Thursday, June 12, 2014

California Ruling on Teacher Tenure Is Not Whole Picture - NYTimes.com

California Ruling on Teacher Tenure Is Not Whole Picture - NYTimes.com:



Taking on Teacher Tenure Backfires

California Ruling on Teacher Tenure Is Not Whole Picture


BERKELEY, Calif. — IN his decision on Tuesday to strike down California’s teacher-tenure system, Judge Rolf M. Treu of Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that laws protecting teachers from dismissal violated the state’s constitutional commitment to provide “a basically equal opportunity to achieve a quality education” and drew parallels with prior cases concerning school desegregation and funding levels.

But there is a difference between recognizing students’ rights to integrated, adequately funded schools and Judge Treu’s conclusion that teacher employment protections are unconstitutional.

The issue is balance. Few would suggest that too much integration or too much funding hurts disadvantaged students. By contrast, decisions about firing teachers are inherently about trade-offs: It is important to dismiss ineffective teachers, but also to attract and retain effective teachers.

Judge Treu’s opinion in the case, Vergara v. California (in which I provided expert testimony for the defense), ignores these trade-offs. In fact, eliminating tenure will do little to address the real barriers to effective teaching in impoverished schools, and may even make them worse.

The reason has to do with the many ways that the role of teachers in the labor market has changed in recent decades. When few professions were open to highly skilled women, schools could hire them for low salaries. Now, teaching must compete with other professions. That has made it hard to recruit the best candidates. One study found that the share of the highest-achieving women who were teachers fell by half between 1964 and 2000; another found an 80 percent drop.

Thomas J. Kane, a professor of education at Harvard and an expert witness for the Vergara plaintiffs, co-wrote a paper in 2006 on the “coming teacher shortage” and a looming need to “dig further down in the pool of those willing to consider” teaching. Significant layoffs during the last recession, which refilled the pool of job seekers, temporarily alleviated the problem. But those will be absorbed quickly as education budgets recover.

The challenge, then, is to increase the number of high-quality applicants. One of the few things that helps to recruit good people into teaching is job security. That is not to say teachers should never be dismissed — but when and how to do that requires careful balancing.

In a recent study, I examined the effects of changing job protections not just on the quality of teachers given tenure, but also on a district’s ability to California Ruling on Teacher Tenure Is Not Whole Picture - NYTimes.com:

Vergara Case Lost in Los Angeles |

Vergara Case Lost in Los Angeles |:



Vergara Case Lost in Los Angeles





 A few months ago, I wrote a few posts about the “Vergara v. California” case happening in Los Angeles, California, as well as posts about the testimonies of Thomas Kane(Economics Professor from Harvard University), David Berliner (Regents Professor Emeritus from Arizona State), Linda Darling-Hammond (Professor from Stanford), andJesse Rothstein (Economics Associate Professor from the University of California – Berkeley).

The case involved nine public school students (backed by some serious corporate reformer funds) who were collected by the “Students Matter” to challenge five California state statutes that supported the state’s “ironclad [teacher] tenure system.” The prosecution’s argument was that students’ rights to a good education were being violated by teachers’ job protections…protections that were making it too difficult to fire “grossly ineffective” teachers. The protections at issue included the set of statutes that granted permanent employment status to teachers after 18 months on the job, that required a lengthy procedure to dismiss teachers, and that set up a seniority system in which the teachers most recently hired were the first to be fired when layoffs occurred, or in recent years needed to occur given economic crises and swings.
The suggested replacement to the “old” way of doing this, of course, was to use value-added scores to make “better” decisions, as based on “the data,” about whom to fire and whom to keep around as per whether they were positively impacting student achievement, and growth in student achievement. This is precisely why this case mattered so much for this audience here, particularly as we continue to think about VAMs and how they are being positioned, many times falsely, for that which they theoretically can do versus what they really can do in practice.
Anyhow, it seems, as of two days ago, the defense lost the case. As per a recent“Washington Post” post, and actually the best post I’ve read thus far on the verdict as written by Kevin Welner (attorney and Professor of Education policy at University of 

Darth Mona Davids? southbronxschool com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:



Darth Mona Davids?

