My prayers and well-wishes go out to those who received notices. Hopefully this will be one of those "when one door closes, another one opens" type of things. Good luck!
Also the property tax relief passed by the legislature....I saw teachers whining about their increased property tax, and when my own property tax went from $1000 a year to $466 I worried about what would happen with schools...now we know.
To the person above talking about tax cuts, you're certainly entitled to your opinion about taxes, but it has nothing to do with the current budget and layoffs. Total tax allocation to public education was not cut, and neither was per-student funding. There are simply fewer students.
Yes RIF is the correct wording. Unfortunately you will find in your job search that not only here in Indiana but other states will question your rif as if you were fired. This is due because of the nationwide horrendous press coverage regarding "bad" teachers and the fact that our govenor and state superintendent are constantly making noise around the country how they are making Indiana schools "better" and always throw the words bad teachers around with no respect whatsoever. I applied for a position in Illinois and hard to believe but they kept questioning my firing. Make sure you go in NOW and request a letter of recommendation and your evaluations from your administrators so that you have them on hand to prove to your future employers that you were not fired. Also have a union meeting so that you know where you stand in regards to being recalled as full time subs without benefits. You will lose unemployment if this happens to you and it probably will because the school corporation gets the teacher back with sub pay and no benefits saving the corp. big bucks
If enrollment is declining and a lower amount of teachers are needed then why are additional adminstration positions being added? That makes no sense, but OOPS!!! This is IPS! Shouldn't the number of adminstrators decrease to reflect the lower enrollment?
White is fine and dandy with keeping many high paid administrators and eliminating those who directly work with students hour by hour
Last year, the Education Action Group Foundation, a nonprofit taxpayer rights group questioned why, amid district-wide cuts, 177 IPS administrators earned more than $100,000 in salary and benefits during the 2009-2010 school year.
White has stressed that the school system must offer competitive salaries and said the district will save money because other positions will be eliminated. (yeah buddy)
Rif or laid off? Who cares which you use? Both of them mean you no longer have a job.
An example happened today which shows why parents are pulling their students out of IPS. New Horizons Alternative school had two girls fighting yesterday. Today the parent of one of the girls came in and attacked the other girl. Two teachers were injured. That will never make the news. Building administrators are too scared or unwilling to addess behavior problems with parents. I think some of them are afraid that the parents will beat them up if they enforce some type of discipline.
I want to know why a child who attacked a staff member, was suspended pending explusion, was transferred to our building. She should have been expelled.
Ummm no they don't need to cut school police! We desperately need them and the ones we have at my school are awesome and do a great job of helping when we need them! Sorry that you feel that we need to cut them but no that would not help the discipline situation in IPS at all!
Also, I totally agree with the title of this blog segment... Yes, being RIF'd stinks and I will for sure miss my kids, but NOT 100% SURE miss the administration. This district is backwards and messed up and will only continue to fail if they don't change the path they are on such as paying the "top dogs" a fortune and don't expect them to take pay cuts while you give them raises and cut almost 300 hundred teachers!!!
Speedway has the LOWest property taxes and great schools with few if any layoffs or budget cuts in an urban area. Why? No tax abatements. Allison's, the Coke Plant and even IMS all pay their FAIR share of taxes to the community. How many new property buildings downtown pay nothing to IPS? Circle Center Mall? Simon Building? NCAA Headquarters? Lilly? Where is the real outrage? That's why we have no money. Don't forget we STILL pay township school district busing money as well. That's figured into our per/pupil expense. Money no one at IPS ever sees.Wake up people and stop voting these corporate lobbyists into office.
Historically, (IPS) has gotten far more money that most schools. Even today, they're getting $1,000 more per child to educate than other schools in Indiana House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Jeff Espich== "My guess is IPS has too many schools. That's its worst problem," Espich said. "How about administrators? Are they cutting administrators? Are they eliminating unneeded buildings?"
Exactly. The problem with IPS is not that it doesn't have enough money. It gets plenty of funding and always has. It's just a really badly managed district.
Exactly. Too many people with titles and making big bucks. Problem is a lot of large school corporation are in the same boat. Some of titles given to people are unbelievable and their pays ridiculous. Teachers are the ones who interact daily with students and yet they are the ones picked on when it comes to cuts. John Q. Public needs to get more involved and request to see each and every person's title, explanation of title and pay. IN DETAIL
Many would like to see job descriptions for Ed Center administrative positions. We all know a classroom teacher's job description; however, few of us are privy to administrative job descriptions. Where are they posted? Does the School Board maintain a site where job descriptions are posted for the public?
The new evaluation method is not the main reason for RIF. While it may look good on paper, the primary areas for IPS' RIF criteria is seniority and subject area/grade level. Look at the number of teachers rif'd in special area vacancies. Nearly 30%.
I sent letters to the school board members when i couldn't get my son's teachers or principal to talk to me but the school board just ignored me too. I finally got my son into CFI #2 and I haven't had any problems since. I feel bad for the families in the regular schools though. I don't think some of them know how different the magnet schools are. I had seen the pamplets about the magnet fairs but I thought the only difference was they focused on one area. My neighbors the one who told me it was all different, the way they teach, the way they talk to you, even the report cards. I think if more people knew how different the magnet schools are they might not go to the charter schools.
The magnet schools are great, but they are all filled to capacity. There is also a huge roadblock for families who want to apply for the magnet schools: you have to apply 10 months in advance. Charter schools will accept applications year-round.
I retired recently and I pity anyone that must work for the IPS system. Most of the negative complaints that have been voiced are all true. If you can get out, do so fast. For those that say "how wonderful it is" it is a matter of time before you experience the opposite. And for all of those concerned about my background, I was a Teacher of the Year, worked many hours extra after school to have the best classroom learning environment, continued my own academic learning at the university level inorder to stay current and be a better teacher,and collaborated with others to make our learning community fun. The IPS system took all the fun out of my job. I even had a student once ask me where I worked..... That is an example of how I made the rigors of learning fun ....the kids thought I was there because I wanted to be there for them...Teaching had always been that way for me until IPS began Dr. White's so called improvements or decline. I was lucky. Time was on my side so I retired. Now my passions are taken in other directions and life is "wonderful".
"I retired recently and I pity anyone that must work for the IPS system."
Same here, for me. I got to the point that I actually told young teachers to look for jobs in township schools and Hamilton County while they still had under 5 years experience.
For the former Teacher of the Year and anyone else.....
I am not an IPS teacher, but I have a loved one who is.
She received praise and good evaluations for 25 years of teaching in IPS, then last year things began to change for her. The "heat" started being applied and in ways that, in my opinion, are ridiculous. The criticism started last year about things that have nothing to do with actual teaching of kids - but "important" matters like having certain kinds of items posted on walls, etc. etc.
Still, even last year, she got a positive review despite the heat being turned up on her. Now, the pressure is almost unbearable for her and the evaluations are negative. She can't retire due to being the primary bread winner for her family. With her age, years of experience, and bad assessments for this one year (out of 25), how can she get another job?
My guess is that she can't/won't. Unless maybe as a dishwasher in a restaurant. That will be a nice reward for decades of deep commitment and hard work for the children of IPS.
(P.S.: Young people who are being Riffed. I am very sorry you have to go through this. But, in the long run, you are probably better off getting out now).
What do they want her to do? If she thinks she's being targeted because of her age, she should contact the union or the state. Otherwise, isn't there some type of rubric she can follow? Have they offered her any type of assistance, mentoring, etc.? (I don't teach in IPS, so I'm not sure what the process is there.)
As a parent, I understand the need to for districts get stricter with teacher evaluations. But as a teacher, I sympathize with anyone who isn't being treated fairly.
As a veteran IPS teacher, I have advised many young teachers to get out while they can. I have also advised student teachers to not accept a job with IPS. While I don't know whether they took the advice from me or learned on their own but the exodus of good young teachers is incredible. IPS under Dr. White has become a cesspool.
"Have they offered her any type of assistance, mentoring, etc.?" --------------------- Thanks for your concern. She doesn't need assistance, mentoring, etc. She has been a good teacher for 25 years.
Nothing has changed...except her age and years of experience.
Age discrimination is extremely hard to prove and I'd wager that any older teacher filing an age discrimination complaint would be wasting his/her time (and possibly money on attorney fees).
I have no proof to back this up, but I believe IPS's administration has declared an unspoken war on its teachers age 50 and over. I imagine a lot of it is to get these teachers so fed up with the unjust pressure, etc., that they retire early.
If the Legislature is able to get rid of seniority, then I imagine bunches of them will be fired en masse.
Why? Because they are so "highly paid" (yeah, compare their salaries to administrator salaries) and it's a way to slash the budget.
In other words, I believe it is all about money. Got to keep all of those administrators in their $100,000-plus jobs, right?
You are right, they are setting up the dominoes, first they are going to harangue teachers, then give them bad evaluations, and behind the scene they will be working to end seniority, and when they have all the dominoes in place they will knock down the first one and all the rest will fall into place.
