Hey again, everyone. Lots happening.
For those of you interested in national stuff, Florida is a HOT place...not only for weather, but for teacher tenure. Guess what, though. Gov. Crist vetoed a bill that would have eliminated tenure (and done a bunch of other things that a lot of teachers seemed to not like).
Interested in Race to the Top implementation?
You can see an estimate of how much MONEY each district will get. Your school system would have to APPLY for how they plan to spend the money and an implementation committee will oversee that they money is being spent on those things that Race to the Top tries to target. According to the state, that means "provid[ing] a structure for struggling schools to have access to 'high quality' content and course delivery providers." The implementation team, from what I can see, hasn't been decided on yet.
Teachers, interested in how your evaluation tool will change?
The Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee has a website and is trying to make their process transparent. I'm trying to work with the KCEA to make sure local teachers can have input in this process. Still developing this...
The Coalition of Large Area School Systems (a group designed to make sure large districts talk to each other) will be holding a meeting this month in Knoxville to look at the Teacher Advancement Program and what it might teach TN about changing its evaluation system.
ALL THROUGH THIS, I've been meeting with a lot of people, from superintendents, teachers, business folks, etc. about so many things. Here are some things people have made clear:
- Teaching and learning should be FUN. But with teachers running 100 miles per hour every day, it's hard to just slap more requirements on teachers and expect them to be on board.
- Many people and groups try to SUPPORT teachers, but we don't stand together. Science and math teachers can look at Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Knoxville's Vols 4 STEM. Social studies, civics, and reading can look at innovative programs like the East TN Historical Society's programs. If you're a business and want to get involved, Chambers of Commerce and Partners in Education programs allow access. If you want after-school programs and other interventions, non-profits like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club (excluding many here, I know, but it's long enough already) usually will help. BUT IT ALL SEEMS DISCONNECTED. How can we expect teachers to digest it all?
If you're interested in having a relaxed conversation about supporting teachers, I'll be at Barley's in the Old City in Knoxville on THURSDAY, April 22 @ 7 PM. Intimate discussions can help us all think through this stuff. Come one, come all.
If you're interested in holding a discussion about how we can work together to connect these dots, please contact me! luterg@unitedwayknox.org or call me directly at 865-521-5575.
This conversation can't only be driven by me. The community has to be leading it. Help me to get that going.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Correction: Schools should be ENGAGING. Maybe that fits better. Having fun can't necessarily have an end in itself. When students feel engaged and invested in their learning (what I called “fun”), they are more likely to work hard on things that are rigorous. It’s about getting kids invested in hard work. “Fun” better translates into the “good” that comes from being invested in education: lifelong learner, motivation, engagement, confidence, self-efficacy.
ReplyDelete