A Teacher Grades the Houston Independent School District
This teacher in Houston reviews what is happening in HISD schools.
Anyone know the HISD superintendent Terry Grier?
The teacher’s evaluation:
Another transplanted North Carolina education experience. I teach in Texas in the largest school district that has inherited one of North Carolina’s education mediums, T. Grier. In his ready, shoot, aim masterplan, all teachers are graded on the growth of their students on a year to year basis, as the statistical junkies decide that growth will be measured on EVAAS- a nonpeer reviewed performance analyis program. This is in addition to a whole slew of other tests. We personally ran into an issue where our social studies students were passing 95% of the tests or higher provided by the State, but when the results did not grow past 95% the teachers were penalized! There is no average of, say, three years performance, or a plateau of achievement where the grading stops, but a slap for high achievement – the District refused to reconsider our highly validated protests.
Teachers were baited with the prospect of “bonus” money, and assumed we were like pipe salepersons who
Anyone know the HISD superintendent Terry Grier?
The teacher’s evaluation:
Another transplanted North Carolina education experience. I teach in Texas in the largest school district that has inherited one of North Carolina’s education mediums, T. Grier. In his ready, shoot, aim masterplan, all teachers are graded on the growth of their students on a year to year basis, as the statistical junkies decide that growth will be measured on EVAAS- a nonpeer reviewed performance analyis program. This is in addition to a whole slew of other tests. We personally ran into an issue where our social studies students were passing 95% of the tests or higher provided by the State, but when the results did not grow past 95% the teachers were penalized! There is no average of, say, three years performance, or a plateau of achievement where the grading stops, but a slap for high achievement – the District refused to reconsider our highly validated protests.
Teachers were baited with the prospect of “bonus” money, and assumed we were like pipe salepersons who
More Evidence: Value-Added Assessment Is Junk Science
Linda Darling-Hammond and Edward Haertel of Stanford University explain why value-added assessment doesn’t work and how inaccurate it is.
Will John Deasy listen? Will the Gates Foundation listen?
Will the Los Angeles Times, which published their article, stop seeking names to publish inaccurate data about teacher “effectiveness”?
Will John Deasy listen? Will the Gates Foundation listen?
Will the Los Angeles Times, which published their article, stop seeking names to publish inaccurate data about teacher “effectiveness”?
Wisconsin Raises Standards, Voucher Schools and MPS Schools Plummet
Wisconsin decided to raise the passing mark on its tests, and the results were not pretty in Milwaukee.
90% of students in voucher schools were found not to be “proficient” in math or reading.
In the Milwaukee public schools, 85% were not proficient in reading and 80% were not proficient in math.
90% of students in voucher schools were found not to be “proficient” in math or reading.
In the Milwaukee public schools, 85% were not proficient in reading and 80% were not proficient in math.
Public Funds Used in Bridgeport to Push Mayor’s Campaign to Abolish Voting Rights
Jonathan Pelto has the story and the numbers.
Hospitals, public utilities and other public entities have given large sums to the mayor’s campaign to persuade voters to give up their right to elect their school board.
Unbelievable.
Hospitals, public utilities and other public entities have given large sums to the mayor’s campaign to persuade voters to give up their right to elect their school board.
Unbelievable.
Fixing Public Education in Indiana
This passionate teacher in Indiana has the solution to improving education in Indiana:
1. Incentivize teachers by allowing the academic freedom to teach
2. End poverty
3. Vote for Glenda Ritz to replace Tony Bennett
1. Incentivize teachers by allowing the academic freedom to teach
2. End poverty
3. Vote for Glenda Ritz to replace Tony Bennett
Voters in Pennsylvania: Support Public Education
Education Voters Action of Pennsylvania interviewed candidates and endorsed those who support public schools.
Don’t be fooled.
Vote for those who support democratically governed public schools.
Don’t be fooled.
Vote for those who support democratically governed public schools.
California Court Orders Shadowy Group to List Donors
In an important decision, a California judge ordered a group called “Americans for Responsible Leadership” to release the names of its donors.
The Arizona-based group has poured $11 million into two California ballot issues.
The group is pushing voters in California to defeat a tax increase that would benefit the schools of California.
The other issue would curb the influence of unions.
Let’s see if they comply before the election.
It will be interesting to learn where all that money is coming from to gut the funding of public education
The Arizona-based group has poured $11 million into two California ballot issues.
The group is pushing voters in California to defeat a tax increase that would benefit the schools of California.
The other issue would curb the influence of unions.
Let’s see if they comply before the election.
It will be interesting to learn where all that money is coming from to gut the funding of public education
Diane in the Evening ***Urgent Message*** 11-4-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: An Urgent Message for Voters Who Support Public Education by dianerav There are critical elections taking place on Tuesday throughout the country that parents, education advocates, and others who care about preserving and strengthening our public schools need to take notice of and cast their ballot appropriately. Out-of-state money from billionaires and astroturf groups like Students First are flowing into state races, like this one in Tennessee and local school board elections, like these in New Orleans and New Jersey, to push damaging policies to privati... more »
MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-4-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Boldest Candidacy of the Season by dianerav TFA alum moves to Minneapolis in May. Decides to run for school board to share his youth and spirit of innovation. Raises seven times as much as experienced teacher from out-of-state friends. Money can’t buy you love but can it buy a school board seat? Are the voters fooled? We will see soon enough. Big $$$ Swamps Oakland School Board Race by dianerav School board elections in Oakland, California, are usually low-budget races, as they are in most places. But this yea... more »