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BBC: More Than 50% of Teachers in England May Quit in Next Two Years

By dianeravitch
November 14, 2017 //
17

England has pursued education policies as retrograde as those in the U.S. for many years. It has a national curriculum and national tests. It turns over schools to businessmen who are willing to invest enough capital to privatize them. Forgotten in these grand schemes are the teachers, without whom there is no education.

The BBC reports that more than 50% of current teachers may quit in the next two years due to working conditions.

“The survey, conducted by the National Union of Teachers, found 61% of those wanting to leave blamed workload and 57% desired a better work/life balance.

“Two thirds of the 1,020 primary and secondary school teachers questioned felt morale in the profession had declined over the past five years.

“Schools minister Nick Gibb pledged to tackle excessive workloads.

“The findings of the survey are timely, because last month the five main teaching unions warned of a crisis in recruitment and retention, although the government maintains the vacancy rate has stayed stable at about 1%.

“The survey, undertaken with a representative sample of teachers, also suggested many were unhappy with some of the government’s plans.

*76% said forcing schools that require improvement to become academies would damage education

*62% said the plans for 500 new free schools would also damage education

*54% were not confident the new baseline test for four-year-olds would provide valid information about a child’s ability

“General secretary of the NUT, Christine Blower, said: “This survey demonstrates the combined, negative impact of the accountability agenda on teacher workload and morale.

“Teachers feel that the Department for Education’s work thus far to tackle workload has been totally inadequate.

“Meanwhile, nearly one million more pupils are coming into the system over the next decade. The government’s solution so far has been to build free schools, often where there are surplus places, and to allow class sizes to grow.

“Add to this a situation where teachers are leaving in droves and teacher recruitment remains low. We now have a perfect storm of crisis upon crisis in the schools system.”

Categories Education Reform, International, Teacher Shortage, Teachers

GOP Tax Plan Will Hurt Teachers and Public Education

By dianeravitch
November 4, 2017 //
21

In Education Week, Allyson Klein and Andrew Ujifusa report that the GOP tax proposal will have negative effects on funding for public schools.

“The Republicans’ much-anticipated legislation to change the federal tax system includes a victory for school choice advocates: It would allow families to use up to $10,000 in savings from 529 college savings plans for K-12 expenses, including private school tuition.

“Overall, the bill released Thursday would slash corporate and some individual tax rates, offsetting the cost by nixing other deductions. That includes a $250 deduction that teachers can use to cover classroom expenses, such as books, art supplies, and rewards for students. The bill would also eliminate the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes, a step advocates warn could pinch K-12 spending at the district and state level. More on that below.

“And the legislation would put an end to the so-called Coverdell Accounts, tax-free accounts which families currently can use to cover up to $2,000 of K-12 costs, including private school tuition, in favor of the 529 change. Families could also use 529s to cover the cost of apprenticeships and could open an account when a child is “in utero” or “unborn.” We previewed the possibility of a 529 benefit for K-12 back in August. It has strong support from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank…

The inclusion of 529 plans for K-12 in the tax package represents the first tangible win in the Trump era for school choice, a huge priority for DeVos.

But a tax credit for donations to fund private school scholarships, which some speculated would be a part of changes to the federal tax code, does not appear to be in the bill. Congress has also rejected the administration’s budget proposals to create a federal voucher program.”

The reduction in the deductibility of state and local taxes will hurt public school funding by reducing revenues.

“Teachers’ unions are unhappy about the elimination of the state and local tax deductions—but also upset about the decision to scrap the tax deduction to help teachers furnish their classrooms. During the 2012-13 academic year, teachers spent a total of $1.6 billion out of their own pockets for classroom expenses, according to a survey by the National School Supply and Equipment Association. A separate survey conducted during the 2015-16 school year found that each teacher spent $600 on average of his or her own money on those supplies and materials every year.”

SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE GOP TAX PLAN! IT TAKES AWAY THE SMALL DEDUCTION THAT TEACHERS USE TO COVER THE COST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES THAT THEY PAY FOR, WHILE ENABLING WEALTHY FAMILIES TO CLAIM TAX CREDITS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.