I believe in loyalty. I can be very loyal to a friend, someone I know, my colleagues, teachers in
general. And for those that have stuck out there necks for me, who have taken their time to listen to me, to cheer me up, to let me vent, they have every right to expect loyalty from me and if I disagree with them to be man enough to say what is own my mind and not run behind their backs stabbing them in the back, besmirching their beliefs or worse, jumping ship.

So it pains me when I see a story in the Daily News today about Leader Mona Davids of the NYC Parents Unionthreatening a Vergara type lawsuit here in New York State. Dang, I thought she was on our side.

I mean did she forget how she was defended when Anthony Krisnky was threatening her, accusing her of backing the UFT?

Did Mona forget the defense of her from disparaging remarks of Carl Campanile of the New York Post?

Did Mona forget her support in the face of her dispute with Gotham Schools?

Did Mona forget the forum she had when she went up against charter school hack Peter Murphy? 

Or forgetting about the special relationship between Joel Klein and Eva Moskowitz?

Did she forget going up against failed comedian Bill Grundfest about the special funding charter get, deformers, Uncle Mike, and Joel Klein?

Did she forget her p3wnge of Michael Benjamin, her Twitter BFF? 

Or did she forget defending us against the film, "Won't Back Down," or supporting "The Inconvenient http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Billionaire’s foundation may aid HISD in teacher eval suit - K-12 Zone

Billionaire’s foundation may aid HISD in teacher eval suit - K-12 Zone:



Billionaire’s foundation may aid HISD in teacher eval suit

 
An equation involved in HISD's teacher evaluation system is displayed in May next to Andy Dewey, an officer of the Houston Federation of Teachers who is suing HISD over its evaluation methods. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
An equation involved in HISD’s teacher evaluation system is displayed in May next to Andy Dewey, an officer of the Houston Federation of Teachers who is suing HISD over its evaluation methods. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
The Houston school district, being sued over its teacher evaluation system, is considering hiring a prominent law firm that just won a lawsuit challenging teacher tenure policies in California.
The district also may get some of its legal costs paid for by the Houston-based Laura and John Arnold Foundation, which supports evaluating teachers in part based on student test scores and has donated money toward HISD’s effort. HISD became one of the first urban districts in the country to adopt a policy in 2011 that said test scores would be included in teachers’ job evaluations.
“When HISD approached us to help defend its teacher evaluation system, we agreed because we support teacher evaluation systems that use student advancement as one metric of teacher performance,” Leila Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Arnold Foundation, said Thursday.
The school board agenda for Thursday says trustees may talk behind close doors about possibly hiring the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to defend the district in the federal lawsuit filed in late April by the Houston Federation of Teachers union and seven of its members. HISD spokeswoman Sheleah Reed said the firm is the same as in the California case, though it’s unclear if the same lawyers would be involved.
The agenda item also says the board may discuss a grant from the Arnold Foundation “to support certain litigation costs.” The board would have to vote in public on the matter.
“Regardless of who they hire, we have a very strong case,” said Gayle Fallon, president of the Houston Billionaire’s foundation may aid HISD in teacher eval suit - K-12 Zone:

Ed Roundup for 6-12-14 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

Ed Roundup for 6-12-14 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education):



