tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post4359058103666718302..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Teachers! Your Opinions Please!Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84876872921733832002011-08-10T12:04:23.280-04:002011-08-10T12:04:23.280-04:00@ Anonymous 10:40
"As parents, how can we lo...@ Anonymous 10:40<br /><br />"As parents, how can we lobby schools or DCSS to allow real recess? Outside or in a gym? Or even yoga in the classroom? Please comment Cere and all."<br /><br />Fernbank PTA provides yoga to the Fenbank students. Why don't you call the PTA president and ask if it's during the school day and what they did to get it. Yoga is wonderful for kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49765756587545160522011-08-10T10:56:10.526-04:002011-08-10T10:56:10.526-04:00Wow. That's shocking. It's only 15 minute...Wow. That's shocking. It's only 15 minutes, but it's mandatory in K-5. If your child is not given daily recess, then the principal is breaking policy. A large group of parents worked very hard to get that policy in place. Write the board and report your school. Let them know that this policy is not being followed at all schools. Also, share the policy with your principal:<br /><br /><i>Board Policy Descriptor Code: IEDA<br />Unstructured Break Time<br /> <br /> <br />The DeKalb County Board of Education supports supervised, unstructured break times as an integral component of a child’s physical, social, and academic development. Schools shall schedule time for all students in kindergarten and grades one through five to have at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured break time each school day. The school principal shall determine the timing and location of breaks at each school. <br /> <br />The school principal shall consult with school-level and system-level instructional staff as appropriate to ensure that students in kindergarten and grades one through five receive maximum instructional time to promote increased academic achievement and that breaks are scheduled to support the learning process. The principal also shall issue directions assigning responsibility for supervision of students so that break time will be a safe and positive experience for students.<br /> <br />Breaks shall not be withheld from students in kindergarten or grades one through five for disciplinary or academic reasons.<br /> <br />Supervised, unstructured breaks may be provided for students in grades six through eight at the discretion of the school principal. The DeKalb County Board of Education does not support an extension of the school day to provide for supervised, unstructured break time for students in grades K-8.<br /> <br />In accordance with state law, a copy of this policy shall be provided to the State Board of Education.<br /></i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48277271575720687342011-08-09T10:40:18.523-04:002011-08-09T10:40:18.523-04:00@ Cerebration: In April 2010, you said "K-5 -...@ Cerebration: In April 2010, you said "K-5 - recess is mandatory. The principal can decide where and when, but not "if"... " <br /><br />...and yet my young child has no recess in his Dekalb school (and often P.E. only 2x week). As test-stress continues, principals phase out Unstructured Break Time, as Dekalb euphemistically called it. <br /><br />As parents, how can we lobby schools or DCSS to allow real recess? Outside or in a gym? Or even yoga in the classroom? Please comment Cere and all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4465773008106848582010-04-30T20:06:17.614-04:002010-04-30T20:06:17.614-04:00It's after 8 on a Friday night and I'm sti...It's after 8 on a Friday night and I'm still in my classroom. I was looking for a quote to use for an activity next week and found this one. I'm going to post it and then head home. This says it all and more: <br />Most teachers have little control over school policy or curriculum or choice of texts or special placement of students, but most have a great deal of autonomy inside the classroom. To a degree shared by only a few other occupations, such as police work, public education rests precariously on the skill and virtue of the people at the bottom of the institutional pyramid. ~Tracy Kidder<br />Amen, Tracy, AmenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83482424811424994322010-04-30T19:44:53.239-04:002010-04-30T19:44:53.239-04:00In my discipline at the high school level, the way...In my discipline at the high school level, the way teachers weight the students' grades is dictated by county office. The weights vary by course, but usually it's something like: Homework 10%, Participation 10%, Tests 20%, Reading/Writing 10%, Classwork/Daily Grades 20%, Projects 20%, Final Exam 10%. Teachers are not allowed to make the decision about whether or not homework should be graded or if tests should make up the lion's share of a student's final average.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22175749676602402652010-04-30T18:49:45.510-04:002010-04-30T18:49:45.510-04:00Wouldn't all that energy spent "gaming th...Wouldn't all that energy spent "gaming the system" be better spent actually working in the system?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73472014766662481362010-04-30T18:14:48.717-04:002010-04-30T18:14:48.717-04:00Well, obviously the administrators are certain the...Well, obviously the administrators are certain they can get away with this, because even though the GPB article says the state has TWO "incredibly trained and confident" investigators, clearly, this is not enough. In fact, it's nearly a license to cheat, IMO.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28313558470576472462010-04-30T17:57:14.952-04:002010-04-30T17:57:14.952-04:00Anon 5:20