The Network for Public Education is encouraging everyone to write to their members of Congress to vote against this unfair and unwise tax plan. It will hurt public schools and aid wealthy families.

Categories Funding, Privatization, Republicans, Teachers

Chicago: Teachers Barred from Teaching in Public Schools Now Teaching in Charters

By dianeravitch
October 29, 2017 //
16

In Chicago, the fabled “Dance of the Lemons” shuffles ousted public school teachers to charter schools. Wait a minute! I saw “Waiting for Superman.” I though that dance was only for all those “bad” public school teachers.

“More than 160 Chicago Public Schools employees who were barred from the district because of alleged abuse, misconduct or poor performance were found working in new jobs at city charter and contract schools last year, according to a report from the district’s inspector general.

“The list included three workers who were fired or resigned and blocked from being re-hired at CPS because of sexual abuse accusations, according to the report, which was released Tuesday. Twenty-two were put on a “Do Not Hire” list “due to improper corporal punishment or physical abuse of students,” according to the report.

“Nearly 80 others were blocked from returning to the district due to incompetence or violating school rules. That included a list of probationary teachers who were blocked from future employment at CPS because of poor performance.

“The 163 unidentified employees — 98 of them teachers — represented a small fraction of the workforce at the city’s publicly funded but independently operated charter and contract schools, the report noted.

“But Inspector General Nicholas Schuler’s office also found that CPS had no system for those schools to determine if their potential employees had been blacklisted by CPS with the “Do Not Hire” designation. Despite preliminary steps taken to fix the problem, the IG’s office said CPS has not finalized a policy on how to handle such situations.”

Categories Accountability, Charter Schools, Chicago, Teachers

Dark Money in Education: Stand for Children Edition

By dianeravitch
October 25, 2017 //
10

Maurice Cunningham, professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts, is an expert on the infusion of Dark Money into education.

He wrote several articles about the millions of dollars that poured into Massachusetts to promote the referendum to increase the number of charter schools in November 2016.

This article is about a Dark Money passthrough called Stand for Children, which began its life as a pro-public school group but turned into a pro-Privatization, anti-union, anti-teacher organization. It highlights the role of Stand for Children in Massachusetts. It does not explore its national activities, where it plays a pernicious part in the attack on public schools, unions, and teachers.

http://blogs.wgbh.org/masspoliticsprofs/2017/10/6/your-dark-money-reader-special-edition-stand-children/

Those who remember the early days of SFC now call it “Stand ON Children.”

It has funneled money to corporate reform candidates in cities from Nashville to Denver. It tried to squelch the Chicago Teachers Union by buying up all the top lobbyists in Illinois. It has funded anti-union, anti-teacher campaigns.

It pretends to be a “civil rights” organization. It is not.

Categories Boston, Charter Schools, Chicago, Corporate Reform, Dark Money, Denver, Education Industry, Education Reform, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nashville, Privatization, Stand for Children, Teachers, Unions

Anthony Cody: Should Teachers Endorse Candidates Who Are Not Sure Which Side They Are On?

By dianeravitch
October 24, 2017 //
37

Anthony Cody writes here about the political power of teachers and how it should be used.

Cody reports on a discussion between Barbara Madeloni of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Eric Heins of the California Teachers Association at the Network for Public Education Conference last week in Oakland.

Barbara Madeloni believes in the importance of building a movement. It was that movement, working closely with parents that defeated a referendum to expand charter schools in the state last fall.

In California, the powerful California Teachers Association just gave its endorsement for governor to Gavin Newsom, even though he refused to take a position as between the charter lobby and public schools and couldn’t say whether he was for or against teachers.

This is what Newsom said some weeks earlier, in a public appearance:

“I’m not interested in the stale and raging debate about which side, which camp you’re on – are you with the charter people, are you anti-charter, are you with the teachers, are you anti-teacher. I’ve been hearing that damn debate for ten damn years. With all due respect, I got four kids. I have an eight year old, second grade. I have a five, three and a one year old. I’m not gonna wait around until they’ve all graduated to resolve whether Eli Broad was right or whether or not the CTA was wrong. I’m not interested in that debate. I’m interested in shaping a different conversation around a 21st century education system that brings people together, that could shape public opinion, not just here in the state, but could shape an agenda more broadly across the country, particularly in a time of Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump. We need that kind of leadership.”