Education Roundup for Week Ending June 12, 2014




SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) today issued this week's roundup of education-related announcements of public interest.
CDE Deputy Superintendent Joining Rocklin School District
CDE District, School & Innovation Branch Deputy Superintendent Deb Sigman has accepted a new position with the Rocklin Unified School District. The local school board approved her appointment Wednesday as its new Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services.
"Deb's passion and expertise about education in California has been a huge boon to our students as we make our way through Common Core implementation, transitioning to modern new assessments, and a host of other improvements," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "We will miss her sorely, but wish her all the best in her new position."
Sigman has been with the CDE since 2004, first as a director and then a deputy superintendent, currently overseeing student assessment, intervention, federally funded educational programs, state and federal accountability, educational data, and charter schools. She also serves as co-chair of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium External link opens in new window or tab. Executive Committee, a position she will retain in her new role.
Sigman has more than 35 years of experience in California's public school system. Prior to joining the CDE, she was an administrator in both the Sacramento City Unified and Elk Grove Unified school districts.
CDE's Summer Meal Map Updated
Families can now access an updated 2014 Summer Meal Service Sites map to find out where to take their children to receive free meals during the summer recess. The online interactive map can be searched by county and displays locations, contact information, and dates of operation. Families can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3hungry or 1-877-8hambre (for Spanish speakers).
The CDE's Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Feeding Option help provide nutritious meals to children in areas where at least 50 percent of students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals. All families have to do is show up at any open meal site and their hungry children will be fed, with no need for identification or income verification. The programs operate when schools in a community are on vacation for at least 15 continuous school days or when year-round schools are off track.
Often the only nutritious meal disadvantaged students receive is at school. So when school is on recess, they miss out not only on healthy food, but also educational stimulation and physical activity. Many of the summer meal service sites have fun activities for the whole family.
Meal sites include schools, camps, Indian tribal governments, private nonprofit agencies, and municipal, state, county, or local government offices. All meals must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider.
# # # #
Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dyett High Protesters Rip Alderman, Mayor, CPS - Downtown - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Dyett High Protesters Rip Alderman, Mayor, CPS - Downtown - DNAinfo.com Chicago:



Dyett High Protesters Rip Alderman, Mayor, CPS

By Ted Cox on June 9, 2014 2:54pm 

 Dyett High School valedictorian Parrish Brown accused CPS of "destabilization" in not providing basic resources.
Dyett High School valedictorian Parrish Brown accused CPS of "destabilization" in not providing basic resources.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ted Cox
CITY HALL — Dyett High School parents, students and community leadersrepeated their calls to keep the school open and accused the local alderman of making a "backroom deal" to move another school into the Washington Park building at a protest Monday at City Hall.
Jeanette Taylor, chairwoman of the Local School Council at nearby Mollison Elementary and a member of the Coalition to Revitalize Dyett High School, said Ald. Will Burns (4th) met with the group last week, but asked no questions about its presentation to convert the school into the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology Community High School.
He said simply that he would not support it, Taylor said.
Accusing him of "continued disrespect," Taylor called Burns "unaccountable, and his performance is unacceptable."
Yet Burns denied there were any backroom deals and said he also was against closing Dyett, at 555 E. 51st St.
"I totally agree with them that Dyett should be kept open as a high-quality, open-enrollment high school," Burns said. "I've told them that, and I've told them that's what we share in common."
Yet, he also said that he had "not endorsed their plan for Dyett." He said he has "no plan" to move another school into the building.
The group wants Burns to hold a public hearing on the proposal in the next 30 days, and also calls on Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools to support the plan. 
Taylor also is pressing CPS to hold a town hall meeting on the topic.
"Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Will Burns are in lockstep in ignoring the needs of children from working and low-income families," Taylor added.
Emanuel spokeswoman Rachel Kruer, though, said that her office has "met with this group and are scheduling a future meeting to discuss providing quality education options in the North Kenwood and Oakland communities." 
CPS Chief Executive Officer Barbara Byrd-Bennett and CPS board members "continue to receive proposals about the future of Dyett High School and are always interested to hear feedback from the community on how we can collaborate to provide quality education options to our students," said CPS spokesman Joel Hood. "CPS has met with Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, including two weeks ago when board President David Vitale listened to their proposal for Dyett High School."
 Ald. Will Burns and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have both caught flak over the proposed closing of Dyett High School.
Ald. Will Burns and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have both caught flak over the proposed closing of Dyett High School.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ted Cox
Despite Burns' statements, Parrish Brown, valedictorian of Dyett's 39 graduating seniors this year, said he believes the alderman is not on their Dyett High Protesters Rip Alderman, Mayor, CPS - Downtown - DNAinfo.com Chicago:

Nite Cap 6-12-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2



James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."