You don't need an attorney to file a age discrimination complaint the EEOC will help you. And so should the union. Right now the union should be hiring an independent evaluator to come in and assess the teachers classroom performance using the current evaluation tool. Save every scrap of paper and keep some type of diary of events at your school. Never meet with an administrator with out a IEA rep with you. Find out who the other teachers are who are being subjected to this treatment, don't suffer alone, don't be embarrassed. If you feel you are being discriminated against you do not need to wait to be terminated start the complain process now.
This is a federal complaint and does not need to go through the grievance process.
There you go! THAT is why IPS sucks. Not because of the kids (who are KIDS!) but because of the grownups who don't think "these kids" are really worthy of anything decent or good. One more reason to choose a charter school! They know that to end the cycle of poverty through education, you have to lift kids up, not hold them down with your foot on their head for being poor in the first place.
Fort Wayne took 11 schools and made them LEAD schools. Teachers (they say over 90 percent voted for this new contract, truth is only a third of the teachers even showed up for the voting) were not all given the contract and time to soak it in before waiting for a vote. Those schools can NEVER file a grievance for anything. EVER. They can be let go at will. I expect IPS to do the same if the teachers don't keep their eyes and ears open. There isn't much hope for Indiana teachers (and teachers in many other states) as our Govenor and our own state superintendent and politicians will disolve the unions. The teaching profession has and will be knocked back years into obvilion. I have NO idea why the state union doesn't have a HUGE meeting this summer to unite teachers so that the profession can once again get protection. I'm telling you that no matter what happens the union is not protecting rif'ed and teachers who have been let go. Don't ask me why but believe me I've been there. They've turned chicken. After being in the education profession for many years there are very few teachers I have met that don't love the kids or enjoy being a teacher...now all of this crap has started and teachers are growing weary of being bashed by our leaders, a real shame
Um, read the posts on this blog by people who claim to be teachers. Almost all of them should be fired, and I have no idea how old they are. But they're obviously morons. It's not a vendetta. It's common sense. People who hate their job, hate their bosses, hate their clients, aren't good at the job, and don't even think it's possible for them to ever be good at their job unless they get better clients SHOULD lose their job.
I just don't understand it. For years, it was fine to collect a paycheck for putting up with the little cockroaches and their miserable parents. Now they want me to actually teach and when I refuse, I get a bad review. It's not fair! I'm not enough of a professional to do anything else. It's either this or washing dishes. I have no real skills that would be valuable to any employer who wasn't forced to keep me. What do I do? :(
Hey, actually you could do more. A friend of mine left teaching to run a babysitting/preschool type deal in her home and is making decent money and she is the boss!!! Guess what, she got a grant to get it started too
"I just don't understand it. For years, it was fine to collect a paycheck for putting up with the little cockroaches and their miserable parents." _______________
An "excellent" post? Hardly. I imagine it was made by an administrator. Shows how they view IPS teachers. Very, very sad.
Of course, the person who wrote it will claim they are not an administrator or someone with a vested interest in putting down teachers - but we know that old song-and-dance routine.
You don't have to work so hard to write these mean-spirited things, poster. Indiana teachers have "targets" on their backs from My Multimillionaire Mitch on down.
They may soon proclaim a statewide "Pee on a Teacher Day" in Indiana. The poster above will likely be one of the first ones in line.
Have you seen the new commercials? They are showing young teachers who are afraid of being fired because Indiana unions honor seniority. They are encouraging everyone to let the politicians know that seniority is not a good thing.
I really don't understand how "new" teachers do not believe that they need older teachers/educators to mentor them. I also do not understand how young teachers know everything. Even companies do not hire recent college grads in positions of administration. They prefer experience. So how is it that the state (who obviously is running these commercials) believe that first/second year teachers are the best?
I have a lot of respect for real teachers. But most of the people on this blog are not real teachers. They're either complete fakes pretending under anonymity, or they are mostly fakes employed in a job they have no intention of performing. I don't know one teacher who wouldn't be disgusted by the insinuation that a 25-year teacher wouldn't be able to get any job besides dishwasher or the idea that urban kids don't have a right to complain about the problems in IPS and should be grateful for the scraps they get. I'm not the one running the profession through the mud. You are.
I also agree that experienced teachers make the best mentors. But not all experienced teachers are good mentors. Some of them have no business teaching, at least not in such a challenging district. We need the best of the best in IPS, not the ones who need to keep their jobs so they don't have to wash dishes!
"I don't know one teacher who wouldn't be disgusted by the insinuation that a 25-year teacher wouldn't be able to get any job besides dishwasher."
So tell me Mr. or Ms. Expert, just what kind of job is someone with 25 years of teaching experience going to get? No other school district will hire them because they have to pay for years of experience. What independent business is going to want to hire a person in their mid-50s who has a degree in education and 25 years of teaching experience?
Historically, (IPS) has gotten far more money that most schools. Even today, they're getting $1,000 more per child to educate than other schools in Indiana House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Jeff Espich== "My guess is IPS has too many schools. That's its worst problem," Espich said. "How about administrators? Are they cutting administrators? Are they eliminating unneeded buildings?"
Yet IPS is still paying some of that money to township schools due to court-ordered busing. That's money IPS never sees yet it goes against their budget. Why would you quote a TOOL like Espich anyway? Do ya think he cares about IPS kids? Or just his corporate lobbyist pals who will get chatter skool money for their for-profit skools? he's probably never been in IPS one minute out of a day. We won't vote these fools again that's for sure.
People hire middle-aged professional career-changers all the time. You're being silly. Assuming she didn't want to attempt to get a teaching job elsewhere (aside from a bad review, a long-time teacher should have plenty of positive references), or teach college, an education professional would also be qualified to work in curriculum, testing, research, and administration. They would be qualified to work for government agencies that oversee schools, private reform movements, as well as tutoring and enrichment programs. Someone with experience with urban youth would likely have skills that would be valuable in youth outreach programs and community centers. Anyone with people skills would be valuable in public relations, customer service. I would also think an ex-teacher would be qualified to work in libraries and museums. Any sort of office work would draw on the planning, organization, computer and media, speaking, and interpersonal skills acquired as a teacher. The list goes on and on. I have nothing against dishwashers, but I can't think of a less-skilled job.
"Government agencies, libraries and museums are all cutting staff also."
Yes, and I read on another blog that Indianapolis restaurant owners talk about how many resumes they have piled up from people with master's degrees in a variety of fields who are applying for jobs as waiters/waitresses.
The odds of a middle-age career IPS teacher leaving the district (either by choice or without a choice) and then getting a decent-paying job during this recession are slim and none.
No wonder some of you suck as teachers. How can you possibly make education relevant for students when you have no clue about the real world or how to navigate it. What do you think the rest of the country does for a living? The far majority of people are non-unionized workers who are likely to change careers several times over a lifetime? The far majority of Hoosiers never even get a bachelor's degree in the first place. How do they get jobs? What do they do when technology, outsourcing, or the economy puts them out of work in their 50s? Do you really think they become waitresses and dishwashers rather than use any of the skills they've acquired, as well as the contracts hey have made, to switch careers? Again, what you're saying is you don't know any veteran teachers who would be good at anything. Do you know how insulting that is? I don't understand how some of you can be offended by the very idea of teacher accountability, but not be offended by this!! People like you are why so many people think so lowly of teachers. If you want people to see you as a real professional, you have to think and act like a real professional. Do you think a doctor, lawyer, engineer, architect, or accountant who is forced out of his medical group in his 50s has no other choice but to wash dishes or wait tables?
Actually, to be fair, I think Annie Roof and Samantha Adair-White are the exception to the "lie and relie" standard, don't you think? But I agree it was a funny typo.
The odds of a middle-age career IPS teacher leaving the district (either by choice or without a choice) and then getting a decent-paying job during this recession are slim and none.
Actually this is true of EVERY field, the chance of getting a job if you are unemployed and older is very slim.
And as to why older teachers in IPS encourage younger teachers to get out. Teaching in IPS is frustrating and heart breaking. Teachers are prevented from doing what they know is in the best interest of their students, and there are so many un-addressed issues that are completely out of the control of teachers and there is no one else to deal with the problems.
For instance, attendance...you can call, but after that it goes to an overworked social worker (oh do I deal with the kid who wants to commit suicide or try to get this chronically truant kid to come to school?) then if you are lucky and the kid is young enough it goes to truancy court (if they have a slot) and even after it goes to court and the kid keeps not coming, and you let the court know they do nothing. It is not this way in other areas, where they go after the parents..
The job is high stress and there is no administrative support, they just keep adding more roadblocks to your students success. So yes even though I love my kids, I'd encourage new teachers to get OUT.
