tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post5727221763684093422..comments2023-10-01T06:53:05.812-04:00Comments on The Washington Teacher: Impacted Out? In Search Of DC's Terminated TeachersCandi Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266880795971626269noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-8662078776506579242010-08-11T00:59:26.873-04:002010-08-11T00:59:26.873-04:00Candi,
It's ironic that President Obama is or ...Candi,<br />It's ironic that President Obama is or has signed a bill to keep educators from being fired, while MR is firing, riffing and/or excessing educators as fast as she can right in his face. IS THE PRESIDENT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN HIS OWN FRONT YARD???? I realize that these are local issues, but he has to know that there is something very wrong going on in the city with our educators. I'm sure or I hope that he doesn't believed that there are thousands of educators in the city that are ineffective. True educators know that when just about every school in the city did not make AYP( for what ever reason because I'm sure MR will have reasons) we know that there is something very wrong with the instrument being used. This is also true about the large number of educators in the city who have been deemed ineffective by a flawed instrument. WHAT IS GOING ON?????? OH YEAH, EDUCATIONAL REFORM!!!!!!!What a crock of shiggity! Is anybody listening reading,caring or even thinking about what's happening? Or is the President "SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY?" I'm getting ready to read the interview with the President about education in Ebony(September 2010). I know what he said when he addressed the recent National Urban League Convention. Let't see if he listened to what was presented in the 17 page "FRAMEWORK" document.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-48511896063842103382010-08-07T11:14:16.752-04:002010-08-07T11:14:16.752-04:00Reply to Anonymous @ 3:41
According to the last P...Reply to Anonymous @ 3:41<br /><br />According to the last Post article that I read by Turque, Rhee reports that teachers who were excessed and have not found a placement and have IMPACT scores of minimally effective will be fired in August. Rhee is going by the 2007-20012 contract since it was ratified on June 2 by our members. Rhee challenges Parker that we are no longer under the old contract and that this contract has to take effect at some point. Rhee stated that Parker is being disingenuous. Certainly, I imagine that Rhee knows who she is fring. My understanding is that the numbers will be sizeable.Stay tuned.The Washington Teacherhttp://thewashingtonteacher.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-74220196750486554952010-08-07T09:41:26.417-04:002010-08-07T09:41:26.417-04:00Can somebody please clarify who will be terminated...Can somebody please clarify who will be terminated on Friday? Are these only teachers who were excessed in June and haven't found a new school? There appears to be some dispute about which contract is now in operation..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-5848854144299575842010-08-06T19:59:20.073-04:002010-08-06T19:59:20.073-04:00DC CAS scores are out. Wow! Did any school make ...DC CAS scores are out. Wow! Did any school make AYP this year?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-42975004603231813272010-08-06T19:06:35.925-04:002010-08-06T19:06:35.925-04:00I too have over 20 years service in DCPS. I agree ...I too have over 20 years service in DCPS. I agree with five to go above in that this school year has been one of the worst. We have had horrible years. A few years ago we had a child die, not shot, but from a terrible disease. That was devastating. We had a beloved coworker pass. Other terrible things happened including watching 9-11 on tvs in a DCPS classroom. Hearing little children ask if their mommy was going to be OK, cause she worked in the US Capitol. The DC sniper shootings, etc, etc. But the way IMPACT came in and invaded our classrooms, 5 observations, some ME with less than a quarter of my experience and less education, criticizing what I do, waiting to see if I'm effective (thank you God) or not, the tension. Yes, it was one of the worst experiences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-15295491510913494822010-08-06T16:47:15.368-04:002010-08-06T16:47:15.368-04:00Concerning the horror stories, I had my own horror...Concerning the horror stories, I had my own horror story. The last ME gave me a low score, however my principal let me know that she would make sure my last observation would be fine. She kept her word. All I am saying is, a lot of the ME were told to score certain teachers lower. I don't know for sure, I'm just saying, this is what I feel. The school year past was one of the worst experiences I have had in over 20 years, in DCPS. I am enjoying my much deserved summer break. I am getting ready for the new school year by resting, praying, and preparing to vote this idiot, mayor of DC out of office.Five To Gonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-57049743016356034432010-08-06T16:09:19.016-04:002010-08-06T16:09:19.016-04:00If you received a Minimally Effective or Ineffecti...If you received a Minimally Effective or Ineffective rating on your IMPACT evaluation, you have thirty days to file an appeal. Use the Staff Appeal to the Chancellor on the Office of Management and Employee Relations (LMER) page of the DCPS website (http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS/Human+Resources/Labor+Management+and+Employee+Relations). I was just emailed this information from impactdcps@dc.gov.mlbdcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-36933588568540349022010-08-06T16:08:30.568-04:002010-08-06T16:08:30.568-04:00I've heard several IMPACT horror stories also....I've heard several IMPACT horror stories also. Sadly, too many people are afraid to speak. I'm reminded of the old Pastor Niemoller poem, "First the Came for the ...." (you can add whatever subject or person you want.