| I had a principal who stood up for teachers and students. She had 29 years experience, 11 years as a principal at this school. She was forced to “retire” one year short of full vestment or face firing because we failed to meet our AYP goal by 7 points one year and 5 points the year before.
The school maintained a “B” grade from the state for 4 out of 7 years (the grade was “C” the other 3) and the year she was fired we actually missed AYP by only 3 points (special education and ELL students made AYP) making marked progress every single year in every single category. This all happened in a school with the largest special education population in the county, 93% free/reduced lunch, and 34% English language learners. It didn’t matter.
Once she was labelled as a maverick and a troublemaker her days were numbered. This woman made sure every single one of our 680+ students had shoes, glasses, food to eat on weekends and at school, uniforms to wear, and opportunities they would not have otherwise. She knew the name of every single student in the school. knew their parents, and knew their academic standing. She supported students and teachers with an amazing level of skill and was a master of finding funding for whatever needs arose. I was privileged to be hired by her and work for her for 9 years.
The principal hired to replace her came in from out of state and in her first year oversaw the firing and/or forcing out of 16 senior staff members including the head custodian and the school nurse through transfer or retirement. Her second year saw another 21 longtime employees leave the school through transfer or retirement. She then resigned and moved out of state again. I transferred since it was clear that anyone with more than 3 years experience or over the age of 30 was no longer welcome — we were actually forced to resign from all committees and not allowed leadership roles to “allow younger people a chance at growing”.
A school that had served a very troubled, gang-infested, impoverished neighborhood well and with honor and dignity for 3 generations was torn apart, institutional memory was destroyed, longstanding traditions ended, longterm faculty and support personnel, many of whom had attended this very school themselves as children and whose children also attended are gone and replaced by new, inexperienced teachers with a high churn rate and an ever-increasing number of student transfers.
This is what cemented my commitment to fight and to stand up for what is right. I realize that I have paid and will pay a price for my advocacy but I could not sleep at night if I did not at least try. I’m lucky in that I am only financially responsible for myself; I couldn’t take the risks to do this if I had children or a spouse to support. |
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This is terrible, but not surprising. What is surprising is that educators, parents, community members, and teacher educators seem unwilling to believe this is possible until it happens to them.
This is real. How can we make educators understand – and make the public care?
Sounds like Chicago?
This happened to my neighborhood school that I taught for 16 yrs and that my children went to. It was destroyed, but they now post fake exemplary scores, so the admin is happy. I am writing my dissertation on this subject.
My school is likely to be next, under the leadership of itinerant school reformer Paul Vallas.
We have 99% free/reduced lunch. (a measure of poverty in a system referred to in this post) This is social violence, and it is aimed directly at the poor.
Reality means little to the “reformers.”
Yes it is “violence” perpetuated on those least able to defend themselves, the students, especially but not limited to the poor/lower Socio Economic Class.
People, but especially teachers, look at me like I have four eyes (okay, I do wear bifocals) when I bring up the social violence aspect. Most choose not to see it that way, turning a blind eye to the concept.
“Merciful Molly McGuire!” Now there’s a brave soul, indeed. I remain amazed that sensible, educated, reasonable people can’t seem to recognize this “reform” effort for the quackery it truly is.
Ellen DeGeneris (The Ellen Show) has been an unabashed champion of public schools and especially those that make an effort to meet basic human needs as a given (safe, fed, clothed, provisioned students) in the most destitute demographic schools.
When I see the comments urging teachers to let their voices be heard, why not forward a post such as this to her website, and to others with an established popular media presence who have advocated for public schools without jumping on the current reform bandwagon. Ellen is admired (and courted for attention?) by many public figures, so if she could speak out with the truth, the other public entertainment voices might me more inclined to listen.
It’s like turning a massive cruse ship midstream to shift the public discourse generated by the reform sources, but it can be done.
Go for it, Sandy!
This is exactly what it is happening to many schools in Chicago! how demoralizing. Almost sounds like my husband’s story. I am fortunate to teach in a school with great leadership.
Agree. This has happened in the past and, more recently, with greater fervor. I understand how choices may be made to stick it out due to finances. Public education, however, will disappear completely and soon, unless all people involved in public education pulls their own trigger and opt out.