You are dead on about 504 plans. We ha...Anon 5:20<br /><br />You are dead on about 504 plans. We hand them out like water at a race.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70866877658113442342010-04-30T17:35:28.834-04:002010-04-30T17:35:28.834-04:00@ Cerebration 9:35
Well, the two teachers in DCSS...@ Cerebration 9:35<br /><br />Well, the two teachers in DCSS that publicly resisted all efforts to "cheat" and change test scores are now out of jobs in DCSS and the administrators who pressured them are making over $100,000 a year. DCSS teachers are pressured all the time to change grades or not have their contracts renewed or be given a bad evaluation. <br /><br />Will Kathleen Mathers and the Professional Standards Commission be looking at administrators who pressure the teachers to change grades by threatening them with their jobs or evaluations or will they only look at teachers? What they have done so far speaks volumes. They have not been supportive of teachers. <br /><br />Who is hurt the most by the grade changing and grade inflation - students. Students get hurt when some students who have not earned the grades get the same as they do. The student getting the grade is also cheated in that she gets a grade that she has not earned. This is a life lesson in entitlement that will prove disastrous for her in college or a job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7635240303213745582010-04-30T17:20:44.832-04:002010-04-30T17:20:44.832-04:00@ Cerebration 9:41 am
Absolutely principals and C...@ Cerebration 9:41 am<br /><br />Absolutely principals and Central Office administrators are pressuring teachers to change grades to pass students as well as requiring a greater percentage of the grade come from homework, classwork, projects. etc. This is to ensure the Graduation rate is increased. It is entirely possible in many DCSS classes to fail every test and still pass the course. <br /><br />Since the DCSS administration has utterly failed to advance students' achievement as measured by standardized test scores (e.g. CRCT, EOCT, SAT, ITBS, etc.), this is the only measurable objective they can control. <br /><br />The other practice DCSS has instituted is issuance of the 504 plan. 504 plans do not require special education services such as an IEP would. Rather, the regular ed teacher is required to make accommodations for the student. 504 plans are pushed by DCSS because:<br />1. They do not require any money be spent on special ed services for the students<br />2. They require teachers to provide special accommodations for students such as accepting late work, extra time on tests, etc. Students who consistently turn their work in late can often do so without penalty with a 504 plan.<br /><br />Before you think I'm against 504 plans, I'll let you know that my son had a life threatening illness in school so he required a 504 plan. If the situation warrants it, 504 plans are critical for students. However, the volume of 504 plans has gotten to the point that teachers are being overwhelmed. Some of these children do not need accommodations and some of them are in real need of an EIP with special ed services. 504s have gotten to be the "cheap and dirty" way to serve students and get them through the system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22124460427182639762010-04-30T12:36:38.863-04:002010-04-30T12:36:38.863-04:00This whole discussion begs the question: What IS e...This whole discussion begs the question: What IS evaluation? What do parents expect their children to be evaluated on, and what are teachers actually expected to evaluate? And consider the mechanism of evaluation...is a one-on-one discussion with a student good enough to be considered evaluative? Or does it all have to come down to paper/pencil work? <br /><br />I had a teacher who never graded homework (though it was assigned every day), nor did he give effort/attitude grades...he knew that students would work on homework together--actually, he encouraged it. But he gave quizzes almost every day on material from the homework, and tests happened about every other week. He said it was clear very quickly which students were working and which were not. His class grades were comprised of quizzes, tests, and the final exam. <br /><br />So, parents, do you think that your students (high school in particular) should be "graded" on effort or on their ability to demonstrate content understanding and knowledge? And, even more importantly, do you TRUST your teachers' ability to fairly evaluate your child? I think it is worth a discussion...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84796759323615815872010-04-30T10:09:15.752-04:002010-04-30T10:09:15.752-04:00I think the homework "counting" as a gra...I think the homework "counting" as a grade,as the "zero" issue is a school/teacher-based idea that differs from school to school.