Education Reform
Have you seen this, The Met Life Survey Of The American Teacher? It came out recently and it's really pretty interesting. Interesting in an affirming, "Duh, that's how I feel, too," sort of way. You might want to click through on the link above and check the whole thing out. But real quickly, what do you think the survey revealed regarding what teachers feel are the factors which have the greatest impact on improving schools and achievement? I'll tell you:
1. Family involvement and support (84 percent said it would have a "very strong impact");
2. High expectations for all students (71 percent);
3. Fewer students in each class (62 percent);
4. Effective and engaged principals and building-level leaders (57 percent).
Surprised? Not really? Me either.
And, according to the survey, what do teachers feel are the factors least likely to have an influence on the improvement of schools and student achievement?
1. A longer school day (6 percent);
2. Monetary rewards for teachers based on the performance of the entire school (8 percent);
3. Monetary rewards for teachers based on their individual performance (9 percent);
4. A longer school year (10 percent).
Yep. No surprises for me there either.
In her astute look at this report educational historian and defacto-voice-crying-in-the-wilderness (and personal hero of mine), Diane Ravich also observed, "When asked about the challenges they face, 62 percent of teachers say they have more students "with behavioral problems that interfere with teaching" than in the past; 56 percent say they have more students living in poverty; 50 percent say they have more English-language learners; 49 percent say they have more students who arrive at school hungry; and 36 percent say they have more students who are homeless. Policymakers tend to dismiss all these social and economic issues as unimportant. Teachers don't, because they see them every day in real time."
Again. Right on the money. But will such a survey have an impact on the school reform movement? Hard to say. As Ravich concludes, "The goal of the survey "is to place teachers' voices at the center of the conversation on education reform by sharing their thoughts and opinions with the public, the media, and education leaders." Is anyone listening?"
I hope so. But ya gotta wonder...
Kerfuffle
If you have a problem, an issue, or a concern, with a fellow staff member I'd like to encourage you to go to your coworker yourself and attempt to talk it out together as professional colleagues. If you find yourself unable to do this, for any reason, then please come talk to me and I will carry your message for you.
But, in the future, regardless of the root cause of your dispute or concern, you must refrain from leaving anonymous, unsigned messages for your fellow staff members in their mailboxes or under their doors, It sows dissent and disunity, and it provides no means for the recipient to give you satisfaction by responding to your complaint. Working through your problems face-to-face, professional-to-professional, is the best way to resolve dispute. Coming to me is next-best. Anonymous notes just make trouble.
And we don't need any more trouble now, do we?
Dates and Updates
- The Last Day Of School (or, as I like to say, L-DOS), Thursday, June 7, is officially an early release day. Prepare to say goodbye to your students for the last time at 12:25 that day.
- The 2012-2013 Bell Schedule will officially be as follows:
- Monday-Thursday -- 8:50-3:30
- Friday -- 8:50-12:30
Just a reminder: The semi-annual Marshall Spring Carnival will take place on Thursday evening, 26 April from 6:00-7:00 PM. This event is intended to provide you with a means for raising much-needed funds for your classroom supplies and events. You are encouraged to create and facilitate a game or other carnival-ish attraction for this evening's festivities.
The second annual Adult Dodgeball Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, 03 June from 11:00-4:00. This is our largest non-tax-credit fundraiser for our magnet programs. There's a nice post over on the community blog about it.
