SOUND OFF AND BE HEARD
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Share information to help Hillsborough County school children, school employees, and taxpayers.
Tell me what you think
Since 2006 I have had the honor of representing all Hillsborough County children and voters...I created this blog in 2007 and have welcomed the opportunity for feed back throughout my term.
I am now a candidate for re-election and I need your help. Visit my website at http://www.voteapril.com/ .
I still want your input. If you think something is wrong, then tell me how it can be better. If you have information that would help our children, employees, or taxpayers, this is the place to share.
Please also note that this is my personal blog, not the board's. Furthermore, the opinions expressed by posters on this blog may or may not necessarily reflect my opinions or those of the School Board.
Maybe HCPS should try an inspiring speaker like this young man rather than someone like Big Bucks Bill Dagget as you did a few years ago. What did happen to the Model School ideas? Remember sending scads of school teams to Orlando and Washington, D.C.? Just how much did all of that cost? All that money spent and for what? Oh, yeah, now we have Springboard. You guys are just full of great, innovative, big ticket ideas.
Now that I am personally using SpringBoard, which takes up about 75 percent of classroom time, so far, I can say that it is as poor as I thought it would be. Yes, there are some lessons that, if adapted, I would use. But the majority of those lessons are not challenging and not entirely appropriate for every population of students that are in this county. Also, some of the stories and poems use to be in the middle-grade classrooms. Guess what? I teach 9th grade honors. I don't believe that placing lower level literature in the honors classroom is one of the best practices. I would still like to see the research that “proves” that this curriculum really does improve student-achievement in every type of classroom, whether it is varying grade-levels, honors, regular, inner-city, suburban, etc.
Teachers are afraid to speak out. I haven’t spoken to a single English teacher that believes that SpringBoard is better for all students. They are all concerned. Most teachers believe it should be a tool for the classroom, not obligatory to the extent that it is. It is sad that the only people in the classroom everyday are the very people that are not listened to and are afraid to speak up. It speaks volumes about the climate of this county. We will all have to wait and see what happens. Sadly, some of the very best teachers may not be around to find out.
What's even sadder, is I am afriad to post this...
Anonymous-- I'm feeling your pain --and mine. We will not only lose teachers, but students. I teach E4 Regular. I feel sick every day with the crap I'm pushing. Yes--some activities are good, however, I can't see this class prepping my kids for college--or life after high school.My seniors will "only" lose a year--what about those starting this in 6th grade? God help us all--no one downtown is!
You know it's bad when the children themselves are saying they don't like it. Here are some comments I got from some of my students:
"I don't feel like I'm learning anything"
"Why is this all about CHOICES? This is dumb"
"I can't even remember what we learned about yesterday"
"We're doing a lot of stuff"
Here's my take on it...my analogy...
I once felt like a gourmet chef serving up 5 course, 5 star meals to my hungry students. I put my heart and soul into each and every one of customized recipes, and always took special requests when necessary. Now, with Springboard, I feel like a cashier at a fast food drive thru, dishing out pre-cooked, re-heated meals that are quick, easy, and ready to serve, but not all that filling or healthy in the end. :(
Please stop the trend of short-changing those of us at the top of the teacher pay scale.
Teachers at the 27th step receive a flat increase of $1000 which is $232 less than the 2% increase afforded others with lesser experience and loyalty. Put another way it is only a 1.6235% increase.
This affects us for years down the road during our retirement.
Of course if $232 a person would break the bank, I might understand.
If you agree with my assessment please help us out. Thanks!
You make some very good points. How the compensation package shakes out is the responsibility of the district's (HCPS) and the union's (CTA) negotiators. Whether to offer a flat amount or a percentage to teachers at the 27th level is CTA's bailiwick. If one-thousand dollars is too small an amount, it is the fault of CTA's negotiators for being tough enough.
We, in the blogosphere, have been saying for some time that CTA's negotiators have been willing to leave too much on the table.