I taught at IPS for a three years and then left for a different school system, and I agree that teachers should leave IPS if they can. But I also think students should leave IPS if they can. They get even more of a raw deal than the teachers, and that's really saying something. Like the poster above said, everybody's hands are tied from doing what needs to be done. If I can't do my job, who suffers? The kids!! If everything I do requires a paper trail, but as soon as the piece of paper leaves my room, it disappears, who suffers even more than me? The kids!! If disruptive children have frequent outbursts in my classroom, who does that hurt the most? The other KIDS in the classroom. I'll never understand it. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. I knew it was bad when I was there, but it wasn't until I worked under another administration that I realized exactly how messed-up IPS really is. "IPS_BS" is an understatement. It should be "IPS exploitation and corruption." Am I exaggerating?
No, I don't think you're exaggerating. I've never been a full-time teacher at IPS. I've only subbed there before I got my license. But I was always surprised at how everyone agreed that IPS was a nightmare of a district to work for, but so many didn't seem to think this had any impact on students. That didn't even make sense to me. I guess some of them think like the poster above who said they don't really have any right to complain. Maybe they know it has an impact on students, they just don't think it will matter in the long run because they'll turn out like their parents even if they had better schools. That's kind of sad to think that way though.
If you complain or even make suggestions you become a target. A teacher I know complained once about the difference in allocation of resources between the magnet and the regular program and was told "Dr. White knows about this and nothing is going to happen." We had two or three really vocal teachers who insisted that the school follow board policy and conduct SBDM's correctly, they were all targeted and are gone. If you complain they make an example of you.
What IPS needs is a large number of involved parents who will contact board members and attend the meetings and try and make this worthless school board do their jobs. The parents need to demand that the school board hold Eugene accountable and that the school board make decisions instead of being intimidated into letting Eugene demand his way. Unfortunately, many of our parents are working two jobs trying to make ends meet or have very diffucult manual labor jobs and they are busy or tired. I understand that all too well.
Dr. White is scared about the teacher layoffs because terminating 10% of the certified teachers has gained national attention. Everyone knows Dr. White hates bad press. Watch how the school board will protect him on this issue. The Rev Dr. Mikey Brown will be the first to comes to his defense.
The magnet schools are a catch-22. Many teachers find them unfair, but without them, more families would leave the district, resulting in more layoffs. I don't know what the answer is.
I don't understand why they don't have a trades high school magnet. Have behavior, attendance, and grade requirements just like the other magnets, but offer another path other than college prep. I understand why schools stopped assigning kids to trade tracks. But I don't understand not offering a voluntary option for it.
They also need to separate out the magnet high school programs from the non-magnet programs. I understand why they've avoided it, but even families who use IPS magnets are leaving after 8th grade. They need separate magnet high schools (or one combo magnet high school with all the different programs housed in one school).
Yeah, I'm a fan of the magnet programs. I think they do what the "small schools" were supposed to do but didn't. Just splitting up the schools didn't do anything but take a few big bad schools and make a bunch of little bad schools. The magnets increase parent, student, and teacher buy-in and filter out the kids with the worst behavior and attendance issues. Positive change begats positive change. The more kids, parents, and teachers see it working, the more they contribute to making it work. I think IPS will eventually be all (or mostly) magnet schools and alternative schools.
If you didn't make the meeting at IEA today, you're in for a rude, rude awakening. The state is out to dismantle IPS.
If the two education bills pass, and they probably will, they will take effect within ten days, since the bills are designated "emergency" status.
Highlights (really, lowlights) include designating the principal as the decision maker for all things educations, including but not limited to hiring and firing at will (no due process, just a "conference" and a kick out the door. Should you choose to fight, you'll enter the state's mediator zone, where, if you lose, YOU pay for all the costs of the conference. Keep in mind that the mediators will most likely be INDOE employees. If you are accused of breaking the law, you will be suspended WITHOUT PAY. The principal can set the school's hours, as well as when and where you work. You can be ordered to stay until 7 for staff meetings, and then told to stay after and collect tickets at a ballgame. Want to say WHY? or NO? That's insubordination, and the risk of firing on the spot. Every teacher will be evaluated every year. Seniority? Kiss it goodbye next year.
New teachers??????? forgetaboutit. You'll be paid for one-third of your experience/college credits.
SBDM? Goodbye, too. Committees must be comprised of the same percentage as IPS has union membership (currently 60%), and principals can veto and/or override any SBDM decision.
Dump membership? Sure, go up against Bennett and Daniels by yourself. We've gone from one of the best association benefits in the state (1996) to the worst. Check to see if the RIF'ed teachers in your school are IEA members. In our building? NOPE.
Yes. A principal can demand our hours, and our hourly rate is no longer honored. We are paid for our contract.
Daniels/Bennett want a business model for our schools statewide, so the two bills require managers, not educators. Since anybody can be a manager, the youngest teachers will stay on the job. Experience neither required nor tolerated.
These bills will really take effect in TEN days? That thought is very scary. Will that apply to all school systems or just IPS? Are charter schools included?
I think they're flipping out about the collective bargaining bill. But it's a lot of boogie man nonsense. These are the same people who don't think teachers are qualified to do anything but wash dishes. No wonder they're afraid.
I know it's scary, people, but you have to remember that all this competition, free market, and choice stuff applies to teachers too. They're not going to become tyrants because they won't be able to keep teachers that way. IPS isn't a system that people are standing in line to teach in. They're not going to run everybody off or do anything crazy. Yes, they might change a schedule or do do something differently than the way the union always did it. But charter schools and private schools are already run like this and I haven't heard any horror stories. I really think this is one of those things that's being blown out of proportion and that the only people who are in danger are the people who should have been gone a long time ago.
Too many administrative jobs, and underpaid underappreciated teachers, especially for the type and depth of social issues that teachers often deal with at IPS schools, students can often come from homes were unfortunately education isnt always at the forefront of parents minds. Even if it is a small ammount of students that cannot focus due to social issues it can affect the progression and learning of other students ...it is a challenging enough job let alone if you lose or disorient 271 teachers somewhere something is going to give...God help the parents that need a place and education for their kids, every kid should have a chance....God bless the teachers hopefully they will all find welcoming jobs..... and God bless the admin staff who sure arent taking cuts or pay caps!!!....IPS is going to affect this city long term
Warning for Tony Bennett and Mitch Daniels as you prepare to take over IPS....from H. L. Mencken, the Sage of Baltimore- For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong...
Extends the use of temporary teacher contracts to hiring for positions funded by grants. Establishes a process for contract cancellation for teachers. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement (agreement) may not include provisions that limit a school employer's ability to restructure schools that do not meet federal or state accountability standards, or that limit a school employer's ability to enter into programs that offer postsecondary credit or dual credits to students. Provides that an agreement may not extend beyond the end of a state budget biennium. Prohibits certain subjects from being bargained collectively, and provides that prohibited subjects and items that lead to deficit financing may not be included in an agreement. Removes provisions concerning discussion subjects. Provides that collective bargaining begins not later than May 1, and makes corresponding changes to related sections. Provides that a school employer may end a status quo period. Provides that if a complaint that is filed alleging an unfair practice is found to be frivolous, the complaining party is liable for costs and attorney's fees. Repeals provisions concerning contract cancellation for teachers, the Indiana education employment relations board, certain definitions, a provision allowing the statutory procedures for refusing to continue or canceling a teacher contract to be modified by an agreement, staff performance evaluation, and subjects of discussion, and makes conforming changes to related sections.
"But charter schools and private schools are already run like this and I haven't heard any horror stories."
This may be true, but, statistics show that the average length of teacher employment in charters if FOUR YEARS. Of course, they can hire virtually anyone off the street who can pass a background security check......regardless of educational background.
Of course the average length of employment is short at charter schools. The oldest charter schools are only nine years old. Estimating seven charter schools opening per year, if there was absolutely NO teacher turnover in any Indiana charter school, the average length of teacher employment would be 4 1/2 years.
"regardless of educational background..." Totally false. The law allows transition to teaching type programs for people who already have a Bachelor's degree. That's not the same thing as disregarding education. It's not like they can hire a Wal-Mart cashier to teach a Chemistry class.
This is simply more scare tactics from the IEA. You know, it's no wonder some newer teachers (and some older teachers) no longer want you to represent them.
I'll quote Mel Brooks (Governor William J. Le Petomane)in Blazing Saddles here: it seems appropriate. "We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! ..."
Wrong. According to our Uniserve Director, Wisconsin and Ohio have already passed similar legislation.
Yes but they got lots of bad publicity, teachers sitting in at the capitol, strong organizational efforts to oppose what was going on, they want this to hit you right between the eyes before you have a chance to react. Mitch doesn't want this type of negative publicity...
There are republican teachers in my school who still support Mitch and Bennett, and when we talk about this their mouths drop open and they simply don't believe it....poor things, wait until this starts.
Right, because teachers really aren't a very bright or well-informed bunch. That's why they need the unions to tell them what to think and how to vote. With you as a "friend" of teachers, who needs enemies! LOL
No it's true, a special education teacher who is a big GOP fan, thinks Mitch is the man for President. Then when she found out that her pay will be cut, no senority, and a loss of rights, she was upset. But I know that fool will vote for the GOP again? Not for the best person.
