There seems to be some confusion, deliberate or not, on how the DOE uses the "Fair Student Funding" (FSF) formula works. The theory behind FSF was that the money would follow the student with "high needs" with these students getting more money than schools with few "high needs" students. However, like many other programs the people at Tweed "perverts" the FSF and "picks and chooses" what parts of the FSF that support their ideology and that's where the confusion lies.
When it comes to hiring the DOE uses the FSF by using the "average teacher salary" of the school to determine the funding. The result is that principals have an incentive to hire the "cheapest" and not the "best" teachers for their schools. Let's look at some examples:
Large School = 120 teachers average salary is $80,000. The school hires a top teacher making $100,000. What will the average teacher salary be?
ATS = {$80,000 x (119/120) = $79,333) + ( $100,000 x (1/120) = $833} = $80,166.
However, $166 x 120 = a $19,960 increase in the school budget for teachers.
On the other hand, if the Principal hires a "newbie teacher".
ATS = {$80,000 x (119/120) = $79,333) + ( $40,000 x (1/120) = $333} = $79,666.
However, $333 x 120 = a $39,960 decrease in the school budget for teachers.
Small School = 30 teachers average salary is $52,000. The school hires a top teacher making $100,000. What will the average teacher salary be?
ATS = {$52,000 x (29/30) = $50,266) + ( $100,000 x (1/30) = $3,333} = $53,600
However, $1,600 x 30 = a $48,000 increase in the school budget for teachers.
On the other hand, if the Principal hires a "newbie teacher".
ATS = {$52,000 x (29/30) = $50,266) + ( $40,000 x (1/30) = $1,333} = $51,600
However, $400 x 30 = a $12,000 decrease in the school budget for teachers.
Mid-Sized School = 60 teachers average salary is $65,000. The school hires a top teacher making $100,000. What will the average teacher salary be?
ATS = {$65,000 x (59/60) = $63,916) + ( $100,000 x (1/60) = $1,666} = $65,582
However, $582 x 60 = a $39,350 increase in the school budget for teachers.
On the other hand, if the Principal hires a "newbie teacher".
ATS = {$65,000 x (59/60) = $63,916) + ( $40,000 x (1/60) = $666} = $64,582
However, $416 x 60 = a $24,960 decrease in the school budget for teachers.
As the reader can plainly see the Principal has a financial incentive to hire the "newbie teacher" and save some money in the process. The smaller the school, the greater the incentive. Its no wonder that there are over 2,000 ATRs rotating while "newbies" are being hired to fill the vacancies.
I hope the readers of my blog realize why principals hire the "cheapest" and are not interested in hiring the "best" teachers for their students. The principals can fool the parents of the students that they are hiring "quality teachers" to instruct their children but now you know better, its all about the money and not what's best for the students.
No wonder the ATR pool is populated with older teachers. The principals would rather hurt the students than spend the money.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just about money. There's a prejudice against ATR's that goes beyond budget. I'm a fairly young-looking teacher, I was an ATR at a school last year and the first thing the AP said to me (before even shaking hands or introducing herself) was, "Do you hit kids? We want to make sure you know it's not acceptable to hit kids." She followed up with, "Also, please don't show porn to kids on your computer." I was so stunned I didn't know what to say. But she obviously assumed the reason I was an ATR was because I had done something terrible. She then sent me and some other ATR's to the basement cafeteria. We occasionally did lunch duty.
ReplyDeleteIvy Lin, This could be a way to demean you. They don't believe this, but when you go from school to school and become exposed to such comments they want to try to psychologically torment you overtime. It is an attack on your character. You should have told that person to put it in writing. Moran indeed. You should report it to EEOC, UFT.
DeleteIvy Lin,
ReplyDeleteThat Principal is a complete moron and this is a typical example of people who work in this industry who really do not understand what is going on around them. Usually people like this Principal are simple minded people who really can only manage their own little worlds and have limited knowledge about what is going on around them. My bet is that this so called "principal" is a leadership academy one and these people are seriously dangerous and surprisingly very ignorant. But in mikey bloomshits world, any thug can become principal in the nycdoe.
Goddard High School in Ozone Park. Spent a week last year in the basement doing nothing. Another great week as an ATR. 280 more weeks of doing nothing and I can retire.
ReplyDeleteWhy not file an age discrimination lawsuit against DOE?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the mind set of the best defense is a good offense. The DOE only responds to brute force like being sued or threatened with a suit. So don't pussy-foot around if its a matter of your job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the mind set of the best defense is a good offense. The DOE only responds to brute force like being sued or threatened with a suit. So don't pussy-foot around if its a matter of your job.
ReplyDelete