<br /><br />My middle school child has a teacher that ONLY gives tests, quizzes - very, very little homework, maybe 1 project this year. Basically, it's "pay attention in class, take good notes, study" and that is where it leads you.<br /><br />I am not one of those parents who is impressed with teachers that give a lot of homework. I know parents who "rate" a teacher based on the amount of homework they give, as if the child should be up all hours of the night doing homework. (Of course, if your child is taking AP classes, that's what they do, but different topic).Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40244705865034746472010-04-30T09:59:15.580-04:002010-04-30T09:59:15.580-04:00In fact, I will take this whole concept a step fur...In fact, I will take this whole concept a step further and even state that teachers assign a whole lot more "busywork" and homework and projects that are graded so that those -- more or less easy points -- can serve to bring up any low test scores allowing students to actually pass classes with low test scores.<br /><br />Back in the old days - homework didn't count toward your grade - it was just done so that you could understand the concepts better. The teachers went over homework in class to explain concepts that students obviously weren't understanding. The only things that counted in your grade were things like essays, theme papers, tests and quizzes. I doubt if we had more that 20 graded items per term.<br /><br />The new system in high school ends up with 40 to 100 graded items. Of that, only a few are tests and those scores in total may only account for 50% of your grade or less. This does not serve students well. When students get to college, they are shocked to find out that their test scores are what drive their grades.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37575230673684408672010-04-30T09:41:37.270-04:002010-04-30T09:41:37.270-04:00BTW - here's the link to the GPB article -
ht...BTW - here's the link to the GPB article -<br /><br />http://www.gpb.org/news/2010/02/25/high-school-tests-to-come-under-state-scrutiny-next<br /><br />Personally, I'm worried about the apparent disconnect between the publicly spoken aversion to "cheating" coming from the school system - in contrast to the unspoken endorsement of "cheating light" by pressuring teachers to give points where they obviously were not earned. In addition, this is apparently not done across all high schools, putting a competitive advantage to students who are given "free points" essentially. <br /><br />Looks like a very slippery slope to me. Most likely driven by the need to keep graduation levels high (as shown by WSB's report on Frankie Callaway's pressure to admin at Redan to change a student's grades in order for her to graduate) as well as nab more of those HOPE scholarship dollars..... It's pretty much all about money, as usual. And it's putting teacher's ethics in the middle.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19617309561821344032010-04-30T09:35:28.143-04:002010-04-30T09:35:28.143-04:00So, what score exactly are you told to enter inste...So, what score exactly are you told to enter instead of a zero? Is that covered? Is there a minimum score you can enter? How is this not considered "cheating"? Is it not because it's sanctioned by administrators and parents? I think this is some kind of under-stated arm-twisting of teachers and I would warn teachers to be very careful in posting unearned points. What do you professional standards say to this issue? Has the ODE addressed this pressure to inflate grades in defense of teachers? <br /><br />On a similar news front -- the is from GPB online:<br /><br /><i>High School Tests To Come Under State Scrutiny Next<br />By Melissa Stiers<br />Updated: 2 months ago<br /><br />ATLANTA — Standardized testing at public high schools will soon come under the state’s scrutiny. <br /><br />This comes as nearly 200 elementary and middle schools across the state must investigate suspicious erasures on tests students took last year.<br /><br />The Governors Office of Student Achievement conducted the audit resulting in the current investigations. Executive Director Kathleen Mathers told lawmakers at a budget hearing Thursday, they’ll look at high schools next.<br /><br />“We’ve done a comprehensive analysis of our tests for grades 1-8. Of course our high schools take tests too. They take end of course tests and high school graduation tests, so we hope to begin work on the high school level some time this spring.”<br /><br />Mathers says budget cuts to her agency won't affect those plans.<br /><br />Meanwhile the agency responsible for reprimanding teachers for any wrong doing says despite limited resources, it has the people it needs to investigate educators. Kelly Henson is with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.<br /><br />"I would tell you we have two investigators in our agency that are incredibly trained and confident to work on these cases," says Henson.<br /><br />The commission can revoke the teaching license of educators guilty of tampering with standardized tests.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-81820000524954802872010-04-30T08:53:08.452-04:002010-04-30T08:53:08.452-04:00Anon 10:26 you are correct.