Why would she be upset about some made-up nonsense by some insecure teacher? Are you sure she wasn't just pacifying you. That's what I do when the people I strongly disagree with try to "warn" me about how wrong I am. "Oh no. Gosh, how awful!" Turn my head, roll my eyes, and move on.
Just wait, roll your eyes as you pack up your box of personal items. The little sheep followed the wolf into the cave, then they rolled their eyes are the wolf killed each one. I am just shcoked that you are teaching our students.
The main reason for problems in IPS lies with the principals. Most won't get off their lazy bottoms to do walkthroughs to identify poor teachers. I am in the third year at my school and I have seen no one come into my classroom. Teachers on the third floor were laughing that the other day all four administrators came walking into their classrooms. Another fault of the administration is the poor discipline. They don't know what to do with some of the behavior, don't want to lose their high paying jobs, so they put it back on the teachers. I hate seeing what is happening to IPS!
At my school all four administrators were out in the hall, for the first time this year. It was like the Mod Squad as they walked the hall four abreast. I was surprised to see them, I didn't think the principal knew there was a second or third floor.
And administrators are a big part of the problem, the dean in this group told me that he did not believe we should try to get kids out of the hall and into the room, because that just created problems in the classroom.
April 8, 2011 Budget issues and school performance statistics have forced Education Reform to the forefront during this session of the Indiana General Assembly. Stories about teacher accountability, test scores, and vouchers dominate the daily news.
This week on Indiana Lawmakers, host Jon Schwantes is joined by State School Superintendent Tony Bennett; Crothersville Community Schools Superintendent Rep. Terry Goodin, D - Austin; House Education Committee Chair Rep. Robert Behining, R - Indianapolis; and Rick Muir, President of the Indiana Federation of Teachers. The panel tackles the questions dividing Hoosiers when it comes to K-12 education: Is now the time to expand school choice programs? Who is accountable for school and student performance failures? And would allowing funding to follow the students truly decimate declining districts? Those issues and more are debated on Indiana Lawmakers, from the Statehouse to your house.
Go to wfyi.org/lawmakers for streaming video.
After last night's meeting, some amazing statements, especially by Indiana/AFT President Muir.
The biggest problem is weak principals. I have worked for many different principals, the good ones make it clear they don't tolerate bad behavior. If one student is continually crawling on the floor and barking like a dog they need to leave. The needs of the other 29 kids in the room outweigh the need of that one student. Unfortunately many principals think the kids are "cute" or feel sorry for their home lives and refuse to do anything about the poor behavior. Hence, crazy houses like school 27. saw it in Wayne Twnship, seeing it now.
I don't wan to stop teaching, I want to stop teaching under my current administration.
Many principals are weak and lazy. They don't want to deal with parents and disruptive parents. They also don't to deal with teachers who are not doing the job. They won't use the evaluation process to dismiss them.
Leave me alone. Look at my students' achievements, not just their test scores. Trust me to do my job to the best of my ability. Pay me a reasonable wage that reflects my education and experience. Quit ordering me what/when/how to present lessons.
Allow me to reach my children on their level, without fear of a power-hungry or vindictive administrator. Respect me as a professional educator, not a manager or pencil pusher.
Now, as I spend the next three hours of my Friday night grading papers, I think of the teachers who most impacted my life. Why can't we have that courtesy and stature? We've earned it.
"How can a principal set school hours? That will play havoc with the busses." Really?? The "hours" comment referred to teachers - not to students. If this all goes through, your principal will have the authority to dictate your working hours for all 12 months of the calendar year. THAT is what we're talking about.
"Why can't we have that courtesy and stature? We've earned it."
Very well expressed. Unfortunately, the Republican bullies aren't listening. They are going to set public education back 100 years and then scratch their brainless talking heads and ask, "My God, what have we done!?"
Politicians should have no say in Education. They are out of touch and haven't stepped into a classroom in over 20 years. They have no idea how the 19th-century factory model has failed current students. There's no creative thinking from the Statehouse and we're all held hostage!
Politicians should have no say.... Well said. The 19th century education model indeed does not work in the urban setting. It still works in suburban schools, because more students come from intact two parent families where education is supported and expected. Many urban students enter Kindergarten lacking some of the most basic foundations like proper social and lsitening skills that are among others key to the learning process. Yet schools like IPS are set up to teach the kid who comes in possessing those skills. Horrible high school students were made long before they entered high school. If we truly want to educate our children and prevent them from repeating the same ignnorant cycle of poverty they come from, then we must be willing to change what we are doing no matter what. Problem is that education reform always seems to center around the adults never the children whom are most affected by it.
"The IEA, ISTA, and NEA, however, will consistently and diligently defend the master agreement (contract) for ALL bargaining unit members (mainly teachers, counselors, etc.) with complete disregard for membership status."
Sadly, the freeloaders have weakened all of Indiana educational associations' "master agreements" to negotiate and protect ONLY our salary and insurance. There will no longer be "language" for situations such as working hours, class sizes, or due process. The right to file grievances will be fondly remembered as a blast from the past, and if your administrator wants you gone without question, one simple conference will remove you from your classroom. Want to fight it? Be sure you have lots of evidence in your favor, and plenty of money, since, if your appeal is unsuccessful, you'll pay all incurred expenses, both yours and your opponents'.
Please, please be sure to read the proposed bills in committee right now. One might feel that someone else will look out for his or her best interest, but that is no longer guaranteed.
"Provides that if a complaint that is filed alleging an unfair practice is found to be frivolous, the complaining party is liable for costs and attorney's fees."
The DOE decides what is "frivolous". There will be no list of what is acceptable or unacceptable. What may be frivolous to one may be reasonable to another. The association has no say in these matters.
My prayers and well-wishes go out to those who received notices. Hopefully this will be one of those "when one door closes, another one opens" type of things. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm not understanding the newspaper article. Which is it? Rif or elimination? Is this a reflection of budget cuts or reduction in student enrollment?
ReplyDeleteRIF. Declining student enrollment has caused budget deficits.
ReplyDeleteAlso the property tax relief passed by the legislature....I saw teachers whining about their increased property tax, and when my own property tax went from $1000 a year to $466 I worried about what would happen with schools...now we know.
ReplyDeleteTax cuts = Service cuts
They were not fired, they have been laid off, fired sounds so harsh and as if they have or have not done something to deserve this treatment.
ReplyDeleteTo the person above talking about tax cuts, you're certainly entitled to your opinion about taxes, but it has nothing to do with the current budget and layoffs. Total tax allocation to public education was not cut, and neither was per-student funding. There are simply fewer students.
ReplyDeleteYes RIF is the correct wording. Unfortunately you will find in your job search that not only here in Indiana but other states will question your rif as if you were fired. This is due because of the nationwide horrendous press coverage regarding "bad" teachers and the fact that our govenor and state superintendent are constantly making noise around the country how they are making Indiana schools "better" and always throw the words bad teachers around with no respect whatsoever. I applied for a position in Illinois and hard to believe but they kept questioning my firing.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you go in NOW and request a letter of recommendation and your evaluations from your administrators so that you have them on hand to prove to your future employers that you were not fired.
Also have a union meeting so that you know where you stand in regards to being recalled as full time subs without benefits. You will lose unemployment if this happens to you and it probably will because the school corporation gets the teacher back with sub pay and no benefits saving the corp. big bucks
If enrollment is declining and a lower amount of teachers are needed then why are additional adminstration positions being added? That makes no sense, but OOPS!!! This is IPS! Shouldn't the number of adminstrators decrease to reflect the lower enrollment?
ReplyDeleteHave any central office administrators been cut?
ReplyDeleteWhite is fine and dandy with keeping many high paid administrators and eliminating those who directly work with students hour by hour
ReplyDeleteLast year, the Education Action Group Foundation, a nonprofit taxpayer rights group questioned why, amid district-wide cuts, 177 IPS administrators earned more than $100,000 in salary and benefits during the 2009-2010 school year.
White has stressed that the school system must offer competitive salaries and said the district will save money because other positions will be eliminated. (yeah buddy)
This was from two years ago. I can only imagine it now
ReplyDeletehttp://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2009/11/ips_salaries_schedule.html#
Rif or laid off? Who cares which you use? Both of them mean you no longer have a job.
ReplyDeleteAn example happened today which shows why parents are pulling their students out of IPS. New Horizons Alternative school had two girls fighting yesterday. Today the parent of one of the girls came in and attacked the other girl. Two teachers were injured. That will never make the news. Building administrators are too scared or unwilling to addess behavior problems with parents. I think some of them are afraid that the parents will beat them up if they enforce some type of discipline.
Don't forget this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teachplus.org/uploads/Documents/1294158661_RIF_Case_Study_Final_Teach_Plus.pdf
I want to know why a child who attacked a staff member, was suspended pending explusion, was transferred to our building. She should have been expelled.
ReplyDeleteThat is why IPS is failing. NO discipline.
