselves.

No one is at home teaching my students about the importance of health and cleanliness so my student may come to school with poor hygiene. My student needs glasses, but the family can't afford to provide their child with the tools necessary for his/her success. My student does not even possess adequate background knowledge to fully comprehend the passages he/she is reading. So many aspects of my children's lives are out of my control; yet I will be held accountable (to the point that my teaching certificate itself is on the line) based on how these children perform on one test, one standardized test, taken on one highly stressful day out of their already tumultuous lives...According to NCLB and its brilliant analysis of adequate yearly progress, we are not even measuring my students according to the learning gains they made in one year. AYP does not compare my third graders at the end of the year with those same children at the beginning of the year. The flawed system compares my third grade students' scores this year against completely different students from previous years. Can we just put an end to this numbers game we are playing?

She then quotes the Washington Post's Valerie Strauss, about the only journalist staying on top of this mostly ignored crisis in education under a Democratic administration.

Almost alone among the national media, Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post has kept close watch on this legislation. She tried to get a comment on it from Secretary Arne Duncan, perhaps hoping that he would denounce it. The Secretary, who was quick to applaud the mass firings of staff at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island, had no comment on Florida's plan to abolish the teaching profession and turn it into the test-prep profession.

He had no comment on the fact that the Republican legislature is making sure that decent teachers will no longer want to teach in Florida.

More from the column at the Washington Post by Strauss.

Florida's terrible teachers bill a test for Duncan

The state of Florida could prove to be a big test for Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Legislators in the Sunshine State are moving with all due speed to pass legislation that would go a long way to making sure no teacher would ever want to work in Florida again.

..."So here’s the test for Duncan.

If, as he says, collaboration and buy-in from stakeholders matter a lot to the success of education reform, and they are important elements in any winning Race to the Top proposal, Florida is going to have to give up its plans to hit the state’s teachers over the heads with this dangerous legislation.

Because if Florida goes ahead with this legislation, and still wins Race to the Top money, Duncan is going to have a lot of explaining to do.

Kudos to the teachers who are protesting this Florida Outrage.

[2Design]

1. as a teacher only pick gifted children to teach - no longer willing to help those who need help

if it will cost their job - this is what is so wrong about this corporation crap - just more stuff to break the unions and people just don't get that

[madfloridian]

4. To break the unions and public schools...

You are right.

[pundaint]

38. In a way you are lucky if you take the opportunity - The people do not understand

the extent to which your work assignment includes non-teaching behaviors. You are asked to be wardens, counselors, parents, authors, and supply cabinets - I'm sure I've left some out. BUT you are unionized. A National strike would work. There would be no chance to get scabs through the vetting process, and the child-care service, the only one truly valued, would be sorely missed.

Change requires some pain, but change is demanded.

[mbperrin]

2. Yes, the point must be made about the lack of control, but the BIG

thing is that one group of students is being compared to another, not even the same students to themselves year to year.

This will empty the public schools, and all special populations will be left in the cold with the new charter schools.

I've taught three decades, have seen plenty of wild crap (OMG, he said "crap"), but this is the topper.

I'm keeping this terribly short, because I am feeling real rage right now.

[madfloridian]

3. Over 3 decades for me. I feel your rage.

And the Florida Democrats are not really taking a stand. They can't, because of the policy of the DOE under Obama's appointee, Arne.

I often wonder if Obama fully realized how drastically Arne would change the face of education in this country. He must have been aware.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. There is nothing in his background or personal experience that suggests...

>>>>I often wonder if Obama fully realized how drastically Arne would change the face of education in this country. He must have been aware.>>>


... that Obama would or *could* understand public education in the United States.

If he's relying on Mr. Duncan to fill his ( Obama's) own personal gaps, it appears to be a case of the blind leading the blind.

[Matt Shapiro]

37. Of course he was and is aware.

Obama can be criticized for a lot of things, but not for being ignorant. He picked Duncan because he agrees with him. Duncan is doing exactly what Obama wants.

[flyarm]

5. this bill will keep any good teacher from working in poor areas and trying to lift children

in minority areas up ..only the poorest quality teacher will put themselves through this..

and this is all being done I believe to make these schools charter to take the public school funds and privitize..and put the military fuckers in charge ..so they can expand our military without a draft.

And Obama and his team are just as responsible and the Jebs and the fuckers running these administration military/school training.