Ms. Griffin, Don't forget that the $1000 payment for teachers at the top of the scale is treated as a bonus and is taxed as such. Because this is not part of their salary, it does not go toward their retirement. This grossly unfair. Although no increase was made this year to the beginning teacher salary, beginning teachers still make less than school board members. Actually a school board member makes approximately the same as a teacher that is on level 7 (levels are not equivalent to years of teaching anymore; they are no longer "steps" because years have been combined). A level increase is not going to offset the cost of living, fuel costs and the health insurance increase. Is it true that School board members receive full health benefits? Will SB members be required to now pay part of the costs of health care like teachers? As to the early release days: Yes, teachers need more time for planning, especially on the high school level, but 9 eary release days will effect instructional time and will cause more chaos with the bus schedules and student after school care. What is wrong with a teacher work/planning day at the end of each grading period? I will be voting "NO" on this contract. And now it is time to negotiate Mrs. Elia's salary. This ought to be interesting, really interesting.
The issue of counting towards retirement was addressed by Yvonne Lyons last year.
She stated that the $1000 was considered compensation and counted towards retirement. It was affirmed by the district.
I can say positively that it counted toward retirement as evidenced by my retirement summary. The summary statement is available on the Florida Retirement System web site.
This "bonus", which is LESS than 2%, is becoming a recurring theme. This is an indefensible position and can be the source of a class action age discrimination lawsuit.
Suzie's brother, Thanks for the information about the $1000 bonus going toward retirement--so glad to know that. I'll pass it along. This doesn't negate the other problems with the proposed contract.I am still voting "NO."
I am Susie's "sister". It's time for a BIG change-- CTA, SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD--I just read on another blog that we can do it--come November. I am in agreement with all--and especially "pollyanna's gone" and "anonymous" of September 12. My students and I are really getting a PERSPECTIVE this year. Mine was keenly sharpened thursday, Conference Night, when I found myself trying to justify Springboard to a pearent of a college-bound student. Mid- conversation, I mentally slapped myself, quick-stepped and agreed to loan out a literature book from last year to read at home. I hate walking into class every day knowing I have to dish out crap ( or "fast food", if one feels that is more palatable). How can I teach what I don't believe. That sucks-- quadruple sucks.
17 comments:
Maybe HCPS should try an inspiring speaker like this young man rather than someone like Big Bucks Bill Dagget as you did a few years ago. What did happen to the Model School ideas? Remember sending scads of school teams to Orlando and Washington, D.C.? Just how much did all of that cost? All that money spent and for what? Oh, yeah, now we have Springboard. You guys are just full of great, innovative, big ticket ideas.
Now that I am personally using SpringBoard, which takes up about 75 percent of classroom time, so far, I can say that it is as poor as I thought it would be. Yes, there are some lessons that, if adapted, I would use. But the majority of those lessons are not challenging and not entirely appropriate for every population of students that are in this county. Also, some of the stories and poems use to be in the middle-grade classrooms. Guess what? I teach 9th grade honors. I don't believe that placing lower level literature in the honors classroom is one of the best practices. I would still like to see the research that “proves” that this curriculum really does improve student-achievement in every type of classroom, whether it is varying grade-levels, honors, regular, inner-city, suburban, etc.
Teachers are afraid to speak out. I haven’t spoken to a single English teacher that believes that SpringBoard is better for all students. They are all concerned. Most teachers believe it should be a tool for the classroom, not obligatory to the extent that it is. It is sad that the only people in the classroom everyday are the very people that are not listened to and are afraid to speak up. It speaks volumes about the climate of this county. We will all have to wait and see what happens. Sadly, some of the very best teachers may not be around to find out.
What's even sadder, is I am afriad to post this...
Anonymous-- I'm feeling your pain --and mine. We will not only lose teachers, but students. I teach E4 Regular. I feel sick every day with the crap I'm pushing. Yes--some activities are good, however, I can't see this class prepping my kids for college--or life after high school.My seniors will "only" lose a year--what about those starting this in 6th grade? God help us all--no one downtown is!
anonymous, too
You know it's bad when the children themselves are saying they don't like it. Here are some comments I got from some of my students:
"I don't feel like I'm learning anything"
"Why is this all about CHOICES? This is dumb"
"I can't even remember what we learned about yesterday"
"We're doing a lot of stuff"
Here's my take on it...my analogy...
I once felt like a gourmet chef serving up 5 course, 5 star meals to my hungry students. I put my heart and soul into each and every one of customized recipes, and always took special requests when necessary. Now, with Springboard, I feel like a cashier at a fast food drive thru, dishing out pre-cooked, re-heated meals that are quick, easy, and ready to serve, but not all that filling or healthy in the end. :(
SpringBoard has essentially broken my spirit and my love of teaching.
Sucks.
Double sucks that I, too, feel the fear of repercussion if I speak out.