Yeah, that's what's wrong with IPS. Parents and students are treated with too much respect. You guys are unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThey need to cut the school police.
ReplyDeleteUmmm no they don't need to cut school police! We desperately need them and the ones we have at my school are awesome and do a great job of helping when we need them! Sorry that you feel that we need to cut them but no that would not help the discipline situation in IPS at all!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I totally agree with the title of this blog segment... Yes, being RIF'd stinks and I will for sure miss my kids, but NOT 100% SURE miss the administration. This district is backwards and messed up and will only continue to fail if they don't change the path they are on such as paying the "top dogs" a fortune and don't expect them to take pay cuts while you give them raises and cut almost 300 hundred teachers!!!
Speedway has the LOWest property taxes and great schools with few if any layoffs or budget cuts in an urban area. Why? No tax abatements. Allison's, the Coke Plant and even IMS all pay their FAIR share of taxes to the community. How many new property buildings downtown pay nothing to IPS? Circle Center Mall? Simon Building? NCAA Headquarters? Lilly? Where is the real outrage? That's why we have no money. Don't forget we STILL pay township school district busing money as well. That's figured into our per/pupil expense. Money no one at IPS ever sees.Wake up people and stop voting these corporate lobbyists into office.
ReplyDeleteHistorically, (IPS) has gotten far more money that most schools. Even today, they're getting $1,000 more per child to educate than other schools in Indiana
ReplyDeleteHouse Ways and Means Chair Rep. Jeff Espich==
"My guess is IPS has too many schools. That's its worst problem," Espich said. "How about administrators? Are they cutting administrators? Are they eliminating unneeded buildings?"
Exactly. The problem with IPS is not that it doesn't have enough money. It gets plenty of funding and always has. It's just a really badly managed district.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Too many people with titles and making big bucks. Problem is a lot of large school corporation are in the same boat.
ReplyDeleteSome of titles given to people are unbelievable and their pays ridiculous.
Teachers are the ones who interact daily with students and yet they are the ones picked on when it comes to cuts.
John Q. Public needs to get more involved and request to see each and every person's title, explanation of title and pay. IN DETAIL
Many would like to see job descriptions for Ed Center administrative positions. We all know a classroom teacher's job description; however, few of us are privy to administrative job descriptions. Where are they posted? Does the School Board maintain a site where job descriptions are posted for the public?
ReplyDeleteHas anyone here ever sent an email to a School Board member? If so, did you get a reply, and from whom?
ReplyDeleteI'm not talking about an angry email filled with hate or blame, but simply an email with a few thoughts and ideas.
The new evaluation method is not the main reason for RIF. While it may look good on paper, the primary areas for IPS' RIF criteria is seniority and subject area/grade level. Look at the number of teachers rif'd in special area vacancies. Nearly 30%.
ReplyDelete"Has anyone here ever sent an email to a School Board member? If so, did you get a reply, and from whom?
ReplyDeleteI'm not talking about an angry email filled with hate or blame, but simply an email with a few thoughts and ideas."
I received a letter/email forbidding me from contacting school board members. Didn't you? Everything needs to go through Big Twinkletoes first.
It sucks to be all of us right now.
I sent letters to the school board members when i couldn't get my son's teachers or principal to talk to me but the school board just ignored me too. I finally got my son into CFI #2 and I haven't had any problems since. I feel bad for the families in the regular schools though. I don't think some of them know how different the magnet schools are. I had seen the pamplets about the magnet fairs but I thought the only difference was they focused on one area. My neighbors the one who told me it was all different, the way they teach, the way they talk to you, even the report cards. I think if more people knew how different the magnet schools are they might not go to the charter schools.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if there is a way to look at the rif list and see who's on it?
ReplyDeleteThe magnet schools are great, but they are all filled to capacity. There is also a huge roadblock for families who want to apply for the magnet schools: you have to apply 10 months in advance. Charter schools will accept applications year-round.
ReplyDeleteI retired recently and I pity anyone that must work for the IPS system. Most of the negative complaints that have been voiced are all true. If you can get out, do so fast. For those that say "how wonderful it is" it is a matter of time before you experience the opposite. And for all of those concerned about my background, I was a Teacher of the Year, worked many hours extra after school to have the best classroom learning environment, continued my own academic learning at the university level inorder to stay current and be a better teacher,and collaborated with others to make our learning community fun. The IPS system took all the fun out of my job. I even had a student once ask me where I worked..... That is an example of how I made the rigors of learning fun ....the kids thought I was there because I wanted to be there for them...Teaching had always been that way for me until IPS began Dr. White's so called improvements or decline. I was lucky. Time was on my side so I retired. Now my passions are taken in other directions and life is "wonderful".
ReplyDelete"I retired recently and I pity anyone that must work for the IPS system."
ReplyDeleteSame here, for me. I got to the point that I actually told young teachers to look for jobs in township schools and Hamilton County while they still had under 5 years experience.
For the former Teacher of the Year and anyone else.....
ReplyDeleteI am not an IPS teacher, but I have a loved one who is.
She received praise and good evaluations for 25 years of teaching in IPS, then last year things began to change for her. The "heat" started being applied and in ways that, in my opinion, are ridiculous. The criticism started last year about things that have nothing to do with actual teaching of kids - but "important" matters like having certain kinds of items posted on walls, etc. etc.
Still, even last year, she got a positive review despite the heat being turned up on her. Now, the pressure is almost unbearable for her and the evaluations are negative. She can't retire due to being the primary bread winner for her family.
With her age, years of experience, and bad assessments for this one year (out of 25), how can she get another job?
My guess is that she can't/won't. Unless maybe as a dishwasher in a restaurant. That will be a nice reward for decades of deep commitment and hard work for the children of IPS.
(P.S.: Young people who are being Riffed. I am very sorry you have to go through this. But, in the long run, you are probably better off getting out now).
Principals who are 70 need to be RIF'd. Espcially when they are ineffective.
ReplyDeleteWhat do they want her to do? If she thinks she's being targeted because of her age, she should contact the union or the state. Otherwise, isn't there some type of rubric she can follow? Have they offered her any type of assistance, mentoring, etc.? (I don't teach in IPS, so I'm not sure what the process is there.)
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, I understand the need to for districts get stricter with teacher evaluations. But as a teacher, I sympathize with anyone who isn't being treated fairly.
As a veteran IPS teacher, I have advised many young teachers to get out while they can. I have also advised student teachers to not accept a job with IPS. While I don't know whether they took the advice from me or learned on their own but the exodus of good young teachers is incredible. IPS under Dr. White has become a cesspool.
ReplyDelete"Have they offered her any type of assistance, mentoring, etc.?"
ReplyDelete---------------------
Thanks for your concern. She doesn't need assistance, mentoring, etc. She has been a good teacher for 25 years.
Nothing has changed...except her age and years of experience.
Age discrimination is extremely hard to prove and I'd wager that any older teacher filing an age discrimination complaint would be wasting his/her time (and possibly money on attorney fees).
I have no proof to back this up, but I believe IPS's administration has declared an unspoken war on its teachers age 50 and over. I imagine a lot of it is to get these teachers so fed up with the unjust pressure, etc., that they retire early.
If the Legislature is able to get rid of seniority, then I imagine bunches of them will be fired en masse.
Why? Because they are so "highly paid" (yeah, compare their salaries to administrator salaries)
and it's a way to slash the budget.
In other words, I believe it is all about money.
Got to keep all of those administrators in their $100,000-plus jobs, right?
You are right, they are setting up the dominoes, first they are going to harangue teachers, then give them bad evaluations, and behind the scene they will be working to end seniority, and when they have all the dominoes in place they will knock down the first one and all the rest will fall into place.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need an attorney to file a age discrimination complaint the EEOC will help you.
And so should the union. Right now the union should be hiring an independent evaluator to come in and assess the teachers classroom performance using the current evaluation tool.
Save every scrap of paper and keep some type of diary of events at your school. Never meet with an administrator with out a IEA rep with you. Find out who the other teachers are who are being subjected to this treatment, don't suffer alone, don't be embarrassed. If you feel you are being discriminated against you do not need to wait to be terminated start the complain process now.
This is a federal complaint and does not need to go through the grievance process.
http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/age.cfm
ReplyDeleteSo some of you recommend teachers escape IPS, but you don't want students to be allowed to?
ReplyDeleteWhy should the students leave? They get everything free, text books, lunch, breakfast, paper, pencils, folders, clothes, shoes.
ReplyDeleteMy kids get nothing from their school. Their school is constantly sending e-mails, we need glue sticks, Clorox wipes, snacks, etc.
I wish my kids could go to IPS so I could be a pampered parent.
There you go! THAT is why IPS sucks. Not because of the kids (who are KIDS!) but because of the grownups who don't think "these kids" are really worthy of anything decent or good. One more reason to choose a charter school! They know that to end the cycle of poverty through education, you have to lift kids up, not hold them down with your foot on their head for being poor in the first place.