Look they are all bastards..each and every one of them..in DC and in our states..they are doing this crap all over the nation..Fla is just getting attention because they didn't get the billion in Federal funds ..Biden's state of Delaware and Tennessee got the bucks ..but Fla is still vying for the federal bmoney..that would be your and my tax dollars.

see the front page of ST.PETERSBURG Times today..SORRY I CAN PULL THE LINK UP ..PAGE 1

ARTICLE : NO SCHOOLS GRANT FOR US BY RON MATUS AND JEFFERY S. SOLOCHEK


SEE THE FOLLOWING:

FundEducationNow.org - "SB6 - A Devious Plan"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjKFZYlVDGw&feature=player_embedded

[madfloridian]

11. Can't find the article either, but I know they are blaming the unions

because FL did not get Arne's money.

[SocialistLez]

14. There was already hints of this

on an AR public radio station.

The announcer said the biggest hurdle was getting teacher unions to sign on to tie teacher pay to student performance to standardized test scores.
I hate it when the media just gives little sound bites and doesn't investigate deeper.

Most people aren't going to go home and dig deeper.

[madfloridian]

31. Yes, it is definitely blame the unions.

I read that tone in every news article about it locally.

[JCMach1]

6. How absolutely horrific... I am Florida certified and would even consider

teaching a few years before I fully retire from my higher ed. job just because I love teaching young people.

However, if compensation were so poor, how could I even touch a job like that. Sorry, but I have worked hard over the years for all of the experience and education I have earned and to receive no credit for that is well...

FUCKING INSULTING!!!

[madfloridian]

9. Yes, it is insulting and degrading.

I am so thankful I am retired.

[JCMach1]

22. Still it's like watching a friend die in an accident...

:(

[madfloridian]

25. Yes, it is.

And it is hard to believe this is all happening so quickly. It's like a hail mary pass like it must be done right now before we change administrations. Like both parties working together on the demise of public education and the end of teachers who felt secure enough to do their jobs well.

[Kalun D]

7. the WORST thing

this is the absolute worst thing to come out of the white house

the bush testing plan going forward under Obama (no child's behind left)

it's 2 birds with one stone

the continued dumbing down of the underclass

the busting of the last big Union

[madfloridian]

12. It is union busting.

And there is no politician speaking out for teachers.

[flyarm]

17. + 1 million..damn right it is union busting..thanks for posting this and keeping up with it! eom

[Starry Messenger]

10. Disgusting.

Every single teacher there should quit. Too bad the economy is so far in the toilet, they probably can't afford to.

[SocialistLez]

13. If they quit

The parents would be up in arms.

I don't GET this union hatred in this country.

When teachers here in my area went on strike because the school board wouldn't recgonize the union, SOME parents had the nerve to say the teachers don't care about the kids. I don't see any of them rushing to teach. The pay is horrible and they get a lot of sh**.

[Starry Messenger]

19. It just shows how deeply RW talking points have penetrated this country

A lot of money goes into anti-union brainwashing. You should see some of the posts *here*. Instead of supporting unions to lift up all sectors of workers, people who aren't protected want to drag everyone else down to be exploited. It's unbelievable, isn't it?

[madfloridian]

28. The right wing had big money behind their message for decades.

If you have not read The Republican Noise Machine, do so.

It's amazing how well organized they were. Meanwhile, liberals put no money into messaging...and it is showing now.

[etherealtruth]

15. "... based on how these children perform on one test..."

How can anything be based on a single test?

This certainly discourages teachers from teaching the children that need them the most .... school can be a source of stability and security for children from economically and socially disadvantaged households (granted many are disadvantaged in both areas). One would think you would want to encourage and retain (not to mention reward)teachers with the most troubled students.

[madfloridian]

16. Encourage and retain teachers who work with troubled students.

It used to be that way. Not any more.

[trayfoot]

20. We USED to be able to TEACH............

Thirty couple years ago when I started. Not anymore. People wonder why this country is so ignorant? It's the assholes who THINK they know about education making the decisions - not the professionals! "Merit pay" and "Tying teacher jobs to student performance on some standardized test" is a total non-starter for me. In this area, President Obama and I must part company! And, as a lifetime NEA member, I will work AGAINST these plans at every opportunity. My heartfelt sympathies go to the Florida teachers!

[madfloridian]

26. Educators have been left out of decision making

For years.

[n.michigan]

40. Where is the National Education Association- they need to strike before it gets worse.

They also need to prove they are earning the fees of all these educators.. and are willing to provide action on their behalf. Race To The Top is just the END. Obama is a straw man for big money- they see a future for education ..