Triple sucks that our school TOLD us not to say anything negative to the supervisors when they come and randomly observe us this year.
Quadruple sucks that the parents HAVE NO CLUE about what's going on and that WE have to spin this garbage into something good.
I swear, when my child hits 6th grade, home schooling's-a-coming!
I have a blog post I would like you to read.
If one reads IDEA, one can see that the parent is supposed to be an informed participant of the IEP process.
"The District" just doesn't seem to grasp the significance of this when "they" exclude parents from decisions "the District" makes.
What happened to common courtesy?
Is it simply "no one is going to tell us what to do" of are "they" resentful of the law?
Motel Special Ed: Help Me Help Others to Collaborate
Richard L. Hancock
Ms. Griffin,
Please stop the trend of short-changing those of us at the top of the teacher pay scale.
Teachers at the 27th step receive a flat increase of $1000 which is $232 less than the 2% increase afforded others with lesser experience and loyalty. Put another way it is only a 1.6235% increase.
This affects us for years down the road during our retirement.
Of course if $232 a person would break the bank, I might understand.
If you agree with my assessment please help us out. Thanks!
Anon 1:10 pm—
You make some very good points. How the compensation package shakes out is the responsibility of the district's (HCPS) and the union's (CTA) negotiators. Whether to offer a flat amount or a percentage to teachers at the 27th level is CTA's bailiwick. If one-thousand dollars is too small an amount, it is the fault of CTA's negotiators for being tough enough.
We, in the blogosphere, have been saying for some time that CTA's negotiators have been willing to leave too much on the table.
I meant to say not being tough enough.
Ms. Griffin,
Don't forget that the $1000 payment for teachers at the top of the scale is treated as a bonus and is taxed as such. Because this is not part of their salary, it does not go toward their retirement. This grossly unfair. Although no increase was made this year to the beginning teacher salary, beginning teachers still make less than school board members. Actually a school board member makes approximately the same as a teacher that is on level 7 (levels are not equivalent to years of teaching anymore; they are no longer "steps" because years have been combined). A level increase is not going to offset the cost of living, fuel costs and the health insurance increase. Is it true that School board members receive full health benefits? Will SB members be required to now pay part of the costs of health care like teachers? As to the early release days: Yes, teachers need more time for planning, especially on the high school level, but 9 eary release days will effect instructional time and will cause more chaos with the bus schedules and student after school care. What is wrong with a teacher work/planning day at the end of each grading period? I will be voting "NO" on this contract. And now it is time to negotiate Mrs. Elia's salary. This ought to be interesting, really interesting.
9:08
The issue of counting towards retirement was addressed by Yvonne Lyons last year.
She stated that the $1000 was considered compensation and counted towards retirement. It was affirmed by the district.
I can say positively that it counted toward retirement as evidenced by my retirement summary. The summary statement is available on the Florida Retirement System web site.
This "bonus", which is LESS than 2%, is becoming a recurring theme. This is an indefensible position and can be the source of a class action age discrimination lawsuit.
I too will be voting "NO".
Suzie's brother,
Thanks for the information about the $1000 bonus going toward retirement--so glad to know that. I'll pass it along. This doesn't negate the other problems with the proposed contract.I am still voting "NO."
Hi Bro
Hope all is well. Glad you're older and pointing this stuff out.
I took up your point on the latest posting.
I am Susie's "sister". It's time for a BIG change-- CTA, SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD--I just read on another blog that we can do it--come November. I am in agreement with all--and especially "pollyanna's gone" and "anonymous" of September 12. My students and I are really getting a PERSPECTIVE this year. Mine was keenly sharpened thursday, Conference Night, when I found myself trying to justify Springboard to a pearent of a college-bound student. Mid- conversation, I mentally slapped myself, quick-stepped and agreed to loan out a literature book from last year to read at home. I hate walking into class every day knowing I have to dish out crap
( or "fast food", if one feels that is more palatable). How can I teach what I don't believe. That sucks-- quadruple sucks.
It looks like it's time to put up another post asking teachers what they think of SpringBoard now that they have been teaching it for five weeks.
It's as bad as we thought, and now we know.
http://www.susanohanian.org/show_nclb_stories.html?id=305
Go here to see more concerns about SpringBoard's downfall in another district two years ago.
September 20, 2008 3:16 PM,
You read my mind. I was already planning on it I just haven't had much time lately.
April
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