With views like these, will Newsom remember that he was endorsed by the CTA? Will he care? Is he unsure whether he is for or against teachers? How can anyone who cares about education be against teachers? How can they be bored and indifferent to galloping privatization? It is views like these that laid the groundwork for Betsy DeVos.

Categories Accountability, California, Charter Schools, Massachusetts, Privatization, Teachers, Unions

After the Devastating Fires in Wine Country, Schools Are Open!

By dianeravitch
October 17, 2017 //
13

This is a heartening story about the schools in Wine Country in California, which just suffered through horrifying fires.

Educators who lost their own homes were back on the job, to make sure the children had a safe space.

http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Wine-Country-fires-Educators-some-of-whom-lost-12282966.php

This is what educators do.

“Principal Teresa Ruffoni greeted students at Crane Elementary School in Rohnert Park on Monday morning, their first day back in class after a series of deadly fires burned through thousands of homes in neighboring Santa Rosa and in other cities and towns across the region.

“What Ruffoni didn’t tell the children was that a week earlier she had grabbed a few of her most vital belongings and fled from flames that would soon consume her home in Hidden Valley Estates, a hard-hit subdivision in the hills of northern Santa Rosa.

“She was too focused on the students, and navigating an extraordinary period for education in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties…

“Amid the chaos and uncertainty, district administrators and teachers have been scrambling to get schools back open, knowing it was a critical step to bring a sense of security and normalcy to children traumatized by the destruction.

“That’s why on Friday, Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified Superintendent Robert Haley gathered the entire district staff in a school gym.

“Do you want to try and reopen Monday?” he asked.

“The answer, he said, was a solid yes.

“I looked up, and front and center was a teacher with a smile on her face,” he said. “Her house burned down, but she was ready to help her colleagues get kids back in school.”

“Ruffoni, despite possessing only a hodgepodge of mismatched clothes grabbed in the dark of night, was ready to go, too.

“It felt like the right thing to do, Haley said, to help the whole county move forward.

“For many of our students, the place they feel safest other than at home is school,” Haley said. “The adults they trust more than anyone other than their parents are their teachers. That’s why we’re here today.”

Categories Accountability, California, Character, Courage, Education Reform, Grit, Love, Principals, Teachers

Tim Slekar: Wisconsin Teachers Win a Lifetime License But Lose Their Profession

By dianeravitch
October 2, 2017 //
6

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a lackey of the Koch brothers and ALEC, is always on the lookout for new ways to undermine the teaching profession.

Tim Slekar reports that he found a clever new way to deprofessionalize teachers.

The legislature just approved fast track certification (lowered standards) and “lifetime licenses” for those already teaching and after 3 years of teaching service for new teachers.

Slekar writes:

Do teachers really think a “lifetime license” was included in the Walker budget to actually help teachers? Seriously. This Act 10 Walker? This is the guy who maligned teachers for having a job with health care and retirement benefits. Why would he all of sudden do something positive for teachers?

He hasn’t! A ‘lifetime license” is just the newest way to promote a lifetime of low wages and a diminished professional status.

Back in the day, he notes, teachers had collective bargaining and a strong union to protect their profession, but Walker got rid of that with Act 10.

Now all they have to do to get a “lifetime license” is to ask for it.

Something is rotten in Denmark and in Madison. What Walker really wants is to lock teachers into a low-wage job.

Scott Walker joins the Wall of Shame, a dishonor he richly deserves for his continued efforts to destroy public schools and the teaching profession.

Categories Teacher Pay, Teachers, Unions, Walker, Scott, Wisconsin

Nancy Bailey: Who Created the Teacher Shortage? Give Credit or Blame Where It is Due!

By dianeravitch
September 14, 2017 //
44

Nancy Bailey writes here about the public wringing of hands over the teacher shortage.

