I was at a school this week where the Principal informed the staff that the requirements under the Teacher Evaluation System has overwhelmed the administration of the school. The Principal stated that the twenty-two different components of the Danielson Framework and the numerous observations (6 informals or 3 informals and one formal) has caused the school administration to fall badly behind their obligations in meeting the NYS requirements imposed by NYSED Commissioner John King. Therefore, the Principal has mysteriously obtained funding to pay for "F" status administrators to help her administration to observe the teachers and complete the observation requirements.
The question is how can this or any other school hire "F status" administrators costing $300 daily which will result in costing the school close to a teacher's salary by the end of the school year? It seems to me that in the era of tight school budgets few principals can save that sum without withholding necessary resources for their school. Therefore, where will the money come from to pay these "F status" administrators? The only logical source of funding must come from the usually stingy DOE.
That's right, it appears the DOE is coming to the rescue of the school's administrative failure to properly observe the teachers by supplying funding to pay for these "F status" supervisors to observe teachers. For the teachers at this school its a real problem since these "F status" administrators have no idea of the culture of the school, the student body, and familiarity with the teachers and they teaching style. None of the teachers are happy with this development and are hoping the union does the right thing and files a grievance to stop this.
Whether the Principal hid the money while her school suffered from shortages of resources or was given the funds by the DOE? The issue is shouldn't the extra money be used for the classroom and not for a "gotcha system" against teachers by "F status" supervisors that have no familiarity with the teachers they are observing? It appears the DOE "gotcha system" is alive and well at the DOE
Again and again- whether you're an assigned teacher or an ATR - the union is doing nothing to protect our rights (under the current contract) from unethical, illegal, career ending observations. Why is that? If Mulgrew wants to stop teachers from fleeing NYC, he shouldn't start with the DOE- he should start with UFT. Remove the log from your eye before commenting on the stye in your brothers.
ReplyDeleteYes 7:04 Mulgrew makes a nice presentation in the press on the teacher exodus from NYC but how about the UFT addressing the morale on this job that is terrible.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere I travel teachers are miserable All I heard today from teachers HOW CAN I GET OUT OF THIS JOB AND FIND A DIFFERENT WAY TO MAKE A LIVING? It is depressing..something has to give..or else The union the mayor Mr Cuomo give EVA and the charters everything and lets all look for other jobs..Is it that bad or am I over reacting?
Not that I really care- but my AP has been spotted in his office the other day, staring at the Danielson rubric and pulling out his hair.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is this: in my school, we were literally threatened that if we didn't choose the 6 informal observation option, bad things would happen. Apparently they thought that was easier than the 1 formal/3 informal option. Now it's biting them in the ass. Most of us have only had 3 observations, and a handful 4. Can't they figure out after 3 unannounced observations whether or not a teacher can teach?
Prediction: in the next contract the options will be 4 informals, or 2 informal and one formal. I hope- because the stress of not knowing when my next observation is going to be is starting to drive me insane.
Why hasn't the UFT fought Eva Moskowitz and her minions? Now funds will be diverted from public schools and go to charter schools!! How crazy is that! Again, what are we paying dues for? Is she the only entity who can buy commercial time? Moskowitz has gotten everything she wanted; as has Bloomberg, Klein, and Walcott. The union had better start being proactive or there won't be any teachers left to collect dues from. Everyone I know is getting out of this disgusting profession ASAP - with or without a buyout.
ReplyDeletehttp://nycrubberroomreporter.blogspot.com/2014/03/crains-attacks-absent-teacher-reserve.html
ReplyDeleteBetween quality reviews and other crap like this, the DOE can never find enough ways to waste money on paying F status retired people. These F status jobs are rewards for being a "good boy" or "good girl" while working for the DOE- same as the union jobs that retirees who supported the Unity line get. Corruption on both sides
ReplyDeleteAnother attack upon us. When will this end. Chaz what ever happened with the ATR Advisory board?
ReplyDeleteChaz. If you can answer please, what is the reason for getting tenure anymore? In the past, tenure was important for protection as well as other reasons. Now with the Danielson framework, if a teacher receives 2 Ineffectives in a row, he/she will be removed. So, tenure is really nit serving any purpose correct? No reason to give tenure anymore, doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteWhen and where are these ATR meetings? I would love to attend. Many violations occur on a daily and weekly basis and the union does nothing.
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher of 29 years of service to the DOE, who was practically (missed it by 2 points) rated 'Highly Effective' past year. I could have comfortably retired past June after the new contract was announced, but due to indecisiveness and the fact that I still enjoy teaching, decided to continue at least for one more year. Till last year I had an impeccable record with the school and was easily quoted as one of the best teachers thereat. However, this year in my first observation, I have been deemed 'ineffective' and am scared that this may be an indication for me to retire. I am scared that the current administration wants to rate me as such for the year. I still work hard and continue to teach with gusto. I want to leave by the year end but am afraid that an 'Ineffective' rating will stop me from any post retirement per session or F status employment with the DOE. I am so confused. Is there a way for me to avoid this rating? Any suggestions!
ReplyDeleteFile an APPR and be prepared to file for retaliation particularly if you have always had good ratings. Put the cards on the table early in the school year so that they will think twice about harassing you.
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