ReplyDeleteFort Wayne took 11 schools and made them LEAD schools. Teachers (they say over 90 percent voted for this new contract, truth is only a third of the teachers even showed up for the voting) were not all given the contract and time to soak it in before waiting for a vote.
ReplyDeleteThose schools can NEVER file a grievance for anything. EVER. They can be let go at will. I expect IPS to do the same if the teachers don't keep their eyes and ears open.
There isn't much hope for Indiana teachers (and teachers in many other states) as our Govenor and our own state superintendent and politicians will disolve the unions.
The teaching profession has and will be knocked back years into obvilion.
I have NO idea why the state union doesn't have a HUGE meeting this summer to unite teachers so that the profession can once again get protection. I'm telling you that no matter what happens the union is not protecting rif'ed and teachers who have been let go. Don't ask me why but believe me I've been there. They've turned chicken.
After being in the education profession for many years there are very few teachers I have met that don't love the kids or enjoy being a teacher...now all of this crap has started and teachers are growing weary of being bashed by our leaders, a real shame
Um, read the posts on this blog by people who claim to be teachers. Almost all of them should be fired, and I have no idea how old they are. But they're obviously morons. It's not a vendetta. It's common sense. People who hate their job, hate their bosses, hate their clients, aren't good at the job, and don't even think it's possible for them to ever be good at their job unless they get better clients SHOULD lose their job.
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand it. For years, it was fine to collect a paycheck for putting up with the little cockroaches and their miserable parents. Now they want me to actually teach and when I refuse, I get a bad review. It's not fair! I'm not enough of a professional to do anything else. It's either this or washing dishes. I have no real skills that would be valuable to any employer who wasn't forced to keep me. What do I do? :(
ReplyDeleteLOL!! That is priceless!! EXCELLENT post!!
ReplyDeleteHey, actually you could do more. A friend of mine left teaching to run a babysitting/preschool type deal in her home and is making decent money and she is the boss!!!
ReplyDeleteGuess what, she got a grant to get it started too
"I just don't understand it. For years, it was fine to collect a paycheck for putting up with the little cockroaches and their miserable parents."
ReplyDelete_______________
An "excellent" post? Hardly. I imagine it was made by an administrator. Shows how they view IPS teachers. Very, very sad.
Of course, the person who wrote it will claim they are not an administrator or someone with a vested interest in putting down teachers - but we know that old song-and-dance routine.
You don't have to work so hard to write these mean-spirited things, poster. Indiana teachers have "targets" on their backs from My Multimillionaire Mitch on down.
They may soon proclaim a statewide "Pee on a Teacher Day" in Indiana. The poster above will likely be one of the first ones in line.
Have you seen the new commercials? They are showing young teachers who are afraid of being fired because Indiana unions honor seniority.
ReplyDeleteThey are encouraging everyone to let the politicians know that seniority is not a good thing.
I really don't understand how "new" teachers do not believe that they need older teachers/educators to mentor them. I also do not understand how young teachers know everything. Even companies do not hire recent college grads in positions of administration. They prefer experience. So how is it that the state (who obviously is running these commercials) believe that first/second year teachers are the best?
Propaganda=cheap pay=general public's lack of knowledge
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of respect for real teachers. But most of the people on this blog are not real teachers. They're either complete fakes pretending under anonymity, or they are mostly fakes employed in a job they have no intention of performing. I don't know one teacher who wouldn't be disgusted by the insinuation that a 25-year teacher wouldn't be able to get any job besides dishwasher or the idea that urban kids don't have a right to complain about the problems in IPS and should be grateful for the scraps they get. I'm not the one running the profession through the mud. You are.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that experienced teachers make the best mentors. But not all experienced teachers are good mentors. Some of them have no business teaching, at least not in such a challenging district. We need the best of the best in IPS, not the ones who need to keep their jobs so they don't have to wash dishes!
ReplyDeletehttp://open.salon.com/blog/tames_thinking/2010/09/07/kissing_the_classroom_blues_goodbye
ReplyDeleteNeed a laugh, read this report of someone who "tried" teaching, and found it wasn't for them.
"I don't know one teacher who wouldn't be disgusted by the insinuation that a 25-year teacher wouldn't be able to get any job besides dishwasher."
ReplyDeleteSo tell me Mr. or Ms. Expert, just what kind of job is someone with 25 years of teaching experience going to get? No other school district will hire them because they have to pay for years of experience. What independent business is going to want to hire a person in their mid-50s who has a degree in education and 25 years of teaching experience?
Answer honestly, Mr. or Ms. Expert.
Not gonna happen. Come on, let's get real here.
Historically, (IPS) has gotten far more money that most schools. Even today, they're getting $1,000 more per child to educate than other schools in Indiana
ReplyDeleteHouse Ways and Means Chair Rep. Jeff Espich==
"My guess is IPS has too many schools. That's its worst problem," Espich said. "How about administrators? Are they cutting administrators? Are they eliminating unneeded buildings?"
Yet IPS is still paying some of that money to township schools due to court-ordered busing. That's money IPS never sees yet it goes against their budget. Why would you quote a TOOL like Espich anyway? Do ya think he cares about IPS kids? Or just his corporate lobbyist pals who will get chatter skool money for their for-profit skools? he's probably never been in IPS one minute out of a day. We won't vote these fools again that's for sure.
"Has anyone here ever sent an email to a School Board member? If so, did you get a reply, and from whom?
ReplyDeleteI'm not talking about an angry email filled with hate or blame, but simply an email with a few thoughts and ideas."
I received a letter/email forbidding me from contacting school board members. Didn't you? Everything needs to go through Big Twinkletoes first.
It sucks to be all of us right now.
Re: I've emailed Annie Roof and Samantha Adair-White from my home email address. Both relied.
People hire middle-aged professional career-changers all the time. You're being silly. Assuming she didn't want to attempt to get a teaching job elsewhere (aside from a bad review, a long-time teacher should have plenty of positive references), or teach college, an education professional would also be qualified to work in curriculum, testing, research, and administration. They would be qualified to work for government agencies that oversee schools, private reform movements, as well as tutoring and enrichment programs. Someone with experience with urban youth would likely have skills that would be valuable in youth outreach programs and community centers. Anyone with people skills would be valuable in public relations, customer service. I would also think an ex-teacher would be qualified to work in libraries and museums. Any sort of office work would draw on the planning, organization, computer and media, speaking, and interpersonal skills acquired as a teacher. The list goes on and on. I have nothing against dishwashers, but I can't think of a less-skilled job.
ReplyDeleteGovernment agencies, libraries and museums are all cutting staff also.
ReplyDelete"Government agencies, libraries and museums are all cutting staff also."
ReplyDeleteYes, and I read on another blog that Indianapolis restaurant owners talk about how many resumes they have piled up from people with master's degrees in a variety of fields who are applying for jobs as waiters/waitresses.
The odds of a middle-age career IPS teacher leaving the district (either by choice or without a choice) and then getting a decent-paying job during this recession are slim and none.
"I've emailed Annie Roof and Samantha Adair-White from my home email address. Both relied."
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. My laughter woke up the kids and the dog at 5:49 this morning!!!!
So, our board members lie and relie. No surprise here! Big Red Twinkletoes has once again intimidated ALL board members!
(Even if this was a typo, it's still hilarious, and perfectly fits our situation!!!!!)
No wonder some of you suck as teachers. How can you possibly make education relevant for students when you have no clue about the real world or how to navigate it. What do you think the rest of the country does for a living? The far majority of people are non-unionized workers who are likely to change careers several times over a lifetime? The far majority of Hoosiers never even get a bachelor's degree in the first place. How do they get jobs? What do they do when technology, outsourcing, or the economy puts them out of work in their 50s? Do you really think they become waitresses and dishwashers rather than use any of the skills they've acquired, as well as the contracts hey have made, to switch careers? Again, what you're saying is you don't know any veteran teachers who would be good at anything. Do you know how insulting that is? I don't understand how some of you can be offended by the very idea of teacher accountability, but not be offended by this!! People like you are why so many people think so lowly of teachers. If you want people to see you as a real professional, you have to think and act like a real professional. Do you think a doctor, lawyer, engineer, architect, or accountant who is forced out of his medical group in his 50s has no other choice but to wash dishes or wait tables?
ReplyDeleteActually, to be fair, I think Annie Roof and Samantha Adair-White are the exception to the "lie and relie" standard, don't you think? But I agree it was a funny typo.
ReplyDeleteThe odds of a middle-age career IPS teacher leaving the district (either by choice or without a choice) and then getting a decent-paying job during this recession are slim and none.
ReplyDeleteActually this is true of EVERY field, the chance of getting a job if you are unemployed and older is very slim.
And as to why older teachers in IPS encourage younger teachers to get out. Teaching in IPS is frustrating and heart breaking. Teachers are prevented from doing what they know is in the best interest of their students, and there are so many un-addressed issues that are completely out of the control of teachers and there is no one else to deal with the problems.