<br />It goes something like this:<br /><br />In Germany they first came for the Communists,<br />and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.<br /><br />Then they came for the Jews,<br />and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.<br /><br />Then they came for the trade unionists,<br />and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.<br /><br />Then they came for the Catholics,<br />and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.<br /><br />Then they came for me —<br />and by that time no one was left to speak up.<br /><br />I'm glad there are people willing to speak up. It seems at the moment that they are far and few between.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-85469520396107812372010-08-06T15:30:35.374-04:002010-08-06T15:30:35.374-04:00If you received a Minimally Effective or Ineffecti...If you received a Minimally Effective or Ineffective rating on your IMPACT evaluation, you have thirty days to file an appeal. Use the Staff Appeal to the Chancellor on the Office of Management and Employee Relations (LMER) page of the DCPS website (http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS/Human+Resources/Labor+Management+and+Employee+Relations). I was just emailed this information from impactdcps@dc.gov.mlbdcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-90770033873864380572010-08-05T15:50:28.171-04:002010-08-05T15:50:28.171-04:00There are other IMPACT horror stories out there, t...There are other IMPACT horror stories out there, though all these teachers mentioned finished the year with an effective rating. Let me share a few with you. My friend was texting me furiously on that Friday evening right before the final scores were posted, frantic that she wouldn't get her step increase. She got enough points to put her in the effective range despite the lowish test scores and IVA data. My other friend who got excellent classroom observations yet her kids bombed the CAS, dropping her from a 380 to just above a 250. She thanked God she had a job and stopped thinking of herself as highly effective. And my poor coworker had such a terrible first ME observation, the chick giving her a 1 in content knowledge or not correcting inaccurate information. This coworker is a seasoned, experienced veteran teacher with 2 masters. She barely got over a 2.0 on that first ME observation. She was so upset that she had to go back on anti-depresssants, the kind she took during her divorce. She finished the year effective, with her confidence shattered. These are just a few IMPACT stories, all true, in the lives of DCPS teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-40597831720103417092010-08-05T14:11:36.929-04:002010-08-05T14:11:36.929-04:00Yes, I agree the tide is beginning to turn in the ...Yes, I agree the tide is beginning to turn in the favor of all teachers. Journalists seem to be checking facts and asking questions. <br /><br />The truth, as always, will win out in the long run.Linda/RetiredTeacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613269510654597179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-55871391022963719382010-08-05T11:47:54.203-04:002010-08-05T11:47:54.203-04:00Any word yet on who was fired on July30th? I under...Any word yet on who was fired on July30th? I understand the staff came from Central Office. <br /><br />My understanding from what Rhee said in WaPO is excessed teachers ( with Effective ratings) who did not secure a teaching assignment will be fired on August 13th. Teachers with minimally ineffective ratings who were excessed will also be terminated. <br /><br />Any word yet on DCPS enrollment? I am guessing the RIF will occur after mayoral election and RTT winners are announced but before a Saunders winAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-36790028751899025172010-08-05T11:18:39.565-04:002010-08-05T11:18:39.565-04:00Candi, Who is in charge of the WTU? I got a robo c...Candi, Who is in charge of the WTU? I got a robo call about a meeting for excessed and terminated teachers. Never happened. No emails about the recent DCPS fiasco. Blogs afire with comments on faulty impact scores and calculations. No word on what WTU is planning to do unless you read the papers. What is the plan? Can we file grievances re: evaluation? That seems to be a big question. One the Reflective Educator TRIED answering but not definitively. I understand that it may go to arbitration and their may be an unfair labor practice charge filed. TOO LITTLE-TOO LATE. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a thought or a game plan on what to do next.<br />Arrgh!<br />rtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-31951583764632937922010-08-05T10:10:47.273-04:002010-08-05T10:10:47.273-04:00The tide seems to be turning or at least it does t...The tide seems to be turning or at least it does today if you read the Education Secion of the Washington Post, Valerie Straus question mathematical formula used for IMPACT, Jay Matthews - Data used by Rhee/Fenty for political purposes, and Bill Turque - Union calls Rhee out on number of teacher's fired. Keep the pressure on, the truth seems to be coming out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-44336274519929489442010-08-05T07:55:18.231-04:002010-08-05T07:55:18.231-04:00To Looking for answers on Mr. Gray:
Again..........To Looking for answers on Mr. Gray:<br /><br />Again.......go to vincegrayformayor.com and click on the link about Gray's education plan. <br /><br />Remember, ABF<br /><br />Anyone But Fenty 2010!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-6049813218543486442010-08-05T07:52:26.992-04:002010-08-05T07:52:26.992-04:00Did everyone get the email and letter from Randi W...Did everyone get the email and letter from Randi Weingarten of the AFT?<br /><br />Looks like the WTU Election is back on again and sounds like AFT is going to control it to make sure it gets done this time.<br /><br />FINALLY!<br /><br />Anyone who votes for Parker again, deserves exactly what they get this time around. We will be living with this disasterous contract for the rest of our teaching lives!Cynthianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-71171357552017129412010-08-05T07:49:21.357-04:002010-08-05T07:49:21.357-04:00check out the vince gray for mayor websitecheck out the vince gray for mayor websiteFinding Answers on Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-35602010940950926762010-08-05T07:48:47.842-04:002010-08-05T07:48:47.842-04:00Hey Candi,