We had to send our a...Anon 10:26 you are correct. <br /><br />We had to send our assistant principal the screen shots to show that we had done this.<br /><br />The way training is done in DCSS is very poor. It is as if the county does this so that intelligent teachers receive info second and third hand and aren't able to ask the thought provoking questions that may challenge the status quo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32657788169709418542010-04-29T22:26:22.163-04:002010-04-29T22:26:22.163-04:00More on eSIS and zeroes. When school started we h...More on eSIS and zeroes. When school started we had a meeting and were told how to set up our eSIS. We were told to set it up for not accepting zeroes. Teachers..on the first eSIS software there was a setup screen where you either checked or didn't check for accepting zeroes. That may be why some schools do not accept zeroes and others do. The person that went to training at our school told us to format for not accepting zeroes. Maybe this is where the disconnect is between schools?? I haven't checked the new softward program to see if there is still that option. I have noticed when people go to county meetings some of the information if filtered back to some schools but not others. I guess there is a link in communication somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63480132055243847142010-04-28T21:35:03.868-04:002010-04-28T21:35:03.868-04:00Very sad that no money is given to the schools to ...Very sad that no money is given to the schools to replace Promethean bulbs so now a piece of equipment that taxpayers spent thousands of dollars for is just sitting there. Tony Hunter strikes again. Just like eSis - no planning or looking at the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6818045268184849562010-04-28T20:40:17.403-04:002010-04-28T20:40:17.403-04:00Anon 7:46,
It is my understanding that a was sign...Anon 7:46,<br /><br />It is my understanding that a was signed by the board of ed obligating us to purchase 7 million dollars of books to a particular company. I do not know what company, but it is something I recall learning about and thinking What?????<br /><br />What you should also be upset about is the training of teachers now, so that they forget what they "learned" during the eluminate sessions. Which at my school was playing but no one was watching. I am tired of money being spent on non-necessary items which aren't going to be kept up with in the long run. The promethian boards come to mind with their $550 dollar bulbs. I do not see these being replaced quickly with tax revenue being down.<br /><br />Teachers feel the same way that you do about the ELA books. They are not necessary in the economic climate that we are currently in. I do hope that Maureen brings this purchase to light, so that parents see how money is misspent time and time again in DeKalb.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25029752396996270652010-04-28T19:46:20.317-04:002010-04-28T19:46:20.317-04:00I am ANGRY. As a parent, I would like to know why...I am ANGRY. As a parent, I would like to know why teachers being trained for/getting a new ELA series. They have had the old series for a mere five years. Grammar is grammar, and phonics is phonics. We do not need to "get current". I believe most teachers would agree. Maureen Downey, please help us find out who is sleeping with (or getting a HUGE kickback) from the publisher. I am SICKENED. BTW- Don't tell me IT'S DIFFERENT MONEY. It's a HUGE waste that we taxpayers have had to cough up one way or another. WWCD? (What would Clark do?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75993982930852795652010-04-28T15:38:26.984-04:002010-04-28T15:38:26.984-04:00@ Cerebration 2:37 pm
For third grade students it...@ Cerebration 2:37 pm<br /><br />For third grade students it doesn't matter if one of the 4th grade teachers will be let go next year or if a 4th grade teacher retires and his position will not be filled. It works out the same for them. They'll be in larger classes with less space, less hands-on and interesting activities, and less attention from the teacher if they have a problem learning a concept.<br /><br />The emphasis has been on teachers losing their jobs, and that is a lamentable and short sighted situation. But the emphasis needs to be on students. Teachers are an educated group. They will move on to other jobs or they will eventually be called back as aging teachers retire in droves, a prospect which is looming on the educational front. On the other hand, children rarely get second chances with respect to their educational opportunities.<br /><br />So teacher cuts and teacher positions not being filled due to attrition are exactly the same from the standpoint of student achievement. We can't lose our focus. Students need teachers - that's the only group students can't do without.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70409998269843900192010-04-28T14:49:50.564-04:002010-04-28T14:49:50.564-04:00You're probably right, Cere. I know one of my...You're probably right, Cere. I know one of my child's teachers left mid-year and a current teacher just took over her class - no new teacher brought in.Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24149844907524835742010-04-28T14:37:28.272-04:002010-04-28T14:37:28.272-04:00At any rate - it sure does appear that they are cu...At any rate - it sure does appear that they are cutting teachers pretty much everywhere (although, a bit unevenly) - wonder how it will work out. The stated premise is through attrition. Let's hope it works out that way.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52024089434871940162010-04-28T11:04:53.030-04:002010-04-28T11:04:53.030-04:00Should have typed "CTSS", not "CSS,...Should have typed "CTSS", not "CSS," and I also said "last year" when I mean 2009-2010 and "this year" when I mean 2010-2011. Sorry.Square Pegnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64871898522843595132010-04-28T11:00:07.683-04:002010-04-28T11:00:07.683-04:00I counted the teachers listed on Arabia's webs...I counted the teachers listed on Arabia's website, thinking that they would have hired more than last year's budget indicated. <br /><br />53 regular ed teachers + 1 para. <br /><br />4 media/technology/CSS<br /><br />6 exceptional ed + 1 para. <br /><br />So they might have to cut also.Square Pegnoreply@blogger.com