[flyarm]

18. when the big boys can't count on stealing from Wall Street and the bansk anymore..they need a new

place to steal the money from..now it is our public schools with the blessings of a democratic President and his henchmen!

[Greyhound]

21. K&R.

[PVnRT]

23. Maybe we should pay cops by the number of crimes they stop

Better yet, let's come up with independent reviewers of politicians to determine how much they're paid.

[SocialistLez]

29. +1 (love the cop comparison)

[progressoid]

24. Yet another madfloridian post I have to K/R

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

27. Appreciated.

I am stunned by how fast the discrediting of public schools and teachers is proceeding.

[madfloridian]

30. It's really too late to change things back.

Respect for teachers is just about gone.

The reputation of public schools has been trashed since Reagan.

I don't know of a single politician who dares speak out in defense of public education and its teachers for fear of crossing the administration.

It's sad.

[Hawkeye-X]

32. Obama needs to order Arne Duncan's resignation effective immediately

and put a teacher in place instead.

Hawkeye-X

[madfloridian]

33. Educators are being left out of decisions.

The decisions are being made by those who know nothing about education.

[FloriTexan]

44. I nominate MadFloridian - do I get a second? n/t

[ncteechur]

48. This is not a federal issue. Has nothing to do with Arne Duncan.

[KharmaTrain]

49. Shhhhh....

You're ruining a good poutrage...

[Melusine]

34. I'm too late to rec, as usual

There are no words to describe how outrageous this is. Even under the best of circumstances a child can have a meltdown on a test, or just not test well at all, period. I know they have to know this, so I quite agree that this is a deliberate ploy to fire teachers and break unions.

Unbelievable. sigh

[madfloridian]

35. Yes, it is a deliberate ploy....right out in the open.

You are right. it is meant to fire teachers and break unions.

And most people don't care because Reagan's propaganda has worked so well.

[omega minimo]

39. kik

[Mithreal]

36. Thank you

[sam sarrha]

41. there will soon be a traffic jam caused by teachers flooding out of Florida..

job pays poorly anyway.. this is simply a way to reduce the number of teachers without firing them

[sam sarrha]

42. here is a really interesting article... on FL education

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/08/11/1181951/floridas-education-rankings-difficult.html

"snip... Everyone knows that Florida ranks at the bottom when it comes to education. Except when it ranks near the top.
Depending on whom you ask,...

...Here's Gov. Charlie Crist, speaking in June: ``Things are very good in education in Florida. We've gone, in fact, from 31st in education out of the 50 states two years ago to the top 10 in our country according to Education Week -- and that's a great thing.''..

...``It's bunk, it's just wrong to say that we're 10th in education or to say we're progressing nationally,'' Chiles said. ``It's just clearly not true.''..snip"

[LWolf]

43. What are teachers doing now,

and what else can be done, to derail this bill?

I'm about as far away from Florida as I could get and still be in the U.S., but I'll donate and make phone calls if they need me.

[greiner3]

45. I would say if the bill passes;

The better teachers will gravitate to the better districts where they can pretty much count on merit pay. That leaves the bad teachers to the bad districts. There was a book years ago called 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed.' I tried to read it but it was too heavy for me. I understand the premise, the damned will stay the way they are. I believe there will soon be 10-20% illiteracy in this country born on the back of for profit education.

[bertman]

46. "Error: you can only recommend a thread . . . " So here's a kick.

[ncteechur]

47. On what bases should teachers be evaluated? How do parents know that their

children are being taught well? How do parents know whether the grades their children receive actually reflect a child's competence in the curriculum content? How can we determine which teachers are doing the better job of teaching children? Of achieving growth with all children? What is to prevent students from receiving poor teachers over and over again? What prevents the same teachers from being assigned the easiest to teach children while others, generally new, teachers receive the most difficult to teach kids?
What prevents children from leaving high school and having to take a full slate of remedial courses in colleges and universities because they were not held to rigorous standards? Shouldn't teachers be evaluated on the LEARNING more than the teaching? How do we do that?

A lot of questions to think about. And maybe differentiated pay is not the way to answer them, but if not, how? Who is responsible and how do you hold them responsible?

[n.michigan]

50. The earliest- apprenticeship- You seem overly curious-Of course OBAMA and Duncan are the issue.

How did you learn? Oh never mind.