For instance, attendance...you can call, but after that it goes to an overworked social worker (oh do I deal with the kid who wants to commit suicide or try to get this chronically truant kid to come to school?) then if you are lucky and the kid is young enough it goes to truancy court (if they have a slot) and even after it goes to court and the kid keeps not coming, and you let the court know they do nothing. It is not this way in other areas, where they go after the parents..
The job is high stress and there is no administrative support, they just keep adding more roadblocks to your students success. So yes even though I love my kids, I'd encourage new teachers to get OUT.
I taught at IPS for a three years and then left for a different school system, and I agree that teachers should leave IPS if they can. But I also think students should leave IPS if they can. They get even more of a raw deal than the teachers, and that's really saying something. Like the poster above said, everybody's hands are tied from doing what needs to be done. If I can't do my job, who suffers? The kids!! If everything I do requires a paper trail, but as soon as the piece of paper leaves my room, it disappears, who suffers even more than me? The kids!! If disruptive children have frequent outbursts in my classroom, who does that hurt the most? The other KIDS in the classroom. I'll never understand it. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. I knew it was bad when I was there, but it wasn't until I worked under another administration that I realized exactly how messed-up IPS really is. "IPS_BS" is an understatement. It should be "IPS exploitation and corruption." Am I exaggerating?
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think you're exaggerating. I've never been a full-time teacher at IPS. I've only subbed there before I got my license. But I was always surprised at how everyone agreed that IPS was a nightmare of a district to work for, but so many didn't seem to think this had any impact on students. That didn't even make sense to me. I guess some of them think like the poster above who said they don't really have any right to complain. Maybe they know it has an impact on students, they just don't think it will matter in the long run because they'll turn out like their parents even if they had better schools. That's kind of sad to think that way though.
ReplyDeleteIf you complain or even make suggestions you become a target. A teacher I know complained once about the difference in allocation of resources between the magnet and the regular program and was told "Dr. White knows about this and nothing is going to happen." We had two or three really vocal teachers who insisted that the school follow board policy and conduct SBDM's correctly, they were all targeted and are gone. If you complain they make an example of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat IPS needs is a large number of involved parents who will contact board members and attend the meetings and try and make this worthless school board do their jobs. The parents need to demand that the school board hold Eugene accountable and that the school board make decisions instead of being intimidated into letting Eugene demand his way. Unfortunately, many of our parents are working two jobs trying to make ends meet or have very diffucult manual labor jobs and they are busy or tired. I understand that all too well.
ReplyDeleteDr. White is scared about the teacher layoffs because terminating 10% of the certified teachers has gained national attention. Everyone knows Dr. White hates bad press. Watch how the school board will protect him on this issue. The Rev Dr. Mikey Brown will be the first to comes to his defense.
ReplyDeleteThe magnet schools are a catch-22. Many teachers find them unfair, but without them, more families would leave the district, resulting in more layoffs. I don't know what the answer is.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why they don't have a trades high school magnet. Have behavior, attendance, and grade requirements just like the other magnets, but offer another path other than college prep. I understand why schools stopped assigning kids to trade tracks. But I don't understand not offering a voluntary option for it.
ReplyDeleteThey also need to separate out the magnet high school programs from the non-magnet programs. I understand why they've avoided it, but even families who use IPS magnets are leaving after 8th grade. They need separate magnet high schools (or one combo magnet high school with all the different programs housed in one school).
Yeah, I'm a fan of the magnet programs. I think they do what the "small schools" were supposed to do but didn't. Just splitting up the schools didn't do anything but take a few big bad schools and make a bunch of little bad schools. The magnets increase parent, student, and teacher buy-in and filter out the kids with the worst behavior and attendance issues. Positive change begats positive change. The more kids, parents, and teachers see it working, the more they contribute to making it work. I think IPS will eventually be all (or mostly) magnet schools and alternative schools.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't make the meeting at IEA today, you're in for a rude, rude awakening. The state is out to dismantle IPS.
ReplyDeleteIf the two education bills pass, and they probably will, they will take effect within ten days, since the bills are designated "emergency" status.
Highlights (really, lowlights) include designating the principal as the decision maker for all things educations, including but not limited to hiring and firing at will (no due process, just a "conference" and a kick out the door. Should you choose to fight, you'll enter the state's mediator zone, where, if you lose, YOU pay for all the costs of the conference. Keep in mind that the mediators will most likely be INDOE employees. If you are accused of breaking the law, you will be suspended WITHOUT PAY. The principal can set the school's hours, as well as when and where you work. You can be ordered to stay until 7 for staff meetings, and then told to stay after and collect tickets at a ballgame. Want to say WHY? or NO? That's insubordination, and the risk of firing on the spot. Every teacher will be evaluated every year. Seniority? Kiss it goodbye next year.
New teachers??????? forgetaboutit. You'll be paid for one-third of your experience/college credits.
SBDM? Goodbye, too. Committees must be comprised of the same percentage as IPS has union membership (currently 60%), and principals can veto and/or override any SBDM decision.
Dump membership? Sure, go up against Bennett and Daniels by yourself. We've gone from one of the best association benefits in the state (1996) to the worst. Check to see if the RIF'ed teachers in your school are IEA members. In our building? NOPE.
How can a principal set school hours? That will play havoc with the busses. Unfortunately everything else will probably happen and we are all screwed.
ReplyDeleteYes. A principal can demand our hours, and our hourly rate is no longer honored. We are paid for our contract.
ReplyDeleteDaniels/Bennett want a business model for our schools statewide, so the two bills require managers, not educators. Since anybody can be a manager, the youngest teachers will stay on the job. Experience neither required nor tolerated.
These bills will really take effect in TEN days? That thought is very scary. Will that apply to all school systems or just IPS? Are charter schools included?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that there's no link to verify any of this information?
ReplyDeleteI was just about to ask the same thing. Can you give more information about this legislation? I've been searching and can find nothing about this.
ReplyDeleteI think they're flipping out about the collective bargaining bill. But it's a lot of boogie man nonsense. These are the same people who don't think teachers are qualified to do anything but wash dishes. No wonder they're afraid.
ReplyDeleteThis has happened so quickly because Mitch and Tony don't want Indiana to become a Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteThere two bills apply to every district in the state, if they pass.
I know it's scary, people, but you have to remember that all this competition, free market, and choice stuff applies to teachers too. They're not going to become tyrants because they won't be able to keep teachers that way. IPS isn't a system that people are standing in line to teach in. They're not going to run everybody off or do anything crazy. Yes, they might change a schedule or do do something differently than the way the union always did it. But charter schools and private schools are already run like this and I haven't heard any horror stories. I really think this is one of those things that's being blown out of proportion and that the only people who are in danger are the people who should have been gone a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteToo many administrative jobs, and underpaid underappreciated teachers, especially for the type and depth of social issues that teachers often deal with at IPS schools, students can often come from homes were unfortunately education isnt always at the forefront of parents minds.
ReplyDeleteEven if it is a small ammount of students that cannot focus due to social issues it can affect the progression and learning of other students ...it is a challenging enough job let alone if you lose or disorient 271 teachers somewhere something is going to give...God help the parents that need a place and education for their kids, every kid should have a chance....God bless the teachers hopefully they will all find welcoming jobs.....
and God bless the admin staff who sure arent taking cuts or pay caps!!!....IPS is going to affect this city long term
Warning for Tony Bennett and Mitch Daniels as you prepare to take over IPS....from H. L. Mencken, the Sage of Baltimore- For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong...
ReplyDelete"This has happened so quickly because Mitch and Tony don't want Indiana to become a Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteThere two bills apply to every district in the state, if they pass."
Wrong. According to our Uniserve Director, Wisconsin and Ohio have already passed similar legislation.
These two bills apply to every PUBLIC school district in Indiana. Neither charter or parochial schools fall under these laws.
Go to google or bing.
ReplyDeleteenter indiana legislative bill 1337 2011
Summary of HB 1337:
ReplyDeleteExtends the use of temporary teacher contracts to hiring for positions funded by grants. Establishes a process for contract cancellation for teachers. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement (agreement) may not include provisions that limit a school employer's ability to restructure schools that do not meet federal or state accountability standards, or that limit a school employer's ability to enter into programs that offer postsecondary credit or dual credits to students. Provides that an agreement may not extend beyond the end of a state budget biennium. Prohibits certain subjects from being bargained collectively, and provides that prohibited subjects and items that lead to deficit financing may not be included in an agreement. Removes provisions concerning discussion subjects. Provides that collective bargaining begins not later than May 1, and makes corresponding changes to related sections. Provides that a school employer may end a status quo period. Provides that if a complaint that is filed alleging an unfair practice is found to be frivolous, the complaining party is liable for costs and attorney's fees. Repeals provisions concerning contract cancellation for teachers, the Indiana education employment relations board, certain definitions, a provision allowing the statutory procedures for refusing to continue or canceling a teacher contract to be modified by an agreement, staff performance evaluation, and subjects of discussion, and makes conforming changes to related sections.
http://in.gov/legislative/bills/2011/IN/IN1337.1.html
ReplyDelete"But charter schools and private schools are already run like this and I haven't heard any horror stories."