Check out Bill Turque's newspaper ...Hey Candi,<br /><br />Check out Bill Turque's newspaper article this morning about Rhee vs. Parker and their termination number dispute.<br />Rhee slams Parker and definately confirms that if you have a minimally effective rating and you have been excessed....she expects that you will be terminated effective August 13th! You do not get a year to find a job because of your IMPACT rating.<br /><br />She also confirms Parker's question......<br />Which contract was in place when the teachers were excessed?<br /><br />The Answer: Rhee does not Care! The contract she is going by is the new Parker Sell-out Contract!<br /><br />More of the 737teachers with minimally effective ratings will be fired!Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-64944493398864107742010-08-04T19:12:50.328-04:002010-08-04T19:12:50.328-04:00I am an alternative certification teacher who was...I am an alternative certification teacher who was rated minimally ineffective because I got into trouble with the principal over a non_TLF situation. So quite a few points were deducted from IMPACT to teach me a lesson. Enough to fall into the minimally effective category. According to my mentor, DCPS is trying to retain all first and second year teachers ( TFA, DCTFers and traditional) and hence most will be given a second chance. Mentor stated that the feedback was NEGATIVE across the board toward DCPS from all mentees regardless of how they came into DCPS and concerns that many were seeking jobs outside of DCPS. One of the major areas of concerns was IMPACT, poor administrative and Professional development. Oddly, the old vets vs new alternative certificate was not an issue. From my DCTF cohort quite a few left or transferred to other schools.<br />At my school, we lost quite a few teachers vets and newbies to the causes listed below. I can safely say that the newbies vs vets issue was not a problem at my school, the administration was even-handed in treating EVERYONE like shit!! I will say that the teachers selected for excessing defied logic, however, I don't think the admins realized that the other teachers for the same subject areas were also planning on leaving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-44137242185012567762010-08-04T18:51:25.279-04:002010-08-04T18:51:25.279-04:00To Lindsey,
I don't get it. You support Vinc...To Lindsey,<br /><br />I don't get it. You support Vincent Gray because he is not Fenty.<br /><br />Yet, I can't find any substance on his educational views, other than the point paper someone wrote for him that he published. <br /><br />He could not explain most of it, I fear.<br /><br />So what do you think his views are? Say, on teacher evaluation. What would he say about how we got to the state of the schools at the time Fenty was elected?Waiting for Mr. Good Gray to speak ed.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-25770950027032768542010-08-04T18:40:43.604-04:002010-08-04T18:40:43.604-04:00Candi,
There is an interesting commentary in the A...Candi,<br />There is an interesting commentary in the Afro newspaper(a once highly read newspaper by most Blacks in the city)that addresses President Obama's justification as to why he has made not changes or even considered completely doing away with NCLB. The commentary was written by Ron Walters. Maybe the Afro is a viable means of getting out information about our plight. Please post the website . I would be very interesed in your opinion<br /> about the article.<br />http://www.afro.com/sections/<br />opinion/commentary/story.htm <br />Very interesting commentary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-66959058461799118442010-08-04T18:27:18.958-04:002010-08-04T18:27:18.958-04:00Looking for Answers, try here:
http://www.vincegr...Looking for Answers, try here:<br /><br />http://www.vincegrayformayor.com/education/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-40276821833661288452010-08-03T21:41:19.022-04:002010-08-03T21:41:19.022-04:00Can someone help me out with information Mr. Gray&...Can someone help me out with information Mr. Gray's position on DCPS?<br /><br />I can't get any specifics. At that forum where the Mayor failed to show, I read a transcript, and Mr. Gray seemed to say hardly anything of substance.Looking for answers on Mr. Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-87907559788444780132010-08-03T17:43:27.283-04:002010-08-03T17:43:27.283-04:00Annonymous at 5:38,
Are you serious??? Her admin...Annonymous at 5:38,<br /><br /><br />Are you serious??? Her administration pressured her to shut her blog down?? So people are not allowed to express their opinions?? Does that not go against the U.S. constitution??? Maybe this was the reason Dee seemed to change her mind about Michelle Rhee every week on her blog. I am glad there are still people like Candi and Guy Brandenberg who are not afraid to speak up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-42038904837098230842010-08-03T17:38:42.432-04:002010-08-03T17:38:42.432-04:00I don't know if any TFA teachers were terminat...I don't know if any TFA teachers were terminated, but I know that one started out as minimally effective and worked her way up to effective with help from coaches. She wrote all about it on her blog.<br /><br />http://teachingserendipity.blogspot.com/2010/07/learning-to-teach-like-champion.html<br /><br />She even mentioned that TFA training involved something called "Teaching as Leadership" which is very similar to IMPACT.EFavoritenoreply@blogger.com