This is an excellent post. She takes no prisoners and names names.

Who created the teacher shortage?

Start with Betsy DeVos. Nancy feels sure that she would like to replace teachers with computers. She cares. Right.

Then there is Teach for America. Big corporations fell in love with the idea of sending in raw recruits to America’s toughest classroom. They chose Wendy Kopp of the nation’s queen of all teachers, even though she never taught a day in her life. They still pour millions into this “destroy-the-teaching-profession” operation.

Let’s not forget the media! In addition to the teacher bashers who get face time on TV, like Campbell Brown, Jonathan Alter, and John Stossel, never forget the covers of TIME and Newsweek that insulted every teacher in America. There was that Newsweek cover that said, again and again, “we must fire bad teachers,” as though the nation’s schools were overrun with them. And the TIME cover complaining about teachers as “Rotten Apples.” She forgot the memorable covers of Michele Rhee, who promised to sweep the human debris out of classrooms and show the world how to fix all schools.

Behind all this teacher bashing is money. Replacing teachers, who may be low paid but nonetheless cost more than a machine, with technology.

What a hoax!

Categories Teach for America TFA, Teacher Shortage, Teachers, Technology

Charter Schools: Our Teachers Are Public Employees! Private Employees! Whichever Means They Can’t Unionize!

By dianeravitch
September 14, 2017 //
8

Rachel M. Cohen writes in The American Prospect about the curious efforts of charter schools to prevent their teachers from joining a union.

When it suits their purposes, they insist their employees are private employees of a private corporation, and therefore exempt from unionization.

But the y also, in other jurisdictions, say their employees are public employees of a state actor, and therefore exempt from unionization.

The only constant is their effort to prevent their overworked teachers from forming a union.

What charter teachers can depend on is that their employers will harass them if they display any interest in joining a union.

Categories Charter Schools, Education Industry, Privatization, Teachers, Unions

Steve Nelson: New York Charters Should Not Be Allowed to Self-Certify Their Teachers

By dianeravitch
September 11, 2017 //
13

Steve Nelson recently retired as headmaster of the Calhoun School, a progressive independent school in Manhattan. He joined the board of the Network for Public Education, to lend his aid to our fight for better public education for all.

Today, he read an article in the New York Times by a charter school teacher, arguing that charter teachers need not be certified. His argument boils down to this: charter teachers do not need certification like public school teachers. Charter teachers are “gtreat” just because they are.

This is Steve Nelson’s response:

“The New York Times is at it again. Today they printed an Op-Ed by Willy Gould, a teacher at Democracy Prep in NYC.

“Willy waxes whiny about having to go through NYS certification, a process he found a great burden. His piece, as you might expect, ultimately argued for charter self-certification. Willy is hardly an innocent victim of bureaucracy. I suspect he is a very willing propagandist, in that his life partner is a director of recruitment for Teach for America.

“Perhaps the NYS certification process is arcane, but charters self-certifying teachers is like having drunk Uncle Fred certify himself as a heart surgeon.

“The “training” provided in most charter schools, most particularly places like Democracy Prep, prepares “teachers” to do unconscionable things to children. They “teach” by call and response. Their disciplinary practices are abusive. I have written about this at length in my book and have documentation directly from a former Democracy Prep teacher, whose heart was broken by their policies and practices.

“Look to Success Academies for another example. I’ve visited and found the pedagogy rote and formulaic. They too use canned gestures and phrases. They too abuse children, as has been well exposed. They are training children, not educating them.

“These charters want to “self-certify” so that they can drill their teachers in these methods, which constitute educational malpractice. They also believe that 2 ½ weeks of training ought to be sufficient, given the rote practices and manuals involved in this kind of teaching. I would be remiss if I failed to note that these young teachers are cheap and easily replaceable, just like all the other cogs in the charter machine: Industrial education with a 21st century technological patina.

“They are hell-bent on the destruction of public education and the creation of an unaccountable patchwork of militaristic training academies, many run for excessive profit.

“I wish the Times would expose this threat to our democratic republic, rather than print propaganda like this.”

Categories Charter Schools, New York, Teachers
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