ReplyDeleteThis may be true, but, statistics show that the average length of teacher employment in charters if FOUR YEARS. Of course, they can hire virtually anyone off the street who can pass a background security check......regardless of educational background.
Of course the average length of employment is short at charter schools. The oldest charter schools are only nine years old. Estimating seven charter schools opening per year, if there was absolutely NO teacher turnover in any Indiana charter school, the average length of teacher employment would be 4 1/2 years.
ReplyDeleteThis bill is simply not that big of a deal.
"regardless of educational background..." Totally false. The law allows transition to teaching type programs for people who already have a Bachelor's degree. That's not the same thing as disregarding education. It's not like they can hire a Wal-Mart cashier to teach a Chemistry class.
ReplyDeleteThis is simply more scare tactics from the IEA. You know, it's no wonder some newer teachers (and some older teachers) no longer want you to represent them.
ReplyDeleteI'll quote Mel Brooks (Governor William J. Le Petomane)in Blazing Saddles here: it seems appropriate. "We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! ..."
Wrong. According to our Uniserve Director, Wisconsin and Ohio have already passed similar legislation.
ReplyDeleteYes but they got lots of bad publicity, teachers sitting in at the capitol, strong organizational efforts to oppose what was going on, they want this to hit you right between the eyes before you have a chance to react. Mitch doesn't want this type of negative publicity...
There are republican teachers in my school who still support Mitch and Bennett, and when we talk about this their mouths drop open and they simply don't believe it....poor things, wait until this starts.
"when we talk about this their mouths drop open..."
ReplyDeleteYou're right. When this legislation gets passed, there will be bunches of teachers saying "I didn't see THAT coming!"
Right, because teachers really aren't a very bright or well-informed bunch. That's why they need the unions to tell them what to think and how to vote. With you as a "friend" of teachers, who needs enemies! LOL
ReplyDeleteNo it's true, a special education teacher who is a big GOP fan, thinks Mitch is the man for President. Then when she found out that her pay will be cut, no senority, and a loss of rights, she was upset. But I know that fool will vote for the GOP again? Not for the best person.
ReplyDeleteWhy would she be upset about some made-up nonsense by some insecure teacher? Are you sure she wasn't just pacifying you. That's what I do when the people I strongly disagree with try to "warn" me about how wrong I am. "Oh no. Gosh, how awful!" Turn my head, roll my eyes, and move on.
ReplyDeleteJust wait, roll your eyes as you pack up your box of personal items. The little sheep followed the wolf into the cave, then they rolled their eyes are the wolf killed each one. I am just shcoked that you are teaching our students.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason for problems in IPS lies with the principals. Most won't get off their lazy bottoms to do walkthroughs to identify poor teachers. I am in the third year at my school and I have seen no one come into my classroom. Teachers on the third floor were laughing that the other day all four administrators came walking into their classrooms. Another fault of the administration is the poor discipline. They don't know what to do with some of the behavior, don't want to lose their high paying jobs, so they put it back on the teachers. I hate seeing what is happening to IPS!
ReplyDeleteAt my school all four administrators were out in the hall, for the first time this year. It was like the Mod Squad as they walked the hall four abreast. I was surprised to see them, I didn't think the principal knew there was a second or third floor.
ReplyDeleteAnd administrators are a big part of the problem, the dean in this group told me that he did not believe we should try to get kids out of the hall and into the room, because that just created problems in the classroom.
I'm shcoked, too. Sheep rolling their eyes are the wolf killed each one?
ReplyDeleteYou'll be the first one canned, sweetie. May I reuse your boxes after you've moved out? I'll turn out the lights.
April 8, 2011
ReplyDeleteBudget issues and school performance statistics have forced Education Reform to the forefront during this session of the Indiana General Assembly. Stories about teacher accountability, test scores, and vouchers dominate the daily news.
This week on Indiana Lawmakers, host Jon Schwantes is joined by State School Superintendent Tony Bennett; Crothersville Community Schools Superintendent Rep. Terry Goodin, D - Austin; House Education Committee Chair Rep. Robert Behining, R - Indianapolis; and Rick Muir, President of the Indiana Federation of Teachers. The panel tackles the questions dividing Hoosiers when it comes to K-12 education: Is now the time to expand school choice programs? Who is accountable for school and student performance failures? And would allowing funding to follow the students truly decimate declining districts? Those issues and more are debated on Indiana Lawmakers, from the Statehouse to your house.
Go to wfyi.org/lawmakers for streaming video.
After last night's meeting, some amazing statements, especially by Indiana/AFT President Muir.
Bennett actually gave kudos to Arlington Woods.
The biggest problem is weak principals. I have worked for many different principals, the good ones make it clear they don't tolerate bad behavior. If one student is continually crawling on the floor and barking like a dog they need to leave. The needs of the other 29 kids in the room outweigh the need of that one student. Unfortunately many principals think the kids are "cute" or feel sorry for their home lives and refuse to do anything about the poor behavior. Hence, crazy houses like school 27.
ReplyDeletesaw it in Wayne Twnship, seeing it now.
I don't wan to stop teaching, I want to stop teaching under my current administration.
Many principals are weak and lazy. They don't want to deal with parents and disruptive parents. They also don't to deal with teachers who are not doing the job. They won't use the evaluation process to dismiss them.
ReplyDeleteDaniels, Bennett, White, Johnson, Harrell, Brown, Giles, Botts:
ReplyDeleteI just want to TEACH.
Leave me alone. Look at my students' achievements, not just their test scores. Trust me to do my job to the best of my ability. Pay me a reasonable wage that reflects my education and experience. Quit ordering me what/when/how to present lessons.
Allow me to reach my children on their level, without fear of a power-hungry or vindictive administrator. Respect me as a professional educator, not a manager or pencil pusher.
Now, as I spend the next three hours of my Friday night grading papers, I think of the teachers who most impacted my life. Why can't we have that courtesy and stature? We've earned it.
"How can a principal set school hours? That will play havoc with the busses."
ReplyDeleteReally?? The "hours" comment referred to teachers - not to students. If this all goes through, your principal will have the authority to dictate your working hours for all 12 months of the calendar year. THAT is what we're talking about.
"Why can't we have that courtesy and stature? We've earned it."
ReplyDeleteVery well expressed. Unfortunately, the Republican bullies aren't listening. They are going to set public education back 100 years and then scratch their brainless talking heads and ask, "My God, what have we done!?"
Politicians should have no say in Education. They are out of touch and haven't stepped into a classroom in over 20 years. They have no idea how the 19th-century factory model has failed current students. There's no creative thinking from the Statehouse and we're all held hostage!
ReplyDeletePoliticians should have no say....
ReplyDeleteWell said. The 19th century education model indeed does not work in the urban setting. It still works in suburban schools, because more students come from intact two parent families where education is supported and expected. Many urban students enter Kindergarten lacking some of the most basic foundations like proper social and lsitening skills that are among others key to the learning process. Yet schools like IPS are set up to teach the kid who comes in possessing those skills. Horrible high school students were made long before they entered high school. If we truly want to educate our children and prevent them from repeating the same ignnorant cycle of poverty they come from, then we must be willing to change what we are doing no matter what. Problem is that education reform always seems to center around the adults never the children whom are most affected by it.
"The IEA, ISTA, and NEA, however, will consistently and diligently defend the master agreement (contract) for ALL bargaining unit members (mainly teachers, counselors, etc.) with complete disregard for membership status."
ReplyDeleteSadly, the freeloaders have weakened all of Indiana educational associations' "master agreements" to negotiate and protect ONLY our salary and insurance. There will no longer be "language" for situations such as working hours, class sizes, or due process. The right to file grievances will be fondly remembered as a blast from the past, and if your administrator wants you gone without question, one simple conference will remove you from your classroom. Want to fight it? Be sure you have lots of evidence in your favor, and plenty of money, since, if your appeal is unsuccessful, you'll pay all incurred expenses, both yours and your opponents'.
Please, please be sure to read the proposed bills in committee right now. One might feel that someone else will look out for his or her best interest, but that is no longer guaranteed.
"Provides that if a complaint that is filed alleging an unfair practice is found to be frivolous, the complaining party is liable for costs and attorney's fees."
ReplyDeletehttp://in.gov/legislative/bills/2011/IN/IN1337.1.html
The key words here are "FRIVOLOUS" and "THE COMPLAINING PARTY". So, leaving out the union scare tactics....what is wrong with the above excerpt?
ReplyDeleteThe DOE decides what is "frivolous". There will be no list of what is acceptable or unacceptable. What may be frivolous to one may be reasonable to another. The association has no say in these matters.
ReplyDeleteHow does IPS notify teachers that they are being called back?
ReplyDeleteNobody is getting a call back!!!!!
ReplyDelete