A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP




McEducation | educarenow
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SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 6-12-14 #soschat #edreform
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CURMUDGUCATION: Are Reformsters Under Attack?I have generally avoided picking on quotes from That Woman that appear in her joint blogventure with Jack Schneider, mostly because I think it's a worthy experiment that deserves some place to breathe. But recently she dropped an extraordinary quote that I can't let pass. It happened in a discussion of unions, specifically discussing the need for bridge
6-12-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: City Council Passes Bill Requiring Charter School Data To Be Made PublicErin Durkin at the Daily News: The city will be required to publish reports that reveal the demographic mix and academic records of every charter school sharing space with a district school under a bill the City Council passed Wednesday. Officials will have to list the number of kids who get free lunch,

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McClatchy High law academy emphasizes community connections - Education - The Sacramento Bee
McClatchy High law academy emphasizes community connections - Education - The Sacramento Bee: McClatchy High law academy emphasizes community connectionsBy Loretta Kalblkalb@sacbee.comPublished: Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2014 - 8:02 pmA tightly knit group of Sacramento students last week became the first to complete McClatchy High School’s Law and Public Policy Academy, a three-year curriculum that aims
Aftermath: What the Vergara Decision Means | CAPITAL & MAIN
Aftermath: What the Vergara Decision Means | CAPITAL & MAIN: Aftermath: What the Vergara Decision MeansSHAREBy Steven MikulanJune 11, 2014 in EducationLeft: Students Matter’s David Welch. Right: Teachers speak out about Vergara ruling.Reagan Duncan has taught a combined kindergarten-first grade class in Vista for 10 years. When she heard about Tuesday’s ruling in the Vergara v. California tria
Reports of Career Technical Ed’s demise are greatly exaggerated | EdSource Today
Reports of Career Technical Ed’s demise are greatly exaggerated | EdSource Today: Reports of Career Technical Ed’s demise are greatly exaggeratedJune 11th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By David Gordon / commentaryShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on pinterest_shareMore Sharing Services0David GordonAs a longtime proponent of Career Technical Education, I feel compelled to provide addit
La. BESE Member Jane Smith to Governor Jindal: Drop CC and PARCC | deutsch29
La. BESE Member Jane Smith to Governor Jindal: Drop CC and PARCC | deutsch29: La. BESE Member Jane Smith to Governor Jindal: Drop CC and PARCCJune 11, 2014Below is an open letter written to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal by Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) member and Jindal-appointee, Jane Smith.Smith wants to encourage Jindal to follow through on his plans to drop CCS
LA schools parent committee battling district to elect its own leadership | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
LA schools parent committee battling district to elect its own leadership | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: LA schools parent committee battling district to elect its own leadershipAnnie Gilbertson | June 11th, 2014, 4:21pmPhoto by Derek Bruff via Flickr Creative CommonsThe Los Angeles Unified School District has warned members of two parent committees if they organize their own leadership, as they would
Corporate Money fighting back in support of Common Core | Capital New York
Business groups fighting back in support of Common Core | Capital New York:Business groups fighting back in support of Common Core ALBANY—Critics of the Common Core in New York have been winning the debate about the controversial education standards, but now they'll face a counterattack backed by a considerable investment.High Achievement New York, a nonprofit coalition of mostly business groups,
One Thing Is Certain, Duncan Must Be Dumped | John Thompson
One Thing Is Certain, Duncan Must Be Dumped | John Thompson: One Thing Is Certain, Duncan Must Be DumpedPosted: 06/11/2014 4:55 pm EDT Updated: 2 hours ago I'm Old School. I celebrate compromise. I believe our handshakes must be good, contracts must be honored. Especially in the effort to improve schools, the politics of destruction are wrong.I don't believe in drawing lines in the sand, except in
Nite Cap 6-11-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-11-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Vergara Trial Teachers Were Not “Grossly Ineffective”I was curious to learn wh